What Every Boy and Girl Should Know About Menstrual Cycle Part-2 By Dr. Anu Mehta

2. Did you wish your first experience around
menstruation (the way you got the information)
was different?
• Some were aware about mensuration but not aware about the
stomach ache due to mensuration
• Some said, that they wished that they had a session for it in school,
which was only for girls, maybe if they included the boys also, it
would be less awkward to deal with periods while in school.

4. How/What did you come to know about
menstruation?
• Most told about who informed
them
• Most were informed by mother or
school or religious classes or sibling
or a friend or research on the
internet.
• Its connected with bleeding
through the vagina
• There will be blood from the vagina
because uterus is cleaning itself
• Some had seen mother bleed while
taking bath with them when they
were children.
• Some though it was a worse thing
happen to women
• At age of 9 years of age, one saw
whisper advertisement and asked
what is whisper then was when she
was explained about menstrual
cycle and
• Some said it was something to be
hidden. A lot of hiding about it.
That it is something that happens
to women. Shouldn’t tell men
about this. It is a secret.
• reproduction

6. How/What did you come to know about
menstruation?
• Menstruation was inconvenient and became painful in her mid teens
because of menstruating because she was suffering from endometriosis,
it was scary that I was going to for all of my life.
• It was a way of my body clearing impurities
• It is to complete a women
• Some said that a woman bleeds every month and it’s something that
happens. And one cannot help it. Just something to deal with and
maintaining hygiene is important.
• Happens to all girls and a transition from childhood to adulthood
• Some said that all women get it. its natural. Nothing to worry about

8. Reaction of your parents/guardian towards
your period?,
• Many parents gave feelers that this
happens, and reaction ranged from
being nuetral, indifferent, no
reaction, happy, supporting,
protective and comforting
• One was told to stay away from
kitchen and temple
• Not supporting at all and like I did
something wrong and like it's dirty
thing that has happened to me
• They asked to keep it in secrets and
also it was something to worry
about that daughter is grown up
and now need to be protected.
• My dad did not say anything. My
mom said it meant I was a woman.
• They look at me as i had make
something wrong
• My mom promptly called all her
family and announced it. I was
excruciatingly embarrassed at that
time.

20. Duration of heavy bleeding, if yes.
• Ranged from one day to 15 days

34. How did your life change after you got your
menstruation?
• Nothing changed
• more aware about my sexuality
• Life is quite hard during periods.
• Became more reserved, less
physical activity, gain weight
• I was shy for long time for my body
changes
• Got weakness, pain, loose motions
and vomiting during those days.
Totally uncomfortable.
• Sometimes used to be very painful
which is not now, so it used to limit
me. Also certain elders used to say
can’t go to temple or touch
something so used to feel annoyed.
• Just got to know the real meaning
of gender discrimination
• always feel like excluding those
menstrual days every month.
• It was carefree life before I got
mensuration but now it's like you
have to remember the last
menstrual date.

36. How did your life change after you got your
menstruation?
• Its caused a mental pressure of
keeping in mind the dates and keep
sanitary pad along with
• Parents were more protective
• Feeling matured, like a grown up,
felt feminine, aware, shy, mental
changes, more alert, mature and
sensitive to women's issues
• Migraine, cramps, and mood
swings
• Dad had to be nicer to me as I was
now entering womanhood
• 5 years ago, I, have suffered from
endometriosis .. it is a sever pain
during period in uterus and joints. I
hate period so much because of
this pain. I took medications 3
months then I did EFT and Meta-
Health sessions .. it is cured by 90
% now..

38. What's your personal view on menstruation?
• It's a very important, normal process
aspect in every girls life. a gift from God. A
natural way of body releasing uterine
lining and detoxing your body. It is a
mostly harmless biological process. It's a
natural cycle for women, just like penile
erections are for men
• However a lot of women do face a lot of
pain, stress, discomfort etc. which makes it
difficult to continue with a normal life
those particular days.
• Our Society needs to be sensitized towards
education, awareness about it. Wish it
could be be pain-free. Should be accepted
without stigma
• Indifferent. Don't mind having them, won't
mind getting done with them.
• It is good for our health to have healthy
periods. First day is painful, annoying and
uncomfortable. And next 2 days, I don't
feel very energetic. So, for me, its not the
best time of the month
• Menstruation is a release. I feel good
when I have my periods and when they
are regular. It’s good way to washout
waste from body
• Initially it was like a disease but now it's
like a part of my life
• A monthly cycle to tell you are not
pregnant
• It's a good process that takes place to a
women, assured her that she is a lady,
It's a good relief the person will be able to
become a mother and associated with
reproduction

39. What's your personal view on menstruation?
• my views have changed drastically
since I grew up, shifted from
disposable pads to tampons (to
fight rashes I was getting to the
pads) to the menstrual cup.
• It's a good process that takes place
to a women, assured her that she
is a lady, It's a good relief the
person will be able to become a
mother and associated with
reproduction. A monthly cycle to
tell you are not pregnant
• It's a small price you pay for being
a woman , but then you also enjoy
so many other conveniences here
in India , being a woman ...
• Sickness
• Menstruation is a natural
phenomena for any female body.
One should live and accept is
happily , and also be open and
frank about troubles or issues
related to it with the near and dear
one , and doctors off course. No
taboo about it should be
encourage

41. What do you think, how menstruation is
viewed in the society?
• Still a taboo, unaddressed, unspoken
about, a problem, a stigma, fearful,
uncomfortable, unacknowledged,
connected with untouchablility ,
awkward, dirty, gender bias, something
unclean, connected with pain, weakness,
shame and secracy in most societies, a
secret. Even in educated households.
• Disease and linked with superstition and
still governed by restrictive ideologies.
• A sin given to women for her bad deeds
• It is a taboo in most of the societies
and people do not treat women
the way it is required and also to
take more care of women during
this phase and help them and
women are treated badly
• Now people are quite open to
discuss about it
• Some men take care of their
women

