Menstruation in heat is a real nightmare for women. Especially if it “catches up” on a long-awaited vacation. How is it best to take care of hygiene in such conditions? Can the heat period be dangerous for a woman? Or maybe there are things she shouldn’t be doing then? We asked the gynecologist Dr. Anna Horbaczewska from the Superior Medical Center in Krakow about all of this. The specialist also explained whether it is safe to postpone the period and whether it is worth using it.
- Dr. Anna Horbaczewska, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist: menstruation is one of the most physiological situations in a woman, it is not a threat to her health
- If your period occurs during hot weather, take a summer / cool shower more often than usual. Not necessarily compatible with frequent use of intimate hygiene products, soaps and other detergents
- The doctor reminds you that during menstruation on hot days, you should follow the same rules as on a daily basis, adjusting your activities to your well-being. Higher temperature “is not a reason to demonize menstruation”
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Karolina Świdrak / Medonet: “Just not your period!”, Shouted my friend when it turned out that the menstruation “attacked” her during the greatest heat waves. And this is during preparation for a holiday trip. Is the hot weather more of a burden or is it more dangerous for a woman’s health?
Dr. Anna Horbaczewska, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist: It cannot be said that it is more dangerous or a burden to health. Menstruation is one of the most physiological situations in a woman, it does not pose a threat to her health. Of course, in hot weather it can certainly be a more burdensome condition when it comes to comfort and hygiene.
What can we do to minimize the malaise caused by the period and made worse by the heat?
If it is possible to take a cool shower more often than usual, it is definitely worth doing so. I mean lukewarm water, not necessarily using intimate hygiene products, soaps or other types of detergents during the day. Their frequent use may increase the likelihood of intimate infections, weakening or even destroying the natural bacterial flora.
The rest of the article is available under the video.
Additionally, of course, the regular change of intimate hygiene products: tampons, sanitary napkins. If there are additional symptoms, e.g. pain, regardless of high temperatures, you can use painkillers, warm compresses on the lower abdomen and other methods that the woman knows will work for her.
Warm compresses can also be used for menstrual pain. Natural compress for women made of cotton and cherry seeds Yokompress, available in various colors, will work well here. This compress takes the shape of the uterus, so it adapts perfectly to the female body, reducing the discomfort associated with menstruation.
Are there things I must not do during the heat of my period? Do sports, swim in the pool, drink alcohol?
Absolutely not. The fact that the temperature is a few degrees higher than on other days of the year is no reason to demonize menstruation. The way the body functions does not change then. You just need to follow the same basic rules as you do in everyday life, adjusting activities to your own well-being. It, especially in the first days of the period, may be a bit worse – due to pain in the lower abdomen or other symptoms occurring individually in each woman.
How to take care of hygiene and what measures to use during menstruation? Tampons and menstrual cups are comfortable, but are they healthy?
Yes, they are comfortable and do not adversely affect your health. Provided they are used correctly, of course. So in the case of tampons, they are replaced, but also not very often, to avoid the risk of abrasions and other damage to the mucosa that can lead to vaginal infection. We should also remember to regularly change menstrual cups and pads.
When using sanitary napkins, it should also be taken into account that they have an adhesive layer underneath. It can restrict air flow, making the perineal area more exposed to high temperatures and greater humidity. It will also not be entirely comfortable.
Gynecology knows ways to shift your period. Is it health and safe?
If the menstruation falls on an important occasion or a trip for a long-awaited vacation, you can always go to your gynecologist in advance and ask for measures that will allow you to postpone menstrual bleeding. In order for such treatment to be effective, you should contact your doctor well in advance. Even a month earlier.
There is no time criterion on how often this can be done. On the other hand, such a control of the bleeding rhythm is in no way harmful, it does not cause any adverse health consequences. Thus, patients can take advantage of this opportunity the most.
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If a woman uses contraception in the form of tablets, patches or vaginal rings, then she can shift the menstruation on her own, without pausing for bleeding and simply taking the next dose of the drug right away.
It is worth knowing that after a single use of agents that shift the bleeding rhythm, the period may become slightly out of control in the next month. It is not harmful or has lasting health consequences.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time our guest is Marek Rybiec – businessman, as one of 78 people from all over the world, he completed «4 Deserts» – ultramarathon taking place in extreme places around the world. She talks to Aleksandra Brzozowska about the challenge, mental strength and mindfulness training. Listen!