#Periods #NoShame
Despite being a phenomenon unique to girls, this has always been surrounded by secrecy and myths in many societies.Taboos surrounding menstruation exclude women from many aspects of social and cultural life. Some of these have potentially harmful implications.

Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to girls. Men and boys typically know even less, but it is important for them to understand menstruation so they can support their wives, daughters, mothers, students, employees, and peers.

However, it has always been surrounded by taboos and myths that exclude women from many aspects of socio-cultural life. In India, the topic has been a taboo until date.

Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact on girls’ and women's emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health. 
Culturally in many parts of India, menstruation is still considered to be dirty and impure.

However, scientifically it is known that the actual cause of menstruation is ovulation followed by missed chance of pregnancy that results in bleeding from the endometrial vessels and is followed by preparation of the next cycle.

Menstruating girls and women are restricted from offering prayers and touching holy books. In some cultures, women bury their cloths used during menstruation to prevent them being used by evil spirits.

Large numbers of girls in many less economically developed countries drop out of school when they begin menstruating. This includes over 23% of girls in India. There are health and hygiene issues also to consider relating to girls and menstruation.

Over 77% of menstruating girls and women in India use an old cloth, which is often reused. Further, 88% of women in India sometimes resort to using ashes, newspapers, dried leaves and husk sand to aid absorption.

Young girls often grow up with limited knowledge of menstruation because their mothers and other women shy away from discussing the issues with them. 
In Delhi, there are an estimated 132 public toilets for women, only 8% the number of the 1534 for men.

Menstruation is nothing but a very normal biological phenomenon, and adolescent girls and women should understand that they have the power of procreation only because of this virtue.
Cc @NCBI
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