Stayfree invests time and

Stayfree Sanitary Napkins

Liners

Stayfree also has panty liners that are meant to be used in between periods to absorb the discharge released from the vagina. [19] This discharge amount changes during the month. Liners are similar to a spare pair of panties that can be changed as per convenience. [20] They also used:

• When expecting the next period to start
• Towards the end of the period in case it hasn’t completely finished yet
• As a backup when one first starts wearing tampons, until one is completely confident of using a tampon on its own [20]

Social Causes

The Stayfree Women for Change initiative, by Johnson & Johnson Limited, states that it aims to improve the living conditions of

Stayfree is also dedicated to women’s health care and health awareness which lead to the ‘Growing Up’ program. This program was conducted in association by the

Everything about periods

Through the Growing Up programme Stayfree informs and educates women about periods and allows them to have a safer and healthier period. Education and information that empowers women and change the way they approach their periods and also gives them the confidence to take on their lives with confidence. [27]

Menstruation Basics

The first subject of the programme was ‘Menstruation Basics’ This subject covered how girls enter puberty between the ages of 8 to 14, when their brain releases chemicals known as hormones into the blood. These hormones travel to different areas of the body, resulting in growth and development. Physical changes are signs of puberty, which can vary from woman to woman. These changes include [28]:

Within the subject of ‘Menstruation Basics’ each step of the

A Period Calendar

It became important to also educate women about how to prepare for their next period. So Stayfree later covered the importance of a period

Managing periods

The programme then focused on how women in India need to have a ‘hygienic period’ along with different methods on ‘how to manage periods’ – The reason for this subject lies behind the fact that several women (especially in rural India) still use cloth as a form of sanitary protection, instead of hygienic sanitary napkins [31]

Irregular flow

Most women in India are now aware that the menstrual flow is generally heaviest during the first 3 days and gets lighter over the following few days. However, there are individuals who have a medium flow for up to 5 days. [30] A woman with an extremely heavy flow for more than 7 days every month, with blood clots, would be asked to see a gynaecologist about it. [32]

Consulting a Gynaecologist

Stayfree informed mothers that it is deemed necessary to consult a

• If periods continue to be irregular and unpredictable, even after two years of the first period.
• If menstrual flow is very heavy or lasts much longer than the normal number of days
• Severe discomfort, stomach cramps or pain
• If periods stop occurring for several months after starting menstruation
• if menstruation has not occurred until the age of 15
• If vaginal bleeding occurs in between 2 periods

White discharge

The Growing Up programme covered several health issues that women were likely to face. One such common health problem is vaginal discharge. It is light, limpid, viscous and mucous. The amount of the discharge depends on the time of the menstrual cycle. This is produced from the womb neck. It contains fluids and cells that are excreted for keeping the vagina clean and protecting it. The vaginal discharge is common at the beginning and the end of a cycle. However, in case it causes irritation, pain or has a foul odour, it might indicate yeast infection, and a gynaecologist must be consulted. [33]

PMS

PMS or Pre-Menstrual Syndrome is a common problem faced by adolescent women. It is a combination of symptoms some girls suffer from, a week or so before their period, due to hormonal changes. The symptoms usually go away after the period starts. The intensity of the symptoms varies from woman to woman. [34]
PMS gives rise to mood swings, such as depression and an irrational feeling of being upset and angry. Breast tenderness, headaches and tiredness are also symptoms of PMS. Educating, informing and preparing women for PMS is also one of the key focus areas for this programme. [35]

Menstrual Cramps

Helping women tackle menstrual cramps is another way Stayfree provides support to women. Understanding menstrual cramps helped women understand and cope with the cramps more effectively. These cramps occur due the hormonal changes when the uterus throbs to pump out the menstrual blood, often causing pain in the thighs and legs. [36]

Recommended measures to take in order to alleviate the pain [37]:

• Placing a heating pad on the abdomen or taking a warm shower
• Gentle exercises such as walking or stretching
• Massages
• Yoga or meditation
• Avoiding fatty or greasy food and maintaining a good diet
• Hot soup or soothing herbal tea

Odour

Stayfree also gives women valuable tips to maintain personal hygiene during periods through their current women for change website [38]. Menstrual Odour is a very common hygiene issue with girls during their periods. Menstrual fluid starts to smell when it comes in contact with air. A pad worn all day can get strong smelling. Gynaecologists recommend frequent changing of the pad in order to ensure that there is no odour. [39]

Menopause

Since the programme spoke to

Maintaining menstrual hygiene

In addition to health the Growing Up programme also focused on improving basic hygiene among women during their periods through its’ women for change website. [38] Warm baths are believed to alleviate cramps. Vaginal douching is discouraged by gynaecologists as it can cause the normal chemical balance in the vagina to shift and lead to bacterial vaginal infections. Using baby and feminine wipes every day is also discouraged. [41]

Do’s and Don’ts’ during menstruation

Stayfree India provides a holistic approach to improve the overall health and hygiene especially during one’s periods. Education and information help women have a safer and more comfortable periods. Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts’ as laid out by the brand. [38]

Pills: Pills to delay a menstrual cycle are generally discouraged, unless one consults their doctor.

Swimming: It is generally recommended that a woman wears a tampon instead of a pad while swimming in order to prevent the menstrual blood from reaching the swimsuit or pool.

Papaya: Alternative therapies believe that consumption of papaya brings heavy bleeding. However, there is no known scientific basis to prove the theory.

Anemia: 50% women in India suffer from anemia. It is a condition where a person has a lower count of red blood cells, due to decreased iron content, in the blood. An insufficient amount of iron-rich foods in one’s diet can make one likely to suffer from anaemia.
The following are common symptoms of Anaemia:

• Dull, tired looking skin
• Whiteness on inner side of the eyelids
• Pale, white gums
• Whiteness in nails
• Weakness and fatigue

Personal care tips

The Women For Change also educates women on personal care tips during periods. It all begins with a diet. A proper diet, exercise and good personal hygiene of bathing and wearing fresh clothes throughout the month is known to help women feel better during menstruation. Not maintaining a proper diet can make one run the risk of suffering from anemia. This has long-term health and reproductive consequences. [42]

Choosing between a sanitary napkin and a tampon

It is recommended for women to use a regular sized pad or tampon for the first time menstruation occurs. A bigger one might be opted for if the regular size gets filled very quickly. [43]

Some girls use two different absorbencies – one for their heavy days and a lighter absorbency for their lighter days. There are also special pads for the night time. These are longer and wider, in order to accommodate the position and movements of a sleeping person. [44]