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Debunking 10 Global Myths About Periods

By Aanya Aggarwal

1. United States: Many people believe that swimming in the ocean during your period will attract sharks. In reality, research shows that swimming while menstruating does not increase your risk of a shark attack!
2. India: Menstruating girls are told they will spoil pickles if they touch them. However, pickles don't rot from a period touch, though it's an interesting superstition.
3. Japan: Women are told they can't make good sushi on their period. But periods don't affect your cooking skills, so if you make good sushi you can still make good sushi while menstruating (and if you don't, I'm really sorry, your skills don't really improve either).
4. Nepal: Menstruating women must stay in huts because they're considered impure. This happens in many cultures, but it is important to remember that periods are safe and natural.
5. Bolivia: People believe that burning used pads can cause illness or infertility through the smoke. While burning pads does produce smoke, it won't harm your health.
6. Italy: Women on their period ruin dough, plants, or sauces when cooking. Just like in the Japanese myth, periods don't affect food or plants.
7. Parts of Africa: Women on their periods can make crops die. However, menstruation doesn't affect plants.
8. Argentina: Making mayonnaise while menstruating makes it curdle. Again, I must emphasize this, your period does not affect your ability to cook food. The mayonnaise probably curdles because you are doing something wrong.
9. Russia: Women on their period shouldn't water plants. Remember, anyone can water plants, your period won't change that, because periods are natural, and they do not affect how another living being grows.
10. Papua New Guinea: Period blood is spiritually dangerous. Menstruation isn't harmful or dangerous, it's just biology.