Lesson 13: Menstrual Hygiene

Objectives:

Students will:

• Understand the appropriate use of sanitary napkins during menstruation.
• Understand the appropriate use of tampons during menstruation.
• Describe their feelings about menstruation.

Materials: Picture Cards 20, 21, and 22 or 40, sample of various size pads, a pair of women's underwear, sample of tampons, cup, water, red food coloring, measuring spoons

Procedure:

1. Read Picture Card 20 and go over discussion questions.
2. Bring in a sample of various sizes, shapes and thicknesses of sanitary napkins. Lay them out on the table and allow students to touch them. Have students put them in order of thickness and then by size. Discuss why a girl might choose one size over another. (heavy bleeding vs. light bleeding, comfort, etc.)
3. Using a sample pad and a pair of underpants, demonstrate how to take off the sticky strip on the back of a pad and show how it fits into a pair of underpants. Give each student an opportunity to try this.
4. Read Picture Card 21 and go over discussion questions.
5. Display a small sample of various types of tampons. (Tambrands offers free sample kits available through their toll-free number 1(800)523-0014.) Allow students to take off wrappers and to touch the tampons. Demonstrate how the applicator is pushed to insert the tampon. Then explain know the tampon fits in the vagina while the string hangs down out of the vagina. Tell students that the string is pulled down to remove the tampon from the vagina.
6. Mix 1 tsp. of water with 1 drop of red food coloring in a cup. Dip tampon in the cup to show how it absorbs this colored water just like it works in a girl's vagina during her period.

Additional Important Information: Tampons may be difficult to put in initially because of the hymen, which is a thin piece of skin inside the opening of the vagina. The hymen is different in different girls/teens. The hymen has either one or two larger openings in it or many small ones. If a girl has trouble putting a tampon in, she may need to use her fingers to gently stretch the opening of the hymen to get the tampon in.

Also, students who are going to use tampons need to be warned about toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is an infection that can start in the vagina. Tampons need to be changed every 3-4 hours to prevent TSS. A tampon should never be left in for more than 8 hours. Also it is preferable to use pads rather than tampons at night or when a girl is only bleeding a little bit. Symptoms of TSS include sudden fever (over 102), vomiting or diarrhea. Students need to be encouraged to tell their parents if any of these symptoms appear.

7. Read Picture Card 22 and go over discussion questions. Picture Card 40 can be used with, or in place of, this one.