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SEX EDUCATION 101
Menstruation
• Importance of menstruation
• How much do you actually bleed?
• Types of sanitary products
• Menstruation cramps' reliefs
SEX EDUCATION 101
Menstruation
• Importance of menstruation
• How much do you actually bleed?
• Types of sanitary products
• Menstruation cramps' reliefs
DISCLAIMER:
This thread is based on my readings, personal experience and doctor's advice TO ME. if any of the information is inaccurate, feel free to correct me
This thread is based on my readings, personal experience and doctor's advice TO ME. if any of the information is inaccurate, feel free to correct me
Menstruation (or period) is a monthly discharge of uterus lining (womb/rahim). The discharge consists of blood, vaginal fluid, endometrial tissues and unfertilised egg cell. Typical length of menstruation for most women is between 5-8 days but some may bleed up to 15 days
An illustration of hormones level for each cycle. Menstruation occurs when estrogen + progesterone level drops and increase in Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Estrogen gradually increase towards the end of menstruation. Notice how Luteinizing Hormone (LH) increases while --
progesterone level remains the same? This is where ovulation occurs. That's why contraceptives consists progesterone because LH can only be released when progesterone is low. If you're under contraceptive, LH will not increase therefore, no ovum will be released.
Why is menstruation important?
It is a biological process of getting rid of what the womb no longer needs. Womb lining thickened to prepare the body for pregnancy. So if there is no fertilised egg, that means your womb no longer needs a thick lining.
It is a biological process of getting rid of what the womb no longer needs. Womb lining thickened to prepare the body for pregnancy. So if there is no fertilised egg, that means your womb no longer needs a thick lining.
How much do you actually bleed?
On average, each cycle will discard about 80ml of blood. However, some women may experience less or more depending on their flows. In my case, I'd bleed about 50ml on the first 3 days and around 10-20ml for the remaining days.
On average, each cycle will discard about 80ml of blood. However, some women may experience less or more depending on their flows. In my case, I'd bleed about 50ml on the first 3 days and around 10-20ml for the remaining days.
Types of Sanitary Products
• Disposable Pads
• Washable Pads
• Tampons
• Menstrual cup
• Disposable Pads
• Washable Pads
• Tampons
• Menstrual cup
1. Disposable/Washable Pads
most common types of pads are either wings and non-wings with options such as slim (for light flow), maxi (for normal flow) and or overnight (for heavy flow)
most common types of pads are either wings and non-wings with options such as slim (for light flow), maxi (for normal flow) and or overnight (for heavy flow)
Maxi pads can hold about 5ml of blood while an overnight pads may hold up to 12ml.
Some scented disposable pads might cause irritation to vagina due to the fragrance and chemicals used so make sure to know your skin condition before buying.
Some scented disposable pads might cause irritation to vagina due to the fragrance and chemicals used so make sure to know your skin condition before buying.
Change or wash your pads every 6 hours or when it's already soaked, whichever earlier. DO NOT wear your pads for more than 6 hours. It can cause irritation and bacteria buildups.
Disposable pads can only be used once while washable pads can be used up to 5 years on average.
This is one of the places where you can get them. It costs around RM16-RM26 per pad.
This is one of the places where you can get them. It costs around RM16-RM26 per pad.
2. Tampons
Tampons basically has the same function as pads where it absorbs bloods and has to be disposed regularly. It is inserted into the vagina with a thin thread to pull them out
Tampons basically has the same function as pads where it absorbs bloods and has to be disposed regularly. It is inserted into the vagina with a thin thread to pull them out
Similar to pads, tampons can hold up to 5ml of blood and super tampons can hold double the amount which is approximately 10ml.
However, if you opt for tampons, there's a risk for Toxic Shock Syndrom (TSS) which is resulted from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. To avoid TSS, make sure to dispose the tampons every 4 hours.
You can get tampons at any pharmacies. Convenience store rarely sell tampons, probably bcs most Malaysian women are used to pads. A pack of 16 tampons cost about RM30.
3. Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, latex, or elastomer and can last up to 10 years. The function of this cup is to collect the blood and discard it out of your vagina manually
Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, latex, or elastomer and can last up to 10 years. The function of this cup is to collect the blood and discard it out of your vagina manually
Most brands provide 2 sizes which is small and large. Small cups are for women who has low cervix and/or lighter flow. It can hold up to 25ml of blood. The large one can hold up to 35ml and designed for women who has medium-high cervix and/or heavier flow
This is how it looks like when the menstrual cup is inserted. You can wear them for up to 12 hours. However, if you have heavy flow like me, you might need to empty the cup every 6 hours
When inserted correctly, you will not feel the cup inside you and definitely no leaking so you can sleep peacefully without needing to worry about changing positions.
This is how you fold the cup before inserting and you have to make sure it is popped open when it's fully inside
This is how you fold the cup before inserting and you have to make sure it is popped open when it's fully inside
Menstrual cup needs to be sterilised before and after each cycle. Either boil or microwave them in a pot/bowl of water. I'd usually put them in a jar of hot water and microwave for 1 minute then let sit until it cools down.
The Hive also sell menstrual cups and you can get them for RM80. They have online and physical stores located in Bangsar, PJ, Keramat and TTDI.
I bought mine from LunaCup Korea. They have an official store in Shopee where you can get a set of 2 for RM150
I bought mine from LunaCup Korea. They have an official store in Shopee where you can get a set of 2 for RM150
Menstrual cramps relief
Some women might experience period cramps and some might not. Severity of period cramps are different from one woman to another so remember not to belittle someone else's pain!
Some women might experience period cramps and some might not. Severity of period cramps are different from one woman to another so remember not to belittle someone else's pain!
I started having period cramps when I was 17 and it sometimes gets to a point that I couldn't walk or get out of bed. Even right now, I'm having the worst cramps.
So if you experience cramps during menstruation, here are some of my personal tips to ease the pain
So if you experience cramps during menstruation, here are some of my personal tips to ease the pain
a) Menstrual panadols
or people might call it pink panadol
This one contains Paracetamol with an additional of Pamabrom that acts as diuretic to increase renal blood flow.
I rarely take this since my cramps are every month, I feel like --
https://twitter.com/amiranurafiqah_/status/1306537312461840384?s=21
or people might call it pink panadol
This one contains Paracetamol with an additional of Pamabrom that acts as diuretic to increase renal blood flow. I rarely take this since my cramps are every month, I feel like --
https://twitter.com/amiranurafiqah_/status/1306537312461840384?s=21
