An NGO, Loving Heart Faith Foundation, has urged adolescent girls to always maintain good menstrual hygiene.
The group made the call at a public lecture, organised to commemorate this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day on Sunday in Osogbo, Osun State.
Free sanitary pads were distributed to adolescent girls at the event.
A medical expert, Mrs Moyinoluwa Oludiran, in her lecture, said that women and girls must take cognisance of their menstrual cycle and stay clean.
Oludiran urged the adolescent girls to always 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 40s and mid-50s.
“Menstruation is not a problem, but improper hygiene. The moment it is commenced as an adolescent, you must avoid everything that can allow sperm fertilise the egg that is released on a monthly basis.
“It is the infertilisation of the egg on a monthly basis that warrants the shedding of the uterus (womb).
“For adolescents, you must allow it to be shed on a monthly basis till you get married and old enough to cater for a child.”
Oludiran also said 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 six hours to prevent growth of micro-organisms.
“Bathing twice or more should be observed, while passive exercise should be done during menstruation.
“Abdominal cramps should also 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,” she said.
In her remarks, the CEO of the group, Mrs Ikeola Adedayo, described the NGO as 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 government to provide necessary platforms for the actualisation of youth potentials for the growth of the country and global relevance.