Menstruation

Periodic discharge, mainly of blood, from the womb, beginning between the age of 13 to 15 and lasting from 2 to 8 days. It recurs approximately every 28 days, ceasing during pregnancy and lactation, and continues until the age of 44 to 50 years. It causes considerable inconvenience, whether physical or through increase in tension. It may be associated with menstrual pains and headaches. It may provoke various forms of discrimination against the woman at that time, or be used to justify such discrimination at any time.

A number of cultures have prescribed strict adherence to ritual behaviour coordinated with the menstrual cycle. For instance, during the first few days of her menstrual period a Hindu woman may not mount a horse, an ox, or an elephant, or drive a vehicle; and many peasants of Central and Eastern Europe persist in the belief that a menstruating woman should not bake bread, churn butter, or spin thread. The Orthodox Jewish and Muslim cultures specify a number of restrictions on menstruating women; including sexual abstinence and separation from society.

In early Western cultures, menstruation was believed to render a woman periodically dangerous, and numerous and varied social restrictions were created to limit her contact with her husband and with members of her community. During the 19th century, it was the opinion of some physicians that menstruation had no purpose whatsoever and that, indeed, it was a pathological condition, which had not existed in pre-Biblical times. This concern about the dangers of menstrual blood prevailed until as late as 1945.

As an indication, the market for female sanitary protection (including female hygiene tampons and sanitary towels) in the UK in 1986 was £123 million.

1. Throughout history, menstrual bleeding has been seen as a supernatural event, and generally one with evil consequences. The belief that blood carried some basic life principle led to the prevalent fear of menstrual flow and consequently to numerous restrictions and taboos on the activities of women.

2. There has been a lack of understanding surrounding menstruation in many cultures throughout time.

3. Myths and taboos around menstruation have been used as a method of denying women their rights and reducing their influence and power in society.

1. Male bias of medicine
2. Haemorrhage

1. Menstrual disadvantage of women
2. Disorders of menstruation

1. Toxic shock syndrome
2. Ritual pollution
3. Restricted women's activities
4. Nutritional anaemia in women
5. Migraine
6. Low self esteem
7. Indulging in sex during menstruation
8. Inadequate disposal of female sanitary protection
9. Headache
10. Fear of blood
11. Discrimination against women in education
12. Disagreeable human body odour
13. Acne

1. Male domination
2. Harmful traditional health practices
3. Gender discrimination within the family
4. Discriminatory myths
5. Discrimination against women in religion
6. Discrimination against women in health care

1. Menopause

1. Educating about women's health

1. Negativity

1. Views of Menstruation in Religions and Cultures around the world
2. Why we’re taught to hide our periods ANALYSIS | Confronting the stigma around menstruation
3. Menstrual health programs need a new focus in developing world
4. Attitudes toward Menstruation
5. Body appreciation and attitudes toward menstruation
6. Part 1: Cultural attitudes towards menstruation and PMS
7. Cultural aspects and mythologies surrounding menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding
8. How Taboos Around Menstruation Are Hurting Women’s Health
9. Sociocultural attitudes surrounding menstruation and alternative menstrual products: the explanatory role of self-objectification
10. Menstruation Stigma Must Stop. Period.