Menstrual hygiene: what actually matters

Menstrual hygiene is mostly about a handful of simple habits, done consistently.

Wash your hands before and after changing a tampon or pad. Change your product every 4 to 8 hours. Keep a spare product and a small bag for the used one when you are out. Dispose of products in a bin, not the toilet.

There is no need to wash the inside of the vagina — it cleans itself, and douching or scented washes can upset the natural balance and cause irritation. Warm water on the outside is all that is needed.

Track your cycle for a few months so you know what your normal looks like. Then you will notice when something changes. See a clinician if you are soaking through a product every hour for several hours, if your period regularly lasts more than 7 days, if bleeding between periods becomes a pattern, or if pain regularly stops you doing normal things.

Eura makes the product. Your own knowledge of your body is the most important thing you bring to your period care.