Those painful days…O Womaniya!!

Red was my favourite colour, yes when I was small about four to five years I always wanted everything bright and dark..Red. I remember I had red dress, red shoes, red purse even red night dress.

As I grew up, all of the sudden red was not that favourite for me. It turned into colour of pain, colour of suffering, some sort of inability, or say sort of binding. I was not allowed to play, not allowed to attend any religious functions, wasn’t allowed to go new places. I couldn’t go to friends place to stay overnight.

There was sort of uncomfort, followed by frequent visits to washroom just to check. I stopped enjoying my visits to play ground lost interest in sports when I missed my interschool competitions. These four days were not much spoke about, I remember we used speak in sign language or code language with friends or even mumma in public places.

I don’t know how many mothers or elders explain this to their daughters but I was not told about this till I actually learned this in standard tenth in my biology lesson. Where I understood it was something because of which women can be a mother. Comparatively I see girls or parents more vocal about menstrual cycle these days.

Some think it’s a boon to the women, who is more trusted by nature for reincarnation.

Going some years back and looking at those four days of menstrual cycles in a cultured but orthodox society, women were asked to sit or stay alone in part of house, specially made for them to use in those days called menstrual huts. It was period when she was not allowed to touch anything and anybody around. She was given this time to rest, with some work possible in that room. She was not allowed to cook, enter the place of prayer.  She sat in a dark room, without even having bath. She was provided food in different utensils, which she had to clean and keep in same room.

I felt very humiliated when this happened with me when there was some religious function at my place and I was actually asked to catch a corner of my house. Even I was asked to leave my house and stay at my neighbours place as menstrual was not considered good or say not pure attending the religious event. I remember I cried a lot shouted at my mother to treat me like that, but she had no choice than to follow it.

I had an opportunity to hear Ayurvedic doctor, some year’s back who shared list of things lady should follow during her menstrual.

Ayurveda explains some of the old methods followed were not insane or unscientific.

First and most important ayurveda looks at menstruations a purification process for women like detox process. It’s only the natural advantage that women have.

While not all period facts and myths can be explained, in general the rules in menstruation are meant to help you lead happier and healthier life at this time of month.

• Physical exertion-Do not exercise too much, we live in age where we want to prove that our energy and capabilities are just as good as man. Sanitary napkins advertisements encourage you to jump, exercise and play all sports especially in these days celebrating the spirit of womanhood.

Fact: During period you lose lot of blood and are physically weak and less active mentally. Loss of blood leads to release of heat in your body. Exercising and leading active life at this time requires more blood circulation and leads to generation of heat, which is counterproductive. It is suggested to take rest to get rid of cramps and discomforts. Mild exercise is appreciated which will help you reduce cramps. Listen to your body needs.

• Hygiene- Ayurveda does not suggest head bath and cleaning yourself with cold water during this time, but   of course suggests to follow hygiene. Make sure you bath from head to toe on fourth day. This doesn’t mean you are dirty because of menstruation, actually the idea behind has to do more with body heat.

Fact: First three days body is more into releasing heat while the discharging the blood. Having head bath or cleaning yourself with cold water during menstruation may interfere with the natural detox process. Head bath on fourth day culminates the cooling process that body began when you start menstruating.

• Diet: You avoid pickle, spicy food and go for more of plain, and  simple food which is easy to digest. It is suggested to eat freshly cooked, warm food as well as follow the time of having it.

Fact: Women experience decreased appetite and eat lesser these days, as their internal digesting fire is low at this time. Menstruation is sometimes characterised by symptoms like heaviness, constipation or diarrhea, hence easy and digestible food is suggested. Further you need to understand your body type and have food accordingly. What is your body type, vata, kafha or pitha. 

• Sleep: It was suggested to sleep on thin mats and not on fluffy comfortable mattress. It is also suggested to avoid sleeping during day and sleep early before 10 a.m.
Facts: Getting adequate  rest, and sleeping as well as waking up regularly at same time, helps rejunuvate , nourish the agni and restore the strength. Talking about the sleeping on mats helps in ease on back and lower limbs, which are affected during menstruation.

These practices are believed to prevent hormonal disorders and symptoms of menopause and help manage pre menstrual stress, all of which are highly prevalent for women’s body today. It also enables the birth of healthy child.

Many other things like not attending religious function etc was followed may be for the reason to take more rest as such functions are exhaustingAlso earlier the temples were far on the hill tops and one has to travel thru dense  forests,there were wild animals who could easily smell  women during menstruation, that was the reason she wasn't  allowed to go to temples.

I do not see logic of using same utensils and keeping it away from others, may be hygiene or  washing it would keep you busy for some time.

Currently I am living in a nuclear family, where I need rest especially in those days. I am fortunate, that I get a helping hand from my husband in these days in routine activities, taking care of my child, cooking and even cleaning the house, laundry etc. I get special attention, ready tea to ease my cramps and calm sleep, but not all of us are that lucky to have someone around us to take care. In such situation the system of menstrual huts sounds soothening to me. It is impossible for working women take leave and rest every month for four to five days. In such case what she can do is just to follow the routine of her food and sleep and stick to it.

None of us will condone or ignore any practice that harms women by compelling them into menstrual huts and solitary cramps. On the other hand if the practice encourages, energize and relax women to take better care of their health. I am all for it.