hello girls. i just want to know....

Hi Whistle, This is another new learning for me about menarche. Menarche is the term used to for the female's first menstruation. This is the start of female's fertility--and she can be pregnant but her reproductive system is not ready yet to bear a child. As far as my experience is concerned--when i had my first menstrual period, i was in school. I went home and told my mom about it. She asked me to jump three time so that my period will last for three days only. As i grew up i learned that it's myth...a misconception. The family was so happy entering a new phase in my life and mom gave me advises. My dad too even talked to me about healthy boy-girl relationships. It was not a nightmare for me. They were so supportive and communication was open. My dad and even my brothers were oriented about it and not ashamed to buy me nappies everytime i have my period. Though mine is irregular even up to now. I pity those girls in your place. But we can't do anything about it as it's part of your culture and practices.

Heh. Sounds like something out of Leviticus 'When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. " I didn't know anyone still practiced those old ways. Where I'm from they throw a box of pads at you and you're pretty much on your own. In some cultures period blood is considered as sacred.

Well, I think your girls are quite privileged to be spared the contact and the chores during their times of the month. In the states we are not that lucky to be left alone during what is for many an uncomfortable or even very painful several days. I think that being isolated is not the best thing but I know there are months where I wouldn't mind having the option. I think ritual is important and there are some legitimate things worth protecting girls from (ladies and women too!) so I think it is a question of taking the best parts of tradition and preserving them and letting some other parts go. It's all about balance. The diet of fruit is not only a good idea, it's kind of necessary as certain foods lessen the discomfort.

That's a different tradition but it must be really hard for the girl because it's her first time and no one there is to care for here but herself. But it is respected cause it is what you believe, but I think it should be changed for the betterment of teens in your place.

this sound like a horrible experiance!!! I would hope to never have to witness something like this! But understand that its your culture!!! I have heard of many storys from other countrys of riturals that take place for certain life experiances! Its part of life and they must do it!

no I do not have any. it is the modern times girl. we have nuclear science and all. most illnesses have cures. life is too short girl. enjoy it while it lasts.

That sure is alot of rules and some seem like torture but I guess depending on your culture as to what steps are taken during this time of the month.Here there are really no rules for this time of the month and you have freedom to do your everyday activities if you so choose to.I hope that you have a great day.

Where I am from, if you are on your cycle, it is just business as usual, except, going swimming can be a pain in the butt. I usually don't swim if it is that time of the month. I don't think that life stops just because you are on your cycle. My cycle will last four or five days, and I get headaches, and cramps, and all the other "fun stuff", but I just carry on like it's nothing. Even though a woman is on her cycle, she should still be able to do all of the things that she normally does. Again, life should not have to stop just because it's that time of the month. Oh, exercising is great for when it is that time of the month, it takes off some of the cramps. See, there are so many things for women when they are on their cycle these days that you have to be "confined to quarters" anymore. Pads, medications, tampons, foods and many different things can help make that time of the month a breeze. Oh, and if your cycle was like mine used to be, which was heavy, lasted six to seven days and sometimes happened twice a month, instead of once a month, birth control pills are wonderful for controlling that, but always consult a doctor first before taking them.

Oh my...that is very outdated thinking! I am reading a book on Neanderthal times and that is how they treated their women during their menstrual cycle. I would never have imagined that this practice would still be going on in this day and age. I live in the states. I am 54 yrs old and as a teen, I could do anything while having my period thanks to tampax. I think that treating a woman the way your country does is just cruel. Menstruation is a natural part of life and should not be treated as a disease or anything.

I don't see any reasons for them. Do you know what the reasons are? My poor daughter, her first time, came into my room crying because it hurt so bad and she was bleeding and she thought she had cancer. They taught her about this at school, but it wasn't anything like what she expected. Thank goodness I was there when it happened.

I have heard of some of those things before. In my country some people used to believe that a woman was dirty when she had her period and she wasn't allowed to cook. According to the superstition a woman would ruin the food if she cooked while she had her period. I have only heard about those things, because today most people don't believe in thoughts like that, and women usually continue with their normal activities when they have their period. Some women are in a lot of pain and have to stay in bed, but aside from that women don't have to change their plans or activities when they have their period.

