Health and Hygiene

Women's health in the world is one of the crucial issues that are being dealt with by governments and non-governmental organizations. 64.7% of women in the world [1] are currently within the menstrual age, and majority of them do not have access to clean environments or safe products. Despite this being unique to girls, menstruation has always been surrounded with myths in many societies, including India. Indian women are generally more subjected to these taboos in rural areas, where 73% of the poor live [2], and where education levels are lower as well.

Taboos and myths about menstruation impact girls' and women's emotional state, mental and physical health as well as lifestyle. The challenge of addressing the socio-cultural taboos and beliefs about menstruation is further compounded by ignorance about puberty, menstruation and reproductive health.

Some of the taboos in India as it relates to menstruating females are:

1. They are considered impure, dirty, and contaminated during menstruation

2. They are not allowed to enter places of worship, and are restricted from offering prayers and touching holy books

3. They are not allowed to sleep during the day, bathe, wear flowers, talk loudly, or touch anybody

4.They are not allowed to enter the kitchen, cook, or prepare any meals.

Due to these regressive ideologies, the growth and development of women has been severely restricted. In a study [3] conducted in 2013, 62% of females were unaware of the reasons for menstruation. The role of the health sector in providing information regarding menstruation was minimal as only a few women (1.5%) had received information from a health worker. Only 28.8% of women were using sanitary napkins and of those who did not use napkins, only one-fourth (25.3%) were willing to buy them.

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. Over 77% of menstruating girls and women in India use an old cloth, which is often reused without proper disinfection. Furthermore, 88% of women in India resort to using ashes, newspapers, dried leaves and husk sand to aid absorption. Lack of openness about menstruation makes them believe in the above ideologies, which has the followingimplications:

1. Missing school or dropping out altogether

2. Lack of support system within the community

3. Limited knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices

4. Health problems like Anemia, Leucorrhea and other 5.sexually transmitted diseases due to improper menstrual hygiene practices

Periods still a taboo in Indian society: TISS study

Eight of ten Indian girls are not allowed to enter religious shrines when they are on their period; six of ten girls said they are not allowed to touch food in the kitchen, and 3 of 10 are asked to sleep in a separate room.

That menstruation taboos still have firm roots in Indian society was revealed in a study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

Funded by the UNICEF and published in the British Medical Journal, the study tried to find out how much access adolescent girls have to menstrual hygiene in India.

The study used data about 97,070 girls collected by 138 earlier studies on menstrual practices in India, between the years 2000 and 2015.

“India prides itself as a young nation, but these results show religious taboos and restrictions faced by girls are very common. None of these restrictions have any scientific backing,” said professor Sivakami from TISS’ School of Health System Studies.

Sivakami, who was a co-author of the study with researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK, said the findings suggest scientific knowledge about mensuration among girls is inadequate. The study also found that half of all adolescent girls part of the study had no idea about menstruation when they got their first period.

Activists fighting gender discrimination said such restrictions imposed on women during their periods have become so common that they are now accepted as social norms.

“There is a mindset that women are impure especially during her periods. The most disturbing thing is women themselves believe that. I know women who don’t enter mandirs in their own homes,” said Trupti Desai, founder of the Bhumata Brigade that successfully broke the ban on entry of women into the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharasthra’s Ahmednagar.

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Menstrual Taboo

A menstrual taboo is any social taboo concerned with menstruation. In some societies it involves menstruation being perceived as unclean or embarrassing. Many traditional religions consider menstruation ritually unclean.

Many religions like Hinduism, Islam or Judaism etc. Believe that women are impure during her mensuration periods and not allowed to make physical relation with men. Even in Hinduism women are not allowed to do the daily household jobs. They are not allowed to go in kitchen also, whereas in Islam woman is not allowed to offer prayer or to perform other religious activities such as fasting or circumambulating the Kaaba, etc. This is in accordance with the law of the uncleanliness of any blood. Sexual intercourse with the husband is strictly prohibited during menstrual periods. However, she can perform all other acts of social life as normal. Unlike the above religion in Sikhism, a woman is given equal status to man and is regarded as pure as man is. The Gurus teach that one cannot be pure by washing his body but purity of mind is the real pureness. Guru Nānak, the founder of Sikhism, condemned the practice of treating women as impure while menstruating. In Sikhism, the menstrual cycle is not considered a pollutant. The Guru makes it very clear that the menstrual cycle is a God-given process. All blood, even that in men, has originated from menstrual blood. The blood of a woman is required for the creation of any human being. So it cannot be impure.

Why people don’t want to talk about it ?

Why it is awkward?      

Many religions believe that,“Menstrual blood is impure, bad blood”.

Menstrual blood in ancient times was considered highly powerful and potent. It was used in many rituals and especially in making magic potions. Even today, anything that is red in color used in ceremonies is apparently indicative of the ancient ritual of using menstrual blood.

