Menstrual Hygiene

Good period hygiene is simple once it becomes a habit. It's mostly about changing your product regularly, washing your hands, and keeping the outer area of your body clean, the same commonsense care you'd give to any other part of your body.

The Basics

• Wash your hands before and after changing a pad, tampon, or emptying a cup.
• Change pads every 4-6 hours, and tampons every 4-8 hours (never longer than 8).
• Wash the vulva (the outside area) with warm water once a day during your period; soap isn't necessary, and if you use it, choose a mild, unscented one.
• Avoid douching or scented sprays, they can disrupt the natural balance of the vagina and aren't necessary or recommended.
• Wrap used pads or tampons in tissue or their own wrapper before throwing them away.

A Quick Note on Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

TSS is a rare but serious illness that has been linked to leaving a tampon in for too long. It's uncommon, but the reason doctors recommend changing tampons at least every 4-8 hours and never sleeping with one in overnight longer than that. Warning signs include sudden high fever, rash, dizziness, or vomiting during or right after using a tampon, if any of these happen, remove the tampon and seek medical care right away.

Good Habits, Not Extra Worry

• Following these basics is easy once they're routine, most of this becomes automatic within a cycle or two.
• There's no need to feel anxious about hygiene, just consistent, and that consistency is what actually matters.