Foods like tamarind and pickle disturb menstrual flow, and other myths busted

The period of adolescence in young girls marks the beginning of adulthood. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person aged 10–19 years is considered an adolescent. The transition period between childhood to adulthood is when young women experience physical, psychological, and biological development. And this special period requires special care and attention.

As girls reach the onset of the reproductive phase, naturally, it comes with lots of questions, confusions and challenges. Due to lack of knowledge about menstruation preparedness, several young women in India feel shy and embarrassed to talk about their situation. This dilemma worsens their condition and know-how about menstrual hygiene.  

To help young girls understand these bodily changes, Apeejay School Model Town, organised a guest session for students and parents, with Dr. Shail Kaur (MBBS, MD) Professor, Unit Head Obstetrician and Gynaecology Department at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences. The session was to help elicit the beliefs, conception and accurate sources of information regarding menstruation among girls. The event also helped enquire about the status of menstrual hygiene and prepared students for it.

“By attending the session, as a mother I feel that Apeejay School has helped me out in making my daughter aware about menstruation,” says Ms. Taruna Mahajan, mother of a class 6 student, Saanvi Mahajan. Her daughter opines that she has become more confident, updated and ready to face this new phase of life, post the session.

Simranjeet Kaur, mother of Bhavleen Kaur, (class 7 student) at the school, says “It was an informative session thanks to Dr. Shail who explained everything to us. This session not only helped mothers but also guided the daughters so as to how they can maintain personal hygiene and carry themselves with confidence in those painful days. In my view, all young girls are superheroes to be able to survive bleeding for 5-7 days in a month. Of course, they need our guidance and care. My daughter, Bhavleen was somehow tense initially, but after the session, she was well-assured.”

A natural process that is still considered a taboo in India, class 6 student, Pranaya Khera says, “Periods is not a taboo topic, and that is my most important takeaway from the session.”

 Ms. Rimika Gupta, mother of class 7 student Dhvani says the session answered questions that she would have never dared to ask as a woman. “With all the necessary information, I am sure that my daughter would not miss out on her regular activities during periods. I am grateful to Apeejay School, Model Town for it.” Her daughter recalls her first period saying, “I was very scared and there were many things that I did not understand, though my mother had told me all about it well in advance. I used to ask questions and clear my doubts from her and she tried her level best to explain everything to me. The session, however, helped me gain further insight into the topic and shatter the myths and notions about periods,” says Dhvani. 

“Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to menstruation. Access to timely, accurate health information is critical to shattering the stigma around it and building an equitable world.”

-Ms. Sinia Sajith, Principal, Apeejay School Model Town, Jalandhar