Today I will talk about Periods and this blog post is not just limited to female readers. As the name suggests this blog is actually for men. I won’t exactly teach what are periods or menstruation or bleeding or monthlies; but, just a few things that men should understand and know about the periods.
Women can still read this blog and please let me know in the comment section if you disagree with anything that I mention.
So, here are those few things men should know
1: Know about the Periods
Men will wonder, why they should know about the periods or what this has to do with them. Well, it’s something every man should know about. They have so many uneducated assumptions and perceptions about it, but they know nothing about periods.
It’s normal vaginal bleeding that occurs monthly in women during 12-50 years (can also start before that) of age (except during pregnancy). According to my friend Erica, periods are not just 3-4 days a month, but hormonal fluctuation can go throughout the month.
2: Don’t joke about it
One thing I don’t understand is why men joke about it. It’s no laughing matter. Women go through excruciating pain during periods and according to a study by the University of London, periods are even more painful than a heart attack.
Men who laugh about it or make fun of women on periods, can you take monthly heart attacks? You don’t know what women go through during 7 days, so kindly be more respectful.
3: It’s not a disease
Another important thing men should understand is that periods are not a disease. I don’t know from where this perception started that periods are a disease and it’s spreadable but in reality, menstruation is a natural monthly cycle and it’s a sign of good health.
4: Women don’t become impure during periods
This perception is very common in my country. Some old folks are carrying this idea and passing this to the next generation and it’s going on and on. I wonder how women become impure or unholy during periods. Women are stopped to enter the kitchen and food will become unholy if they cook during menstruation is another such misconception.
I don’t know where this idea started, but it needs to be changed. Try to pass on proper information about periods rather than following some old belief.
5: It should not be a taboo subject
Many people are afraid to talk about it, they consider it a taboo subject, but should it be a taboo? People are comfortable abusing in public, but they don’t want to talk about something like menstruation.
No offense but the older generation made it a taboo and we are still following it. Men don’t want to be a part of this conversation and this is why women don’t want to talk about it with them. People call menstruation “those days” because they refrain from calling it with a proper name and they don’t want to talk about it. This mentality needs to change.
6: It’s okay to talk about periods
I think that it’s okay to talk about periods, especially with women. This is one of the ways to know more about it. My bestie was very comfortable talking about menstruation with me rather than her brothers. One of the reasons was; I made her comfortable sharing with me. I never thought I should know more about it, but such conversation made me more respectful towards women and menstruation.
But, by talking about it doesn’t mean, you go on straight and ask about periods from women. Many women are introvert about such conversations, but if they trust you, you can talk with them. I have talked to 4-5 women for this blog post and they helped me unhesitatingly.
7: Periods it’s not the same for everyone
According to fellow blogger Preetverse, she experiences terrible pain for 2-3 days, she still manages to do her regular work during this and tries to ignore the cramp, and that’s what most women do. Some women may experience heavy flow while some may get normal flow. Many women have mood swings, while others tolerate the pain silently. What I am trying to say is, that different women may feel it differently, so men have to understand that there is no fixed pattern to this. Periods can be very unpredictable. Pain can be worse than the last time and can occur at any time.
Also, you will find that there are various food that provides some relief during a period of cramps, but it’s not necessary that it will work with everyone. Erica told me about how a complete plant-based diet stops the pain, but she also mentioned that it’s not necessarily the same for everyone.
Men need to understand that what they are seeing with one person, could be completely opposite for others.
8: A little more support would be better
This is the most important thing needed from men. Women around you could be having agonizing pain, so don’t make things more difficult for them by being an ignoramus. If you can manage things on your own, then it’s good, if not be polite about it. Also, you may see sudden emotional shifts in women, so learn to handle it decently.
Cooking food is not a bad option, it won’t hurt your manliness. Remember, your mother/sister/wife, or friend do it for you daily, you can at least help them 3-4 days a month. If you can’t cook, then get it from outside.
I hope these 8 things were easy to understand, if not then read again or ask in the comment section.
Special thanks to Erica (IG- @eridoesgreen), Preetverse, and a few other friends for providing all the valuable information.
Before I end this blog, I have a special message to share, as it is 8th March off-course:
Instead of wishing a happy women’s day, it would be much better if you could make things around women happy.
Hey you can use these gift suggestions for Women’s day
Until next time, don’t forget to smile.
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