We all talk about how menstruation is a huge taboo in India. But very less we do know about it and it's conventional rituals created by our ancestors. And as a modern man one should know the truth behind every ancestral advice before we troll and criticise it.
This article is a piece of information derived from various sources and books which are mentioned in between the article. This is to bring awareness between men and women of modern era especially the millenials who are unaware about the importance of this natural cycle. Why women undergo periods? What are they supposed to eat? Why do they have to take rest? How to deal with menstrual cramps? What good does this do to her body? How should a man respond to this? In this article I will answer all such questions.
Why menstrual cycles occur?
According to ayurveda menstruation is a kind of detox. Just like we clean our teeth, skin, hair and gut to take care of our body, menstruation is a natural way to detox the body and help maintain a healthy womb. The blood flow and color could determine which state of health your body is in. Anything from the length of your cycle to the textures and colors you see may indicate something important about your health. Mensturation serves as natural indicator of health for women. Don't get alarmed if you find variation in blood color. It could be for good reasons for eg; brown blood or different variations of it is the old blood that stayed in uterus for long time causing it to oxidize and change its hue from regular, thick red color indicates hormonal imbalance, etc
A healthy menstruation, according to Ayurveda, lasts a few days and occurs every 28 days, from around the age of 12 until around 50. Variations on this can occur due to imbalances to the Doshas, the mind-body energies that govern everything. These three Doshas, Vatta, Pitta and Kapha describe the forces of nature both inside and outside our bodies as well as our own genetic makeup and it is in our interest to make lifestyle choices that keep them in balance.
Do you know there is a temple in Guwahati, Assam. An adobe for Goddess of puberty called as Khamakya Devi which is one of the 52 Shakti peetas and she is famously known as Bleeding Goddess. Men are conditionally not allowed in this temple for certain reasons.
What are you supposed to eat?
If you ever had a girlfriend and been with her during her periods, you would understand how savage she can turn. From a pretty girl to she hulk, with different mood swings and her food cravings but restricted to certain foods only. As a guy one could be confused upon what to do and how to respond?
Well the way periods occur vary woman to woman, some have stomach cramps, hormonal imbalance leading to an irregular cycle, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or a post-menstrual syndrome. The syndromes have symptoms like sudden depression, anxiety, mood swings and food cravings. These have gotten aggravated due to lifestyle changes, including dietary habits. So act accordingly, for a safe side let's follow a typical diet plan a woman should follow for replenishing her body with benefits of good food at this crucial times.
According to our ancestors different diets are followed in different regions, relatively it varies from cold to hot regions. But considering the statistics, over 80% women in urban areas have more menstrual problems than their counterparts in rural areas who hardly have any products like sanitary pads in their households. More than 70% of women in rural areas use traditional methods during the cycle to deal with bleeding by using their clothes or bleeding in secluded huts a way of giving back to earth. Though urban people have much hygienic options, yet 50% of them suffer during this period compared to the rural counterparts who believe menstrual cycle as a gift of nature and we have to deal with it naturally. Thus food plays a vital role in it.
In order to strengthen and to calm down the cramps, fresh fruits and vegetables are recommended as well as oil-rich nuts like peanuts, flax seeds, etc. All over India, millets are consumed during this time as it is nutritious. In southern parts of the country, it is consumed in the form of broth and millet balls, and in north its is eaten in the form of a chapati.
List of foods to prefer on basis of their effect on body.
Foods that have cooling effect:
Aloevera
Apple
Grapes
Mosambi
Buttermilk
Ragi
Watermelon
Water
Turmeric
Foods that have heating effect:
Chicken
Fish
Eggs
Papaya
Ghee
Custard Apple
Flaxseeds
Jaggery
Tea
Have it according to the region you are living.
How should a man should respond?
We often come across many restrictions to women when in menstruation like they are not allowed to go out, secluded, not recommended to do any physical activity or work. They are supposed to sit and do whatever they like by themselves. In addition to these restrictions a when a girl attains puberty for the first time, it's a celebration in India, especially in south India where people are invited to bless her and a feast is thrown to the crowd.
Well in olden days there were no weekends and weekoffs, women used to work 24X7 throughout the year serving husband, kids and family. So the elders decided to give them 4-5 days rest every month during their periods as it's vital for them to take rest at such times. This is the time when she spends time with herself and learn a lot or do things that she likes. During her periods the elder woman of the family is known to teach her about how to live a better life and how to take care of her family. But there are few cultures were women are treated a untouchables and shut down in huts as they are cursed by Gods during her periods. This is a wrong practice.
So the main learning here is one should let the woman to rest in her periods and help her in managing stuff. One should not see her different from normal since it's a natural occurance. The irony is, people hardly realise women are gifted with a natural detox system compared to men and yet most of the women feel embarrased about their periods. As a man make them feel normal, care for them and be happy about it because this is one of the vital reasons you are born. Be with them when they need you.
Crux
Let her be free and make her feel normal. It's her nature to bleed and we should respect her. And if you are a woman who is reading this I ask you to just embrace this natural gift and be proud of yourself.
The major source of information is from many sources but especially from the well known Ted speaker and activist Siphu Joseph's speeches and book. Click here to buy her book.
Disclaimer: The article might contain few affliate links that take you to the products I recommend you to buy at no extra cost but I get a commission for what you buy from the merchant.
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