UTIs and RTIs. What are they?
Women all over the world are at risk of infection. During menstruation, bacteria grows and can overgrow, and odors are apparent leaving women to over-clean. Using feminine perfumes and douching can strip away not only bad bacteria but good bacteria as well. Women’s bodies need a balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria to maintain a proper PH balance. Lack of basic sanitation methods such as being able to shower and use the restroom privately also can cause infection in women. According to Days for Girls, a charitable organization for women, over 500 million women around the world are affected by period poverty. Period poverty is the lack of knowledge of menstruation and the inability to access necessary sanitary materials. Without access to clean water, showers, private toilets, and proper education women are at risk of infections such as UTIs and RTIs. Women that don’t change their tampons or pads frequently or in a time mannerly are also at risk of getting these same infections.