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. In India, the topic has been taboo until date. Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact girls’ and women's emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health. The challenge, of addressing the socio-cultural taboos and beliefs in menstruation, is further compounded by the low girls’ knowledge levels and understandings of puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health. Thus, there is a need to follow a strategic approach to combating these issues. This blog aims to bring menstruation-related myths prevalent in India, their impact on women's lives.

A lot of superstitions are behavioral restrictions that, aside from being untrue, contribute to gender-based issues and discrimination.

These myths also make it harder for women to discuss there periods— which leads to silence, shame, and misconception.

Here’s just a selection of the few myths related to menstruation:

• You can’t enter a kitchen or cook food for anyone else.
• You can’t enter a place of worship.

• You can only enter a place of prayer once you’ve washed your hair on or after the fourth day.
• You must wash your hair on the first day of your period to clean yourself completely. 
• If you wash your hair, your flow will be less and it will affect your fertility later in life
• Impact on Women's Life
  • Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact girls’ and women's emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health. Large numbers of girls in many less economically developed countries drop out of school when they begin menstruating. This includes over 23% of girls in India. In addition to this, the monthly menstruation period also creates obstacles for female teachers. Thus, the gender – unfriendly school culture and infrastructure and the lack of adequate menstrual protection alternatives and/or clean, safe and private sanitation facilities for female teachers and girls undermine the right of privacy. There are health and hygiene issues also to consider relating to girls and menstruation. Over 77% of menstruating girls and women in India use old cloth, which is often reused. Further, 88% of women in India sometimes resort to using ashes, newspapers, dried leaves and husk sand to aid absorption. Poor protection and inadequate washing facilities may increases susceptibility to infection, with the odor of menstrual blood putting girls at risk of being stigmatized.