The other reason I came across was that menstruating women become open to receiving and absorbing energy during this time. This means, they can easily absorb other’s energies, including negative energies. Hence, they are asked to stay away from crowds and gatherings

“Menstruating women should not enter temples or participate in religious ceremonies”

 

 

Why Female Condom is still a Taboo in India

Talking about Sex and Condoms is still a big TABOO in India. Due to conservative societies in Indian Culture, almost in all religions people have lack of knowledge about Sex & Stds.

One reason could be what I believe is only man holds the responsibility & decision maker of using precautions & planning in India.

I personally talk to many women about using Female Condoms and other issues about STDs . I realized, they only know about HIV and AIDS, but unaware and showed me blank faces on many other Sexual Transmitted Diseases. They don’t have any knowledge about it.

Malini, a housewife45yrs age, says shockingly , "I have  never heard about Female Condoms, what the hell is this !!!! " .

Pratigya , a 25 yrs old corporate employee says  she has heard about it but never ever tried it, and confesses that she  even doesn't  know how to use it.

I spoke to almost all age groups from Rural to Urban and concluded that even if they know about it they still will not to buy it from the market. Its simply too embarrassing for most females here . Buying condom for themselves  is still a taboo for most of them ....

According to Condom Manufacturers- Female condom has been launched a decade ago but finding market for female condom is a great challenge for them in countries like India. It will take years to change the social mindset and preconceived notions in our society.

Prices are also a concern as compared to male condom; female condom price is a bit high. It is expensive besides being a  little complicated to use properly.

Many Govt. & Non Govt. organization and NGO are working to promote female condoms. The Reason for that is not difficult to understand . Indian Society is a Male Dominating Society and male is the only decision maker who decides whether he wants to use Condom or not . Many males still like to believe that use of condoms reduces sexual pleasure ( some women also share this view , though may not openly voice their opinion out of shyness ) . This is just a myth or mindset , and it grossly undermines the importance of condoms as an important tool to prevent STD and AIDS besides unwanted pregnancies .

Yes, I am not denying on the fact that there are other Precautionary methods  open like contraceptive pills and Copper- T but they can only reduce the chances of getting pregnant  but on the other hand there are  still chances of  getting  affected by STDs as listed below:-

Bacterial Vaginosis ( BV) – BV is virginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria. It can be spread through both sexual or non- sexual contact.

Herpes- There is no cure of Herpes, but certain meds can shorten and prevent outbreaks when taken regularily. 

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Genital Wards- HPV is the most common STD and at least 50%  of sexually active people will get it at some time in their lives. 

Trichomoniasis- Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STI. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Chancroid- Chancroid is a bacterial STI that causes painful ulcers or sores in the genital region.

Hepatitis- There are several kinds of Hepatitis, but Hepatitis B is the one most likely to be transmitted sexually.

HIV/AIDS- The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus that causes Accuried Immune Deficiency Syndrome. 

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)- LGV is fairly uncommon but it is most often spread through unprotected anal sex.

Molluscum Contagiosum- Molluscum Contagiosum is caused by a virus and usually go away on its own within a year even without treatment. 

Mucopurulent Cervicitis (MPC)-  MPC is caused by other STDs such as Chlyamydia or Gonorrhea and may be treatment with antibiotics.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)- PID is caused by bacteria, which often stem from another STD such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

SpyHills- If caught early, syphilis can be treated and cured easily with a round of antibiotics.

Chlamydia- Most people with Chlamydia don’t have any symptoms, but those who do might have unusual genital discharge and/or pain and burning when urinating. Women may also have lower back or abdominal pain, nausea, pain during sex, or bleeding after sex and/or between periods.

Treatment

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Some antibiotics can cure it in just one dose, while others may need to be used for seven days. If you’ve been treated, your partner(s) should get tested and/or treated, too. And you should wait seven days or until you and your partner(s) finish the antibiotics (whichever is longer) before having sex again. This is to make sure you don’t spread the infection.

Gonorrhea-Many people with gonorrhea don’t have any symptoms. Those who do might notice unusual discharge from the penis or vagina and/or pain or difficultly peeing. Men may have swelling in their testicles and women may bleed in between periods. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause infertility without ever showing symptoms. It can also spread to the blood and joints.

Treatment

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, usually given in a single dose. If you’re being treated, your partner should be tested too. You should also wait until you and your partner(s) finish your treatment and until your symptoms disappear (if you have them) before you start having sex again. This is to make sure you don’t spread the infection.

 

The female condom protects against pregnancy. It also protects against infections spread during sexual contact, including HIV. 
These condoms fit inside the vagina. The condom has a ring on each end.

• The ring that is placed inside the vagina fits over the cervix and covers it with the rubber material.
• The other ring is open. It rests outside of the vagina and covers the vulva.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?
The female condom is about 75% - 82% effective with normal use. When used correctly all of the time, female condoms are 95% effective.

So all Women precautions is now in your hands too. Make the best use of it.