Red days’ chronicles
Women are highly vulnerable during their menstrual period — or their “red days.” This is the time of the month when bacterial growth in the vulvo-vaginal area is higher due to the presence of blood, which, if not addressed properly, could lead to odor, irritation, and itchiness — or worse, infection.
They also experience discomfort due to menstrual symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and migraine, among others. These “red days” can really affect their daily activities.
What then can be done about these? We can best arrive at a solution by knowing more facts about menstruation, its physical and emotional effects on women, and the best way for them to deal with it.
The menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is a result of the physiological changes that women undergo. It lasts from 21 to 45 days and is counted from the first day of menstruation or menstrual bleeding followed by the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal or secretory phase.
During the follicular phase, estrogen levels rise and cause the lining of the uterus or womb to grow and thicken. As the follicles (sacs found inside the ovaries) ripen over a period of about seven days, they secrete more estrogen into the bloodstream.
Ovulation occurs when estrogen levels reach a certain level and cause what is referred to as leuteinizing hormones to trigger the mature follicles found inside the ovaries to release an egg or ovum.
After the egg is released, it travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus, releasing the hormone progesterone that helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the thickened lining of the uterus is shed during the menstrual period.
Menstruation is the visible manifestation of the menstrual cycle and it lasts from three to five days or even longer for some women. It is during this period when the lining of a woman’s uterus or womb is shed.
At this time, prostaglandins trigger the muscles of the uterus to contract, which causes the blood supply to temporarily stop. This is the reason why a few hours before the menstrual flow, women experience cramps in the lower abdomen, radiating to the lower back. This is sometimes accompanied by nausea and migraine.
Menstrual discharge and bacteria
These physical discomforts are just as worse as the emotional complications that women undergo when they are menstruating. As mentioned earlier, this is also the period when they are most insecure because they worry about the odor, itchiness and, most importantly, the irritation that the flow of blood may cause.
Bacterial growth is very high during this time — the presence of blood makes them highly vulnerable to infection. Menstrual blood is made up of blood and shed-off linings of the uterus, which are made of plasma and varied cells and chemicals that are prone to bacterial growth when exposed.
Fortunately, over the years, pharmaceutical companies have developed products that help address what have been, until now, unsolvable problems.
Trusted brand Betadine has come up with a feminine wash that helps stave off fears or irritation and infection. Its Swiss-formulated Povidone Iodine solution has excellent antimicrobial action that kills eight out of eight types of microorganisms, making Betadine Feminine Wash better than other daily and antiseptic feminine wash brands.
It also helps that women lead a clean lifestyle to stop irritations and infections from occurring. Washing every day is a good step toward preventing these problems.
As for dysmenorrhea and headaches, there are a number of over-the-counter painkillers that can help address these. But when these discomforts become unbearable, it is still best to consult with your trusted gynecologist.
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Dr. Elena Azzaraga has been a senior consultant at
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