28/05/2022
Dear Society, don’t shy away from discussing Menstruation with your young daughters. When they are not informed well , they tend to hold several misconceptions.
Let’s break the myths…
MYTH 1.
Menstrual periods are dirty and unclean .
FACT : Menstrual cycle is normal and healthy and is an indicator of a healthy reproductive system of a woman. The Menstrual fluid is made up of blood and tissue and is perfectly safe. Girls can exist comfortably in society during their periods.
MYTH 2
Menstruation is something be hidden and not talked about .
FACT :
Menstruation is not a taboo . It is not a dirty secret to be ashamed of. Globally 27 percent women are of reproductive age and they menstruate , which is a normal biological phenomenon . True Menstrual health and hygiene is the ability of women to communicate about it. There is nothing to be ashamed about it , in fact you should be proud of it.
MYTH 3
Don’t bath or shampoo your hair with warm water during your periods or don’t eat or touch pickles.
FACTS
You must bath daily as usual and warm water is not going to stop your flow , it will relieve your cramps , reduce stress and make you feel fresh. And you can eat whatever food you used to eat in previous days of your cycles including pickles.
MYTH 4
Menstruation is a time where a woman becomes ‘ Impure’ and ‘Untouchable’ and cannot sit with others in her family or should be prohibited from visiting religious places or entering the common kitchen.
FACT 5
Menstruation is just another biological process just as other calls of nature like Defecation or Micturition . Then why to stigmatise it and exclude women from the sociocultural life. The religious taboos and cultural norms attached to Menstruation and Sexual Reproduction must come to an end and should not be considered as a reason of shame and embarrassment to women .