Menstruation, the most distinct rite of passage for girls entering into womanhood, is a natural process. However, not all young girls are equipped with the skills to go through a hygienic period. It's vital to help girls manage their period with knowledge, privacy, and dignity.

Here are some tips to stay clean in menstrual cycles.

• Choose the right feminine hygiene products

  No matter what you use during periods, try to find the right one for you. Unfit products might cause rashes or infections.

• Change at regular intervals

  Use a new sanitary pad every six hours. If you prefer a tampon, be sure to change it every two hours, even at low flow.

• Watch out for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

  For tampons users, it's vital to protect yourself from TSS, a complication caused by bacteria getting into the blood stream and releasing toxins. Changing your tampon regularly and and alternating using pads lowers the risk.

• Clean your body correctly

  Washing your private parts is important to kill bacteria and manage bad odours. Use warm water and unscented soap.

• Dispose of used sanitary materials properly

  Roll it up and wrap it in a piece of paper. If you have a special disposal bag, use it.

  Never flush sanitary materials down the toilet! And try environmentally-friendly products such as reusable menstrual pads and menstrual cups.

Sometimes, pains, odours, or embarrassment may be side effects during your periods.

But menstrual hygiene is not only about health, it's also about dignity.

If you want a life without period-problems, try out these simple tips! Were any of these tips new to you? If so, share what you've learned with a friend!