Pinkishe Foundation
31/10/2026
Dr. Shehla Jamal
Menstrual hygiene means using a clean product, changing it on time, washing your body the right way and getting rid of used products safely. It also means having what you need to do this: water, soap, a private toilet and a bin.
When these are in place, the risk of skin rashes and infections goes down, and girls and women can get on with school, college and work without worry. Period blood is not dirty or impure. Hygiene is about comfort and keeping germs in check, not about being unclean.
A pad or cloth worn for too long stays warm and damp, and germs grow more easily there. This can raise the risk of skin rashes, vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Most of these infections are common and easy to treat when they are caught early. Getting one does not mean you are unclean. It means it is time to see a doctor.
A wet pad rubbing against the skin can cause a rash, especially in hot and humid weather. Changing on time, wearing clean cotton underwear and keeping the area dry all help. If a product makes your skin itch or sting every time, try a different kind.
Your reproductive organs include the vagina, the womb (uterus) and the ovaries. Good hygiene lowers the chance of infections in this area. Some infections can spread upwards if they are left untreated, which is one more reason to see a doctor early when something does not feel right.
Disposable pads, cloth pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear are all safe when they are used the right way. The best product is the one that suits your body, your flow, your budget and where you live. There is no wrong choice.
Tampons, and very rarely menstrual cups, carry a small risk of a rare but serious illness called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). If you get a sudden high fever, vomiting, a rash like sunburn, or feel faint while using a tampon or cup, remove it and see a doctor at once.
Cloth pads are safe and easy on the pocket when they are cared for well. Rinse a used pad in cold water, then wash it with soap. Dry it fully in sunlight, because sunlight helps kill germs. In the monsoon, dry pads in a well-aired place, and in the sun when it comes out. Never use a pad that is still damp. Store clean pads in a clean, dry bag, and replace a pad once it becomes thin or stiff.
Wash the outer area once or twice a day with plain water, or with a mild, unscented soap if you prefer. Never wash inside the vagina. The vagina cleans itself, and washing inside can upset the good bacteria that protect it. Avoid douches, scented washes, sprays and powders. Wipe or wash from front to back, and pat the area dry. Bathing every day during your period is safe and helps you feel fresh.
Wash your hands with soap before and after you change a pad, tampon or cup. It is a small habit that keeps germs away from your body.
Wrap a used disposable pad or tampon in its wrapper, a paper bag or old newspaper, and put it in a covered bin. Do not flush pads or tampons. They block drains and harm the environment. If your school or workplace has an incinerator for pads, use it.
A mild smell during your period is normal, and so is some discharge through the month. But watch for these changes:
These are often signs of an infection that is easy to treat. They are not a sign that you are unclean. See a doctor, and do not try scented washes or home remedies, which can make things worse.
Worry about leaks, stains or a smell can make it hard to focus in class or at work. Some girls stop playing sport or speaking up in class during their periods. When girls and women have a product they trust, a clean toilet and a place to throw away a used pad, they feel more at ease and more like themselves.
If worry or low mood stays with you, talk to someone you trust, such as a parent, a friend, a teacher or a doctor.
If you ever feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to someone today. Call Tele-MANAS, the government's free mental health helpline, on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, at any hour. In an emergency, call 112.
When there is no clean toilet, no water or no bin, school becomes much harder during a period. 1 in 4 girls in India stay home from school during their periods (BMJ Open review of Indian studies, 2016).
Schools, colleges and workplaces can help a great deal with clean toilets that have water, soap, a lock and a covered bin, spare pads for emergencies, and lessons on menstrual health for both girls and boys. At home, parents can talk about periods openly, before a girl's first period. You can start by checking what you know with our menstrual myths and facts.
Have a question about menstrual hygiene? Call our menstrual helpline on 85888 70999. It answers at any hour.
A simple printable sheet that marks your period days, your fertile window and your ovulation day. We will email it to you now.
We will send the tracker and a few gentle menstrual health emails from Khyati at Pinkishe. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Prefer to work out your dates now? Open the free ovulation calculatorChange a disposable or cloth pad every 4 to 6 hours, and sooner if it feels full or wet. Change a tampon every 4 to 8 hours, never more than 8. Empty a menstrual cup at least every 12 hours.
Yes. Cloth pads are safe when you wash them with soap, dry them fully in sunlight and never use one that is still damp. Keep clean pads in a clean, dry bag.
No. Wash only the outer area with plain water or a mild, unscented soap. The vagina cleans itself, and washing inside or using scented products can upset its natural balance.
No. A strong or fishy smell, itching or a change in discharge is often a sign of a common infection that is easy to treat. See a doctor rather than using scented washes.
Yes. Bathing every day, including washing your hair, is safe during your period and helps you feel fresh. Warm water can also ease cramps.
Wrap it in its wrapper, a paper bag or old newspaper and put it in a covered bin. Do not flush pads or tampons, as they block drains.
Good menstrual hygiene lowers the risk of infections and helps girls and women stay comfortable at school, college and work. Change on time, wash only the outside, care for cloth pads well and throw away used products safely. If you notice an unusual smell, itching or a change in discharge, see a doctor: it is usually easy to treat and never a sign that you are unclean.
Pinkishe Foundation is a specialist implementation organisation for menstrual health. We deliver, reliably, in schools and communities across India. Support our work with a donation.
₹1,100 gives one girl a year. Donations are eligible for deduction under Section 80G.