Hello shibham, I respect every culture, every tradition because I believe that there is truth and meaning to everything. Here in our place though, a woman goes on with her usual daily routine even when she is menstruating. Some women have awful symptoms when they have their period so that also keeps them from doing what they usually do. Some women don't bathe too because they believe it's not healthy to take a bath while they have it. Many civilised people do not follow this because hygiene and grooming is also imprtant. I tend to skip some days because I don't feel comfortable when my body touches water so a sponge bath is all I can manage.

hello dear bhai, I missed this topic,and this is really interesting. Thu i know some tradition in your country (which i don't like,no offense meant my dear brother)but,i never thought that,girls were being treated in cruelty like this during their period. That time,women needs more care and attention from the family and not to be isolated for 5 days (without taking a bath,gosh,i just can't imagine how she smells and how uncomfortable it is) There is a scientific explanation for this matter. Menstruation is the first stage in a womanhood,it is the sign that,she is now developing into a full grown woman. And,period prepares her body for every changes (womanhood,into motherhood) During menstruation,extra hygiene is very much needed,so,instead of isolating her and letting her sleep on earth,she needs more clean and be cleaned every now and then.(washing the private area to avoid irritation or any infection) Changing nappy is also a must,for it can cause bacterial problem. Here in my country,we also had some beliefs with first timer (having the first menstruation) Girls were asked to jump 3 steps of the stairs,so that the period will lasts only for 3 days. Wash the face with the undies(with blood stain)to make the face skin smooth and pimple free. Avoid eating sour fruits,and also,heavy works. But,nowadays,it is not being practiced. I,myself did not do those things,only that,my grandmom never allows me to bath with cold water,she always remind me to bath with lukewarm water to avoid stomach cramps,which i think really helps. I hope the tradition in your place is now changing for better and more hygienic way.(no offense meant again my dear) This is about health and not a disease ,this is hormonal changes with a womans body. There is nothing freaky about this.

You know sweetie, first of all i don't like the way women and girls are treated there, no offense, but this normally triggers my temper. But as you are my friend i will try to behave myself. When one gets one's period it is not a freaking disease. If men don't like it, they can go sleep outside, and eat all that crappy food themselves and stay away from women for the whole period. Cruel, if you ask me. What the hell is wrong with those people? What do they think, that this will poison there food or something. I haven't really answered you, but i did throw my little tantrum. Wish you could have seen it. TATA.

Hii... I know what you are talking about Shibham.. I am brought up in such a culture only... But hey the situation is changing gradually... Trust me, in cities at least, it is changing and people are accepting the broader view that the periods are only natural in ladies and there is nothing wrong/unclean with it...

Hi, shibham. I am glad that I am not living in your country. I don't mean to sound harsh. We don't have rules like that to follow here in the U.S. Well as far as I know of... Having a menstrual cycle for a female can be the most exciting time for a woman! I have only heard that we should not lift anything that is very heavy. Other than that, I don't know of any other. Oh, I almost forgot, I heard that we should not wash our hair when our cycle is on. But, I have washed mines a couple of times, if I am feeling okay. These girls are being tortured in your country and it is a shame. These norms are so very strange. They should be changed because this is not an acceptable normal way of treating a female when she gets her cycle for the first time. That is like punishing her for something that she can't possibly help.

i think these rules are not good for rules,just benefical for some guy who set.it seems that the first period of a girl are known by so many people,but in my opinion,it's just a personal stuff.

wow! the menstrual flow itself is already a trouble for me. i'm 27 now and i had just gotten used to it. my first was when i was 14. so from then until lately, i so hate my monthly menstruation. i have nothing against any tradition or culture but i don't like it if some superstitious beliefs are adding up to my irritation so when my mom said i should not take a bath during my "first day", i said "yeah, right!" and off to the bathroom. they were saying you'll go insane if you've gotten wet by the rain while you're having your menstrual flow. so i said, i think i'm getting crazier over their ideas. and i'm sorry to say this, but those things you've mentioned are equally crazy.-_-

It is a very uncomfortable time but we are pretty much expected to carry on as usual here. There are no rooms unless we want them and to be honest..sometimes they would be welcome. My grandmother did tell me that it wasn't a good idea to try to plant anything during that time. Tending to plants is also a bit risky during that time from my experiences.

why do they do that? i think it's a matter of cultural differences. here, it's a myth that during your first day and for some, the whole period time, the woman must not take a bath. but now, most woman don't do that anymore cause it's untidy and it's uncomfortable to have period and you will not take a bath. it is also said that for the first day of your first period, applying some of the blood from your period on your face using the napkin you had will make your skin beautiful. but those are not practiced by women now, if there are still who do that, there are very few now. those are the beliefs of the people before but there are no scientific explanation so peple don't do that anymore. what women now in our country do is that we avoid working physically very hard during our period. those may be lifting heavy objects or other things that can tire us physically. we also avoid bumping to things cause we will easily have bruises during our periods.