Hesperian Health Guides
Monthly bleeding
HealthWiki > A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities > Chapter 5: Taking care of your body > Monthly bleeding
If possible, after washing the cloths, dry them in the sun, or iron them with a very hot iron. The heat will dry them and will also kill germs and prevent infection when they are used again. Between bleedings, keep the cloths in a clean, dry place away from dust, dirt and insects.
Some women put something inside the vagina that they buy or make from cotton, cloth or a sponge. These are called tampons. If you use tampons, be sure to change them at least 3 times each day. Leaving one in for more than a day may cause a serious infection.
Wash your genitals with water each day to remove any blood that is left. Use mild soap if you can. If you pass urine with a catheter, pay special attention to cleaning the area around your urine hole when you are bleeding. If you get blood in the tube of the catheter, rinse it out right away. The blood can block the tube and prevent the urine from coming out.
Some women with disabilities may need extra help when they have their monthly bleeding. Do not feel bad if you sometimes get blood on your clothing or bedding. This happens to ALL women sometimes. If you need assistance to pass urine and stool, then your pads can be changed at that time. If it is difficult for you to change pads during the night, sleep with a towel or cloth underneath you that you can wash easily if blood gets on to it.
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If you are blind
When you first start to get your monthly bleeding, because you cannot see the blood, it may be difficult to tell when you have it. But after a few months, it will become a regular part of your life, and you will probably have feelings in your body that will tell you. During the time you are bleeding, make sure to change your pads or tampons as often as possible. Wash your hands after each time you change your pads or check to see if you are bleeding. Ask family members or someone you trust to check that you do not have any blood on your clothing. And if you do, ask them to help you make sure you have been able to remove the blood stains from your clothing when you wash them.
If you help a woman with her monthly bleeding, it is best to wear plastic gloves or plastic bags on your hands to prevent the blood getting on your skin. Although the chance of diseases passing from one woman to another during monthly bleeding is very small, it is a good idea to prevent possible infection from hepatitis and HIV.
Helping girls who have trouble learning or understanding
If a girl who has trouble understanding needs help with her daily care, an older sister, aunt, or mother can show her how she takes care of her monthly bleeding:
- Be sure you use the same kind of pads or cloth to catch the blood that the girl will use.
- Show her where the supply of pads or cloth is kept.
- Show her where the pads or cloth are thrown out, or how they are washed if they are to be used again.
- Put a pad or cloth inside her underwear so she can “practice” and get used to wearing it.
- Explain that she may want to wear dark clothing when she does start bleeding so there will be less chance of blood stains showing.
Discomfort with monthly bleeding
During monthly bleeding, the womb contracts (squeezes) in order to push out the lining. These contractions can cause pain in the lower belly or lower back, sometimes called cramps. The pain may begin before or just after bleeding starts.
Heat on the belly can help reduce cramps. Fill a bottle or some other container with hot water and place it on your lower belly or lower back. Or use a thick cloth soaked in hot water. If heat does not help, you can take a mild pain medicine such as ibuprofen.
Monthly bleeding can also make your muscles sore, or make you feel more tired than usual. The usual signs of your disability may become worse during monthly bleeding. Some women find that their breasts get swollen and sore during monthly bleeding. And some women have emotional feelings that are especially strong or harder to control.
Heavy monthly bleeding
Some women have heavy bleeding each month. This may be normal for many of them, but for others, it can cause anemia. Monthly bleeding is heavy if your pad or cloth is soaked through in less than 3 hours. If this happens to you, take ibuprofen. This can slow down the bleeding and prevent anemia. If this does not help, or if your monthly bleeding comes more often than once every 3 to 4 weeks, talk with a health worker.