Speaker 1: At times
the person you're caring
For may be menstruating
and may need assistance
to manage their cycle.
Speaker 2: Helping someone stay
clean and dry
during their cycle
will help prevent
skin rashes
infections
and help them feel better.
Feeling uneasy or embarrassed
helping with this task is very
normal
especially if you haven't had to
do this for yourself.
Speaker 1: In this video
we will review some tips
on how to help someone
with their menstrual cycle.
Let's try it.
There are some supplies that
you'll need
and the products you use
will be based
on what the person you're caring
for likes best.
Speaker 3: Sanitary pads or
napkins?
Either reusable or disposable
will be easiest to help them
with.
If they're able to
insert and take them out
themselves
they may like to use
tampons
reusable menstrual cups
or disposable soft cups.
If their flow is heavy
Or they can't get out of bed
using an adult brief or diaper
may be a good option.
You'll also need to water basins
one soapy and one clean.
And wash cloths and a towel to
clean up.
Or wet wipes or wipes me to
clean adult genitals.
Gloves and hand sanitizer.
To help with pain
hot water bottles
or heating pads
can be very helpful as well.
Speaker 4: Let's start by using
a sanitary pad.
To help with sanitary pads
attach the pad to their
underwear.
Reusable ones
tend to use snaps
like this.
Disposable ones
usually stick to their underwear
and may have wings
that stick underneath.
The wings
help keep the pad in place
and stop leaks from happening as
often.
From here
Help them pull the underwear on
while making sure the pad
doesn't bunch up.
Speaker 3: When the pad is
soiled
start by removing the soiled
pad.
If they're in bed
you can put a towel under their
hips
to keep the sheets clean.
If the pad is disposable
wrap it up in the fresh pads
wrapper
and put it in the garbage.
For reusable pads
rinse them well
or soak them in cold water
and wash them for use next time.
Then help them wash and dry
their private areas well.
Speaker 4: Click here
to see a video
on how to do this.
Finish up
By putting a new sanitary pad on
their underwear
helping them get dressed.
And both of you washing your
hands.
Speaker 3: If they cannot stand
or lift their hips in bed
or their flow is heavy
using an adult brief is a good
option.
To use the brief
you'd follow the same process as
a pad
making sure their genitals
are washed between every change.
If their flow is very heavy
and they're soaking through
more than a pad an hour
for three hours in a row
or their period lasts for more
than seven days in a row
follow up with
their health care provider.
Tampons
reusable menstrual cups
or disposable soft cups
all work by being inserted
inside their vagina to catch the
blood.
If the person you're caring for
can put them in themselves
you can help by assisting them
walk to the washroom
and making sure they have the
supplies
they need to wash
up close by.
Give them some privacy
by leaving the washroom
but stay nearby
in case they need some help.
After they're done.
You can help them stand
at the sink
to wash their hands.
If the person you're caring
has a lot of pain
helping them to use a hot water
bottle
or heating pad
on their lower back
or stomach
can really help.
It's best to keep the heating
pad
on medium low
to avoid burns
If they aren't able to
Move the heat away themselves.
If it gets too hot
or if they have less feeling
on their lower back or stomach.
There are also some medications
that can help.
So talk to their health care
professional
if they need some extra help
managing pain.
Talking about menstrual cycles
isn't something many people do
regularly
but having more information
about them
can really help manage the
flow and pain
that can happen.
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