Acceptance of Menstruation

Being of the other sex maybe I would never realize what kind of process a female goes through. But what I can do is accept their realizations. Periods or menstruation is yet talked only with hush sounds, actions, or covering the materials through papers. Really, is that needed?

Definition

“A cyclical discharging of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant breeding-age primate females at approximately monthly intervals and that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation” or in simpler words “Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle.” This is what the definition tells us about menstruation.

But, trust me it is told to them by their mothers, grandmothers or friends in a form of celebration or in a language like ‘congratulations you have now got matured, welcome to the legacy or sayaani hogayi ho’, have you heard this too?

Biological Process.

Its nuances are even new for me. Let’s read about it. The cycle of menstruation is regulated by the hormones present. Our pituitary gland produces luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, they promote ovulation and stimulate the ovaries for the production of estrogen and progesterone. For, possible fertilization, estrogen, and progesterone stimulate the uterus for its preparations. The menstrual cycle has considerably 3 phases to know about, they are:

Follicular- it is before the release of the egg

Ovulatory- the time of egg release

Luteal- the process after the egg release

Follicular phase

When it starts with the menstrual bleeding it marks the first day of this phase. In this your estrogen and progesterone levels are low.

With this in consideration, menstrual bleeding occurs when the upper layers of the thick linings of the uterus (endometrium) come into a breakdown and start shedding.

By this time, there is a slight increase in the follicle-stimulating hormone, stimulating the development of variant follicles in the ovaries. Each of them contains an egg.

Thereafter, as the level of the hormone decreases, only then follicle continues to develop. Certainly, this produces estrogen.

Ovulatory phase.

Next in this phase, begins with the surge in the follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone by an increase in their levels.

There is an egg released by the stimulation of luteinizing hormones, which considerably occurs after 16 or 32 hours after the surge begins. During the surge, the estrogen level decreases, and the progesterone level increases.

Luteal phase.

Lastly, in this phase both the hormone level decreases. The broken follicle closes after releasing the egg and then procures to be a corpus luteum, that produces progesterone. In the meanwhile, during the process, the estrogen level is high.

The lining of the uterus thickens more by progesterone and estrogen, which prepares the possible fertilization.

Here, if the egg is not fertilized the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer produces progesterone.

Estrogen level is decreased, the top layers of the lining then break down and are then shed, nevertheless then the bleeding occurs (the start of a newly formed cycle).

By chance, if the egg is fertilized then the corpus luteum continues to function during early pregnancy. It also helps in maintaining the pregnancy.

Menstrual cycles normally are ranged from about 25 to 36 days and the menstrual bleeding lasts 3 to 7 days, to an average of 5 days.

Myths

India is filled with ample myths that have formed the course of our lives. Usually, the word impurity is utilized while one mentions Menstruation. Let us understand some of the myths. One of the myths is often linked with Vedic literature and related to Lord Indra for the slaying of Vritras.

It has been proclaimed there that in Veda’s guilt of killing a Brahmana appears as every month’s menstrual bleeding which women have taken upon themselves, while instead of Lord Indra.

Further, it is said that when a woman is going through these days, they is expected to stay away from temples and their daily chores so that their impurity doesn’t affect the livelihood or growth of one’s house.

It’s really strange, but science says something else. If this is impurity then what is purity?

Products of Menstruation

I think at least most of us know that pads are one of the common most products used during such a period. Or film Padman must have given you a better idea.

There are some other products too which are involved during periods.

They are reusable pads, tampons, soft tampons, period underwear, and menstrual cups. One should use the complete hygienic product’s in fact, the products are a must to keep yourself healthy and away from major diseases.

Don’t think a normal rough cloth can be a solution, to be honest, it can be a problem too. Think wisely, check the materials, their manufacturing, its usage, and be wise to take this seriously.

Effect on Mental Health.

To understand them and realize acceptance is necessary.

Often, we think it to be natural and one’s personal problem. When one does not accept this problem of theirs it can make them vulnerable.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are the kinds of problems that affect their mental health to the base levels.

Bloating, headaches and moodiness are the symptoms of PMD whereas in PMDD they feel extremely sad, have anxiety or depression, a lot of irritation, and a high level of anger. Isn’t that serious? It is.

These things lead to a step further in depression too.

Normalize it.

Do you not have some problems or major problems in your lives? After a point you wish to address them, right? Then what is wrong with talking about menstruation? Normalize this by starting from yourself.

To understand them and realise the acceptance is necessary

Men, be responsible.

The concern is needed? Yes, it is. It is the responsibility of a man to make sure that the other sex feels comfortable in expressing themselves to you. Realizing each and everyone’s conditions is the basic value that a human should cultivate for a better tomorrow. Remember, we are no one to create rules for others, that is not for their betterment.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408698/