MYTHS VS FACTS : DEBUNKING MENSTRUAL CYCLE MYTHS
Facts of Menstrual Cycle • 17 Sep,2025
MYTHS VS FACTS : DEBUNKING 6 MENSTRUAL CYCLE MYTHS
We’ve all been there where we have gotten our first menstrual cycle, or more known as “PERIOD”. What’s surprising is that in today’s fast-paced society, we still have so many misconceptions and myths surrounding “Periods” as if we still view them with a backward point of view. An average girl gets her period around the ages of 12 to 15, but can also get it as early as 8 years old, but that’s not the concerning part. You're already uncomfortable with this new change happening in your body, but to top it off, you have all these NEW restrictions and facts, mostly myths, that make you question this new change, whether it’s to be celebrated or to be ashamed of. But not any longer, let’s break down some of the most common myths and replace them with facts.
WHAT IS A MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
The female reproductive system undergoes a cyclic change which is known as menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle involves thickening of the uterus lining, the release of an egg from the ovary and if the egg is not fertilized by a sperm, then the shedding of the uterus line occurs which is known as Period. These cycles are concurrent and coordinated, which normally last between 21 and 35 days, with a medium length of 28 days. Usually occurs around the age of 12 years; menstrual cycle continues for about 30–45 years and then they enter menopause. - MYTH NO.1: You cannot take showers in the early days of periods.
- MYTH NO.2: Exercise is harmful during periods.
GIRLS are told to avoid exercise or laborious activity. As it can negatively impact the body and menstrual flow but the reality is completely different. Light exercise such as yoga or walking is okay to do, in fact exercise can increase the production of endorphins (feel-good hormones) and reduce anxiety, depression, and menstrual cycle cramps helping improve control on our mood swings. What we should avoid is heavy workout such as heavy lifting, cycling and strength demanding exercise.
- MYTH NO.3: Eating sour food or cold drinks will worsen cramps.
Being warned from eating certain foods such as yogurt, cold food, and sour food on the base of them being harmful. That is far from the truth, there is no medical evidence that consuming any type of food is harmful during menstrual cycle.
- MYTH NO.4: Severe pain is normal.
Period pain is often dismissed as a “normal part of being a woman”. Girls are often told to tolerate it quietly, to the point where they aren’t even allowed to take painkiller (believing it might cause fertility issues). But severe pain to the point where it is unbearable where you are vomiting, shivering, and being unconscious is something which needs medical attention and even on normal pain which seems unbearable can take painkillers.- MYTH NO.5: Periods are shameful.
People often say they’re not ashamed of periods, yet still use code words/cover up phares to talk about them such as “The time of the month, Auntie flo, The red sea, and many more phrase. But why, why do we still feel reluctant mentioning anything about menstrual cycle, why does it still feel like reaching a taboo topic. It is anything but something to feel shameful about, it is a natural part of a women’s body in fact it is something to feel proud of. The beginning of one’s womanhood, the sign that you are growing well. It is all because we still feel ashamed mention anything about menstrual cycle. Which is a big concern as many women stay silently bearing their pain when they could be suffering from an illness. So, the change begins with our thoughts and how we perceive things.- MYTH NO.6: Irregular periods are always a sign of health problem.
Don’t stress if your periods aren’t always on time, it is normal especially when you’ve just started. Research shows that it might take up to 2 years for Oestrogen, Progesterone levels and periods to settle. If you are older, it is normal to have irregular periods before menopause, plus the menstrual blood can vary from one period to another, like your last period might have had a heaver flow then your resent one. But irregular period can also be caused by and underlying health conditions such as:pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection caused in the fallopian tubes.
fibroids , are a non-cancerous growth that grow in the womb.
endometriosis – a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere in the body.
So, it is better to get yourself checked up if the problem stays for too long.
These facts prove that we shouldn’t believe on everything we hear or has been said to us by our elders without fact checking. As a result of these restrictions, countless women and girls have been left to bear their pain silently and with shame. But the truth is simple menstrual cycle are a sign of health and strength. Spreading misinformation without any facts checked will always cause misunderstanding in our society. Periods are a completely normal condition which has its own benefits and the more we replace misinformation with knowledge, the easier it gets for the society to treat menstruation with respect.
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YouTube video on Menstrual Cycle Myths: https://youtu.be/0PxKd_ubCpQ?si=NOpLnqQ-ren_QvgF
