“Beta don’t go inside the kitchen”, “Beta don’t go near the mandir”, “Beta don’t eat pickle”, “Beta don’t move around too much” ‘Beta hide your pads”, “Beta throw your pads in a different bin bag”, “Beta don’t touch this, don’t do that” – this is all I’ve heard about menstruation instead of hearing about what it actually is and why it happens.
I’m quite lucky to not have typical parents. Earlier, my mother used to restrict me from going near the mandir (temple) but now, it hardly matters because she knows well that I’m not going to listen. I’ve seen my friends dealing with this ‘untouchability period’ and now they are comfortable with it. I always used to think why they didn’t say anything or why they compulsorily followed all the stupid things imposed on them. The reply I used to get was simple yet plaguey – “Mummy ne bola hai sab karte hain (Mother has said that everyone does this).”
I have never faced such situations and I don’t think I would be able to. It is not a disease for God’s sake. Why hide it? Why we can’t be vocal about it? Many girls, even if they have any problem, are muted because how dare they say such things in front of their fathers and brothers! I mean, seriously, we are living in the 21st century hiding our periods when there is a hell lot more to deal with!
In simple words, menstruation is a woman bleeding monthly. When you menstruate, your body sheds the lining of the uterus (womb). Menstrual blood flows from the uterus through the small opening in the cervix and passes out of the body through the vagina. Most menstrual periods last from three to five days. Isn’t that normal?
Girls face different problems like amenorrhoea (no periods), dysmenorrhea (painful period) and abnormal bleeding. Who are they going to tell about this? To the doctor? Haha! When they are unable to discuss it with the family, how do you expect them to be saying it in front of the doctor? The problem is we overlook what is important.
And girls – why do you have to always keep quiet? When you don’t want to restrict yourself, why forcefully do it? No Gods are going to curse you for praying to them on your periods. Kitchens are not going to catch fire if you enter them on your periods. Don’t be stressed out. Don’t hide your pads. I’m sure your brothers already know about it. Tell everyone it’s not a private thing you cannot discuss. In fact, it must be discussed because of health issues you might suffer. Women in many rural areas are still using cloth and sand. Sanitary napkins are made to ensure your hygiene and good health.
So, be open about it, at least to your parents. Periods are painful but they should not be a social pain. Consult the right person. Follow the right advice and not bullshit.
I bleed and that’s not impure.