Can doing these 5 things during periods cause future issues?

Hyderabad: A Facebook post with a number of claims regarding menstruation has gone viral on social media. It lists five things that girls need to “watch out for” during periods. They are:

1. Do not drink cold/sparkling water during menstruation.

2. Avoid applying shampoo on the head because the pores of the head are open during menstruation and cause headaches, so it is very dangerous and it can be cut off when you are young or later when you are old .

3. Avoid eating cucumbers during menstruation because the sap in cucumber can block menstruation (bleeding) in the uterine wall and cause infertility.

4. Your body should not be touched by hard objects, especially the abdomen, as it may cause vomiting and the uterus may be injured.

5. Drinking ice cream during menstruation may cause the menstrual blood to remain in the uterine wall after (5_10) years, it may cause “uterine or tumor cancer.” (sic)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found the claims to be fake.

We contacted Dr. Revathy Ramaswamy, a consultant gynaecologist and gynae endoscopic surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad. She rubbished all the claims made in the post.

Claim 1: Do not drink cold/sparkling water during menstruation.

Dr. Revathy Ramaswamy: A girl needs to drink lots of water during menstruation to avoid dehydration. That she should not drink cold water is a MYTH.

Claim 2: Avoid applying shampoo.

Dr. Ramaswamy: A girl can always wash her head with shampoo during her periods. Some cultures prevent girls from taking bath on those days but it is very wrong. She needs to be clean, comfortable, and hygienic. The claim that the pores on her scalp open during menstruation is a MYTH and NONSENSE.

Claim 3: Avoid eating cucumbers during menstruation.

Dr. Ramaswamy: Cucumbers are a great source of fibre, water, and minerals. It is a MYTH and absolute NONSENSE that cucumber can block menstruation.

Claim 4: Your body should not be touched by hard objects, especially the abdomen.

Dr. Ramaswamy: Your body can be touched by hard objects but not HIT by hard objects. The uterus is deep in the pelvis and is not easily injured by a hit in the abdomen. But menstruation is a sensitive time and girls must protect themselves from any injury to the abdomen or elsewhere.

Claim 5: Eating ice cream during menstruation may lead to uterine cancer.

Dr. Ramaswamy: If a girl wants to have ice cream during her period, please pamper her and give her whatever she wants. Ice cream will never cause uterine tumour or cancer.