Using tissue paper, cloths during menstruation may cause infertility’ – Expert warn

Patrick Odey
The President, Association of Residents Doctors, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Branch, Dr. Margaret Erhunmwunsee, has warned women, especially young girls, against using pieces of cloth and tissue paper during menstrual periods.
According to her, such items can cause infections, which may lead to infertility in the long run.
The medical practitioner gave the warning at the Comprehensive Secondary School Atai Otoro, in the Abak Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, when she led the leadership of the Association to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day with the theme, ‘Making Menstruation a Normal Fact of Life by 2030′.
She urged the students to jettison certain myths that have been associated with menstruation, adding, “Some of you have been made to believe that menstruation and menstrual pains are not something that is inherited, that when you take tablets, you will continue to take drugs for life, and that when you talk to a boy, you will get pregnant. All these myths are not true.
The ARD president, who donated 200 menstrual pads to the school, said the students are privileged to have the association come to educate them on matters relating to menstrual hygiene.
The Co-ordinator of the WMHD, Dr. Ekemini Udi, who doubles as the vice president of the ARD UUTH, explained that the aim of the visit was to educate the students on safe menstrual practices and also to reduce period poverty, which occurs when a girl cannot afford menstrual products.
In her remarks, the principal of the school, Mrs. Pauline Akpanubo, welcomed the team to her school and formally introduced them to the students.
The supervisory counsellor of health, Abak Local Government Area, Honourable Eventus Uko, while thanking the team for choosing a school in the community, encouraged the students to abide by personal hygiene and proper practices as taught by the doctors.