5 myths about menstruation in my society
This is too much…..
Menstruation is a natural process that occurs in every women’s body. However, there are myths and taboos tied up for the past n number of years now. Girls are being restricted from social life while on periods. These myths are strictly followed by Indian society. These issues are not discussed or acknowledged by parents or schools, therefore the understanding related to puberty and health is immensely poor.
I’ll discuss 5 myths about the menstruation cycle and how it has no relevance to logic.
You cannot mention menstruation to men in the family
The mere mention of the topic of menstruation to elderly males is considered a taboo and uncultured practice. It’s a non-negotiable conversation with males talking about health because periods are considered dirty and impure.
No male can bring medication or sanitary napkins to their daughter or sister or wife, it’s a shame for them to even think on this topic.
Prohibited to pray God
In Hindu culture practicing a normal life is prohibited while menstruation. She cannot come to puja Ghar (shrine) to pray to god every morning. As she’s considered impure, Hindu culture believes that the blood is of ovulation which is missed chance of pregnancy that means an unborn life. Therefore remembering god on menstruation and touching a holy book is forbidden.
Cooking in the kitchen
Further girls are also not allowed to enter in kitchen. You might think that now preparing meals is a women’s right(if she loves to cook) then how is it forbidden? But my friend if her menstruation is considered as impure then anything she will cooks will be considered as contaminated. Yes, that makes zero sense but stuff like this happens.
As for general hygiene measures, no scientific test has shown any results regarding spoilage of food while menstruation. Its a non-tangent thing to relate menstruation with entring into kitchen. As a girl does not carry any impurities thus its not going to harm any meals.
Stepping out of the house
women are also not allowed to step out of the house. The energy they carry on such days is believed to be very low and that she might get a stroke or faint. While menstruation girls attract the negative energy from the outer world and inhibit that inside her. Another reason for not stepping out of the house is that she might practice black magic from the blood on the cloth which is harmful to her husband’s life. Crazy is it?
No bath for the first two days.
The perception of Hinduism on the notion of pollution and purity, water is considered as the most common way of purification. All women while on periods regardless of their caste and religious background are prohibited to take baths for at least the first couple of days. Girls are being associated with a curse and impurity carrying with their bodies. If with this curse she touches the holy cow, then the cow will become infertile for a lifetime.
Final thoughts
As a woman, I can never bear such restrictions. A woman is as pure as a diamond with periods or without periods. Some People with pseudo thinking make everyone's life a hell to live.
We should not have to whisper about our necessities during periods. It's natural and so should be talking about it. I know girls with age of eleven and twelve has no knowledge of periods. But that's what elders are to ease our life yet some people make it a taboo. I hope every woman speaks up for such injustice and tries to live with no restrictions.
