Today, we Indians celebrate Republic Day, the day India adopted its Constitution. However, India had democratic frameworks in place even before this, which is why it is known as the mother of Democracy. Although at that time, there was no formal "law book" as we understand it today as codified legal systems came much later in the world. And no, I am not referring to the Vedic era or the Chaturvarnya system at all.
Sadly, many of us are either familiar with the Vedic era or the narratives of the Mughals and colonizers. However, India’s history and culture extend far beyond just these periods. In fact, many answers to how today’s polarized society came to be lie buried in the past. That’s why I aim to write more blogs in the future, exploring Indian social fabric in detail. Many might not it, but this is my attempt to try and unite people and not divide.
However, this article is about something else, but first, let me apologize for missing last weekend too. Last weekend was one of those moments when I just needed to stay in bed, take a step back, and disconnect from everything—almost as if the world had stopped. I got my period. Thats why I felt like talking about periods, stigma and problems around it.
Normalizing period talk
Honestly, when I am on my periods, I don't feel like moving even an inch. That’s why you didn’t see an article from me last Sunday. As of now, this blog is entirely a one-person project, and I currently don’t have a team to manage things in my absence. So, if life gets in the way, there might be few weeks when an article doesn’t make it out. Reflecting on this, I realized how important it is to plan my articles in advance and set them up for auto-publishing when needed. At the same time, I felt it was worth talking about periods.
“Whoa, girl, should you stop right there?” I can almost hear someone thinking that. Talking about periods on a public platform is still a stigma. But you know me by now—I like to tackle every stigma and controversial topic out there. Whether it’s the complex social fabric of India, sexuality, or, like today, periods.
Menstrual health awareness
Periods are something women are often expected to keep private or even hide when they’re bleeding. Perhaps that’s why so many women today struggle to fully process their own experiences with periods, often rejecting how they feel. We’ve been conditioned to endure period pain as if it’s nothing. This is my attempt to normalize the conversation around periods. The more we talk openly about them, the more we create a supportive environment—not just for women, but for everyone.
On Friday, one of my friends called and invited me to a social gathering. I told her I couldn’t come because I was on my period. What she said next shocked me: “So what? It’s normal.”
Let me clarify—she’s a doctor herself. Hearing that from someone in the medical field was disturbing. Just because it happens every month doesn’t mean we should automatically be able to manage it. How am I supposed to “manage” it when every part of my body is screaming for rest, and my emotional and psychological health feels like chaos?
Working out during periods
As a fitness trainer, I’ve encountered similar reactions from some of my female clients and non-medico friends. They often respond with disbelief or dismissiveness when I refuse to engage in social gatherings or even simple conversations while I’m bleeding. People need stop thinking that period is just an excuse, it's not. Female’s needs stop glorifying working or doing some extensive physically draining activity when you are bleeding.
And let’s not even get started on the sanitary napkins or feminine hygiene product advertisements—they operate on a whole other level. They portray periods as if they’re just a simple issue of blood shedding: no stains, no problem. You can even play football or fight battles, according to them. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
To fitness coaches who promote working out even while you’re bleeding—my suggestion is simple: don’t even consider them as real fitness coaches. Fitness is not about relentlessly pushing yourself; it’s about understanding your body and giving it what it needs—whether that’s proper exercise, balanced nutrition, or much-needed rest. Constantly lifting weights or running isn’t the epitome of fitness. If you’re bleeding, my advice is this: listen to your body. Respect its signals, and don’t let outside voices dictate what you should or shouldn’t do.
Importance of understanding periods
My toxic ex once mocked me, saying, “When you bleed, you don’t do anything at home too?” To him, I was useless whenever I was on my period. Let’s leave toxic people aside for now, but even many normal, healthy men often don’t know how to support the women around them during this time—whether at work or even in their own homes.
If you’re married or in a relationship, you might notice that some men track their partner’s monthly cycle—not out of concern, but to gauge when she’s likely to be sexually active. For me, that’s a complete turn-off. Men need to understand periods not just for their convenience but to truly grasp how a woman’s body operates and how her physical, emotional, and mental health fluctuates throughout her cycle.
This is precisely why understanding periods is important for everyone—both men and women. It’s such an essential part of being a woman, yet we’re not taught about it in schools, and discussions about it are often absent in our families. Breaking this silence is critical to fostering a more empathetic and supportive society.
Societal structures and period health
Let’s assume you’re surrounded by understanding people who respect this natural process, and you have no problem boldly saying you’re on your period. Even then, modern society is designed in a way that makes it challenging for women to process their period experiences. The very structure of modern workplaces and societal functions often disregards this aspect of women’s health—even in 2015, when discussions about equality were more prominent.
While some countries have started recognizing this issue and even introduced PMS leave for female employees, many others, including India, have yet to address periods as a legitimate health concern. Indian's corporate leaders want us to work on Sundays. Addressing periods leave feels like distance dream. The bigger issue is that many women still feel uncomfortable even acknowledging they’re on their period or asking for a break. And when some women do speak up, their needs are often met with judgment or a lack of empathy, discouraging others from doing the same.
What You’ll Learn in My Upcoming Articles on Period Health
I know this article might come across as one big complaint—don’t worry, my dears, it’s not. I’ve got two more articles lined up on this topic. In the next one, we’ll dive into the different aspects of periods—physical, emotional, and societal. And in the third article, I’ll guide you on how to process your own period experience. If you’re a man, don’t skip it—you’ll learn how to support the women around you during their bleeding phase and truly be there for them.
Love you all! Let’s cherish and enjoy the free speech we have while we remain a democratic country.
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