Many people still believe in the myth of sanitary napkins, but they actually make you sick!

Bandages have a function to absorb the blood that comes out during menstruation. Although the function and method of use are very simple, of course you often hear some of the myths of sanitary napkins seliweran in the midst of society. Here are some myths about sanitary napkins that are still often believed, but rest assured that all these myths are not true at all.

Various myths of sanitary napkins that exist in society have been debunked by the medical world

1. Sanitary napkins cause cervical cancer

Wrong. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV for short. There are more than a hundred types of HPV, but so far there are only about 13 types of viruses that can cause cervical cancer. This virus is most often transmitted through unprotected sex. So, not because of the sanitary napkins!

2. Sanitary napkins need to be separated from other trash for fear of contracting cancer

Wrong. Many believe that disposing of sanitary napkins should not be combined with other waste, because touching them will cause cancer. Cancer is basically caused by mutations in cancer cells that malignant, and can be triggered by genetic factors or poor diet. Cancer is not contagious, let alone transmitted through touch. Even so, maintaining cleanliness during menstruation is still important. If you are lazy to maintain vaginal cleanliness while menstruating, then you will be more susceptible to various diseases.

Eits! But do not also litter the used sanitary napkins carelessly, such as in rivers or rivers. Like the river in the area of Ponorogo, which is used as a garbage disposal for sanitary napkins, diapers, and underwear by local residents. They believe that throwing sanitary napkins in the river will get cool because the water is cool and cold. Residents also believe that if the underwear is burned, the owner will get sick, his genitals will feel hot and are prone to disease. Likewise, if a baby's diaper is thrown in the trash, the baby will be fussy.

The myth of sanitary napkins has absolutely nothing to do with it. That is, the environment and water will actually be polluted and have the potential to cause disease outbreaks. This is because diapers and pads that hold blood and feces can be ideal places for bacteria to breed.

3. Wear pads during menstruation makes you infertile

Wrong. Until now, there has been no research that states that the use of sanitary napkins will cause infertility. However, one study in Pakistan showed that the use of materials or materials that are not clean to absorb menstrual blood can actually increase the risk of infertility. Even though you don't know how the process is, using materials that are clean and can absorb blood well are important for the health of female organs.

On the other hand, the use of materials that are not appropriate for the absorption of menstrual blood can cause infection. During menstruation, the humidity in the intimate area will increase because of the blood that comes out through the vaginal opening and this will make it easier for fungal and bacterial infections to occur.

Sanitary pads are products that can be ascertained in a sterile and safe condition before use. In order to stay clean and avoid irritation and infection, you should be diligent about changing your sanitary napkins 4-6 once or when menstrual blood is out a lot. If you want to be safe, make sure your pads have a registration number from the Indonesian Ministry of Health as proof of national health standards.

4. The sanitary napkins make menstrual blood odorless

Wrong. Basically, the smell of menstrual blood is very distinctive, because it contains cells that were originally "living". It should be noted that the smell of menstrual blood will not be smelled by other people.

On the other hand, the chemicals used as fragrances in sanitary napkins have the risk of triggering irritation in the vaginal area. If your vagina continues to smell bad even after menstruation is over, consult a doctor.

5. The adhesive in the sanitary napkin causes

Wrong. The function of the adhesive in pads is to glue the pads to the underwear so that they are not easily shifted or crumpled during activities.

Leucorrhoea is a normal thing to happen. These fluids actually help clean the vagina to keep it clean and healthy, as well as provide lubrication and protect the vagina from infection and irritation. However, if your discharge looks abnormal, it could be due to a bacterial or fungal infection. On the other hand, the adhesive pattern is in the form of thin lines, so it doesn't cover the entire back of the dressing so that the air circulation is smooth and moisture-free. To put it simply, adhesive in sanitary pads is not the cause of vaginal discharge. This is just one of the sanitary napkins myths that you don't need to believe anymore.

Don't like wearing pads? Try using a tampon or menstrual cup

Apart from the various myths of sanitary napkins above, it is healthily important to keep your vagina clean during menstruation. If you are not comfortable using pads, you can use tampons or menstrual cup. Make sure you regularly change the pads, tampons or menstrual cups you use.

The recommended time to change pads is every 4-6 hours of use. This means that in a day you should change the pads 4-6 times. Because using pads, tampons, or menstrual cup for more than four hours there is a risk of causing infection. This is because your female organs cannot breathe through the plastic that covers sanitary napkins and menstrual cup. In addition, too long using a tampon is also prone to cause toxic shock syndrome.

Bandages that are not regularly changed can cause odor and infection from bacteria from menstrual blood. In addition, if your blood flow is very heavy while the sanitary napkin is not holding it enough, it can eventually cause leakage. To prevent this from happening, it's best to know how fast your blood is flowing. If the blood flow is heavy and the bandage you are wearing is not absorbing enough of your blood, you may need to change the sanitary napkin more frequently.