Tag: HYGIENE

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Sara’s Insights on PMS and Feminine Hygiene

I try not to miss my work out any day. I exercise daily, even when I am on my period, as it boosts my mood and helps with pain relief. I incorporate light cardio and yoga during my period days…says Sara Ali Khan

Sara Ali Khan, a dazzling sensation among Gen Z, known not only for her Bollywood prowess but also for openly sharing her life journey is now the face of the feminine hygiene brand Sofy. In a light-hearted mood, Sara tells IANSlife during a conversation that some of her hits and favourite songs, such as Aankh Maare, Chaka Chak, and Ha Mei Galat, were shot during her menstrual cycle days. Read excerpt:

What are your thoughts about PMS? What is PMS for you? 

Sara: Personally, it’s the intense moodiness, bloating, and ice cream cravings. I experience pangs of sugar cravings, which are, of course, due to magnesium deficiency. You should try Paalak, which is not particularly tasty, but it helps.

What would you change about the way society treats menstruation? Is there a myth about periods that you believe should be debunked?

Sara: First and foremost, it is critical to understand that menstruation is not an indicator of impurity. I believe it represents the pinnacle of femininity and fertility. I am thrilled to be associated with a brand that not only understands the needs of young girls but also educates and empowers others. Menstruation is the reason for everyone’s existence.

Do you ever miss your workout? 

Sara: I try not to miss my workout any day. I exercise daily, even when I am on my period, as it boosts my mood and helps with pain relief. I incorporate light cardio and yoga during my period days.   

Do you prefer XL pads or antibacterial napkins?

Sara: I prefer both, which is why I carry the Sofy Anti-Bacterial extra-large pads in my bag, which not provides spotless and comfortable periods. I prefer feminine hygiene brands that avoid the risk of leakage and are safe for health.

Any experience with unusual places where you had to change your pad or tampons?

Sara: I remember once we were travelling in Rajasthan for the shoot. So, I had to change my pad on the moving bus in the outskirts of Rajasthan. I usually carry an extra-large anti-bacterial pad to ensure a comfortable experience during periods. 

Have you ever used a creative excuse to get out of a situation because of a period?

Sara: I used to do this a lot in school during Hindi class, by using the excuse of cramps.  I liked Hindi but didn’t enjoy the class.

What advice would you give to women dealing with PCOD and PCOS? 

Sara: Firstly, recognize the syndrome to make sure you are aware of the changes in the body, which may include weight loss and hair loss. Exercise regularly to minimize symptoms. Try to avoid binge eating and strive to live a healthier lifestyle. And, not to forget, remind yourself that the next day will be better.

Are there any period-related mishaps or memorable incidents you’d like to share with the audience?

Sara: I’m sharing this today because all of my hits and favourite songs, such as Aankh Maare, Chaka Chak, and Ha Mei Galat, were shot during my period days.

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Health Lite Blogs Woman

Menstrual cup: revolutionizing feminine hygiene

A menstrual cup can hold between 15-25 ml of blood (depending on the size), much more than a regular tampon or pad. As a result, you can hold use a menstrual cup for up to 8 hours without the hassles of changing it or getting rashes…reports Asian Lite News

The menstrual cup is a sort of reusable feminine hygiene tool. It is a silicone cup that is flexible and funnel-shaped and is put into the vaginal canal to collect period fluid. Cups, in addition to storing more blood than other methods, are a more environmentally friendly option to non-biodegradable tampons and sanitary pads. In contrast, a menstrual cup can be reused for up to ten years. All you have to do is drain the cup when it’s full, wash it, and replace it.

Deep Bajaj, co-founder and CEO of Sirona Hygiene discusses menstrual cups in detail…

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Menstrual Cup?

Deep Bajaj:

Environment Friendly: The fact that a menstrual cup is environmentally friendly is one of the main benefits. Unlike sanitary pads that take over 500 years to decompose, menstrual cups are reusable and hence last for years.

Pocket-Friendly: Due to the fact that they are reusable and last for almost a decade, they ultimately prove to be significantly less expensive than numerous packs of single-use period products.

Safer than other sanitary items: The majority of pads and tampons in the market contain toxic chemicals and synthetic materials that can irritate your sensitive genital skin and disrupt the vagina’s pH. Additionally, intimate skin is more porous, allowing chemicals and toxins to enter your body.  good quality menstrual cups then again, are made of medical-grade silicone and don’t upset the regular pH of the vagina or aggravate the delicate genital skin.

