Menstruation is not unfamiliar to female friends, and there is a lot of knowledge about menstrual health on the internet, but most of it has not been verified. Below, the editor will introduce several common misconceptions about menstrual health.
Misconception 1: You cannot get pregnant during menstruation
Dr. Carol stated that although it is unlikely for women to get pregnant during their period, there is no absolute impossibility when it comes to pregnancy. Sperm can survive in a woman's body for up to a week, so if they encounter an egg, fertilization can occur. Some women ovulate during their period, so the chances of getting pregnant are high. Therefore, relying solely on the "safe period" method for contraception is not necessarily safe.
Misconception 2: Massaging the waist can relieve menstrual pain
Many women habitually massage their waist during their period to alleviate the soreness. However, this is a mistake. Gynecologists point out that the soreness in the waist during menstruation is caused by pelvic congestion. Massaging the waist at this time can further increase pelvic congestion and worsen the soreness. In addition, massaging the waist during menstruation is not conducive to the healing of the uterine endometrial shedding, leading to increased bleeding and prolonged menstruation.
Misconception 3: Menstrual pain does not require medical attention
Most women have experienced menstrual pain, which does not necessarily indicate poor health. Sometimes even doctors are helpless against it. However, if the menstrual pain is more severe than ever before, and the symptoms exceed what you can tolerate, and medication does not work, you must go to the hospital for examination as you may have endometriosis.
Misconception 4: Resting is more important than exercise during menstruation
Intense exercise can indeed exacerbate discomfort, especially exercises that increase abdominal pressure, such as weightlifting and dumbbells. However, gentle exercises like stretching, walking, or moderate household chores can promote blood circulation, relax muscles, and allow menstrual blood to flow smoothly.
Misconception 5: Using shower gel to clean the genitals
During menstruation, the genitals are prone to odor, especially in summer. However, it is not healthy to use shower gel to clean the genitals during bathing or repeatedly wash the genitals with hot water, as it can easily cause genital infections and itching. The female vagina is slightly acidic on normal days, which can inhibit bacterial growth. However, during menstruation, the vagina becomes more alkaline, reducing its resistance to bacteria and making it more susceptible to infection. Therefore, it is necessary to choose specialized vaginal cleansers, especially during menstruation.
Misconception 6: Chocolate can treat menstrual pain
The belief that chocolate can treat menstrual pain is widely spread among women, but gynecologists believe that this belief has no scientific basis. In fact, indulging in chocolate and sweets during the menstrual period cannot eliminate premenstrual syndrome. Instead, it can destabilize blood sugar levels and worsen symptoms of discomfort during the menstrual period.
