Dr Margaret Erhunmwunsee, President of the Association of Residents Doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, has warned women, particularly young girls, against using pieces of clothing and tissue paper during menstruation, as such items could lead to infections and infertility in the future.
She gave the advice while leading the leadership of the Association to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day with the theme “Making Menstruation a Normal Fact of Life by 2030” at the Comprehensive Secondary School Atai Otoro, Abak, Akwa Ibom State.
She said: Some of you have been made to believe that menstruation and menstrual pains are not something that is inherited and that when you take tablets you will continue to take drugs for life, that when you talk to a boy you will get pregnant. All these are myths that are not true.
Most importantly, you must stop using pieces of clothes and tissue paper during your menstrual flow. Using such items in place of menstrual pads can cause infections and infertility in the long run Dr.Erhunmwunsee said.
The ARD president who donated 200 menstrual pads to the school said the school was privileged to have the Association come to educate the students on matters related to their menstruation.
Dr. Ekemini Udi, Co-ordinator of the WMHD and Vice President of the ARD UUTH, explained that the goal of the visit was to educate students on safe menstrual practises as well as to reduce period poverty, which occurs when a girl cannot afford menstrual products during menstruation.
Mrs Pauline Akpanubo, the school’s principal, welcomed the team of doctors and introduced them to the students in her remarks.
While thanking the ARD for selecting a school in his community, Hon. Eventus Uko encouraged the students to adhere to personal hygiene and proper practises as taught by the doctors.
Normal facts about menstruation, symptoms and signs of menstruation, and reproductive health were taught to the students, and some myths and misconceptions about menstruation were debunked. Students were shown how to use and dispose of sanitary pads properly.