Menstruation , periods, menses – whatever you call it – has always been considered as a taboo in our society for ages. In a country where women are worshipped as goddesses, they are also treated as untouchables during ‘that time of the month’. Why? Just because we bleed? Just because a normal biological process happens in a women’s body?
Scientifically speaking, when a girl hits puberty, her hormones start sending various signals to areas inside her body to grow and mature. It involves the monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the uterus through the vaginal opening. Menstruation is an important part of the reproductive process. It is a signal that you’re maturing and that you’re healthy.
Here, in our hypocritical society, this process, over which you have no control, is considered a sin and a curse. On the other hand, it’s a blessing for every woman who bleeds – a blessing to be able to give birth to another life. For that, she bleeds every 28 days – amounting to an estimated 450 periods during the lifespan of an average women. In other words, women usually menstruate for nearly 3,500 days (roughly 10 years), while battling with pain so severe that it interferes with their everyday lives during the cycle.
Menstruation is an issue that should be openly talked about, rather than being hidden within the pages of a newspaper or black polythene bags. The more you hide things, the ‘dirtier’ they get – and they are treated as taboo more than ever before. Periods basically mark the transition of a girl towards womanhood. It is a present which needs to be celebrated – and it’s not a crime or curse laden with embarrassment and negativity. It is a hope that will someday blossom into a new life on your lap. It needs to be celebrated.
In fact, in many cultures, periods are celebrated as an eventful, sacred phase of life. And why not! it is a time when people call her dirty, impure and don’t let her touch holy things fearing she’ll make them dirty. But why don’t people just accept the fact that the same holy power that you believe in has also created normal bodily processes in women? There’s also the fact that women are actually purified internally during their periods. Menstruation itself is a natural cleanser. It is body’s own way of cleansing and flushing out toxins naturally. During periods, the body also discharges excess iron. Flushing out the excess iron helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Women live longer than men – and this is partly due to menstruation.
The simple fact is that people wouldn’t be there if women didn’t bleed. It’s a wonderful gift given by mother nature – and it should be celebrated.
Let’s talk about it in a normal fashion. Let us celebrate our womanhood. Accept your body. People have more dirt in their minds than a women’s body can ever produce – period!
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Featured image used for representative purposes only.