Aristotle had rightly said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
Menstruation can be defined as the discharge of blood and tissues through the vagina. Menstruation is a biological cycle that occurs on a regular interval inside a women’s body. Menstruation typically starts during teenage years, typically between 12-15 years, when the body starts secreting hormones for the development of the body for future fertilisation. The process when the egg matures inside the ovaries is called ovulation. A typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days. The interval between two ovulations can vary from one person to another from 21 days to 45 days.
When an egg inside the ovaries matures, the uterus forms a lining of tissue. The tissue lining is formed to provide space for the fertilisation of sperm-egg or pregnancy. In case of absence of fertilisation, the lining of tissue ruptures and comes out of the vagina along with blood and nutrients. There are various other symptoms during menstruation that include mood swings, tender breasts, food craving, fatigue, irritation, bloating, headache and depression.
In case of pregnancy , menstruation stops as the uterus maintains the tissue lining for the development of the body inside the womb. Menstruation continues up till the age of 45–55 years. The ending of menstruation is called menopause. In almost all patriarchal societies, various myths, beliefs and rites around menstruation exist. In India, sex is considered a taboo. Any conversation related to sex or sexual health is avoided.
For ages, society has suppressed many concerns regarding women. The lack of educational opportunities for the women populace has added fuel to the fire. Many Indian households lack basic information when it comes to menstruation. Culturally, in Hinduism, menstruation is considered impure. The myth originates from Vedic times — according to the Rigveda, Vritra was a Brahmana-demon, who caused massive drought. To this, the King of Devas, Indra, slew the demon, earning the title ‘Vritrahan’ — the slayer of Vritra. For it has been mentioned in the Vedas that the guilt of a Brahman-murder on Indra has been taken up by women in the form of menstruation.
Many Hindu texts and practices forbid women to participate in day-to-day activities. In the Hindu community, women are not allowed to enter the kitchen while menstruating, as they are considered unhygienic. Hence, food prepared by women when they’re on their period might get contaminated. When menstruating, women are often barred from entering the puja room or temple. They are even restricted from touching holy books or offering prayers. Menstruating women are not allowed around buffaloes and cows as menstruating women are believed to cause infertility in them. It is also believed that eating sour food such as lemon, curd and tamarind interferes with the body and should be avoided around menstruation.
All these beliefs, myths and rites have perpetuated because of the stigma that surrounds sex. Government agencies have not been successful in organising awareness campaigns that can reduce or end myths around menstruation. Instead, most campaign advertisements promoted by the government offer only lip service to the cause. The suppression of women and girls in education has hampered the voice for the cause.
The absence of an elected female representative who is willing to talk on this matter of utmost importance has diminished the hope for change. Imparting of right scientific education to the younger generation by proper implementation of classes on sex education can be the beacon of hope that can eradicate the taboo that is menstruation.