The taboo around the topic of the Period has led to the birth of numerous periods myths about the subject. We all have grown up listening to many of these and also curating our habits according to them. These myths are then passed from generation to generation, causing misconceptions and creating unquestionable silence.
Over time, these myths have grounded themselves as facts which leads to the acceptance of inconvenience by menstruating females. However, it’s high time to debunk these myths and dive into the core of facts about mensuration.
Period and menstrual cycle are the same concepts
It may come across as a surprise, but period or menstruation and the menstrual cycle are not the same things. Periods refer to the time a woman is actually bleeding, and the menstrual cycle is the duration between the first day of a period to the first day of the next period. So, next time you come across these terms, do not confuse them as one!
The menstrual cycle is of 28 days
Although the most common duration of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, it does not apply to all women. The normal time frame lies between 26-45 days. Every woman’s menstrual cycle varies with regard to others. Another important aspect to consider here is the irregularity in your cycle.
Sometimes these can be due to minor hormonal changes, but if you have missed or had delayed periods three times in a row, it is advised to consult a doctor. There can be medical reasons like PCOS, amenorrhea, etc. These issues require medical attention.
One cannot get pregnant while they are on their period
This is a dominant myth across the globe. But it is also gigantically false. It is very much possible to get pregnant during your period. The ovulation time can overlap with your period whereby the female body can conceive a child. This can occur any month, however, it is likely to happen when your periods are irregular or longer than usual.
Women should not wash their hair, swim, eat certain foods and exercise during their periods
It is usually assumed that the above-mentioned activities disrupt the menstrual flow. But these beliefs are completely outdated and more likely to be based on traditional cultural opinions. Studies from medical departments have actually found that exercising during your periods can help relieve cramps. Swimming on periods now is no more an obstacle with tampons and menstrual cups.
It is harmful to have sex while on periods
This is a widely prevalent notion. Nonetheless, not a true one. It is a highly personal choice whether or not to have sex on your periods. The myth that having sex on your periods is dirty or unhygienic is probably built around the view that periods are considered dirty in common perspectives. The latter is also absolutely untrue. It is not at all unhealthy to have sex while you are menstruating. You and your partner just need to be comfortable with the idea. Just make sure to remove your Floren Menstrual Cup before having an intercourse as it is not safe to do so.
READ MORE: Which Menstrual Cup Size Is Best for You?
It should be duly noted that most of the periods myths arose due to the age-old stigma attached to the periods. The advancement of medical science has fact-fully rejected these myths and offered viable and informative conclusions. Therefore, we all need to break free from these harsh and senile myths that treat periods as a defining aspect of a woman’s life.
