World Menstrual Hygiene 2025: Is there a period of health? Know everything about signs such as period, smell, color, flow, and more.
Menstruation, also known as the era, is a completely natural and normal part of every girl and woman’s life. It usually starts between the ages of 9 and 15 (called menaki), and continues until menopause at around 45-55 years old. Despite this everyday biological process, it remains surrounded by stigma, myth and lack of consciousness, especially in rural and conservative communities. At World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, let’s talk about the signs of a healthy age.
What does a healthy period look like?
Although the cycles of all women are slightly different, healthy menstrual cycles are marked by certain signs.
1. period: Healthy periods usually last for 21-35 days, with an average of 28 days.
2. Blood flow: Blood should be between 30-80 ml. This may vary from person to person, but you should be able to know whether the flow of period is poor or extra.
3. color: Colors in healthy times range from bright red to dark red. Bright red blood means fresh and free flow, while deep red or brown blood may indicate old or slow flow.
4. pain: Mild symptoms such as convulsions, lower back pain, bloating, and mood fluctuations are normal.
5. odor: Menstrual periods should not smell bad.
Read again: 11 FAQs on periods help you get a better idea of your monthly cycle
Why is menstrual hygiene important?
Unfortunately, many girls, especially in the Indian countryside, are still treated unfairly when they acquire a period. They are often isolated in the room and are not allowed to enter the kitchen or touch groceries. This treatment, or poverty of the times — comes from an old myth without scientific basis.
Another big problem is that there are no clean toilets and running water in schools and public places. This makes it extremely difficult for girls to manage their periods with dignity in a healthy way. As a result, one in five girls in India dropped out of school after they began menstruation. As natural as the times, it never stops girls from getting an education.
Also, suitable menstrual products such as sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups should be available and safe to use at a reasonable price. Many girls are yet to realize these options due to limited awareness and education. Keeping yourself clean and hygienic is important during a healthy period.
How to maintain menstrual hygiene?
Care for hygiene during the period is easy, but essential. Here are some tips:
- Change your underwear twice a day and wash properly.
- Always change hygiene pads at least every 6 hours.
- Gently wash the vagina area every time you change pads or tampons.
- If you use a menstrual cup, sterilize it before and after each cycle.
- Tampons should be replaced every 4-6 hours to prevent infection. Most importantly, we treat menstruation as a normal part of our lives, not something that we feel hidden or embarrassed about.
General myths about menstruation
There are some harmful menstrual myths that are still believed today. Some of these are:
- Menstrual blood is dirty.
- Women who have menstruation can ruin their food by touching it.
- Girls should not play sports or physical activity during that period.
- Hygiene during menstruation is not important.
These beliefs are not only wrong, they are harmful. They create shame and prevent girls from caring for menstrual health.
The period is not dirty. They are indications that girls are healthy and growing. By speaking openly, breaking myths and promoting hygiene, we can create a society where every girl can manage her time with dignity and confidence.
