By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Medical Doctor, Michael Baah Biney, has emphasized that girls can become pregnant even before experiencing their first menstrual cycle due to the biological makeup of these girls.
According to Dr. Biney, the notion that girls cannot get pregnant before their first menses is a misconception. He highlighted while speaking on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, that puberty can begin as early as 8 years old for some girls, contrary to the average age of 13.
In a discussion on GTV’s breakfast show, Dr. Biney advised parents to approach conversations about menstruation with their daughters in a nuanced manner. While it’s essential to discuss menstruation with young girls, he suggested that introducing the topic of sex at an early age may not be necessary. Instead, parents can focus on explaining menstruation without delving into sexual topics until the girls are older.
Dr. Biney also stressed the importance of involving fathers in conversations about menstruation, emphasizing that it’s not solely a female issue. He noted that every male originated from menstruation, highlighting the need for dads to participate in advocacy efforts.
‘’Menstruation is not a female thing, every gentleman came from menstruation,’’ he stressed.
The doctor mentioned how he does not believe girls having their menses at an early age has anything to do with their diet, but about their biological makeup.
His colleague, Dr. Hainau Iddrisu, also emphasized the significance of proper menstrual hygiene practices. She advised girls to change sanitary pads at least three times a day to maintain cleanliness and prevent health issues.
Dr. Iddrisu expressed concern that some girls wear sanitary pads for the whole day without changing, and she also encouraged regular washing of sanitary towels.
While acknowledging the government’s initiative on distributing sanitary pads to girls, Dr. Iddrisu’s foundation, Ruby Osmo Girls Foundation, focuses on advocacy efforts to promote menstrual hygiene awareness, she said.
