Menstruation- myths and facts

Menstruation- myths and facts. Not all myths are facts, but all facts have a reason, an understanding.

Myths and facts are a part of learning and understanding science. When it is not established scientifically it is termed myth and when proven it is called fact. Myths and facts with respect to menstruation are all over the world. Ex: In certain parts of the world baking and other processes of cooking, touching plants etc is prohibited as it is believed to ruin the food, or the plants. Ayurveda does not speak about myths but gives a factual understanding of the norms explained in the previous article (https://healthvision.in/healthy-menstruation-foundation-for-healthy-progeny). In this article, I attempt to try and crack up the regimen explained with understanding.

In clinical practice I often face questions specially from the younger ones for example, this question was from a 15-year-old, apparently a friend of hers told her that periods were because she played a lot of sports. So, is it so?

1: Periods are because the body is hurt.

A total myth. I have heard and read many myths about Periods being considered a wrath or a curse from gods. Or periods occurring because we did something wrong or because we played too much. But the most important fact is women have periods to make babies. Every month the uterus prepares itself to make a healthy home for its occupant. When that does not happen, it discards the lining and makes a new one, how fascinating right! We are blessed to have this wonderful body conditioning.

2: You can eat well to your tummy’s content during menstruation.

This is not agreeable to the body. Ahara (food consumed in all wises) should nourish the body and the quantity varies from individual to individual and depends on other vital factors. Ahara, when consumed in excess or insufficiently or contradictory in nature can become toxic to the body, deranges the doshas (Vital bio-energies) which becomes an important cause for many menstrual disorders.

1. It is best to avoid heavy, oily, junk, cold, fermented foods during menstruation.

2. Drinking warm water helps to balance the vitiated vatadosha(wind bio-energy) and mitigates menstrual cramps.

3. Eating advised bland diets keeps the digestion good and relieves bloating or acidic regurgitation and cramps.

4. Follow special prescribed diets during menstruation.

The special recipes during menstruating days:

1. Havishya anna – Meal made from ghee, rice and milk. Rice is cooked with milk. ghee, sugar candy and cardamom is added. Now when we zoom into the contents, rice is the main ingredient. Rice has the special quality of nourishing the tissues, strength promoting, builds the immune system and balances the three bio-energies. It is considered satwik in nature. That means it helps to cultivate the pious, balanced and contented mental qualities.

2. Yawaka – Meal made from barley and milk. Barley is a diuretic. It is a substitute for rice, therefore beneficial for diabetic patients. This versatile body cleanser makes the body tissues work just a little extra by which it motivates to push out the toxins collected.Barley soups in cases of kidney or liver problems, heart diseases, diabetes and constipation work as a food-healer.

What’s the reason behind eating just bland food?

The lining of the uterus is being renewed again, or basically is cleansed during menstruation. Therefore, complete importance is given to this job. It is just like a house getting cleaned up. The body’s energy is to be focussed on this main job and drifts when we indulge in eating wrong foods or rigorous activities. It’s like cleaning the house just to find waste being dumped back. That is why food mainly is given importance and a lack of food in terms of quantity is also seen. This is appreciated by the body as it finds it easier to do its monthly physiologic work.

3: Cravings during a period is normal.

I understand most of them would want to blame the hormones. But I prefer telling it’s a way to relax the uncomfortable feeling; the vitiated vata(wind bioenergy) gets temporarily relaxed with madhura (sweet) ,amla(sour) and lavana(salty) foods. Cravings, mood swings, irritability and other PMS depict certain dosha (bio-energies) imbalances which are corrected with correct diagnosis and designed Ayurveda treatment protocol.

4: Menstrual cycles synchronize with the lunar cycles.

Well, not all the time but it is said it has a natural tendency for synchronization. The vagina is known as Chandra mukha (moon faced) and a particular blood vessel in vulva is known as chandramauli (moon crested). Ovulation and menstrual powers are strengthened by the lunar rhythms. The moon significantly does influence a body’s rhythm.

5: Women and girls who live together may get their periods at the same time.

While it’s true that women who live together may indeed get their periods at the same time, the scientific evidence supporting the theory that living together causes menstrual synchrony remains unclear. The concept says that women’s bodies react to the pheromones of other women around them, and it causes a synchronization of menstruation.

6: Intercourse during menstruation can get you pregnant.

Yes, it can! But apart from debating whether this is a myth or a fact, certain activities are to be avoided during menstruation and sexual intercourse is one. The region of the reproductive organs is governed by the Vata(wind bioenergy). It is delicate, sensitive and if disturbed can disrupt. Its functioning when disturbed can cause abnormal uterine contractions, retrograde flow which can later give rise to pathological condition in the uterus like adhesions, fibroids cysts etc. Intercourse is just not any act of pleasure, it’s an act which can give rise to another being. In India, it has mental, social and spiritual responsibility.

7: It is normal for Periods to be painful and uncomfortable.

Pain is not associated with periods. Seek medical advice from Ayurveda experts if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, bloating, constipation, menstrual cramps, exhaustion and fatigue. Following the healthy regimen of Rajaswala paricharya , eating small and regular on-time meals and importantly seeking the right Ayurveda advice helps. Ayurveda management includes right from easing out menstrual cramps to regularizing the pattern and checking for healthy fertility measures. Ayurveda as we know is tailor made, therefore consult and then follow accordingly.

8: A lot of rest is required during menstruation.

This depends on how one defines rest. Rest is to cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep or recover strength. I advise partially resting. Definitely not sleeping or lazing on the couch. Menstruation which is associated with pain, discomfort and other symptoms like heavy bleeding, exhaustion, tiredness may require a categorically comforting resting period. When periods are associated with other symptoms then treatment to correct the problem is required.

9: Sleep separately on those menstruating days.

Not exactly sleeping separately but sleeping on Darbha grass mattress/ comfortable mattress or keeping Darbha grass next to the pillow. Throwing light on Darbha/Kusha–Darbha or Kusha grass is scientifically known as Desmostachya bipinnate, commonly known in English as Halfa grass, Salt-reed grass. It is considered sacred and is used as meditation seats/mats, rings while performing sacred ceremonies ,protective material against negative energyetc as it believed to stock up the required energy.Research says that Kusha grass blocks x-ray radiation. It is also used as a medicine to treat dysentery, UTI problems, infections and menorrhagia.

10: Menstruation is not to be discussed.

This is not right. But menstruation is considered as a secret topic. An embarrassing feeling for a girl and a curious funny thing for a boy. This is in urban areas. In rural areas girls find it difficult to even talk to their mothers. What should be done when girls have questions, a lot to understand about menstruation but find it difficult to discuss? Initiate discussions with near female family friends like mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friends, cousins or best even your doctor.

11:Wearing tampons, pads, menstrual cups is safe.

Well, they are safe but are they healthy is the question. All these feminine hygienic products collect the blood and tissues that come out through the vagina during a period. Now, we need to know that tampons and menstrual cups go inside the vagina. Vata (wind-bioenergy) is delicate, sensitive and easily disrupted. Activities which cause it to disrupt include blocking the pathway. Therefore, these are not advisable. Where as pads, cloth pads and period underclothing are designed in a way to collect the free-flowing fluids. Many of us like the hygienic convenience of the products whether it is disposable or reusable, whether it makes us comfortable during an activity or not.

Not all myths are facts, but all facts have a reason, an understanding.