Why are women prone to vaginal infections during menstruation?

It's not only your emotions that become sensitive when you're menstruating. Your vagina is also experiencing the same thing. Yes. You will be more susceptible to vaginal infections during menstruation. This is what makes you have to be extra careful to maintain and care for the cleanliness of the female area during menstruation.

Why is it that the vagina is more prone to infections during menstruation?

Vaginal infections are very common. 3 out of four women have experienced this condition in their lifetime. According to Margie Profet from the University of California, Berkeley, your vagina is very susceptible to infection due to bacteria while menstruating. How did it happen?

During menstruation there is a two-way backflow. This occurs when blood cells and tissue that should be disposed of into the vagina actually flow into the cervix and fallopian tubes. As a result, bacterial contamination is easier, because there is a flow from top to bottom or vice versa during menstruation. Bacterial infections can not only occur in areas outside the vagina, but can also enter, such as the cervix, to the pelvis.

In addition, vaginal infections during menstruation can also be caused because the female area is more moist than usual. Normally, the pH level of the vagina ranges from 3.8-4.5. However, pH levels will tend to increase when a woman is menstruating. Well, it is this change in pH levels that causes vaginal yeast growth to increase during menstruation.

Therefore, it is very important to maintain vaginal cleanliness during menstruation to avoid bacterial and fungal infections in your female organs.

So, how to prevent vaginal infections during menstruation?

Basically, the risk of vaginal infections during menstruation can be reduced in a number of simple ways, such as changing sanitary napkins regularly every 4 hours maximum, cleaning the vagina the right way, and maintaining vaginal moisture. In addition, give extra time when bathing to clean the feminine area from accumulated blood and fluids.

Then, what about vaginal cleansers? Can you use vaginal cleansers during menstruation? Vaginal cleansers may often be associated with negative effects, such as bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and even cervical cancer.

Actually, these various conditions are caused because the cleaning fluid used actually removes the normal flora in the vagina. As a result, this actually triggers the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Well, this pathogenic bacteria can then cause inflammation.

If needed, you can use a vaginal cleanser. However, make sure you choose a vaginal cleanser that contains povidone-iodine to prevent vaginal infections, especially when they are "Red day"". Feminine cleanser containing povidone-iodine can help reduce the growth of bad bacteria in the vagina because of its antiseptic-like function.

Always read the rules of use listed on the product packaging before you decide to use a vaginal cleanser with povidone-iodine. Don't forget, first consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, have allergies, or are taking certain drugs before using these products.