The false myths about the cycle     The false myths of menstruation: let's break the stereotypes with Roberta Rossi There are still dozens and dozens of urban l

The false myths about menstruation: let's break down stereotypes with Roberta Rossi

 

There are still dozens and dozens of urban legends surrounding the menstrual cycle, and maybe we've even convinced ourselves of some of them.

 

Can I have sex during my period? And why is it still so hard for me to talk about it with my boyfriend or my brother? There are so many questions, as well as information going around, which is why we often end up believing the wrong answers.

 

The fights against stereotypes and difficulties

 

On social media there are many campaigns promoting correct information and solidarity initiatives, for example there's the hashtag #whilebleeding promoted by Intimina, which is overturning stereotypes about the cycle thanks to the sharing of pleasant experiences. In many countries, efforts are being made to abolish the Tampon Tax to overcome the inability to afford pads due to high costs.

Psychotherapist and sexologist Roberta Rossi from the Institute of Clinical Sexology in Rome gave us some very interesting information about the false myths of menstruation.

 

 

Menstruation between false myths and taboos, these are the most widespread

 

There are so many false myths linked to the cycle, due to the fact that before we really started to understand the physiology of the menstrual cycle, many beliefs and taboos arose, even written in university textbooks until not so long ago.

 

Roberta Rossi states: "From this ignorance, it's easy for legends to arise and unfortunately the lives of our grandmothers, our mothers, and going back to our ancestors, have been filled with stories according to which women with their period had the evil power to make flowers wilt, mayonnaise go crazy, wine turn to vinegar, and tomato sauce go sour."

 

Another taboo is that women on their period are fragile and therefore during this time shouldn't do physical activities that require energy, can't wash themselves, swim in the sea, or be too exposed to the sun.

 

But is it true that when I'm premenstrual I'm more touchy?

No, that's a false myth, or rather, it's not a general rule that applies to everyone. It all depends on progesterone, which helps the uterus welcome a possible pregnancy and decreases when this doesn't happen: these changes in the body can (but don't always) cause changes in your mood.

 

But is it true that I should avoid sports and physical exercise when I have my period?

This is also false, in fact, often if you let loose with dancing and training it boosts your mood and relieves tiredness.

 

If I use a tampon or menstrual cup and I'm a virgin, will I no longer be one?

False, because the hymen, which is super elastic, is not at all disturbed or torn by the insertion of tampons and cups.

 

Period Sex, is it true that during my period I feel something different (and maybe it's better not to do it)?

This is also a false myth: actually, if you feel like having sex during your period you won't notice any particular change, however there are many things that can influence desire; for example, often in these cases we don't use contraceptives because we're sure we can't get pregnant and so we feel more pleasure. Also, believing you can't get pregnant is wrong, in fact it's possible for the fertile period to overlap with the menstrual cycle.

 

But is it true that men can't understand the cycle, since they don't have it?

Much of what concerns your physiological changes like the cycle has long been seen as uncontrollable events by men, as a women's thing. Today things are evolving even if embarrassment can still linger in the air, but it's not always linked to the other's inability to understand.

 

But if I use the cup, is it true that the smell will be more invasive? And that it's not very hygienic?

False. The cup collects menstrual blood creating a sort of vacuum so it doesn't oxidize and remains absolutely odorless. Plus, the cup is washable and reusable, so we don't run the risk of poor hygiene. Finally, there are two other myths we can consider false: the myth that you can't use the menstrual cup if you have a too hectic life and the one that you should remove it every time you pee and when you sleep.