Clear Your Queries
Have you got questions about your menstrual cycle that you have not had a chance or are embarrassed to talk to someone about? Rest assured, you are not alone. To help you clear your doubts, here are some common myths and truths about menstruation and periods.- Menstrual blood is unclean and smells bad.
- Menstrual blood is as clean as blood in your body, and does not smell bad by itself. However, when left on sanitary pads, bacteria builds up and causes it to develop an odour that is often described as foul or fishy. To avoid any unpleasant odours, simply change your sanitary pad regularly.
- On reaching puberty, you should menstruate every month and have a 28-day menstruation cycle.
- Your period may vary from month to month and you may experience differences in your menstruation cycle as you age. While most females have cycles that are about 28 days, there are also some who have shorter or longer cycles.
- If your periods are short (three days or less) or irregular, you are infertile or abnormal.
- The length and regularity of your periods may not be indicators of your fertility level. Periods of between two and seven days, and periods that are 21 to 45 days apart are normal. Speak to your doctor if you have concerns about the length or regularity of your menses.
- All females are moody, bad-tempered and irrational during their periods.
- Emotional changes or mood swings may be due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which result from hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle. However, not every female experiences PMS. For those who do, PMS usually goes away after a period begins.
- You should not exercise during your period.
- Most females only experience minimal discomfort which will not prevent them from enjoying their regular activities. Furthermore, exercise can help relieve discomfort and alleviate PMS symptoms.
- You should not eat certain food during your periods.
- Any food taken in moderation will not harm you. However, if certain foods cause you discomfort during your periods, staying away from them temporarily will probably make your periods more bearable.
- You should not bathe or wash your hair during your period.
- Some cultures believe cold water causes menstrual cramps and thus discourage bathing during menstruation. However, a nice warm bath can relax muscles, help reduce any menstrual pain and alleviate PMS symptoms.
- If you feel faint during your period, you are losing too much blood.
- On average, 80-85ml of menstrual fluid is lost during a period. This amount is not too much considering a healthy human body holds more than 2,500ml of blood. However, you might feel faint if you suffer severe menstrual pain or if you have an iron deficiency which can be made worse with loss of blood. Go for a medical check-up if your menstrual flow is heavier than normal or if you constantly feel faint during your period.
- It is alright to have heavy periods because it means your body is shedding unclean blood.
- Periods are considered heavy if they last for more than 8 days during each occurrence, or if the bleeding is so bad it affects your regular routine or if you have to change your sanitary pads more often than every 4 hours. Such circumstances do not bode well and a consultation with your doctor is highly recommended to check for conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, polyps on the lining of the womb and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
- There is something wrong with your body if you always suffer menstrual cramps.
- Menstrual cramps occur during periods because the uterus contracts slightly to help get rid of most of its lining. To help ease the discomfort, rub your tummy gently, hold something warm against your tummy or take a warm bath. Regular exercises are also known to help lessen discomfort during periods. However, do speak to your doctor if the pains become unbearable.
