The 9 prejudices about being on your period

Ask a man what he knows about ‘that time of the month’ and you are guaranteed to see an ‘ewww’-face. Before he even says anything, yes.

Because, brrr, how scary is that world of tampons and pads. Since men would rather not know anything about it than ask with genuine interest, it is such that there are regularly crazy prejudices thrown into the world. Just like there are strange customs surrounding the menstrual cycle, which differ from country to country. And which make no sense.

As experts, we know almost all the ins and outs about our monthly troubles down under. But believe us, many men (and also women) think that these statements are true:

1. You lose at least half a liter of blood when you are menstruating

Uh. Half a liter? Then we would almost have to be on a drip to still be able to function. In reality, you only lose about 60 to 80 milliliters of blood when you menstruate. And your body is perfectly built for that.

2. You can lose your virginity by wearing a tampon

Whoever thought of this, we find quite creative. It would save you a lot of awkward fumbling in bed if this were your ‘first time’... But no, boys and girls, a tampon is just a bit different from a penis.

3. Sleeping with a tampon in is dangerous

Okay, this is not only thought by men, but also by many women. But it is of course not true – otherwise tampon factories would soon go bankrupt, right? You can perfectly go to bed with a tampon in, you just have to make sure you don't leave it in for longer than 6 to 8 hours. That's it.

4. You cannot get pregnant when you are menstruating

Yes baby, so. That is possible. And while almost half of all people think this is not the case. Your ovulation actually takes place just a few days after your menstruation. If you have been active in bed while you were menstruating, the man's sperm can still survive. They fertilize your egg at the moment of ovulation.

5. You are menstruating for almost your entire life

It may feel like an eternity, yet women are ‘only’ menstruating for an average of 38 years of their lives. Most girls get their first period around the age of 12. From your 50s, you enter menopause and then it's over with all the leaks.

6. Food spoils faster if a menstruating woman touches it

That would be something; just when you want to eat that banana, it's already brown before you've peeled it. In many religions, menstruating women are still seen as unclean. That's why wild stories have been circulating for years about food and women. For example, it is a strange superstition that women who menstruate can make wine sour, cause dough to collapse, and even sabotage the making of mayonnaise. All not scientifically proven, so don't worry for now.

7. Women are menstruating at the same time as their friends

No, that is simply not possible physiologically. How does your ovary know if you are sitting on the couch with a friend or not? Or whether you live with a girl or a boy? No matter how often you see or hug each other – your own cycle is your own cycle. If you are both ‘on it’ at the same time, then that is pure coincidence. A good reason to get chocolate together, yes, in such a case.

8. You are more likely to be attacked by a shark if you are menstruating

Of course, sharks are attracted to blood, but no scientific evidence has been found that you attract sharks when it is that oh so cozy time of the month. Besides blood, other bodily fluids can also attract the scary creatures in the water. Think of sweat or urine. Peeing in the sea thus has the same attraction.

9. You have less desire for sex when you are menstruating

No way, you actually have more desire for a little fun between the sheets when you are menstruating. Your body produces less of the hormone progesterone during that time of the month. And that hormone causes your libido to decrease. In short: you actually want to get it on. While it is not that easy...

Alright, one last fact. Did you know that you could buy quite a few Chanel bags if you never menstruated? It has been calculated that menstruation costs the average woman about 10,000 euros in her lifetime. Just think of all that pad you have lying in your bathroom cabinet. Ouch. That hurts more than those cramps, yes. Bye, bye, Coco... Hello, Libresse.

Psst, do you often suffer from menstrual pain? You can do something about it.

Source: Gezondheidsnet

Written by: Tessa Heinhuis

Source image: Pinterest