Skip to main content

WMHD; THE PRIDE OF ALL GIRLS AND WOMEN.

 

Initiated by a German-based NGO WASH United in 2014, World Menstrual Hygiene Day (WMHD) is an annual awareness day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management.

Observed on May 28, the commemoration seeks to acknowledge that 28 days is the average length of the menstrual cycle. World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021, aims to create awareness and change negative perceptions around menstrual hygiene.

Menstruation, period or monthly, is the periodic discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. 

 

This year’s theme, “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health”, is clarion call for tax free pads or free provision of pads like the case of Condoms. This clarion call is as a result of the fact that approximately 800 million women and girls are having their period right now, yet across the globe, they face barriers to properly manage them. This calls for a world free of period poverty and stigma and recommits to building that future through urgent investment and a call for action.

 

Research has proven that not having access to menstrual Hygiene Management products, can keep girls home from school during their period each month. As early as 1912, a school in Kerala was known to give menstrual leaves to girls who were menstruating.  This day is therefore set aside to advocate for the integration of menstrual Hygiene Management and also for the government to ensure that pads be considered as a public good and not luxury.

One of the side effects of menstruation is period cramps or dysmenorrhea that occurs as a result of the oxygen inability to reach the uterus tissue due to muscle contraction of the uterus walls. Though painful, there are ways one can relieve period pains.

Here are 6 tips that can help you relieve pain during your cycle:

Drink enough water:

Water intake can help to regulate the proper functioning of the body cells. According to researchers, the reduction in the amount of estrogen and progesterone during periods can cause retention of water in the body. Drinking enough water can help to flush your system and keep you hydrated always.

Follow a diet high in fibre and essential fats:

Craving for junk food during the period is a result of hormonal changes of the estrogen and progesterone getting reduced. A well-balanced diet can help fight against cramps and keep the body healthy. One should eat fruits and other foods high in fibre and essential fats, having boron and calcium during the period is also important. Foods like broccoli that has high fibre content or edibles rich in calcium like dairy products and leafy green vegetables should be eaten during periods to reduce muscle cramps. Salmon, walnuts, avocado, etc contain omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce muscle cramps during menstruation. Ginger tea has been found to serve as an anti-inflammatory substance which reduces pain, while cinnamon tea also has anti-spasmodic properties.

Having vitamin D:

Vitamin D can help to reduce the production of prostaglandins which initiates menstrual periods. Vitamin D supplements are what you take for bad menstrual cramps.

Exercise and Yoga:

Exercising and doing yoga can help to relieve pain. Exercising or yoga makes the body release endorphin which helps in pain management as it possesses morphine-like effects.

Applying heat:

Application of heat can help to reduce menstrual pain. A hot bath or shower can help ease the pain. Other heat sources like the use of heat pad, warm water bottle, can also provide relief.

Have an orgasm to reduce pain:

Orgasm releases oxytocin and endorphin that helps to reduce menstrual pain. The endorphin released can help to reduce menstrual pain up to 70 per cent.

 Compiled by Stephen Ojang with additional input from Pechuqui Laurata and
Gilla Everdine.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

LES BRASSERIES DU CAMEROUN: Poised to revamp dying North West Economy.

As the crisis persists in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, economic sabotage has been part of the modus operandi of the Separatists. One of the companies that have suffered from such sabotage is the Brewery company, Les Brasseries Du Cameroun. However in it’s new program as announced by the company Earlier this year, it seeks to revamp it’s commercial Centre in Bamenda and the 4 Depots of Kumbo, Nkambe, Wum and Fundong. This with a workforce of 400 workers, over 200 in Bamenda and about 50 in each of the 4 Depots, with a majority of the workers hailing from the North West Region. It is calculated that, over 30 Suppliers, two of whom supply the majority of the drinks sold in the Bamenda Commercial Centre, about 3000 regular retailers and over 2000 in the informal sector will get employed. They will be able to develop their families and improve on their livelihood by educating their children, building decent homes, and investing in diverse fields,...

Breaking the Cycle: Confronting Gender-Based Violence and Drug Abuse in Bamenda

In a bid to tackle the pressing issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and drug abuse, the "Adjust for Me" project, implemented by Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), has been making strides in the Ntarikon 2 community, Bamenda. The project, which aims to raise awareness and educate the community on the causes, consequences, and prevention of GBV and drug abuse, has been well-received by community members. According to Nde Christopher, a community spokesperson trained within the context of the project, the initiative has been instrumental in sensitizing the community on the ills of GBV and drug abuse. "We have organized door-to-door sensitization efforts, reaching many community members and educating them on the importance of addressing GBV and drug abuse," Christopher explained. The project has also provided a platform for community members to share their experiences and concerns regarding GBV and drug abuse. Swirri Adeline, a community member who parti...

Embracing Tranquility and Excitement: A Look into Wum Municipality.

In the heart of Wum municipality, a serene atmosphere envelopes its residents on this beautiful Monday morning. The peacefulness is juxtaposed with the echoes of the thrilling football matches that reverberated throughout the community over the weekend. As life moves forward, schools within the area are diligently preparing for their first sequence evaluations. Join us as we delve into the delightful harmony of calmness and excitement that defines Wum municipality. Waking up to a tranquil morning offers a sense of peace and serenity that can greatly impact one's well-being. Wum municipality, with its picturesque surroundings, owe inspiring valleys, breathtaking vegetation, mountains suitable for hiking, and welcoming community, basks in the glory of a calm ambiance. As residents start their day, they can enjoy the gentle breeze, the rustle of leaves, and the joy of feeling connected to nature though still afraid of the unknown as forces crouch in darkness are calling the shots for ...