41 per cent of women in favour of menstrual leave: Online survey.

Comfortable and Covered: A menstrual cup provides leak-proof protection for eight hours straight, while pads and tampons need to be changed every three to four hours. They additionally keep clamminess and rashes away as they don’t interact with the genital skin, keeping the region new and damp-free the entire day.

It holds more blood: A menstrual cup can hold between 15-25 ml of blood (depending on the size), much more than a regular tampon or pad. As a result, you can hold use a menstrual cup for up to 8 hours without the hassles of changing it or getting rashes.

How to choose the right menstrual cup?

Deep Bajaj: Menstrual cups come in different sizes based on factors such as age, childbirth history, and flow intensity. Brands provide guidelines to help you choose the appropriate size.

How To Use a Menstrual Cup

Deep Bajaj:  It’s important to sterilize a menstrual cup before using it. Menstrual cups do not need to be sterilized every time you empty them during your period, a simple wash with mild soap and water will suffice. But pre and post cycle the cup should be sterilized in boiling water or using a menstrual cup sterilizer.

How to insert a menstrual cup?

Deep Bajaj:  It is important that you are relaxed when inserting the menstrual cup, especially until the time you understand how it works. All you have to do is sterilize the cup, fold, insert, and check and you are done. You can use one of the following methods to fold the cup before insertion:

Punch-Down Fold: The shell fold, also known as the punch-down fold, is a great way to use a menstrual cup. It is effective for those who have trouble opening their menstrual cup after insertion. The correct method is as follows:

Step 1: First, thoroughly wash your hands and the cup.

Step 2: With one hand, hold your menstrual cup. Then, at that point, push one side of the edge down into the cup with the forefinger of the other hand.

Step 3: To insert the fold and keep it in place, pinch the sides of the rim together.

C/U Fold: Menstrual cups are folded C-shaped or U-shaped when the top rim is folded in half. Both folding techniques aim to make the menstrual cup smaller and more compact for insertion. Once inside the vagina, the cup unfolds and forms a seal, collecting menstrual flow until it’s time to empty and clean the cup.

Step 1: Flatten the menstrual cup by pinching the sides

Step 2: Fold it in half to form the shape of a ‘C’ or a ‘U, and insert

7 Fold: This menstrual cup folding is about getting the shape of the cup to the number 7. They are primarily used to reduce the diameter of the menstrual cup for easier insertion.

Step 1: Pinch on either side of the rim of the cup to join them and flatten it

Step 2: Pull one end of the rim diagonally across to the opposite side of the cup to create the number 7.

Triangle Fold: The triangle fold is similar to the seven-fold method. The triangle fold is popular among individuals who find it easier to insert a narrower portion of the cup.

Step 1: Flatten the cup by pinching the rim.

Step 2: Cross over the opposite side of the cup by pulling one end of the rim diagonally across it. Cup will be ready for insertion once this forms a triangle.

ALSO READ-Signs of healthy menstrual cycle

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Pick right pillows for hygienic beauty sleep

People using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can opt for carefully designed CPAP pillows and get a better sleeping experience than standard pillows…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Why do most of us love the mattresses, comforters, and pillows in hotels? Because they are often fresh and combined with cotton-linen covers or silk covers, offering a cozy and comfortable night’s sleep. However, we hardly give second thoughts to our home pillows, which often show years of stains brown-yellow, or lumps making them harder than rocks.

While the lack of hygiene should be motivation enough for users to change their pillows immediately, most people still procrastinate. Why? Because pillows don’t rank high on their priority list. Well, guess what, it should. Fresh pillows are not only crucial for comfortable and adequate sleep, but they also allow you to have a hygienic beauty sleep. Punit Jindal, MD at Sleepsia, a Pioneer of Memory Foam Pillow technology shares a list of 5 essential factors you should know about pillows:

… and that’s why your neck and back hurt: Like most things, pillows also have a durability period. Considering how often it is used and kept, pillows start flattening. Instead of the soft yet firm loft that supports your spine alignment, these become harder and uncomfortable. Using a pillow without appropriate firmness can do more harm than good. In fact, it can cause issues like cervical pain and disc herniation.

