Menstrual Health and Hygiene: Busting Myths and Sharing Essential Facts

Menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by women and girls across the world. However, it remains a subject of misinformation, stigma, and unnecessary taboos in many societies. Lack of awareness often leads to misconceptions about menstrual health, affecting both physical and mental well-being. Having accurate knowledge about menstrual health, adopting essential period hygiene practices, and understanding key aspects of reproductive health can empower women to make informed choices.

What is Menstruation?

The monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus is menstruation; it begins in young girls as they attain puberty and continues until menopause, playing a crucial role in reproductive health. 

The process of menstruation is driven by hormones. Under the influence of these chemical messengers ovulation occurs and the lining of the uterus thickens. This process happens each month in the preparation for pregnancy, failing which this prepared lining sheds resulting in menstruation. 

Common Myths and Facts about Menstrual Health and Hygiene?

Myth: Menstruation is Unclean or Impure!

Menstruation is associated with being impure, women are made to be isolated and refrained from many daily activities during their monthly periods.

Fact: Menstruation is a normal bodily function and not a sign of impurity. It is a natural process where the uterus sheds its lining, similar to other biological processes like digestion or sweating. No religious or cultural beliefs should make a woman feel ashamed of her period. She should not be restricted or isolated and must be encouraged to continue doing her routine activities during her periods. 

Myth: You Shouldn’t Exercise During Your Period

Many women are misinformed regarding the physical activity they can perform during their periods. People around women, discourage them from being physically active and encourage rest during this time of the month. 

Fact: Light to moderate physical activity can help alleviate menstrual cramps, boost mood, and reduce bloating. Activities like yoga, walking, or stretching can be beneficial during menstruation.

Myth: Bathing or Washing Hair During Periods is Harmful

Fact: Maintaining personal hygiene, including bathing, is essential at all times, including during menstruation. A warm bath can even help relieve cramps and discomfort. Women shouldn’t fall trap of any such misinformation and maintain good personal hygiene during menstruation. 

Myth: Period Blood is Different from Normal Blood

What makes most women isolate themselves from activities like cooking, and religious gatherings is this belief. Since period blood appears different from fresh blood, women too end up falling prey to this misbelief. 

Fact: Period blood is just like normal blood; it may appear darker due to its slow flow and mixture with uterine tissues. It is not dirty or contaminated and should not refrain women from getting involved with any activities. 

Myth: Irregular Periods Always Indicate a Health Problem

Any irregularity in periods may make a woman believe that she has an underlying health issue. This can cause undue stress and harm her health more. 

Fact: Occasional irregular periods can be caused by stress, lifestyle changes, or hormonal fluctuations. However, persistent irregularities may require medical attention, especially if accompanied by severe pain or excessive bleeding. Women thus shouldn’t worry unduly by the advice of those around them and consult an obstetrician and gynaecologist in case of concern. 

Myth: Tampons or Menstrual Cups Can Cause Virginity Loss

Sanitary pads are the most commonly used menstrual hygiene products in India. Other products like tampons or menstrual cups are associated with undue myths. Since both these products involve placement in the vaginal canal concerns regarding virginity and safety are common myths. 

Fact: Using tampons or menstrual cups does not affect virginity. The hymen can stretch due to various routine activities like sports or cycling, and its presence is not a measure of virginity. Moreso, menstrual hygiene cups can be stemmed or unstemmed and vary in size for ease of use and comfort. 

Myth: You Can’t Get Pregnant During Your Period

Fact: While the chances of conception are lower during menstruation, it is still possible to get pregnant, especially if ovulation occurs early in the cycle. Sperm can live inside the female body for up to five days, increasing the risk of pregnancy.

Myth: Menstrual Pain is Always Normal

Women end up believing that pain is a part of menstruation. Irrespective of the intensity of pain, they tolerate and take over-the-counter medications and home remedies and stay silent about it.

Fact: Mild cramps are common during menstruation, but severe and debilitating pain (dysmenorrhea) may indicate underlying conditions like endometriosis or PCOS. If menstrual pain interferes with daily activities, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

Myth: Sanitary products should be kept private

Most women prefer covering their sanitary products in black bags, or newspapers when carrying them home. Most men either do not buy them for their women or buy them with utmost privacy. 

Fact: Buying a sanitary product is the same as buying a toothpaste or a soap. Menstrual cycles are natural and it is a necessity to use a sanitary product. There shouldn’t be any shame or secrecy associated with buying a sanitary product. 

Myth: Girls should not talk about their periods in public

There has been a hushed tone associated with periods since forever. Girls prefer staying quiet about their periods, older women too do not discuss periods openly. 

Fact: Discussions about periods are as normal as other discussions around health. Encouraging open communication is the key to breaking the long-existing myths around menstruation. 

Myth: Girls having periods should not go near plants 

It is believed that the plants may die if menstruating girls go near them during periods. However, this is yet another belief to isolate girls while they are menstruating. 

