Lady are you bleeding red?

This to all the ladies (girls) reading this article, have you ever been asked by a pujari in the temple or your grandma preparing the pickle – are you bleeding red?

Well this is one of the most commonly asked questions in India, menstruation is a phenomenon unique to girls. However, it has always been surrounded by taboos and myths that exclude women from many aspects of socio-cultural life. Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact on girls’ and women’s emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health.

This blog aims to discuss menstruation related myths prevalent in India, their impact on women’s life, relevance of addressing these issues in primary care.

Culturally in many parts of India, menstruation is still considered to be dirty and impure. The origin of this myth dates back to the ancient times when women needed rest every month as women were involved in doing rigorous daily chores of the house (carrying water from well located far away, going to the river for bathing etc.) but in today’s sci-fi world where everything is just a click away the rest is no more mandatory.

But even now women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Not entering the “puja” room or kitchen is the main restriction among girls during menstruation. They are often restricted from offering prayers and touching holy books. The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation. It is further believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated.

However, as long as general hygiene measures are taken into account, no scientific test has shown menstruation as the reason for spoilage of any food in making. She must be “purified” before she is allowed to return to her family and day to day chores of her life, and this purification happens by bathing (really??). However, scientifically it is known that the actual cause of menstruation is ovulation followed by missed chance of pregnancy that results in bleeding from the endometrial vessels and is followed by preparation of the next cycle. Therefore, there seems no reason for this notion to persist that menstruating women are “impure”!!!!!

What we can change?

Education starts at home, try and educate the families near you, make them understand the scientific reason behind menses. Understand that it’s not the person, but the hormones which play the brat. Your woman is menstruating which is a very natural phenomenon so be co-operative and do not treat her like untouchable; this surely will bring a change which be last longer than the pickle or food!!!

Image Courtesy – Huffington Post