Menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs every month for a person with a womb and ovaries, and menstrual products can be used to collect the monthly blood flow.
Many women in rural communities struggle to stay hygienic during their menstruation because of the high cost of menstrual products. Menstrual products include; sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons and reusable pads
Improper care of the woman’s body during menstruation can cause bacterial infections such as urinary infections, which will spread and cause foul smells and rashes if not properly treated.
Source: Medicover Hospitals
Poor menstrual hygiene causes urinary tract infections or vaginal infections that can affect the reproductive system. If detected early, it is advisable to visit a medical doctor or a gynaecologist for treatment.
Reusable pads for girls
Women and girls in rural communities are constantly faced with maintaining good personal hygiene during their monthly menstrual cycle.
Menstrual products such as sanitary pads and tampons are becoming expensive for women in rural communities and low-income households. Depending on the size, a packet of menstrual pads and tampons goes for as low as N400 to N2,000.
However, women can get household materials and make reusable pads to stay safe and prevent vaginal infections.
Reusable pads are now gaining popularity as an alternative to expensive pads and tampons. It also absorbs blood for hours, depending on a woman’s menstrual flow.
To make use of reusable pads, you need to place them on your briefs or pants, then button the tips and wear it under your pants or briefs for comfort.
Unlike pads and tampons that can be thrown into the bin, you have to wash your reusable pads with detergent, then rinse with clean water and dry under the sun for it to be germs and bacteria free before you can make use of the reusable pad again.
How to make Reusable pads
To make reusable pads, you will need these materials: thick fabric, towel, thick paper, a pen or chalk, a ruler or measuring tape, scissors, a button, a needle, sewing thread, and clips or pins.
You will also need panty liners and sanitary pad wings for size measurement.
Place the thick fabrics and towel on the panty liner to trace the panty liner and cut out as many materials as you need for your desired absorbency.
Place one piece of thick fabric and towel on top of each other using pins, then sew the sides of the two pieces of fabric together.
Then place the thick paper on the panty liner to cut out the size of the panty liner.
To make the outer layers, place the sanitary pad on the thick fabric, cut out two pieces from the traced sanitary pad, sew the sides of the two pieces of fabric together, and then create a hole.
In the hole, you created, insert the thick paper and the two pieces of fabrics, sew the side together to make your reusable pad.
For the wings, you will need buttons, sew the button around the edges of the wings to prevent the reusable pad from falling.
There are many options for making reusable pads; you can watch online tutorials on YouTube.
