Mystified by Menstruation: Busting Common Period Myths

Tavleen, 22, vividly recalls her grandmother instructing her to wash her used sanitary pad before disposing of it to prevent anyone from using the menstrual blood for black magic.

Vasudha, 24, can't shake the belief that she doesn't need to wait until the third day of her period to wash her hair.

When Anindita sought help for severe menstrual cramps, the doctor dismissed them with a diagnosis of ‘low pain tolerance’ instead of investigating whether endometriosis might be the cause.

Myths about menstruation come in all shapes and sizes! In India, where menstruation continues to be deeply entrenched in cultural beliefs, stigma and superstitions add to the spread of misinformation. 

Read on for some common misconceptions that refuse to die down.

This is untrue because urine and menstrual blood do not exit from the same opening.

The urine comes out of the urethra, an opening located right above the vagina. Muscular structures, known as urethral sphincters, contract and relax (at will or when signalled by the nervous system) to regulate the urine flow. 

Period blood flows out of your vagina. While there are vaginal sphincter muscles surrounding the vagina, they have a specific function intended for sexual pleasure — you cannot contract or relax them to hold in your blood flow.

As long as it is safe AND consensual, no sexual intercourse is unhealthy! 

“Unless you are in pain or uncomfortable, you do not need to avoid having sexual intercourse during your period. It could be messy, but it is safe,” says Dr Sulbha Arora, MD and DNB.

Passing a pea-sized blood clot when on your period is completely normal. 

As the uterine lining sheds itself, small blood vessels in the region bleed. Your body signals the release of proteins to prevent further bleeding. When the menstrual blood collects in your uterus or vagina before the exit, the protein factors in the blood clump together to create clots. 

Consult your OB/GYN if you frequently pass grape-sized clots, have a heavy flow, or experience persistent pain. Large clots can indicate conditions like uterine polyps and fibroids.

Virginity is a social construct. Secondly, the hymen — the appearance of which is offered as the ‘proof of virginity’ — rarely functions like a door covering the vaginal opening. In fact, anatomically, there is no universally standardised appearance of the hymen in young girls or adult women, with its shape, size, and flexibility changing throughout one’s lifespan. 

Anyone who wants to move away from disposable menstrual pads can opt for alternative menstrual products such as tampons and menstrual cups.

“Using menstrual cups or tampons might stretch or sometimes tear the hymen, but this does not mean a girl loses her virginity. Losing one’s virginity happens exclusively through sexual intercourse, not by using tampons,” adds Dr Arora.

“You can certainly swim when you are on your period. Using menstrual hygiene products such as tampons, menstrual cups, or period-friendly swimwear will keep you comfortable and the pool clean for others,” says Dr Arora. 

There’s some grain of truth in this.

“If the painful periods are due to a condition called endometriosis, then this condition does regress during pregnancy, so post-delivery, the pain may be milder or not there at all,” says Dr Arora. “However, it is not a definite cure. So, if you are experiencing painful periods, do consult your gynaecologist for an evaluation.”

One of the most prevalent period myths, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stems from the ‘myth of the irrational female’. 

PMS is a real condition that manifests through changes in physical, emotional, and behavioural health. Some menstruators may not experience any PMS at all, while others may experience only mild symptoms. 

And for some, the severity of the symptoms can impact their daily functioning, leading to PMDD.

Free bleeding is a movement that encourages intentional menstruating without using any menstrual product to absorb or collect the flow.

Currently, there’s no scientific evidence to support that free bleeding leads to shorter periods. 

Menstruation myths have persisted for centuries. As Dr Arora observes, “What's worse is that this belief [such as women on periods are impure] exists across different socio-economic and educational demographics.”

Separating period facts from fiction boosts awareness and helps people view menstruation for what it is — a normal bodily function.

Cycle syncing, a popular period myth from the 70s, remains just that — a myth. Research offers no scientific explanation for synchronised menstrual cycles when women spend time together. Any synchrony is coincidental.

It depends. “Because the endometrium or the uterine lining is shedding at this time and ovulation is still some days away, the menstrual phase is a time of low fertility,” explains Dr Arora. But you can get pregnant if sperm survives until the next ovulation.

Also, what often happens is that the woman is already pregnant and then sees vaginal bleeding and mistakes it to be a period. This could be implantation bleeding, a disturbed pregnancy, or an ectopic pregnancy. 

Foods that increase inflammation in the body can worsen pain by increasing the levels of prostaglandins, a hormone that regulates pain reception. “Sugary or salty foods that are rich in simple carbs and trans fats are shown to worsen cramps,” notes Dr Esha Chainani, OB/GYN. 

Stress can cause missed periods because of hormonal fluctuations. If skipping periods becomes frequent, then consult a doctor, as that could indicate pregnancy or other health issues.

According to Dr Chainani, “Irregular periods can mean anything from PCOS to other hormonal imbalances to thyroid issues to even larger problems.”

If you regularly experience irregular periods, speak to your GYN.