How firm is enough: While the firmness of a pillow depends on the user’s preference, the criteria for proper firmness should apply to all. An ideal pillow should be firm but not hard, soft but not squishy. The loft should be secure enough to prevent the user’s head from sinking in but soft enough to make them feel warm and at ease.

Designs as per requirements: Instead of buying pillows from anywhere, users should be mindful of their designs. For instance, Ergonomic pillows or cervical pillows are specifically designed for offering relief with cervical pain. Similarly, people using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can opt for carefully designed CPAP pillows and get a better sleeping experience than standard pillows.

Get rid of allergens: Using rundown pillows can cause allergic reactions such as stuffy nose, sneezing spells, and sometimes even fever. The reason behind, old pillows soak up moisture content, making them vulnerable to dust mites and mould. However, the advent of hypoallergenic pillows can offer modern-day users tremendous relief. These pillows can easily resist recurrent household allergens like pollens and dust and enable users to lead a restful life.

Enhanced breathability element: It is widely believed that using fresh pillowcases can reduce the frequency of acne and hair breakage issues. Pillows with appropriate breathability attributes allow them to retain moisture and heat to pass. As a result, they stay dry and unpolluted for users to complete their much-needed beauty sleep.

As per industry experts, consumers should replace old pillows with fresh ones within a span of two years. On the other hand, worn-out pillows can lead to unnecessary neck and back pain, stress, and challenges for people trying to have a relaxed good night’s sleep. To keep up with this volatile and highly hectic lifestyle, you need a good night’s rest. So, opt for a pillow that fits perfectly with the aforementioned factors and unwind your stressful thoughts to dive into the tranquillising state of peaceful night sleep.

ALSO READ-Quick wardrobe maintenance tips

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Personal hygiene with waterless technology

Hair should be washed two or three times a week. Waterless shampoo is another addition to personal care for maintaining hygiene with no water… Puneet Gupta.

The pandemic era has changed our hygiene thoughts rapidly. Hygiene is an important aspect of today’s lives, especially with the ongoing pandemic. Inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices are the cause of death for lakhs of people every year, majority of them being children. Provision of clean water is one of the most effective methods of saving lives.

However, clean water is a novelty in the current world, as we are using tons of water every day to drink, bathe and cook, but it is not available around the world on an equitable basis. Hence, we all should make sure that water is conserved.

Benefits associated with waterless formulations include reduction in plastic waste, reduction in costs and aiding the creation of effective products. Along with reduce-reuse-recycle processes, a sustainable life can be achieved with the use of waterless personal care products wherein technological advancements play a key role.

Waterless technology can now be used in every aspect of personal hygiene in these ways:

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene could be easily managed with waterless soaps which require no or less water to rinse off the foam. Such waterless products can come handy on a long trip, and in distant places with less water availability.

Bodily hygiene

A daily shower is necessary to maintain personal hygiene and healthy living. A well-showered body reduces the odour produced by perspiration, and get rid of most germs. In situations with no water availability or inability to take a shower, use a waterless body bath and shampoo to maintain a shower routine.

Oral hygiene

The use of a toothbrush for cleaning after all meals is essential for the prevention of oral cavities and infections. Food and drinks leave residue in the teeth that grow.

Newer technology like waterless toothpastes could be a new addition to your personal care kit where you would require no water to rinse off the residue. A safe to swallow formulation makes it easy to use and effective for dental hygiene.

Intimate hygiene

Avoiding infections, fungus or itching is essential. Women should wash their genitals more than twice a day to avoid bacterial infections such as by E.coli. This can be done by using waterless intimate hygiene products as personal care. For men, it is advised to keep hygienic with waterless products.

Head hygiene

Hair should be washed two or three times a week. Waterless shampoo is another addition to personal care for maintaining hygiene with no water. It is an easy to use spray formulation rinsed off with a towel or a tissue.

Another feature of waterless products is that they are free from parabens and preservatives. That concludes to them being extremely safe for all skin types. A transition to waterless products is a road taken by lesser people but once the move has been made it would lead to a lesser carbon footprint.

The products are sold in more concentrated, compact packages, they can significantly decrease the number of materials needed to house them. And, shipping waterless formulas requires less space and therefore less fuel. It’s these seemingly small benefits that actually have the potential to make a real impact.

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