Periods are a normal physiological function of the female body but there are many myths and taboos surrounding it, especially in India. These affect the social-cultural lives of the women and also the health -physical and mental. Here are a few period facts and myths.
Scientifically we know that the woman makes one egg per month and the uterus makes a lining. This lining will facilitate the growth of the fetus in case the egg meets with sperm and fertilizes. When fertilization does not happen then the egg and the lining are shed off. This shedding of the lining is menstruation or the periods.
But periods are considered dirty and impure.
Period Facts and Myths:
Myth: Women cannot enter the puja or the kitchen as she is impure.
Fact: Well, this sounds like a joke. There is nothing impure. It is for this reason that many women approach a doctor to take tablets to prepone or postpone their periods during big pujas and festivals. This ideally should be avoided.
Myth: Women in periods should not touch sour foods like pickles.
Fact: The belief is that the body emits some smell which will turn the food bad and unedible. Till to date, not a single scientific test has shown the when women in periods touch any food, then it gets spoilt. When handling food all of us need to follow general hygiene measures.
Myth: Women in periods need to wash and bathe only after the period.
Fact: This is clearly illogical and actually poses health risks to the woman. It increases the risk of serious infections.
Myth: During periods one should not exercise.
Fact: Contrary to this exercise actually helps combat period pains, bloating and premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and should be done.
Myth: A woman should not take pain killers for period pains.
Fact: There is no need to suffer period pains. It is safe to take mild analgesics. Most women need tablets only on the first one or two days of the periods. It is advisable to do yoga and exercise and hot fomentation can also help. If the pains do not settle with mild analgesics then one must see a gynecologist.
Myth: It is unhygienic to use cloth napkins.
Fact: Well, it is advisable to use disposable ones, but the cloth are economical and reusable. The important point is that they should be changed frequently, washed properly and dried in the open air before reuse.
