5 Crazy Myths About Menstruation In The Middle Ages

The world's population is approximately 7.57 billion. Of this number, approximately 3.84 billion are women. And almost all of these billions of the fair sex go through the process of menstruation - that part of the female cycle when the lining of the uterus is rejected and excreted along with blood from the vagina.

The content of the article

• 1 Prejudices still living
• 2 Myth number 1. If you have sex during your period, then pregnancy will not occur
• 3 Myth number 2. Taking contraception is dangerous because it can disrupt the cycle
• 4 Myth number 3. You can not take a bath during menstruation
• 5 Myth number 4. In women's teams, the monthly cycle is synchronized
• 6 Myth No. 5. Inserting a tampon into the vagina violates the hymen

Prejudices still living i

Your periods last from 3 to 7 days, and the average menstrual cycle is 28 days. Despite the fact that this process affects more than half of the inhabitants of our planet, a variety of myths and prejudices still circulate about it.

Many cultures around the world, for example, still regard menses as "dirty" and "unclean." The very conversation about them is regarded as forbidden.

For example, in some African communities there are so-called “menstrual huts” in which women are required to stay during their periods. They are simply isolated from society.

Today we'll talk about the most common myths about menstruation.

Myth number 1. If you have sex during your period, then pregnancy will not come_1

In fact, any woman can get pregnant if she has sex these days. Much depends on the duration of the cycle and the time of the onset of ovulation. Basically, the peak of fertility occurs 12-16 days before the start of the next period. However, in some cases, ovulation occurs earlier.

In addition, sperm can live inside the genital tract for up to 5-7 days. Thus, the possibility of fertilization is still there. And also do not discount the risk of contracting STDs and HIV if a person has sex without using a condom.

Myth # 2. Taking contraception is dangerous because it can disrupt the cycle _2

Some women are afraid that if they start taking pills, it will further adversely affect the rhythm of critical days. Alternatively, contraceptives will undermine reproductive health in general. However, in fact, even if several cycles are missed due to taking the pills, this does not pose a danger. Recent research in the field of women's reproductive health shows that it is safe to suppress menstruation with contraceptives. Some girls even believe that this property of pills even makes life easier - and most gynecologists agree with this opinion.

James Segars, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Hopkins University in Baltimore, says: “Of course, it's always quieter when critical days come on time; however, they are not at all necessary for the healthy functioning of the female reproductive system. Birth control pills relieve severe bleeding, pain, migraines and other side effects. So they are definitely capable of making life more comfortable."

Myth number 3. You can't take a bath during your period_3

Taking a bath is believed to stimulate bleeding, so this can have negative consequences. In fact, this is so - but only in the presence of certain pathologies. For example, with diseases of the ovaries. And also in any case, you should not take too hot a bath during menstruation. If the water is at a comfortable temperature, then this procedure is quite acceptable.

It is also quite justified from the point of view of hygiene. The fact is that it is much safer to perform intimate hygiene procedures using ordinary water, and not using newfangled hygiene products. A study published by the American source Medical News Today showed that the use of vaginal disinfectants in the form of a gel is associated with an increased risk of infection.

Myth No. 4. In women's teams, the monthly cycle is synchronized _4

This is one of the most popular folk myths. Every woman has noticed a "coincidence" at least once in her life: when she is among the representatives of her sex, then gradually their menstrual cycles are synchronized, and critical days come at the same time.

At first, the researchers associated this phenomenon with the effects of pheromones, which are exchanged by the members of the group. However, more recent research has identified many of the flaws in this bias and proved it to be invalid. Empirical evidence of synchronicity has never been found. Alexandra Alvergne, professor of biocultural anthropology at Oxford University, says: “All people love unusual stories. We love amazing coincidences, and therefore we want to believe in them. But in fact, as far as the synchronicity of the women's cycles is concerned, this is nothing more than a coincidence."

Myth No. 5. Inserting a tampon into the vagina violates the hymen_5

In fact, the hymen already has a small opening - otherwise menstruation itself would be impossible. This elastic membrane does not completely cover the vaginal opening. And therefore, if you insert the tampon correctly, then it will not cause any discomfort and damage.