In this article, we have discussed for alarming Myths About Girls Periods circulating not only in India, but worldwide.
Menstruation is a tricky subject. It is still taboo today. Menstruation is considered icky and messy, and it is banned from polite conversation, even among women. Because of this taboo status, young girls and women are often given incorrect advice. But, knowledge is power, and it would be a mistake to ignore these alarming menstruation myths.
10 Myths About Girls Periods
These are the top myths about girls periods that every woman should know:
Menstruation Myth 1: “Menstrual cycle and periods are same.”
First, it is important to know that a woman’s period and menstrual cycle are not the same things. Menstruation is the actual time a woman bleeds. However, the menstrual cycle is the entire time from one period starting to the next.
While it is widely believed that women’s menstrual cycles last 28 days, this is only an average. Some women have a longer cycle, ranging from 29 to 35 days. Others may go shorter. Travel, weight fluctuations, emotions, medication, and other factors can also affect the time a woman has her period.
Menstruation Myth 2: “You should get your period by the time you are (For e.g. 13)”
Young girls shouldn’t get their first period at a certain age. Some girls may begin menstruating as early as age nine, while others may start their period at age 15. A doctor should be consulted if a girl does not get her period by age 15.
This myth is a nightmare for young mothers, daughters, and women alike. If the girl fails to meet her mark (i.e. if she is 13 years old or older, and she still hasn’t had her period, there is a problem with her!.
Menstruation Myth 3: ” Your period lasts exactly one week.”
Surprisingly, every woman’s body is different, and so are women’s menstrual periods. The 28-day cycle is an average and not a set of rules. There is no perfect menstruation cycle. There are many reasons why women have irregular periods. Teenagers also have a different cycle than the 28-day average. The time between periods can vary from 21 days up to 35 days.
Menstruation Myth 4: “You cannot get pregnant during sex if you are on your periods.”
Although it is rare, you can become pregnant while having menstrual periods. Ovulation and your menstrual cycle are unpredictable. It is possible for ovulation to occur before, during, or after the bleeding phase. This is especially true if you have irregular periods.
It is important to ensure that you use safe sex during your periods. Also, STDs are more common in women during periods.
Menstruation Myth 5: “Eating sour foods can worsen period cramps.”
There is no link between menstrual cramps, eating sour food, and having cramps. It is important for women to eat a healthier diet during menstrual cramps. You should eat beans, pulses, and roti. Brown bread is also a good option.
Menstruation Myth 6: “You shouldn’t wash your hair during your periods.”
This is a myth, thank goodness! This idea is absurd as regular grooming rituals and bathing are not connected to one’s menstrual cycle. Warm baths two times a day can help you feel lighter and ease muscle cramps.
Menstruation Myth 7: “Women will contaminate food.”
Rural India has a common myth that women can’t water the plants or cook while they have their period. This is because of their “uncleanliness or impurity,” which can spoil the food. A random study in rural India found that 55 percent of girls believed they couldn’t cook or go into the kitchen during their period.
Menstruation Myth 7: “Bathing during periods will lead to infertility.”
The Afghan word for “gazag” is to become infertile. According to Afghan tradition, a woman will either not wash her body or take a bath during her period. This is probably gross. It’s also a serious risk of infection.
It is common for women in many countries, including Afghanistan, to use sanitary cloth napkins. It’s a cost-effective and renewable method to manage your periods. However, women often feel embarrassed to place clean cloth that they use during menstruation outside.
Women hide and continue to wear sanitary napkins, which can cause serious infections that can be fatal for their reproductive health. All of this can be corrected if social taboos are removed over periods.
Menstruation Myth 8: “It’s okay to ignore our feelings while we’re on our period.”
This time, a woman’s body undergoes a significant physical and harmonal change. In the days before a woman’s period begins, when she is “PMSing”, her estrogen levels drop while her progesterone levels rise sharply.
Serotonin is linked with estrogen, the “happy hormone,” while progesterone is associated with the brain area responsible for fear, anxiety, and depression. Although hormones can have a complex effect on mood, progesterone has a mood-balancing effect.
Although it may seem tempting to dismiss seemingly dramatic mood changes as “just hormones”, hormones can still cause them. Although it may occur on a monthly basis, it does not invalidate our feelings.
Menstruation Myth 9: “Women can’t enter temples.”
This myth is found in many parts of the world, from Bali to India to Nepal. It is believed that women are “unclean” when they have their periods and therefore are not permitted to visit holy and clean places such as temples. This gender inequality restricts women’s access to the same rights as men, such as the freedom to practice their religion.
Both menstruating girls and women are normal. They are healthy, normal, and natural. Culturally, the myth that women can’t enter holy grounds or temples is controversial and sensitive. Women are often treated differently due to their naturally occurring periods. This creates shame and taboos that are deeply embedded in society. That is all that’s absurd.
Menstruation Myth 10: “Women will be attacked by sharks if they swim in ocean while on their periods.”
Although women might be “riding on the crimson tide”, there is no reason to fear shark attacks if they want to swim in the ocean. There is no evidence to suggest that menstruation attracts sharks. Does menstruation attract sharks? Think again, guys and girls.
Strategies for combating menstruation-related myths
A well-thought-out strategy will make menstruation more commonplace, even though it is a natural topic. These are some of the ways we can all dispel the myths about girls periods.
- Spreading awareness among adolescent women and girls is the best strategy. The mother is often reluctant to tell her daughters what they think, while grown women might not be able to answer the question.
- It can be a great help to empower girls and women. It can make it easier for them to make important decisions that will affect the entire society.
- It is a requirement to provide sanitary napkins as well as other sanitation facilities.
- Low-cost sanitary napkins can be made in rural and slum areas. These areas are often poor in resources.
- Finally, it is equally important to educate boys about menstruation and the role of the man partner in combating these deep-rooted myths.
Conclusion
Period taboos are not only ridiculous and absurd, but also a major obstacle that holds women back in many ways. These myths about girls periods are still prevalent in many parts of the world, it’s difficult to believe. They do exist, and they must be dispelled.
To empower women and girls everywhere, awareness and education are essential, particularly for those living in rural or developing countries. We can all work together to create a world where girls see periods as powerful and not shameful.
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