Growing in India, we are all faced with a number of myths since our very birth. When it comes to the birth of womanhood in a girl, that is the commencement of her periods, the number of myths and misconceptions double down. Even though we are busting through these misconceptions gradually, they are still normalized without question. Superstitions still exist in the name of spirituality and tradition, passing down from generation to generation. Most of them just create an additional burden for girls who have just been introduced to a new chapter in their life, a chapter that requires people around them to be supportive and inform them of its normalcy. So let’s decipher all these myths and see how they are devoid of any scientific basis.
One of the most belittling myths is how menstruating women are deemed as ‘impure’. Menstruation is simply shedding of the uterine lining from the uterus when pregnancy hasn’t occurred. It is a normal body function that occurs in women, just like breathing and digestion. This ‘belief’, which restricts women from entering the kitchen, temples and other spaces, has no medical or scientific foundation. It is just another stigma that society has been attached to. The only real harm this causes is girls experiencing shame and embarrassment about something that is completely normal, which further causes stress, anxiety and absenteeism from school. This myth only fills the knowledge gap and creates unnecessary fear among young girls.
The ‘impurity’ myth extends to girls not being allowed to touch food and making it ‘impure’ as well. Your hands don’t suddenly get soiled just because you got your periods. Even if you’ve got to clean them, soap and water does the job just fine! The food remains fine and the kitchen remains uncontaminated, with or without a girl menstruating. No magical force would cause any ‘impurity’ to travel to your fingertips and into the dal and chawal you are cooking!
Another restriction that follows is that you shouldn’t exercise, play or go for sports like swimming while on your period. The reality is that moderate physical activity reduces cramps and improves the mood by helping our brain produce happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine etc. As for swimming, one can simply wear a tampon or a menstrual cup that would prevent any leakage and you're good to go for a dive! Your period doesn’t make you any less capable of athletic performance. Yes, cramps can be painful but any low impact physical activity can make you feel better.
Tampons have also been wrapped around in the misconception of ‘breaking one’s virginity’ because it stretches or tears the hymen. The medical truth behind this is that virginity has got nothing to do with the state of your hymen. Losing your virginity means being sexually active and that isn’t determined by a piece of tissue being stretched or torn. The hymen naturally stretches from exercise, physical activity or by using tampons, but it has no relevance in virginity. So always remember that tampons are a health choice, not proof of sexual activity!
Similarly, PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and period pain are also dismissed readily and misunderstood. Mood changes are assumed as overreactions and cramps are belittled as ‘part of being a girl’. While mild symptoms are part of the menstrual cycle, intense pain, frequent discomfort and other symptoms that interfere with your daily life would require proper care and medical attention.