Period myths you think are facts

BEFORE so many people had access to the media and sex education became the norm in schools, Aunt Flo’s visit certainly didn’t make it to the top of the conversation list. If anything, talks about menstruation were done in whispers, because some women were too afraid to ask questions out of embarrassment. As expected, many people got information from all the wrong places, causing an infusion of half-truths and sometimes bizarre myths packaged as facts.

But even with women being more informed about their bodies, some fallacies still linger. Obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Keisha Buchanan has sought to set the record straight.

“The monthly period cycle occurs after a failure of the eggs to be fertilised and is marked by the uterine lining being shed. It usually lasts for five days, but could be more or less depending on the woman, and is generally accompanied by some discomfort,” Dr Buchanan said.

Below she separates science from old wives’ tales:

MYTH: One can easily catch a cold or get sick during the period cycle.

FACT: There is no medical proof of this. Many theories — including that your immune system is compromised during the period — have been attributed to this myth, but there is no clear association between the two.

MYTH: Women are in a weakened state and should not exercise.

FACT: Women can exercise during their period.

In fact, many women choose to exercise as they get closer to getting their period, because they feel less pain when they exercise. “A few women do get a heavy cycle and hence may feel weak during the period and may be unable to exercise, but an inability is not true in most cases,” Dr Buchanan said. She noted that exercise is healthy during the period and can help to strengthen the immune system.

MYTH: You cannot get pregnant during your period.

FACT: “Don’t be mistaken — one CAN get pregnant, as ovulation can occur right after the period. And semen can live in a woman’s body for as many as five days,” Dr Buchanan warned. She noted that pregnancy can occur, especially if you have sex during the latter days of the period.

MYTH: Your period must come every 28 days.

FACT: “The period cycle varies a lot and can be longer or shorter, varying from 23-30 days. Additionally, taking medication, feeling ill, etcetera, can cause the cycles to vary,” Dr Buchanan said.

MYTH: Some types of foods are bad for you when you are on your period.

FACT: Dr Buchanan said that you don’t have to change your diet for the days you are on your period. There is no proof that certain foods have any particular impact on your body during those days.

MYTH: Missing the period is a sign of pregnancy.

FACT: As soon as you miss your period, the first thing that comes to mind naturally is pregnancy even before you have done the test, but Dr Buchanan said you shouldn’t get ahead of yourself. “Missing the period is a possible sign of pregnancy; however, a person can miss the period due to stress, medications such as oral contraceptives, and some illnesses such as thyroid disease,” Dr Buchanan explained.

MYTH: Mood swings are automatic.

FACT: “Women are moodier during the period. This may be true in a few cases, but moodiness may be a sign of PMS — premenstrual syndrome,” Dr Buchanan advised. She said that if this happens to affect you, then you should see a health care professional for diagnosis because this can be treated.

MYTH: You can lose your virginity by using tampons.

FACT: Many women enjoy having the choice between sanitary pads and tampons. Many teenagers in particular refuse to explore the use of tampons out of fear that tampons can cause them to lose their virginity (break the hymen). “Be reminded, virginity can only be lost through sexual intercourse,” Dr Buchanan advised.

MYTH: The vagina should be douched after your period ends.

FACT: Whether out of fear that the vagina is not clean after your period or whatever, Dr Buchanan says that you may want to rethink this. “Douching after the period is not recommended, as the vagina cleanses itself naturally after the period,” Dr Buchanan said. She said that douching could do more harm than good as it could trigger yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Dr Buchanan said that the period cycle is a perfectly natural time in a woman’s life, and significant changes don’t need to be made to her lifestyle. She advised women who have heavy periods or very painful periods that it’s best to have these evaluated by a doctor.