Women all over the world have all sorts of stories to tell when issues of their monthly periods come up for discussion.
During these chats, especially among Nigerian women, one hears of different kinds of solution to this monthly “ritual”. Older women even have more bizarre stories and solution to share.
While we at OGUNTODAY are not trying to fault their beliefs, this article sets out to debunk five of the most widespread menstruation misconceptions in our society, as put together by MedicalNewsToday.
1. Some women believe that when you are having your mensturation, you should not take your bath with warm water like you used to do before.
They are of the conviction that, having a bath (especially with hot water) or even taking a shower during your period is unsafe. This is either because hot water stimulates bleeding, or because the water stops you from bleeding, which can have ill effects.
But here is the truth! Hot water can help stimulate blood flow, this can actually help relieve menstrual cramps and ease muscular tension.
2. Inserting soft material into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood can cause damage.
This is not true!
MedicalNewsToday says inserting materials like soft clothing or pad in the vagina will not break the hymen.
One primary worry is that inserting a tampon can break the hymen, which, as popular misconception has it, is a “mark of virginity.”
In reality, the hymen is a stretchy membrane that lines the opening of the vagina and does not ordinarily cover the vaginal opening. If this were the case, the hymen would block menstrual blood and other types of discharge from leaving the body. This would be dangerous, requiring surgical intervention to correct.
3. You cannot get pregnant during menstruation
This is another myth.
Over the years, most people have held on to the belief that having sex during monthly periods is enough prevention of getting pregnant, but the truth according to MedicalNewsToday is that, you can absolutely get pregnant if having unprotected sex on your period.
Although menstruation is the period when some women are least fertile, it really depends on the length of their monthly cycles. MedicalNewsToday says.
4. Unsafe to keep skipping your period?
Another widespread misconception is that it is unsafe to use birth control pills to enable you to skip your period for a prolonged period.
Skipping your periods for a prolonged time is safe.
However, recent guidelines from the National Women’s Health Network indicate that it is just fine to suppress menstruation through birth control pills, and most gynecologists agree that this approach is typically safe.
Some people even argue that, outside of their role in reproduction, periods are unnecessary, and can be more trouble than they are worth.
5. Syncing periods
Is period synchrony a real phenomenon?
One pervasive question surrounding periods is whether can they actually sync. For example, if two or more women spend enough time together, perhaps as roommates, will they have periods at the same time?
Investigators have since become more inclined to believe that the notion is nothing but an enduring myth, with any synchrony being purely coincidental.
