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The Scrimmaging life of Menstruation.

“Menstrual blood is the only source of blood that is not traumatically induced, yet in modern

society, this is the most hidden blood, the one rarely spoken of them all is and almost never

seen, except privately by women”- Judy Grahn. I could allude to myriads of quotes which

would prompt a feeling of benevolence towards menstruating women and the concept of

menstruation, however, will these meagre seconds of compassion be enough to eradicate

the stigma against menstruation? Over decades, a simple biological process is interpreted to

be impure, looked upon as a disgrace and is cloaked in a culture of silence. This prejudice

held against menstruation results in the detrimental life of women especially for those

undergoing adolescence and who have no access to education. Due to these taboos, not

only men but women themselves feel shamefaced when spoken about their menstrual cycle

and think of the process as a mortified curse bestowed upon them rather. An example of

the most common taboo followed in India would be seclusion of women during

menstruation to avoid contamination in the house. Various contentions developed around

menstruation are devoid of any scientific accreditation, with not a single evidence to

corroborate the toxic or impure standing of menstruation or menstruating women.

(KOTHARI). Numerous inhibitions are imposed on girls and women during this period which

makes it even more arduous for them to be comfortable with the process. Not only does
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this condemnation mentally affect women, it has physical repercussions as well i.e.,

improper hygiene during menstruation (MALHOTRA). Although the process of menstruation

is construed to be impure and contaminated, I argue the contrary by narrating how these

convictions are myths and deliberate upon the significance of their eradication.

Menarche (genesis of menstruation) marks a significant transition from childhood to

adulthood in the life of women. Menstruation is revered across the country as a celebration

for onset of fertility and womanhood, especially in the south (MISHRA and PRAKASH). Girls

are furnished with gifts and sweets, new clothes and ornaments to wear (PRAKASAN),

however, these celebrations are accompanied with unwarranted and vacuous limitations.

The underlying basis for these restrictions is the taboos which circumscribe menstruation

and indicate the beginning of her end. The most conventional of them all is forbidding

women from working in the kitchen. Kitchen connotes a pure, clean space and it is believed

that entering the kitchen would impair the sanctity of the place or laying hands on the food

would “poison” it, rendering it inedible. There is no scientific research or evidence to

validate these blanket statements set out by our society, no food touched by a menstruating

woman has deemed to be impure or poisonous for anyone. As I mentioned earlier, the

onset of menstruation marks the end of liberty for women. One of the biggest examples

would be that of Pindar Valley, Uttarakhand. On initial inception of menstruation, women

are escorted to the cattle shed and asked to live there for 10 days. Following that, every

time she experiences her monthly period, she is expected to settle in the shed for 3 days

followed by 2 days of segregation before returning home. Moreover, women are disallowed

from utilizing toilets and travel to the stream to defecate and bathe. They are served food in
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different dishes, abstained from drinking milk, debarred from revealing their faces in front

of men. A fear is instilled in the minds of young girls that coming in contact with anyone

during this period would cause them harm which makes them loathe the process even

more. Another horrendous act menstruating girls are subject to includes prohibition to

attend school. This has a deleterious effect on their education, and they are unable to write

their exams because of these imbecilic taboos which also result in reduced literary rates

directly affecting their future and career (JOSHY, PRAKASH and RAMDEY, Social Taboos and

Menstrual Practices in the Pindar Valley). Religious practices such as visiting holy places or

touching religious texts or scriptures would impede the sacredness of the temple (GARG and

ANAND). This particular restriction was deliberated upon on a massive scale on the case of

Sabarimala temple in Kerela. (Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerela). In this

case, women aged 10-50 years of age, undergoing their reproductive years, were barred

from entering the Sabarimala temple. The judgement quashed this restriction stating it

unconstitutional. This proves that such an inhibition has no moral or legal backing rendering

it redundant and futile. Avoidance of bathing is another frequent practice performed by

women, especially Muslim women. The reason cited for this was that bathing in cold water

leads to swelling of fallopian tubes1 resulting in abdominal pain. (GARG, SHARMA and

SAHAY). Another rationale the society uses to substantiate their stand is, that protection of

water sources from such “pollution” which constitutes the physical manifestation of Hindu

deities is a major concern for people and prohibition to bathe during menstruation provides

just that (GARG and ANAND, Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating

it). However, these arguments are inadequate and blemished since, contrary to what the

1
Fallopian tubes also known as uterine tubes are tubes that stretch from the uterus to the ovaries and are a
part of the female reproductive system. The fertilized egg passes through these tubes from ovaries of female
mammals to the uterus.
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society believes, it is medically recommended that women take bath atleast twice a day and

keep their vaginal area clean to avoid growth of bacteria leading to infections(DESWAL).

Moreover, studies also prove that warm baths, as a matter of fact, not inhance but reduce

period or abdominal pain as it produces a soothing effect in women’s bodies (COLOGNE).

