Menstruation is one of the aspects of puberty in girls. The menstrual cycle indicates that girls are maturing into adults and that our bodies are capable of conceiving children. Our bodies get rid of blood from our vagina throughout our menstrual period, which is part of the menstrual cycle.
Every month, the cycle repeats. The menstruation cycle indicates that a girl is growing normally. The menstruation cycle starts at the age of 10 to 14 years. Women have two ovaries that make eggs. One of the ovaries releases an egg to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. This is called ovulation. When the egg reaches the uterus the lining of the uterus thickens. After 5 days of ovulation, the lining starts to thicken further. Moreover, in case the egg is fertilized by a male’s sperm, it leads to pregnancy.
However, If the egg is not fertilized, the lining comes off the walls of the uterus after 14 days and leaves the body as blood. This cycle will keep on going and repeat itself after every 28 days. Usually, it occurs anytime between 21 to 35 days and the blood flow lasts from 2 to 7 days. However, it can be different for each and every girl.
In addition, there are several Menstruation myths also there, which need to be understood and clarified to complete the truth about the menstruation cycle.
Introduction
Approximately half of the world population experiences the menstruation period and its pain, yet Menstruation myths about this biological process still abound. Menstruation (period), the stage of the menstrual cycle in which the uterus loses mucosal tissue with blood through the vagina, is experienced by almost all of them.
Despite the fact that this biological process affects over half of the world’s population, there are several Menstruation myths and misconceptions about it persist. Period blood is still considered “filthy” and “impure” in many cultures, and menstruation is still considered a taboo issue.
Although the practice is now mainly prohibited, certain villages still maintain so-called menstruation huts, where women on their period spend the days they bleed in full seclusion, as seen in a series of tragic catastrophes in Nepal. Though this is an extreme example, there are many smaller Menstruation myths and misconceptions related to menstruation that remain in circulation across the globe.
There are five most common Menstruation myths given below.
- Sex while the menstruation cycle
- Unsafe to keep skipping the period?
- Avoid taking a bath
- Syncing periods
- Tampon myths
Sex while the menstruation cycle
Some of the most common menstruation misconceptions are around sex during the period, with the most popular being that you can not get pregnant while menstrual. However, this is a complete fabrication. While it is true that for many women, menstruation is the time when they are least fertile, the length of their monthly cycles has a lot to do with this. When the ovaries develop and release new ovules during the ovulation stage – which normally happens 12 to 16 days before the start of the next period – the ovaries are at their most fertile (eggs). While most menstrual cycles last 28 days, others might continue as little as 21 days, affecting when ovulation occurs. Furthermore, sperm can survive for up to five days or even seven days inside the vaginal tract, according to some authorities. As a result, having unprotected vaginal intercourse during your period may allow sperm to linger just long enough to coincide with ovulation and fertilize an egg, leading to pregnancy.
Moreover, if you have sex during menstruation without using a condom, the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) — including HIV — or a yeast infection increases, due to the hormonal changes that occur at this time. Still, as long as you take all necessary precautions to avoid unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of STIs, there is no reason not to enjoy sex while on your period — to the contrary, in fact, sex can help relieve cramps and improve your mood.
Unsafe to keep skipping the period?
Another common myth is that using birth control tablets to skip your period for an extended length of time is dangerous. However, according to the National Women’s Health Network, suppressing menstruation with birth control tablets is perfectly safe, and most gynecologists agree. Periods, some claim, are superfluous and can be more bother than they are worth outside of their role in reproduction. Menstrual symptoms can be severe for many people, interfering with their normal functioning and quality of life. Heavy bleeding, incapacitating pain, and other unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and nausea are possible.
Those who suffer from dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or other disorders that generate troubling symptoms, such as endometriosis, may decide, in consultation with their doctors, that skipping many cycles or discontinuing menstruation is the best option for their health and productivity.
Avoid taking a bath
Some people believe that bathing or even showering during their period is dangerous. This is due to the fact that hot water either increases bleeding or prevents bleeding, both of which can be harmful. While hot water can help stimulate blood flow, this can actually help relieve menstrual cramps and ease muscular tension. After complete immersion in water, bleeding does not stop. However, the water’s pressure may block blood from flowing out of the vaginal canal for a short time.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t take a bath or shower while you’re on your period. Relaxing in a bubble bath and feeling cleaner as a consequence would almost certainly enhance your mood and help you manage better with menstrual symptoms.
Furthermore, cleaning the vulva with water and light, unscented soap is preferable and healthier than using wipes or other items. This is due to the fact that many intimate care products can upset the delicate bacterial balance in the vaginal region, making illnesses easier to spread.
Syncing periods
In a 1971 Nature article, the concept of “period synchrony” was initially presented as a scientific concept. This study claimed that women who lived in close quarters — such as roommates in a college dorm — or who were close friends had more synchronized menstruation.
The authors of the research believe that this occurred because the women who lived so close together “exchanged” pheromones over time, resulting in this phenomenon.
Later investigations, however, cast doubt on the approach utilized by the researchers in the 1971 study. Later investigations revealed various flaws and modifying elements that the initial researchers had overlooked. They also pointed out that “there is a paucity of empirical evidence for synchronization in the previous research of both Western and non-Western groups.”
Tampon myths
Finally, one of the most common misunderstandings is that tampons are used to absorb menstrual blood. Some people are concerned that having to insert a tampon into the vaginal area would cause injury.
The hymen, in actuality, is an elastic membrane that borders the entrance of the vaginal opening and does not normally cover it. The hymen would prohibit menstrual blood and other forms of discharge from exiting the body if this were the case. This would be harmful and would necessitate surgical intervention because the hymen is elastic, even a little item such as a tampon will not rip it. Because blood lubricates the vagina during menstruation, inserting a tampon should be painless if done correctly
Conclusion
Menstruation is one of the aspects of puberty in girls. The menstrual cycle indicates that girls are maturing into adults and that our bodies are capable of conceiving children. Our bodies get rid of blood from our vagina throughout our menstrual period, which is part of the menstrual cycle. Every month, the cycle repeats. The menstruation cycle indicates that a girl is growing normally. The menstruation cycle starts at the age of 10 to 14 years.
Despite the fact that this biological process affects over half of the world’s population, there are several menstruation myths and misconceptions about it persist. Period blood is still considered “filthy” and “impure” in many cultures, and menstruation is still considered a taboo issue.