Until now, the subject has been taboo in India. Many countries’ taboos surrounding menstruation have an impact on girls’ and women’s emotional well-being, mindset, lifestyle, and, most importantly, health.
The difficulty of tackling menstruation’s socio-cultural taboos and beliefs is exacerbated by girls’ lack of knowledge and comprehension about puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health.
As a result, a deliberate approach to fighting these difficulties is required. These myths are preventing girls and women from achieving their full potential. It’s past time to put an end to them for good.
1. “Girls are always on ‘that time of the month”
First and foremost, it’s critical to recognize that a woman’s menstrual cycle is distinct from her period. Menstruation is the period during which a woman bleeds, while her menstrual cycle is the duration from one period to the next.
The popular belief is that a woman’s menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, although this is simply an average. Some women have substantially longer cycles, ranging from 29 to 35 days, while others have shorter cycles.
Travel, weight fluctuation, emotions, and medicine can all influence when a woman’s period arrives.
2. “Unsafe to keep skipping your period?”
Another common myth is that using birth control tablets to skip your period for an extended length of time is dangerous.
Recent guidelines from the National Women’s Health Network, on the other hand, say that suppressing menstruation with birth control pills is perfectly safe, and most gynecologists agree.
Periods, some contend, are superfluous outside of their role in reproduction and can be more trouble than they are worth.
3. “Period discomfort is ‘exactly like’ anything else you’ve ever felt.”
The discomfort we experience during our periods is real. We’re not talking about getting a headache or colliding with a sharp corner.
Because it’s so awful, some of us have to take time off work and snuggle up in bed, hoping the pinching pains will go away. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for this condition.
In fact, over 20% of women have severe dysmenorrhea that interferes with their regular activities, according to Trusted Source. This condition impairs our capacity to concentrate, increases our anxiety, and can even make us nasty. It’s also unlike anything you’ve ever encountered.
4. “Taking a bath isn’t recommended.”
Some people believe that bathing or even showering during your period is dangerous. This is either because hot water encourages bleeding or because it prevents bleeding, both of which can be harmful.
While hot water can help to increase blood flow, it can also aid to reduce period cramps and relax muscles. After a thorough immersion in water, bleeding does not stop. The water’s pressure, on the other hand, may temporarily prevent blood from flowing out of the vaginal canal.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t take a bath or shower while you’re on your period. Relaxing in a bubble bath and feel cleaner, as a result, would almost certainly enhance your mood and assist you in dealing with menstruation.
5. “Blood from the period is filthy blood.”
Period blood isn’t a byproduct of the body’s toxins-flushing process. Consider it an evolved form of vaginal fluid, including traces of blood, uterine tissue, mucus lining, and bacteria.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t have sex, and it doesn’t imply the conditions aren’t good down there. Period blood is not the same as blood that circulates continually in the veins.
In reality, the blood is less concentrated. There are fewer blood cells in it than in regular blood.
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