Some of these are batsh*t crazy!
Whilst we may not always enjoy our periods, they are an important part of life and we should never feel embarrassed or ashamed of them.
Nowadays, as we break down social taboos surrounding the menstrual cycle, women feel more comfortable talking about their periods.
That said, there are many cultural myths from around the world that some women actually believe. From ghosts coming to haunt you, to not being able to wash your hair or paint your nails, and plenty of other ridiculous myths.
The team at female health app Clue has pulled together a list of some of the most unusual myths from around the world.
US:
- Tampons will break your hymen and make you impure.
- You can’t take a bath.
- Don’t go camping because the bears can smell it from far away.
- Shouldn’t perm hair until after first period.
- If you touch any vegetable before or during the pickling process they would not pickle and go bad.
Nepal:
- You can’t be in homes or have contact with anybody.
Poland:
- Having sex can kill your partner.
Romania:
- You can’t touch flowers because they’ll die quicker.
Israel:
- You get slapped on the face when you get your first period so you have “beautiful” red cheeks all your life.
- If you shower with hot water while on your period you will have a heavy flow.
Colombia:
- You can’t drink cold beverages because they will give you cramps.
- Don’t wash or cut your hair.
Malaysia:
- You need to wash your pads before throwing them out. Otherwise ghosts will come and haunt you.
India:
- You can’t enter a kitchen or cook food for anyone else.
- You can’t enter a place of worship.
- You can only enter a place of prayer once you’ve washed your hair on or after the fourth day.
- You must wash your hair on the first day itself to clean yourself completely.
Mexico:
- You should avoid dancing to very active rhythms in order to take care of your uterus.
Dominican Republic:
- Don’t paint your nails, wash your hair or drink lemonade.
Brazil:
- You can’t wash your hair.
- You can’t walk barefoot (you might get cramps).
Argentina:
- You can’t make whip cream, it will curdle.
- If you take a bath your bleeding will stop and stopping bleeding is bad for your health.
Philippines:
- When you get your first period you need to wash your face with the first menstrual blood to have clear skin.
Italy:
- Dough won’t rise.
- Can’t touch plants.
- Everything you cook will be a disaster.
- Can’t go to the beach or pool (no contact with water basically).
France:
- You can’t make mayonnaise; it will curdle.
Japan:
- You can’t make sushi because you have an imbalance in taste.
Venezuela:
- Avoid shaving your bikini line as the skin will get darker.
Bolivia:
- You can’t cradle babies or you’ll cause them to get sick.
