Is Menstruation really a thing to be ashamed of?

Of course, it’s not a matter of shame. I mean, just because you bleed to continue the race, doesn’t make it a matter of shame, or does it?

Sadly, 70-80% of Indians have failed to realize it even until now, They still believe in all kinds of taboos, myths for the reasons even they don’t know about (just because it’s happening since ages!!).

In some places, menstruating women are even isolated from their own homes, not allowed to enter the kitchen, not allowed to sit with all, not allowed to water plants, and of course, can’t be near Religious Places!!

    

And many more do’s and don’ts which are taught to girl when she first gets her periods, by her mother & grandmother. When a girl is just 13 or maybe 11 you tell that child that you are impure for some days now don’t touch this, don’t do this and blah blah nonsense crap. Imagine that little kid getting all scared! Just because of these stupid myths and stereotypes.

So from the beginning, a girl's mind registers it as something to be ashamed of and something to be hidden from the people around her. Bleeding for 5-6 days, every month with cramp pains and the shitty mood with all kinds of mood swings and then carrying the day to day activities as if nothing is happening, is not an easy thing to do. For the girls having not so painful periods, you are lucky to be born as god’s favorite but others actually do feel the pain like hell!!

As a girl, I guess almost every girl has her own story about menstruation or handling situations regarding menstruation (Well I have tons!!). Whenever I’m on my period, it’s fine telling my family about it they know it even if I don’t tell them (As I can’t help it when it pains). So they just let me rest (peace!!) and take care of me too (Seriously! I am blessed with my family).

But Apparently, that’s not the case in outside cruel world. Nobody talks about it and nobody wants to talk or listen to it. It’s a hush hush matter for the girls. Like if I go to school or college and I’m on my periods, I am not supposed to say it out loud and I don’t exactly understand why? Why can’t I complain when am not feeling comfortable or in pain? We do tell when we have a headache, fever, etc then why not this.

I remember in 8th class we had new student girl in our class I guess it was her second day in school and she got her periods and unfortunately with a white skirt (Nightmare for every girl!) but she just couldn’t say anything to anyone as she didn’t had friends yet. So she sat whole day glued to her seat not moving an inch and when the school was over class got empty she left at last covering herself with her bag. I regret not talking to her first as I couldn’t help her at all. But why did this even happened? Why in the first place we were so ashamed and guilty after knowing it.

Girls don’t even say they have periods they say it as girl “issue”, like what the fuck? All the sanitary napkins we buy, they’re given wrapped up fully in a newspaper or black polythene bags, again just hiding and hiding!

Even when our teachers taught us the “Menstrual cycle”. They basically told us why the egg is being removed from the female body and how the hell would boys actually understand all of the this by just listening that they bleed for 5-6 days every month because the egg isn’t fertilized. I can bet 80% of men don’t know anything about what periods actually are unless told by their sisters or girlfriends.

The conclusion is, I just don’t get what’s with the hush hush about a monthly process that’s so natural. I am not ashamed of the fact that I bleed every month (But I do take it as a curse sometimes!! No kidding!) Periods are okay. It’s okay to talk about it, it’s okay to complain about it. But guess what’s not okay? To hide it, to get embarrassed about it, and label it as some impurity and nonsense.

It’s just a natural process that marks the beginning of womanhood. Respect it.