Misinformation, Menstruation and the Mind: The Flawsome Girl Talks
“Because there is silence, there is a lack of information; and because
misinformation presents menstruation as shameful, there is silence.”
– The persistent power of stigma (an academic article
Misinformation, Menstruation and the Mind: The Flawsome Girl Talks
“Because there is silence, there is a lack of information; and because
misinformation presents menstruation as shameful, there is silence.”
– The persistent power of stigma (an academic article)
You can regulate your period using astrology? Tampons cause cancer?
Contraceptives cause infertility? DIY treatments for your urinary tract?
Menstruation in itself is unhygienic?
No. The answer to all these questions is a resounding NO. If so, why are all these
notions and ideas something we hear so often to the point of normalisation?
Mistakes repeated over generations have led to a deep bedrock of misinformation.
The world of menstrual health is so far populated with false doctors and physicians
that menstruators find it increasingly dicult to navigate the dos and don’ts. In
fact, such misinformation poses serious consequences to their health and safety.
Okay, but why is this important? What’s the worst that could come of it?
Oh, it’s very important and in fact, detrimental. Taboos revolving around
menstruation prevent access to information and supplies. Not only does this result
in the compromise of physical safety (especially in the case of dierently abled
women), it also promotes mental health dangers such as stress, anxiety and fear.
Imagine suering in every respect, with no one to stand up for you or not bein g
taught how to stand up for yourself! When a girl who’s menstruating cannot acces
pads/any other supplies, her mobility is robbed and she’s vulnerable to sexual
violence. Policy initiatives in India have striven to break this suocating silence by
holding open discussions with women and enabling them to discuss these issues
with policymakers and leaders. The only way to break the silence and the stigma is
through level-headed discussion
So, we should educate only girls and women about menstrual health right?
Bringing non-menstruators into the picture is equally important. In interviews
conducted under a research initiative, only one interviewee acknowledged that this
is due to power dynamics in the country. Even after so many years of fighting for
gender equality, decisions about women’s health lie in the hands of men. It is
because of this deep-rooted patriarchy that boys and men MUST be educated on
menstrual issues. Acknowledging our problems is the first step to solving them!
Right. So everyone needs to be educated on how periods work and what products to
buy?
While many policies focus on the scientific aspect and on products to be used when
you have periods, very very few talk about the stigma faced by women. Stigma is a
dangerous disease that eats away at the soul. As an interviewee in the project
stated, women are unsure to seek medical advice for menstruation-related
problems. Even if they do, they are convinced that the issue is something of their
own makings. In such a scenario, their bodies grow worse under the deteriorating
control of their own minds. It is a vicious cycle.
Can we use social media to educate ourselves?
Nowadays, social media is playing an increasing role in this field. It is
masquerading as a medical professional, convincing young girls and women into
making choices about their physical health while seeking advice from the internet.
A doctor had to pull out a sprig of lavender from a vagina due to the patient
experimenting with DIY videos!
At this juncture, it is important for you, whether you are a menstruator or
non-menstruator, to look around and see who is suering from these vicious
myths and taboos. Misinformation is a rotting poison that eats away at one’s mind,
soul and body and leaves behind a husk of a human. Take action now and spread
the right word