Menstruation: 10 myths and truths every woman needs to know

Discover the main myths and truths about menstruation. Gynecologist Dr. Morgana Domingues clarifies common doubts.

Menstruation is still surrounded by taboos and misinformation. Many women believe that intense cramps and heavy flows are normal, but according to estimates.., 30% of women suffer from increased bleeding or abnormal without proper diagnosis.

To clear up the most common myths about the menstrual cycle, I interviewed the gynecologist and mastologist Dr. Morgana Domingues, who answered frequent questions on the subject.

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Delayed periods always mean pregnancy

Myth: Although pregnancy is the main hypothesis, changes in ovarian function and polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause delays.

Is it possible to get pregnant while menstruating

True. Some leaks during the ovulatory period can be mistaken for menstruation. This can lead to the false impression that the woman is not in her fertile period.

So, yes, it can happen that you're menstruating or have bleeding that looks like menstruation and you're still in an ovulatory period. 

Teas such as ginger, boldo or cinnamon help to "bring down" menstruation

Myth. There is no scientific evidence regarding these types of natural products, and they are even contraindicated. Ideally, we need to understand why our period isn't coming. We need to investigate how the ovary is functioning and what medication to use to get the cycle going again in a healthy way. 

Very strong colic is normal

Myth: Intense cramps should not be taken for granted. They may be related to fibroids, endometriosis or adenomyosis. Even when there is no specific diagnosis, there are effective treatments, including hormonal contraceptives that help reduce pain and bleeding.

It's worth noting that there is treatment even when there is no clear cause. Pain medication can be used, as well as long-term treatments, so that every month the patient feels more comfortable when it's time to menstruate. 

Menstruation twice a month is normal

It depends. The pattern of bleeding varies between women. What is considered normal is an interval of between 25 and a maximum of 42 days. However, each woman has her own pattern, and the important thing is for the patient to see if this pattern is maintained. If she has a shorter cycle, for example, of 23 days and it's always been like this, it's normal and can happen up to twice in the same month.

However, if your periods are becoming more frequent, you need to investigate. One hypothesis is a change in ovarian function. Patients over the age of 40, nearing the climacteric of the menopause (transition from the reproductive to the non-reproductive period), experience menstruation every 15 days.

Exhaust bleeding is normal

True. Leakage happens when the layer inside the uterus, the endometrium, becomes unstable. This can happen due to a change in the functioning of the ovary, the use of medication or a procedure inside the uterus. For example: polycystic ovary syndrome, contraceptive methods and IUDs. However, sometimes there is no clear cause. 

Taking birth control makes your period go away forever

It depends. There are some contraceptive methods that reduce menstruation and can even leave the patient without menstruation, which we call amenorrhea. The main reasons for this are progesterone pills and hormonal IUDs. 

When this happens as a result of these methods, it doesn't cause any harm to health. On the other hand, there are methods that reduce bleeding, but the patient continues to menstruate.

Menstruating "cleanses" the body

Myth: Menstruation is not a process of cleansing the body. It only eliminates the blood produced in the cycle. Not menstruating due to the use of contraceptives does not mean accumulation or anything harmful.

Exercising during your period is bad for you

On the contrary: practicing physical activity helps relieve cramps, improves mood and brings a sense of well-being. Recently, some studies have shown that it is very important to maintain physical activity in order to control symptoms during the menstrual period. 

So it's important to keep that in mind, it's an effort, but it's worth it afterwards.

Food influences the menstrual cycle

True. Excessive consumption of sugar and fat can intensify PMS symptoms. A balanced diet, on the other hand, helps to reduce discomfort. It is recommended that patients observe foods in their day that worsen symptoms and reduce their consumption during this period.

Understanding menstruation and differentiating between myths and truths is essential if you want to take care of your health and experience this period with greater well-being. As Dr. Morgana Domingues stresses, any symptom that affects your routine or quality of life should be evaluated by a doctor. Information is the best tool for breaking down taboos and promoting women's health.

Check out the full article: https://scc10.com.br/colunistas/julia-weiss/menstruacao-10-mitos-e-verdades-que-toda-mulher-precisa-saber/