What is Menstrual Health Day?

Menstrual Health Day (MHD. also known as Menstrual Hygiene Day) is a global advocacy platform that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, governments and individuals, as well as the private sector and the media, to promote good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for all women and girls. 

Poor menstrual hygiene caused by a lack of education on the issue, persistent taboos and stigma around periods, limited access to hygienic menstrual products and poor sanitation infrastructure undermines the educational opportunities, health and overall social status of women and girls around the world.  As a result, millions of women and girls are kept from reaching their full potential.

How Can You Help the cause?

You can help by educating yourself about how to take care of your menstrual hygiene. Read below for more on this.

Secondly, you can join the Menstrual Hygiene Day cause and make yourself a Menstruation bracelet. Wear your bracelet to raise awareness. Find out more at https://menstrualhygieneday.org/braceletguide

Share a story on social media. Please always use the campaign hashtags #ItsTimeForAction, #MHDAY2020 and #PeriodsInPandemics. Please also tag MH Day: @menstrualhygieneday @ecoperiodau (Facebook, Instagram) and @mhday28may  @ecoperiodau (Twitter).

What are we doing to help? 

For Menstrual Hygiene Day 2020, Eco Period Australia will donate 10% of all sales to Days for Girls. A not for profit, where 100% of donations goes straight to the field.

Our Thankyou to You 

As a token of our appreciation to you for supporting this cause, we are also discounting purchases 15% between May 28 - 31.  Use discount code MHD28 to get this offer up until May 31st.

How Can You Best Take Care of Your Menstrual Hygiene? 

Maintaining menstrual hygiene is not just a sanitary concern. It is incredibly important to help women safeguard their bodies integrity, dignity, and overall life opportunities. 

Menstrual hygiene is not an isolated matter. It is connected to every single girl and woman in every corner of the world. In the spirits of raising awareness around this topic, here are 3 helpful ways women can maintain their menstrual hygiene.

1. USE ECO-FRIENDLY PERIOD PRODUCTS
Using natural period products can make a world of difference for your personal hygiene. Most pads and tampons are made from regular cotton, we all know that pesticides are heavily used in cotton production, which are of course, no good for vaginal health and hygiene.  Disposable pads and tampons also have several plastic and synthetic components in them, and so their safety for vaginal health is questionable. 

Pads and tampons can give some women painful rashes, and the dreadful possibility of ‘toxic shock syndrome’. Since it’s also hurting the ecosystem once you dispose of them, it’s better to switch to organic reusable sanitary pads instead.

They are simple to wash, ultra-hygienic, and easy to change. Charcoal Bamboo is a wonder fibre. It has natural anti-bacterial and anti-deodorizing properties. Organic cotton is super durable, strong and soft and also very absorbent, and because pesticides and chemicals are not used in growing the crop or creating the fabric, organic cotton is the safest, most natural option to choose when you are on your periods. 

2. KEEP SEPARATE UNDERWEAR FOR YOUR PERIOD
Another great way to avoid leaks and ensure healthy blood flow all day long is by using period proof absorbent underwear.  

They keep you dry down there, while providing aeration for a long period. They’re also a great option if you suffer from light bladder leakage. The fabric is cushion-soft and holds up to 60ml of menstrual fluid! Given that one period-proof underwear is equivalent to 4 tampons, you really shouldn’t be wearing those heavily-treated commercial products.

Period-proof underwear is super-clean, hygienic, and prevents bacterial growth down there. They’re a thousand times better than using disposable pads and will give you peace of mind.

3. USE MENSTRUAL CUPS FOR A SAFER PERIOD
In recent years, a growing number of women are opting for menstrual cups. Not only are they BPA-free, but they are also a safe option for clean, stress-free periods.

The vagina has a very sensitive balance of bacteria, and tampons absorb all the menstrual fluid, not just the blood, leaving dryness over time, which is why you should avoid commercially made pads or tampons. Reusable menstrual cups are a hygienic and sustainable option with a minimal carbon footprint.

Free from phthalates that can harm the reproductive system, menstrual cups can offer leak-free protection for up to 10-12 hours. And, the best part? You can easily save a good chunk of money by not buying tampons and pads.

Promoting menstrual hygiene is everyone’s responsibility. As women, we must raise awareness around periods so that more women can know how to look after themselves. Switching from pads and tampons to organically made reusable options will be one of the best decisions you make for your menstrual hygiene!