Hygiene during menstruation
To absorb the blood during her menstruation, a woman can use products such as sanitary towels or tampons.
Sanitary towel
A sanitary towel is a small absorbent pad that a women can put in their underpants during menstruation. There is an adhesive strip at the bottom of the sanitary towel. This keeps the sanitary towel in place. You can buy sanitary towels in different sizes, forms and thicknesses.
Change a sanitary towel every few hours.
A sanitary towel
Sanitary towel in underpants
Used sanitary towel being thrown in bin.
Tampon
A tampon is a small stick made of cotton wool with a string attached to it. You insert the small stick into the vagina. The string hangs outside the vagina. You can buy tampons in different sizes.
Change a tampon every few hours. To remove a tampon, pull the string carefully.
You can choose whether you want to use tampons or sanitary towels. The hymen cannot tear by using a tampon.
A tampon
Woman spreading her labia to insert a tampon into her vagina.
Woman inserting a tampon.
Tampon inside the vagina
Woman removing the tampon by pulling the string.
Used tampon is thrown in bin.
Pain
For some women, the menstruation is painful. You can relieve the pain in the belly or back (uterus) by relaxing. You can, for example:
- take a hot bath or shower;
- place a hot pillow on your belly or back;
- drink relaxing tea (for example chamomile tea);
- do sports or relaxation exercises;
- ask for the right medicines at a pharmacy.
Sexual intercourse
Some women want to have sexual intercourse during their menstruation, others do not. A woman can have sexual intercourse during her menstruation if she wants to. It will not lead to hygiene problems.