7 Ways to Maintain Good Menstrual Hygiene at Work

2023-12-03T08:00:06+00:00

By Rody

Coping with the time of the month when your menstrual period decides to show and you have to juggle working and also being effective at work, you know you have to be extra careful when it comes to maintaining good menstrual hygiene at the workplace, so as to work with a clear head, and clean body. As women, going through different hormonal imbalance is not far fetched because of all the different things the body is charged to do from ovulation, pre-menstrual periods, pregnancy and childbirth impact, and especially, the menstrual time of the month which depicts your menstrual cycle—you have to take extra care of yourself because of the nature of menstruation that comes in form of a discharge from the vagina. The menstrual period comes with a lot of symptoms from the aches, crankiness, disorientation, and many other ways. It is at that time of the month, preparing ahead for moments like that isn’t bad. While symptoms are different for many women, it is an uncomfortable time for most. Imagine having to deal with that and the stress from the workplace may seem a herculean task, but there are ways to maintain good menstrual hygiene—Mentally and physically while on your menstrual cycle and dealing with work.

Here are 7 ways to maintain good menstrual hygiene at your workplace:

Fix your mindset: Menstruation is easily identified with dirty/messy/unclean. These constructs are demeaning, and it’s crucial for you to know that it is a natural process that women have to go through. This will release any form of gloominess you may experience during your menstrual period while in the workplace, and wanting to maintain proper menstrual hygiene comes from an understanding that it is the normal thing to do for you to feel good, and do your work with ease.
Prepare ahead: You know the time when your monthly flow comes, it’s good to always be ready for it to avoid situations where you feel uncomfortable — have sanitary pads in your bag to use and also help other women that may need it.
Get hot water bottle packs: Some days, the pain can be unbearable, having a compact hot water pack to place on your belly during this time is sure to help relieve some of the pain.
Don’t be shy about it: Menstruation is a natural occurrence, and every woman has to experience it. Do not feel that you need to be behind the scenes during your menstrual cycle because you don’t want to be seen. Opting for good menstrual hygiene is very normal, and do not be bothered about a few stares you may get from work colleagues when they notice that you’re being tender with yourself.
Expect unforeseen situations: The hormones can decide to rage and the menstruation set to come on the tenth of a month can show up on the first; this is why good menstrual hygiene is an all-time affair. Having a pair of sanitary pads in your bag is very crucial. It is also important to check with your doctor what the cause of the irregular menstruation is.
Take a break when you need to: Sometimes, you may not be able to cope with the stress that comes with menstruating and doing that much work. Part of prioritising your menstrual hygiene is to feel safe and healthy, if it is absolutely necessary, opt for a few days off, and do not hesitate to state why; it is a valid reason.
Study your body/reactions: Your emotions may easily be heightened in these moments and may react in different ways as opposed to how you normally would when situations happen at your workplace. Trying to keep your emotions in check and understanding that you should not be hasty with responses is a good way to keep your mental space free of unnecessary worry you may feel later.

When it comes to menstruating for women, no two women experience it the same way. It is however important to keep a good menstrual hygiene as a working woman because you want to be well put together even on days when you may not feel like it. While work is very good, and needed for survival, prioritising your menstrual hygiene and heath is crucial to your physical and mental well-being.