From puberty till menopause, each month, a female body prepares itself for pregnancy through the monthlies. But many women and men are still uncomfortable talking about it openly which results in a ridiculous amount of inaccurate ideas surrounding the cycle. They say if you’re swimming in the ocean during your period, the shark will attack you. Some even believe that women don’t really need it and there are oral contraceptives to prevent it. Let’s review the most popular myths revolving around the crimson tide.
Fact or fiction: PMS is not real
Answer: Fiction! Those snappy attitudes and insane cravings for chocolates have a reason behind them. PMS or premenstrual syndrome is as real as daylight and as many as 85% of women experience it. It’s characterised by a number of signs that a woman may show typically a week or two before her cycle which eventually subside by the time Aunt Flo arrives. These syndromes include food cravings, mood swings, irritability, headaches and bloating among many other.
Fact or fiction: Women’s cycles can get in sync
Answer: Fact! The evidence supporting this theory is still somewhat blurred but it’s often noticed that when a bunch of women live together, it somehow leads to menstrual synchrony. The idea was first developed in 1971 by a psychology student from the University of Chicago named Martha McClintock. She published a paper stating that women’s bodies react to the pheromones of other women around them, leading to a synchronisation of menstruation. But most people still consider this to be a coincidence.
Fact or fiction: You shouldn’t exercise while you’re on the rag
Answer: Fiction! Let’s make one thing clear. A menstrual cycle is a completely natural function of the body, not a handicap. So there’s no reason to stop yourself from exercising or partaking in any physical activities unless you are experiencing dysmenorrhea (severe cramping) or menorrhagia (excessive flow). Exercising is always healthy, whether you’re on the cycle or not. In fact, many physicians recommend exercise to tame cramps. Why? Well activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, etc. produce chemicals that help block pain and supply oxygen to your muscles.
Well we learn something new every day, don’t we?