Menstrual hygiene day: NGO sensitises female students, distributes sanitary pads in Osun

Blessing Akorowosi, Osogbo

In commemoration of World Menstrual hygiene day, a non-governmental organisation, Loving Heart of Faith Foundation sensitised female students in Osogbo, Osun State on menstruation and puberty changes.

The menstrual hygiene day celebrated every May 28 yearly was characterised by the distribution of sanitary pads to the students after the talk.

The schools visited by the Loving Heart of Faith Foundation include: Baptist girls high school, Gbodofon, Osogbo; Christ Ambassadors Comprehensive School, Osogbo and Oluomo High School, Osogbo.

In her lecture, a medical expert, Moyinoluwa Oludiran stated that every female must take cognisance of her menstrual cycle and stay clean.

Oludiran charged the adolescent girls to look forward to their monthly period and observe good menstrual hygiene.

She said, “menstruation is the monthly flow of blood in every female. It starts at puberty, known as Menarche and ends at menopause between late forties and mid fifties.

“Menstruation is not a problem, improper hygiene is the problem. The moment menstruation is commenced as an adolescent, you must avoid everything that can allow sperm fertilise the egg that is released on a monthly basis because infertilization of the egg on a monthly basis  warrants the shedding of the uterus (womb).

“For adolescents you must allow it to shed on a monthly basis till you get married and old enough to cater for a child.”

Speaking on the hygiene measures, the medical practitioner maintained that the use of tissues and clothes should be discouraged to avoid infections which could cause complications in future.

“The basic product that is ideal for menstruation is sanitary pads not clothes or tissues. The pads have to be changed every 6 hours to prevent growth of microorganisms.

“Bathing twice or more should be observed and passive exercise should be done during menstruation. Abdominal cramps should be prevented before it comes by taking warm drinks and avoiding too many sugary things. During menstruation, warm water can be put in a bottle and placed on the lower abdomen.

“Pants should be changed regularly, douching should be avoided and sanitary pads should not be discarded anyhow,” Oludiran concluded.

The founder of the NGO, Ikeola Adedayo, in her remarks said the Loving Heart of Faith Foundation is a destiny building and faith inspired charity organisation with the goal of raising a generation of changing agents for the nation’s transformation.

Adedayo urged parents and the government to provide the necessary platforms for the actualisation of youths’ potentials for the growth of the country and global relevance.