![]() ![]() In addition to this, the monthly menstruation period also creates obstacles for female teachers. This includes over 23% of girls in India. Large numbers of girls in many less economically developed countries drop out of school when they begin menstruating. Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact on girls’ and women's emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health. Impact of Myths Related to Menstruation on Women's Life It is believed that if a girl or women touches a cow while she is on her period, that the cow will become infertile – leading girls to associate their own bodies with curse and impurity. This highlights the possible reason why menstruating women are not allowed to take a bath especially for first few days of their menstrual period. The protection of water sources from such pollution, which is the physical manifestation of Hindu deities, is, therefore, a key concern. Water is considered to be the most common medium of purification. All women, regardless of their social caste, incur pollution through the bodily processes of menstruation and childbirth. Bodily excretions are believed to be polluting, as are the bodies when producing them. In some parts of India, perceptions of Hinduism center on notions of purity and pollution. Exercise also causes a release of serotonin, making one feel much happier. As far as the exercise is concerned, many studies in India and elsewhere have revealed that many adolescent girls believe that doing exercise/physical activity during menses aggravate the dysmenorrhea while in real exercise can help relieve the menstruating women with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea and relieve bloating. It is believed that such foods will disturb or stop the menstrual flow. In some parts of India, some strict dietary restrictions are also followed during menstruation such as sour food like curd, tamarind, and pickles are usually avoided by menstruating girls. However, there seems to be no logical or scientific explanation for this. ![]() Interestingly, in Asia including India, such beliefs are still practiced. It is also believed that a woman can use her menstrual blood to impose her will on a man. In Surinam, menstrual blood is believed to be dangerous, and a malevolent person can do harm to a menstruating woman or girl by using black magic (“wisi”). In some cultures, women bury their cloths used during menstruation to prevent them being used by evil spirits. However, as long as general hygiene measures are taken into account, no scientific test has shown menstruation as the reason for spoilage of any food in making.Ĭultural norms and religious taboos on menstruation are often compounded by traditional associations with evil spirits, shame and embarrassment surrounding sexual reproduction. ![]() And, therefore, they are not allowed to touch sour foods like pickles. According to study by Kumar and Srivastava in 2011, participating women also reported that during menstruation the body emits some specific smell or ray, which turns preserved food bad. It is further believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated. The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation. Menstruating girls and women are also restricted from offering prayers and touching holy books. Not entering the “puja” room is the major restriction among urban girls whereas, not entering the kitchen is the main restriction among the rural girls during menstruation. Many girls and women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Therefore, there seems no reason for this notion to persist that menstruating women are “impure.” However, scientifically it is known that the actual cause of menstruation is ovulation followed by missed chance of pregnancy that results in bleeding from the endometrial vessels and is followed by preparation of the next cycle. She must be “purified” before she is allowed to return to her family and day to day chores of her life. ![]() Further, in the Hindu faith, women are prohibited from participating in normal life while menstruating. For, it has been declared in the Veda that guilt, of killing a brahmana-murder, appears every month as menstrual flow as women had taken upon themselves a part of Indra's guilt. The origin of this myth dates back to the Vedic times and is often been linked to Indra's slaying of Vritras. Culturally in many parts of India, menstruation is still considered to be dirty and impure. In India even mere mention of the topic has been a taboo in the past and even to this date the cultural and social influences appear to be a hurdle for advancement of knowledge on the subject. ![]()
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