Doctors advise that if you do not change your pads frequently at least every six to eight hours, you are much more susceptible to rashes and vaginal yeast infections with bad odour. Regardless of how light your flow is, it’s always best to change your pad frequently. 

It is said that unclean pads can actually lead to fungal infections, reproductive tract infection, urinary infection and even make women vulnerable to infertility.

Dr Iba Mayele, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Clinic Galien- Kimironko, warns against washing or wiping back to front after using a toilet for long or short calls, as this brings bacteria from the bowel to the vagina and can lead to serious urinary tract infections.

He also notes that unprotected sex while on your period has its risks. Although some people think they might not get pregnant while in the menses, it’s better to use protection. 

Mayele says that having unprotected sex during periods can pose risk of contraction of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like herpes, HIV and Hepatitis B.

"It’s important to wash your hands before changing your sanitary pad, failure to do so can cause yeast infections or Hepatitis B. But also after disposing a pad, wash your hands,” he says.

"Unsafe disposal of sanitary napkins can cause serious health concerns like Hepatitis B for the waste collector, but also societal health risks when these pads thwart rivers and roadsides and contribute to the toxic air pollution from garbage dumps,” Mayela adds. 

How often should pads or tampons be changed?

Mayele says that if you use tampons during your period, wear a tampon that is saturated and make it a point to change every three to five hours. Also, change them at least every four to eight hours to help prevent a rare disease called toxic shock syndrome. 

Toxic shock syndrome is a sudden, potentially fatal condition. It’s caused by the release of toxins from an overgrowth of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, which is found in many women’s bodies.

If you are starting to see leaks after one or two hours, you might need a higher absorbency tampon during that part of your flow. 

Health experts note that if you don’t see any leaks, you need to change your tampon every six to eight hours for safety. If your tampon isn’t saturated by that time, you should think of switching to a lower absorbency tampon.

Mayele says that you can wear a pad overnight or for six hours or more during the day. If you have a heavy flow, you will need to change it more often. 

Establishing a proper menstrual hygiene management system

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), women and girls need social support since they face discriminatory attitudes and beliefs around menstruation that lead them to experience their menses with shame and embarrassment. Girls should be able to participate in daily activities during their period without being subjected to stigma or exclusion from peers, parents, teachers, or community leaders. 

Mayele explains that awareness is key. For instance, girls should talk to girls younger than them about periods. It can be their sister, cousins, friends, neighbours, or anyone. Discuss with them about what they can expect, if they haven’t had their periods, or how they can manage their periods better.

UNICEF states that women and girls need access to high quality, appropriate hygienic absorbent materials to manage menstruation, yet are lacking for most girls and women in the organisation’s programme countries. 

How to make periods more hygienic

In an article published by Indian Express, it says, "Physical health and personal hygiene are an intrinsic part of a woman’s well-being, especially during menstruation. Although periods are a biological process, it is important to ensure personal hygiene during these days. In our everyday life, while activities such as brushing, bathing, and wearing clean clothes are a given, we tend to forget that intimate hygiene is important as well. So, next time you are on your periods, take note of these tips:

Wash yourself properly

Wash the vaginal area properly at least twice a day. This will help in removing all the harmful bacteria and ensure that your genitalia are clean. A natural intimate wash can be used to clean the area. Use panty liners to help absorb the excess discharge and ensure better hygiene.

Wear clean undergarments

Wear fresh and clean undergarments every day and change if you feel the panties are soiled from discharge. Unclean underwear can produce a bad odour during periods and put you at risk of infections. Use organic panty liners for absorbing discharges in the initial days and ensure that your undergarments are made of cotton or other soft breathable fabrics to prevent skin irritation.