Fact: Plants are natural and periods are natural too. It doesn’t matter if a girl or woman is menstruating or not; as long as the plants relieve good care, they thrive. 

Essential Period Hygiene Tips

Maintaining proper period hygiene is crucial to prevent infections and ensure overall women’s reproductive health. Girls and women should stay informed at all times to stay healthy and hygienic during their periods. In this time of digital world, where spreading misinformation is so common, it is advised that women follow the information from trusted sources only. Below are some essential tips for maintaining period hygiene: 

• Change Sanitary Products Regularly

Women should not wait for their sanitary products to get soiled; they should change them regularly to stay healthy and hygienic. Irrespective of the extent of flow, tampons, pads, or menstrual cups should be changed every 4-6 hours to prevent bacterial growth and infections. 

• Wash Hands Before and After Handling Menstrual Products

Hands can spread infections from one source to the other very commonly. Thus, hand hygiene if followed strictly can minimise maximum infections. Keeping hands clean before and after changing a sanitary product minimizes the risk of infections and should be followed rigorously during periods. 

• Choose the Right Menstrual Product

Many menstrual products are available to be used during periods. Women should be completely aware of the various products available and choose the one that suits them the best. Sanitary pads, menstrual cups with different shapes and sizes, tampons, and organic and chemical-free options for the ones with sensitive skin are widely available for women to choose from. 

• Maintain Proper Genital Hygiene

It is advisable to gently wash the vaginal area with warm water and mild soap. Women should avoid using scented products, as they can disrupt the natural pH balance and cause irritation of the vaginal area. One should also remember to wipe the intimate area from front to back, which prevents dragging the fecal microbes to the vaginal area. 

• Dispose the Sanitary Products Properly

Knowing the right way to dispose the sanitary products is crucial to prevent the spread of infections and keep the environment safe. One should thoroughly wrap the used pads or tampons in newspapers or biodegradable bags before disposal in trash bins. Plastic covers should be avoided as they take longer time to dispose of. Public toilets may also have a designated box for separately disposing the sanitary products, women should use them at all times to ensure proper disposal. Sanitary products should never be flushed down the toilet as they can cause blockages.

• Stay Hydrated and Eat a Balanced Diet

Drinking enough water helps clear the urinary tract and prevent infections such as yeast infections. Eating iron-rich foods can help reduce bloating and fatigue during periods.

• Wear Comfortable Clothing

Tight clothes can trap moisture and heat and allow germs to grow. Loose, breathable cotton underwear can help prevent rashes and infections caused by excessive moisture. 

• Be Mindful of Menstrual Health Conditions

If experiencing heavy bleeding, severe cramps, or unusual discharge one must consult a gynecologist for proper evaluation and treatment.

• Track and monitor your periods

The menstrual cycle is a valuable marker of overall health. Irregular periods may be a marker of an underlying health condition, and one should consult a healthcare provider if there is an irregularity in the menstrual cycle. 

Some Facts About Menstruation Every Woman Should Know

• A Normal Menstrual Cycle Ranges from 21-35 Days

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but variations within 21-35 days are normal.

• The Average Period Lasts 3-7 Days

While most women menstruate for about 5 days, durations can vary without indicating health concerns.

• Period Blood Loss Averages 30-80 ml.

Excessive bleeding may indicate a condition like menorrhagia and should be medically evaluated.

• PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is Real

PMS affects many women due to hormonal fluctuations, causing mood swings, bloating, headaches, and fatigue. 

• Menstrual Cups are a Sustainable Alternative

Unlike disposable pads and tampons, menstrual cups are reusable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. There are different shapes and sizes of menstrual cups available and one must not shy away from using them. 

• The Color of Period Blood Can Vary

Period blood may appear bright red, dark brown, or even black, depending on the flow and oxidation process. In case of sudden or unusual changes, or in case of any doubt one must consult a gynaecologist. 

• Regulate Periods can be managed medically 

Certain medications can help manage irregular or painful periods. Women are thus advised to consult a healthcare provider for period problems. Home remedies or non-scientific treatments may worsen the problem. 

• Menopause Typically Occurs Between 45-55 Years

Menstruation naturally ceases as women approach menopause, marking the end of reproductive years. A woman’s body undergoes drastic changes in hormones during this phase which is in turn associated with changes in physical and mental health. Seeking help from a gynaecologist can help minimize the discomfort a woman faces during her menopausal years. 

Breaking the Silence Around Menstrual Health

Open conversations about menstrual health help break taboos and spread awareness. Schools, workplaces, and communities must work towards normalizing discussions around periods and ensuring access to menstrual products for all.

By busting menstrual health myths, following essential period hygiene tips, and understanding women’s reproductive health, we can empower women and girls to manage their menstruation with confidence and dignity.

Let’s embrace the facts about menstruation and create a world where periods are treated as a natural and healthy part of life.