After decades of whispers in corridors, menstrual health is being discussed on relevant platforms, empowering the female gender and enlightening the male section of the population. Centuries of shame, insecurity and weakness incited by women among women around a natural, essential function of the female body is not a taboo topic anymore. Hopefully, future generations of girls won’t have to hide a pad when they go to change, or have boys snigger or be clueless about what their female counterparts go through each month.
What was the typical, common practice hardly two centuries ago? The societal norm was that a menstruating woman isolate herself within the confines of a room either in the same house as her family members or in an outhouse and sit out on regular activities expected of her – a break from running a joint-family household and staying within a good distance of the prayer room and temples. At some point, it became misinterpreted – she was seen as a pollutant, not allowed to touch anyone or anything. Common beliefs included thinking a menstruating woman could cause a bottle of pickles to spoil if she touched them, that she would pollute a space if she entered it.
Practices for a healthy menstruation
Ayurveda has laid out a set of directions that, if followed, greatly benefits the menstruating woman. The menstrual cycle or Rituchakra, over 28 days, comprises three phases – Rajashravakala, Ritukala and Rituvyatitakala. During menstruation, a woman is advised to avoid head shower and generally keep baths short so that the downward flow of apana vayu, key to menstruation, happens without interruption.
Isolation is recommended so that the menstruating woman may preserve her energy which is otherwise being depleted by bleeding. Excessive talking, screen time, venting of emotions as a result of exposure to stressful situations, physical exertion caused by lifting heavy objects, applying pressure on surfaces, all cause a strain on the senses, again disrupting the body’s primary function at the time, which is to aid menstrual flow.
Journalling or self-reflection is advised during the time instead of watching television or listening to loud music. The latter two activities aggravate pitta, causing a strain on the eyes and heating the head region.
Avoid workouts where you force your body to lift weights and go running. What can help it to rejuvenate? Only rest as menstruation is the ‘weeping phase’ of the female body. The uterus should not endure further duress through exercise while it bleeds. Indulging in workouts on a frequent basis while bleeding could also lead to endometriosis from retrograde menstruation.
The diet is best limited to light meals such as kanji, khichdi and soups. Warm , nourishing foods are highly recommended for the body’s strength and to stay in good spirits.
As per Ayurveda, it is recommended to avoid a head bath once bleeding has established, for the first three days. A shower in itself is cooling for the body, further increased with a head bath. The HPO axis is at work here, where temperature sensors in the hypothalamus receive information from nerve cells to cool down the body. What the body requires at this time is its heat to support downward movement of menstrual blood.
Sexual intercourse is best reserved for the non-menstrual phase to avoid pushing the apana vayu upwards, leading to cramps.
Where sanitary napkin advertisements promote the message that girls can do everything boys can, (read leaping over fences and swimming) the activities shown so cause more harm to the body in the long run. Vata aggravation can lead to achy and dry joints, causing autoimmune disorders.
Understanding that the requirements of the body vary according to genders is the first learning. The next is practising what is applicable in order to ensure healthy functioning of the body and mind.
Ayurveda lays out practices that, if applied sensibly, bring benefits in the long run.