20 Myths and Misconceptions on 'Menstruation'- Busted

The other day,on a casual chat with a friend,I found out almost each and every girl has been told at least one myth regarding menstruation and that has been either shared between friends or has been passed down upon by generations. Which is why I thought of comming up with this post. I mean what can be a better platform than a personal blog to share your views.. I am including whatever I have come across till date ..Please feel free to share any other myth /misconception you have come across...

What is Mensturation?

  As per definition, "Menstruation is the visible manifestation of cyclic physiologic uterine bleeding due to shedding of endometrium following invisible interplay of hormones mainly through hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis"
In simple terms each month/at regular cyclical interval our uterus shades of some amount of cells along with blood,mucus,some enzymes n bacteria.
When our ovaries produce eggs,our uterus prepares itself to receive the product of conception,aka the baby. Prepares= multiplication in layers of cells of the uterus to produce a cushion like enviorment .When there's a no conception/fertillization doesn't occur..it sheds.


Myth 1- The Menstrual blood is impure. 
The term ain't exactly Impure per se. The main content is mucus and epithelial cells,parts of endometrium,enzymes. To bulid up the cushion like thing in your uterus all these are needed and as we all know blood provides/carries oxygen and nutrition to all cells of our body.Hence,blood vessels grow into this cell cushion.When there's shedding of the cushion.the blood vessels get disrupted and sheds too.The blood is same as you get from cuts in other parts of the body. But before the actual shedding starts ,all the contents and along with bacteria present in our genito-urinary tract..mixes up to present as a dark/altered blood and sometimes with clots.


Myth 2 - The girl is untouchable/impure,prohibited fro visiting/participating in religious activities
Just because you are bleeding doesn't mean you are impure.In earlier days, when people had zero knowledge about menstruation,thought this was kind of some punishment by Gods or,in a good way may be wanted to take the girls some rest during this 4-5 days. But practically nowadays this doesn't make any sense.The most important thing is to maintain proper hygine yourself.


Myth 3- If the girl touches some one,the person would get contaminated by bacteria/micro organism,she is shedding 
Duh! Ok.You don't have a disease which is spread on contacts with intact skin. 


Myth 4- Menstruating girls should not take bath
A warm bath would relax the contracting muscles of your uterus and whole body,refresh you and "clean your impurities"


Myth 5- Menstruating girls should not exercise.
Exercising would improve blood circulation in your body.So don't skip it.If you are having heavy periods or feeling bad,go on for lighter one's.Pranayam and yoga are your friend .


Myth 6- Menstrual blood smells bad
Blood just smells like blood.If you don't change your sanitary napkins /tampoms/undergarments regularly,that may cause buildup and facilitate growth of bacteria causing not only bad odour but also lead to vaginal infections


Myth 7- Diarrhea/Loose motion always comes along Menses
This is not a myth per se. What happens is when your uterus contracts and relaxes (it's kinda spasmodic movement,you get your cramps because of such movements) while shedding of excess cells and debris ,it conveys a direct pressure on to your rectum which is just placed behind the uterus.Hence resulting in a frequent loo visit


Myth 8- Prohibition of eating particular foods.
Eat whatever you like. Some say dairy products or citrus foods are bad in those days..but they have got no scientific basis.If you are on some kind of medication (other than ocp's or one's prescribed by your gynaec) please take them regularly.Don't skip.


Myth 9- All women have terrible periods with lot of pain,disabling normal day to day activity
Most of the women have a normal period with some amount of abdominal cramps and pain,which is mainly on the first 2-3 days,But few do have heavy flow / more pain.


Myth 10- All women have bad mood during mentruation.
Not all women experience PMS symptoms or the same symptoms. You can't explain all women's moods by being "that time of the month". Women are just as capable during menses as at any other time, they are not mentally fragile.


Myth 11- No Sex during mentruation
If both partners are ok with it,there's no harm in having sexual relationship during periods.


Myth 12- Women getting scanty/ irregular periods are abnormal/infertile
The length/duration/ amount of your period is not an absolute indicator of your fertility.There are various other causes with numerous other symtomps and thousand other tests to see if you are able to conceive or not


Myth 13- Delaying period now and then with medication is not a big deal.
It is a big deal. you should not take hormonal supplements to delay your dates now and then.


Myths 14- Why is oral contraceptive pill adviced to me.I don't have regular periods.
That is exactly why you need external hormonal contol over your body.Mostly girls suffering from PCOD are given OCP's.That is to regulate the estrogen-progesterone balance,the bleeding you get then is not "menstruation:per se,BUT what is called ad "withdrawal bleeding" Few cycles of ocp use and withdrawal bleeding has been found to be beneficial in PCOD patients


Myth 15-A pregnant women never bleeds
There may be occassional spotting/bleeding during pregnancy.That is not menstruation and may need immediate medical attention


Myth 16- Periods become normal just after child birth
Nope,there's a gap of about 3 months after delivery before your periods resume in most cases.This is not a sure shot but often acts as a natural contraceptive method(owing to breast feeding)


Myth 17- You can't get pregnant when you are menstruating.
Our body is not an automated pre programmed machine.There are variations.Though the chances are rare but yes,you can get pregnant while you are menstruating,as ovulation can occur anytime,more so if your periods are not regular.


Myth 18- You can't get pregnant before first menstruation/menarche.
You can,though very rare but  won't nullify the chances,as ovulation starts before actuall menstruation and you can get fertillized
PS-Same goes with menopausal women.You can get fertilized even when you think your menopausal. But,remember if you >45-50 yrs of age and your periods have stopped long back,and suddenlu you notice spotting/bleeding.please consult your doctor asap


Myth 19- You should have your periods once in a month.
A mentraul cycle is of 28days in average.But this varies from person to person and various other physical and emotional factors also take a major role on regulating your cycles.Generally this can range from 25-31 days.If you are stressed there may be delayed period,or if you are anorexic, weak or suffering from ill health then too the cycle may get altered.


Myth 20-I loose litres of bllod during my periods
The duration of mentruation is about 4-5 days and the amount of blood loss is estimated to be 20 to 80 ml with an average of 35ml.Nearly 70% of the total blood loss occurs in the first two days


Hope you liked it ! Thanks for reading :)
If you want me to do any other post on health issues you can mention in the comments section or mail me at fewunnecessarystuff@gmail.com