Another major taboo associated with menstruation is the avoidance of exercise. It is a

regressive traditional belief that women who exercise during menstruation suffer from

aggrevated dysmenorrhea2 (SUNEELA and ANAND TANU). Contrary to popular belief,

exercises infact have an affirmative effect on dysmenorrhea and is also advised as means of

reduction of these cramps. Extensive research and clinical trials have proven how regular

exercise with due time reduces period cramps, however the quality, intensity and duration

of the exercise should be kept in mind (TABARI, SHIRVANI and ALIPOUR)3. It is also believed

that exercise results in release of serotonin4 which helps in ameliorating your mood which in

turn helps in tackling various mood swings that women undergo. One of the most illogical

and absurd philosophy is that of how menstrual blood is considered to be used for black

magic and is somehow linked with witchcraft and danger. Due to this reason, they were

expected to “bury” their cloth/absorbent only during the night when everyone is sleeping.

These restrictions on the basis of irrational and unverified myths make an unscruplous

atmosphere for women to survive in. In our society, there has been extensive debate and

exhange of views on the existence of supernatural beings, it being a simple argument of

2
Dysmenorrhea refers to the difficult menstrual flow leading to cramps and pelvic pain that women
experience during menstruation.
3
This particular study proved through statistics that women who exercised displayed an increased reduction of
period cramps as compared to women who took mefenamic acid ( 61% and 39% after the first cycle and 64%
and 36% after the second cycle)
4
Serotonin is a key hormone which stabilizes our mood, feeling of well- being. It enables the brain cells and
nervous system cells to communicate with each other.
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“Faith vs Fact. Those who live in the pond of faith believe these beings to be non-fictional

whereas scientists focus on pragmatic reality and shun the idea of supernatural beings.

Mere faith cannot be enough to prove the existence of a being and without concrete

evidence, how can we come up with these non-sensical beliefs and impose constraints on

the freedom of women, making their lives even more strenous. Negative perception about

menstruation has, in many ways, had a similar effect on the desire of women to engage in

sexual activities. Since both sexuality and menstruation innvolve the same intimate location

of a women’s body, their attitude towards their genitals as dirty, unpleasant and mucky are

directly propotional to their approach towards encounter with sexual intercourses

(DEBORAH). These major myths and taboos about menstruation trunacates women’s ability

to take pleasure in their bodies and sexual experiences. It is revolting to observe how

women feel impermissible to participate in sexual ventures and reap pleasure of the same

due to these delusional and mistaken belief which have no scentific validation. In various

surveys, there was predominance of women who perceived menstruation to be a natural

process to be more enganged in sexual activities as compared to women holding a

borthersome opinion about menstruation. These studies have further demonstrated a

positive correlation between menstrual attitudes and female sexual functioning. (NAJME,

SALAVATI and AZMOUDE). Another stance held by personages is that intercourse during

menstruation may lead to infections like Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). However, true

to an extent, it is not enough to completely reject the the idea. If proper barrier methods

are employed during intercourse, the risk to contract the disease reduces by a great margin

making it, not absolutely, but a considerably safe option (LORI). Moreover, studies have

shown that women engaging in sexual intercourse during menstruation have tend to

become more comfotable with the process than those abstaining from the same.
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(BAUMGARTNER and REMPEL) Hence, it can be safely proclaimed that associating oneself

with sex during menstruation actually leads to the installation of a positive perception about

it, not just in the minds of women but men as well. This in turn results in large scale

acceptance of the process as a natural phenonemenon.

Menstrual hygiene, which accounts for the most significant aspect of menstruation, is the

most neglected one across the country. Improper menstrual hygiene results in various

injurious infections such as reproductive tract, urinary, vaginal and perineal infections. Poor

menstrual hygiene is directly coupled with the insufficient knowledge about menstruation and

the kind of absorbent utilized by women during menstruation. One of the major and the most

crucial reason for this neglect is the prevalence of gender disparity in our society. Due to this

inequality and patriarchy, women are not able to voice their concerns in a free manner, they

are instructed to not even come in contact with men, then who are they supposed to consult

for their complications? Studies have shown, especially among rural girls and women, the

ignorance associated with the onset of menstruation. They think of it as a disease, panicking,

unaware how to face the situation. Due to this lack of knowledge about the process, they tend

to turn a blind eye to the essentials practices that need to be undertaken to maintain menstrual

hygiene. Research has shown that among a number of girls surveyed, majority were unaware

on the advent of menarche (BELA)5. Due to the stigma, most of the oblivious women tend to

not speak about it with anyone including their sisters or mothers. This leads to them resorting

to detrimental means of dealing with menstruation which in turn causes a threat to life.

