Myth: Menstruation is dirty and should be hidden.
- Fact: It’s a natural process. The body’s way of shedding the uterine lining.
- Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstruation/art-20045925
Myth: You can’t exercise during your period.
- Fact: Exercise can actually relieve cramps and improve mood.
- Reference: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/menstruation
Myth: You’ll get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during your period.
- Fact: While rare, it’s possible. However, ovulation doesn’t happen during menstruation.
- Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3465823/
Myth: Drinking too much water can cause heavy bleeding.
- Fact: Water has nothing to do with period flow. Heavy bleeding may be due to other factors.
- Reference: https://www.healthline.com/health/menstrual-cycle/heavy-bleeding
Myth: Menstruation makes you lazy and unproductive.
- Fact: This is a harmful stereotype. It’s a biological process.
- Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3465823/
Myth: You should avoid certain foods during your period.
- Fact: Eating a healthy diet is always important, regardless of your period.
- Reference: https://www.healthline.com/health/menstruation/foods-to-eat-during-period
- Myth: You should always use tampons.
- Fact: There are many options and what works best is personal.
- Reference: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/menstruation
Source: iStock
Menstruation is a normal time in every girl’s month: here’s what you need to know against false myths related to the menstrual cycle
No more taboos: Menstruation is a normal aspect for women, but unfortunately still today there is a tendency to believe inaccuracies that for decades have revolved around this absolutely physiological moment.
It is right to know what they entail, and what they do not entail, menstruation in everyday life and dispel the many false myths related to menstruation; normalizing it will make it easier to to live with serenity this regular appointment that all girls have every month for most of their lives.
Here is 10 false myths about menstruation that have nothing to do with reality.
Are you more nervous? Of course, you are menstruating!
Nothing could be more untrue-although it is one of the most common urban legends related to the menstrual cycle. Although premenstrual syndrome exists, it can also include aspects related to irritability and nervousness, every woman reacts differently to the symptoms of the arrival of menstrual flow. Reducing bad mood to PMS or menstruation Is offensive and related to rampant misinformation on the subject.
During menstruation better not to do sports
There is no scientific evidence regarding the relationship between sports training and menstruation. Some girls may feel more tired, while others may have more energy: there are no good reasons not to play sports during menstruation, other than those dictated by one’s own subjective physical discomfort. Every woman should feel free to play sports if she feels it is indicated for herself, without fear of worsening menstrual symptoms or damaging her health.
Water blocks menstruation, so better not to take baths.
During menstruation it is essential to intimate hygiene. This is why the belief that it is better not to take a shower or bath to stop menstruation does not make much sense.
Taking a shower or bath even with cold water does not stop menstrual flow: may stop momentarily or decrease, but it does not stop altogether. This could occur due to the narrowing of blood vessels in contact with water, but once the water returns to room temperature or direct contact with water is stopped, menstruation returns to normal.
During menstruation, you cannot become pregnant.
Absolutely not. Sexual intercourse should always be done with a condom not only to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, but also to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Even during the week of your menstrual cycle, in fact, you can overlap the fertile period, especially if a girl has an irregular cycle.
An environment with multiple women causes menstrual cycle to synchronize
This false myth probably dates back to an interpretation of research from the 1970s published in the journal Nature. The study analyzed a small sample of young women living in the same dormitory. The “McClintock phenomenon“, named after the psychologist who published the study, was very successful, probably due to the historical period in which women’s solidarity and feminism were very much felt. The menstrual synchronism discussed, however, concerns a small number of women and is often random. However, this belief has been refuted by other various more modern scientific studies that have occurred over longer periods and taking into consideration a large number of women.
During menstruation you cannot cook
Another false myth concerns a woman’s abilities in the act of cooking while menstruating: In fact, it was said that in the week of menstruation, due to hormones, sweets, mayonnaise, and other dishes did not come out well. Obviously this is just a belief and there is no evidence and evidence to support this claim.
If you are menstruating, you cannot have intercourse
Physically, there are no contraindications for either the girl or the boy in having sex during menstrual flow days. In this case, however, the following may occur personal and couple choices: Not everyone may like to have sex during menstruation, so it is a decision to be made based on what feels good, themselves and their partner.
Cups or tampons cannot be used if you are still a virgin
Cuppets or tampons do not tear the hymen, as has been handed down for decades. Choosing the smaller models, you run no risk whatsoever, even if you are a virgin. However, if you do not feel safe inserting tampons or cups into the vagina, it is better to choose other options.
Over the years, more opportunities have been created to normalize and make this time of the month as less disabling as possible and give girls more choices. For this, an alternative can also be menstrual panties to absorb the flow quickly. With all these variations, it is possible to choose the option that best succeeds in making us feel good and free to go about our daily lives.
Is it normal for menstruation to cause a lot of pain
Pain associated with menstruation, such as cramps and abdominal pain, is often normal: lhe symptomatology is easily controlled with painkillers. However, menstruation does not cause unbearable pain: If pain and cramps in the lower abdomen are accompanied by nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and lower back pain, you should consult your doctor. It is important not to underestimate the pain caused by menstruation: dysmenorrhea could be a symptom of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or infection of the cervix.
During menstruation best not to shave
This tends to be false: with the use of tampons or cups, there is no reason not to shave during menstruation, although to some girls it might create some irritation due to the friction of external tampons in contact with the skin of the vulva and inner thigh. The purely personal issue is a choice based on each person’s subjective sensitivity.
