“Menstruation, or periods, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue (known as menses) from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina.”
On a rudimentary level, the definition (courtesy Wikipedia) encompasses the biological aspect of this process typically occurring in females between the ages of 12-50 years at an interval of every 28-30 days. However, in many countries, this natural system is considered a taboo by members of the opposite sex.
The creation of menstrual taboos manifests repeatedly across patriarchal societies. Women experiencing their periods are often barred from participating in social activities on a diurnal basis. Such ostracism stems from predominantly religious beliefs that deem women on their periods as ‘impure’ or ‘unclean’. For this very reason, many men and (unfortunately) women take it upon themselves to indoctrinate the masses about the restrictions to be imposed on menstruating females. As a result, women are often separated from places of worship, or any object pertaining to it, for the length of their period. Superstitions also prohibit them from entering kitchens, and/or from touching cooked and preserved foods. Cultural myths surrounding menstruation are often aggravated by traditional associations with shame and embarrassment regarding sexual reproduction. Many women are compelled to sleep on the floor during their periods. In some parts of India, it is also believed that if a girl or woman touches a cow while she is on her period, the cow will become infertile–leading girls to see their bodies as cursed and impure.
A blog by the menstrual tracking app company Clue, citing the 1974 study “A Cross‐Cultural Study of Menstruation, Menstrual Taboos, and Related Social Variables” states that “the appearance of menstrual taboo in a given society may be closely tied to how much or how little males participate in that society’s procreative activities, like child-rearing and childbirth—that is, higher participation was associated with fewer taboos (though this relationship does not speak to causation).”
Such taboos about menstruation, present in many societies, exercise a negative impact on girls’ and women’s emotional states, mentality and lifestyle, and, most importantly, health. Large numbers of girls in many less economically developed countries drop out of school when they begin menstruating. This includes over 23% of girls in India. In addition to this, the monthly menstruation period also creates obstacles for female teachers. Thus, a gender-unfriendly school culture and infrastructure and the lack of adequate menstrual protection alternatives and/or clean, safe, and private sanitation facilities for female teachers and girls undermine their right to privacy.
Poor protection and inadequate washing facilities increase susceptibility to infection. The odour of menstrual blood puts girls at risk of being stigmatised. The latter may have significant implications on their mental health.
The challenge, of addressing the socio-cultural taboos and beliefs about menstruation, is further compounded by the fact that girls’ knowledge levels and understandings of puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health are very low.
Thus, there is no denying the fact that patriarchy usually succeeds in regulating the conservative perception towards menstruation.