53. If men should be more sensitive to this topic,
if 'YES' then in what way?
• Education on the menstruation has to
be introduced like scientifically
through seminars and awareness
talks, education at school, through
social media will make men will be
able to accept it as a natural process
and be more sensitive, aware, caring,
comforting, understanding,
responsible, supportive, respectful,
aware of mood swings and pain
women endures during their periods.
Men will stop viewing this natural
process as a unrealistic ritual and
become aware of bodily
transformation and that it is has a
physiological function and
metaphysical function. It can do away
with indifferent and demanding
attitude towards women.
• Men will become more aware of
changes in the women’s physical
body and emotional changes and that
it is not in women's control and that it
is not disgusting. They will keep a
good check on their wife, daughter,
sister and mother health thus will be
able to help her with her personal
hygiene. They will understand that
this is a normal process and be
empathetic towards her instead of
making fun off. Men will learn to be
more gentle and empathatic, more
tender toward women’s emotional,
mental and physical needs.

54. If men should be more sensitive to this topic,
if 'YES' then in what way?
• PMS is a real thing, period pains
are a real thing and some women
don't get either and some are at
the extreme receiving end. Accept
this, all of the humanity exists
because of this, it's not impure, it's
not a sickness or disease, it's not
made up. Your Grandmother,
mother, sister, girlfriends, friends,
wife, daughter all of them go
through this in their lives, be their
man, understand and support
them. Take care of them coz they
take care of you all the time
• They have not been provided with
information hence don't
understand mood swings for their
mothers and spouse

59. (Sex during periods) If 'NO' then why?
• Due to the pain and discomfort
caused by the period
• Uncomfortable, unhygienic, just too
messy, dirty , uncomfortable,
disgusting, sometimes easy source for
transfer of any infectious disease
• Even if it's technically ok to do so,
personally I would not like to engage
in sexual activity during period
because I do not want a need of
period blood in bed and also would
not mind some touch me not time
during period
• At least the first 2 days when there is
heavy flow sex should be avoided as it
would get very dirty
• No sex during periods as I bleed & my
husband understands the same.
• I don’t like sex
• No because it’s time to clean and release
• The body feels tired and I'm in pain so I
would just want to rest during those days
• Periods is a good time for a woman to relax.
During periods hygiene is a priority which
can be overruled by dumbness of people. I
believe sex during periods is okay if and
only if we use condoms and sex should not
be very forceful and wild.
• That’s what l was taught by my mother

60. (Sex during periods) If 'YES' then why?
• It’s fun
• It's a natural process and shall not
affect our lives in any way
• t's a normal phenomena to have sex
whether periods or not...it doesn't
matter
• I don’t think so it will be a problem
• If partners are fine with the flow of
blood & maintain hygiene, it is fine. I
feel women have a strong sexual urge
when on period.
• Forbidden in Islam and for the hygiene
• Honestly, if the man is okay with it, I
am ok with it too.
• I feel sexual urge before and during
periods
• Naturally there is urge to have sex
• Why not.! Sexual desires are on a high
and it's a safe time for unprotected
sex without the fear of pregnancy
• Well I, don't see any harm in having
sex during periods... Personal choice
• As long as it's protected, like there's
no chance of STDs or any effects it's
cool na
• Sex without birth control measures is
possible

64. What do you know about menopause?
• Don’t get periods, menstrual cycle stops
and end of the reproductive cycle and
become infertile around the age of 40+,
45,50-60 as one stops producing eggs
accompanied by hormonal changes and
mood swings.
• The age when a woman's hormones
change and periods slow down and
eventually stop. After which, she can
cannot conceive a baby.
• Menopause is when women stop having
periods and go through hormonal
changes. There is no ovulation
• Some women become nervous
• Thankfully periods will stop coming some
day
• Once number of eggs present in female
get over they stop to have menstruation
• Your fertility is low and your can’t
procreate. Hormonal changes, mood
swings.
• I am in the menopause stage. It means
one is free from mensuration
• It happens when the eggs in the uterus
are over.
• Pre-menopause symptoms also can cause
discomfort or some females undergo
physical changes too. Next mile stone in a
women’s life with loads of changes
• You don't buy further sanitary napkins !
You learn to age gracefully... Your views
suddenly start getting more attention and
respect too !

68. What do you know about white discharge?
• Yes, It's normal and is related to the
reproductive cycle to secretion of body to
keep the vagina lubricated
• No
• Some amount is normal when one reaches
puberty and before periods but smelly or
yellow discharge is abnormal
• Just that its some sort of infection.
• It is the natural mucus that keeps vagina
healthy, can get infected
• White discharge comes when I have great
sexual urge and during ovulation. But if it is so
immense with foul smell and continues for
longer period... It maybe due to infection.
that comes between 12 to 14 days after you
got your periods
• It normally happens in an orgasm.... but it
might be symptom of some infection if it is
smelly
• White discharge is estrogen female hormone.
• It's just pass on
• It’s due to hormonal changes
• Happens with everyone
• Its related to the spleen & liver's energy (prana)
• White discharge is normal but if it's staining yellow
with smell then it needs treatment
• Its not common
• If the white discharge is with irritation then it can be
an infection or else it can be mucous which is normal.
White discharge can occur even after sex.
• Not healthy.
• If it's smelly , itchy and makes your pants wet , get it
treated , if not so , it's normal and natural, as no part
of the body that opens outside is ever totally dry .
• t texture and quantity changes based on the cycle