Another study in an urban slum in Delhi revealed that only a miniscule number of women
5
In this study conducted in rural Jaipur, out of 90 women surveyed, 70 women were unaware about
menstruation prior to the onset of the same. Out of the women who were aware, 77.7% construed it to be
dirty.
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were cognizant of the process (SUNEEL, SHARMA and SAHAY)6. This magnitude of

ignorance is correlated to the unbefitting use of absorbents. Various women, due to lack of

knowledge about menstruation, are also unmindful of the way of dealing with the process

using proper and clean absorbents. Management of menstruation is mostly guided by the

stigma against the same and even though it is medically endorsed to use sanitary pads or

tampons, bulk of woman took recourse to the utility of cloth. An extensive survey of around

3,00,000 women on the use of absorbents took place all over India with woman from

different caste, religion and sectors (USHA, PRADHAN and PATEL). Disclosure of the

results pointed out to how less than half the women used disposable and clean absorbents

with most of them relying on reusable absorbents like cloths, rags and other locally available

mostly among rural women and women from deprived caste. 7 “Caste identity is an important

determinant of life opportunities and social inclusion/exclusion in Indian society.” Prevalence

of caste system in our society has calamitous on the lives of the people belonging to the lower

caste. However, who knew that women in the 21 st century will not have access to

unadulterated and clean absorbents just for the reason of being born in a family of deprived

caste. This situation is the worst for women belonging to the Dalit community. Even if they

are provided with the access to procure sanitary napkins, they are denied the same by the

shopkeepers thinking of them as “small” people with no class. The necessity to keep the

menstrual status hidden also determines the choice of absorbent. “You have to throw used

pads in the gutter outside the house. And when we do that, everyone will come to know that

we have our period. If someone sees our used pad—we have committed a sin! People will

abuse you.” These are the thoughts gushing through the minds of young girls when they think

of using pads instead of cloths. First, they are blamed and termed as “impure” for undergoing

6
Here, out of the 50 women interviewed, only 6 possessed some knowledge about menstruation.
7
The study displayed that out of the women surveyed, 18% used proper sanitary pads whereas 82% of women
resorted to unhygienic practices.
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a process they have no control over and second, they are looked down upon for making use of

proper menstrual management pads. So, the stigma is not only against menstruation but also

against the usage of pads which have no harm whatsoever on people framing such taboos

(ARUNDATI). One of the main reasons cited by women to use cloth instead of sanitary

napkins is how frequently of changing pads as compared to cloths. Changing pads more times

in a day instead of using changing cloth once or twice a day could prevent them from life-

threatening diseases such as RTI. (A and SARKAR). Not only this, due to the widespread

taboos, women are not permitted to keep these cloths in clean places and are ordered to place

them somewhere dirty so that they don’t “pollute” the sanctity of the house. Keeping these

cloths in dirty places increases the chances of the cloth attracting dirt and infection. This

further becomes even more difficult since, due to lack of proper medical facilities in rural

areas such convoluted diseases tend to remain untreated. This in turn can cause various

problems such as cervical cancer, inflammatory diseases and also maternal mortality,

resulting in devastating effects on women’s lives. There also included various other reasons

such as unavailability8 of pads and in some places, despite the availability, the exorbitant

prices placed on sanitary napkins and tampons and also the embarrassment they would face to

approach male-run shops for sanitary pads.

The erroneous prejudices held against menstruation are strenuous to exterminate but not

beyond the bounds of possibility. Habituated with the patriarchal nature of our society, the

first step forward would be to identify the role of men and boys in the process of

menstruation and its significance. Men and boys need to start supporting women and through

the process of menstruation rather than disengaging them during the process. In schools, boys

8
A study in Uttar Pradesh found that menstrual hygiene products were hardly available. Moreover, wherever
available, the prices of the same were extortionate. (USHA, PRADHAN and PATEL SUNITA)
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must put an end to teasing and ridiculing girls for using menstrual products or carrying them.

(THÉRÈSE, TRIPATHY and SINGH).“Boys make you feel ashamed They are rough with us

and go into our bags and would see our cloths if we brought them to school.” This directly

affects girls’ self-esteem and they start blaming themselves for being in such a situation. Men

should start discussing the menstrual issues with women in their house and make them feel

more comfortable to converse about such things. All this begins with sensitising men and

boys on this topic and educating them about the process and its significance. In schools,

seminars and workshops about menstruation should not be conducted only for girls, but also

for boys where they are informed about the basics of menstruation and the role they play in

the management of the same. From this point, it is not only necessary to spread awareness in

schools but also in the society as a whole. One of the main reasons for the build-up of these

taboos and stigmas is the lack of awareness about menstruation and the reason for its

existence. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, NGOs such as WaterAid and Vatsalya have taken

initiative to implement various community based programmes and campaigns to expand the

population possessing knowledge about menstruation, to provide access to water, sanitation,

high quality sanitary napkins and ensure their safe disposal. This marks how big of a role

NGOs can play and increase the consciousness of people on sensitive and important topics

like menstruation. Menstrual hygiene is the next most essential part of the process that needs

fixing in our society. Firstly, construction of proper lavatory facilities are imperative, not only

in schools but in various rural areas where women are expected to go all the way to streams

and rivers to bathe and defecate. Secondly, there must be greater availability of proper

menstrual products such as sanitary napkins and tampons. However, mere availability is not

enough, they have to be of high quality and must be cost effective so that the benefits can be

reaped even by the deprived communities. Free distribution of sanitary napkins in schools

and rural and backward areas can be a start towards increased utilization of the same. Since
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our society is so theatrically driven, various films like Padman, Phullu, First period have

prospered which aid in disseminating information about menstruation and its importance

(NAMITA). These efforts should not be a one time show and ought to sustain for a prolonged

period of time, not just for the betterment of women but for the betterment of the whole

human race.

Bibliography

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