Akshay Kumar is doing a great job by speaking out about the ordeal women face during their periods in his forthcoming film PadMan. Many of the celebrities have also taken up the PadMan challenge by posting pictures of themselves holding the sanitary napkin. It’s nice to see such positive changes take place in our society.
The female menstrual cycle is not only feared but also widely misunderstood and it’s probably why there have been and are so many bizarre myths regarding periods. And if you thought these myths were prevalent only in the 3rd world countries, you are mistaken, these strange beliefs and myths are not limited to the 3rd world countries only.
Image Credit: Movie – PadMan
Did you know that back in the time it was believed that it was not only women but even Jewish men who get their monthly periods? This was actually a rumor spread during the time when the Jews were hated for crucifying Jesus Christ, it was said that they bled because of this guilt.
In medieval Europe people believed that the menstrual blood causes and cures. It was believed that sex with a woman during her period would corrode a man’s penis and lead to leprosy! At the same time the period blood was a cure for leprosy. Strange isn’t it!
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You wouldn’t want to be in Israel when you got your first period, here’s why: You get slapped on the face when you get your first period so that you have beautiful red cheeks all your life!
The people of Poland believe that having sex during your periods can kill your partner. While in Bolivia it is believed that can’t cradle babies when you have your periods as they can fall ill!
In Malaysia, women had to wash their used pads before throwing them out or else face ghosts who they believed would come to haunt them if they didn’t do so.
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In Japan, it is believed that if you make Sushi when you have periods, it can have an imbalance in taste! If you thought that was bizzare, hold on there’s more! In Philippines, when the women get their first period they need to wash their face with the first menstrual blood in order to have clear skin!! I could do without a clear skin thank you!!
And we grumbled about our grandmothers asking us not to touch achaar (pickle) and enter the mandir during periods!! Be thankful you didn’t have to go through more bizarre rituals and beliefs like the ones mentioned above.It’s time people realised it’s nothing but a bit of blood that we women deal with every month!
Read Also: Can You End Your Periods Faster?
