Common myths about periods: debunking misconceptions
Dirt, bad smells, litres of blood, pain, virginity, hormonal disruption – many misconceptions surround periods and menstruation. Old wives’ tales, deeply rooted preconceived ideas, clichés and myths all interfere with our understanding of this natural, cyclical process in women.
And no, periods are not disgusting; no, periods do not prevent you from getting pregnant; yes, **virgin girls** can use a tampon or a cup; yes, women can swim or have sex during their period. In short, there are a lot of myths to bust!
Because remember, really understanding your period and your body helps you worry less, stress less and, above all, live your period and your femininity more comfortably! So don’t hesitate to get informed. Today, Louloucup is talking about 7 common myths that keep coming up about periods. Let’s talk about them together!
Periods are dirty and disgusting
FALSE! A terrible statement and belief with very serious consequences for many **girls** and **young women** around the world. Periods are confused with dirt when that is absolutely not the case—quite the opposite!
Having your period is natural and above all very healthy, quite the opposite of something dirty. Having your period is a sign of good health. A woman's body that sees its menstruation return at regular intervals is functioning well. Cyclically, a woman's body expels the endometrium that has formed for potential fertilization. Menstrual blood is therefore much more than blood; it consists of vaginal and cervical secretions. In short, it's not disgusting; it's life and nature. If bad odors appear, it's due to the sanitary protection. Often a disposable pad causes bad odors. The blood stored in the pad comes into contact with air and oxidizes. Solutions exist to avoid bad odors: avoid wearing disposable pads and panty liners and prefer internal protections or menstrual panties.
Periods hurt
“It’s normal for it to hurt!”
FALSE! Periods are not supposed to hurt. Something that happens every month in a woman’s life and lasts several days should not be painful! You should never just put up with pain or discomfort. There are treatments, methods, and habits that can help relieve, soothe, and make your period easier to live with.
Painkillers, exercise, diet, hot water bottle, hot shower, herbal tea—find all our solutions in our article “How to relieve painful periods?”
Dysmenorrhea should never be seen as inevitable. Your period is a special time of the month when you really need to listen to yourself, listen to your body and pay attention to the signs. Getting to know yourself well is essential.
Slowing down, taking care of yourself, eating well – find our articles on the topic:
However, as we’ve often said here, it is not normal to be doubled over in pain, unable to function or work properly because of your period. In that case, you should see a doctor.
Periods stop during swimming
FALSE! Does water suddenly stop your period? Some women even avoid all swimming or won’t even take a bath! Tampons, cups or period swimwear let you swim without any risk of leaks. Water cannot stop menstrual flow. However, a good swim can ease period pain.
No sex during your period
FALSE! A woman on her period can absolutely have sex; it’s neither dirty, nor dangerous, nor forbidden. Of course, you’ll want to wash your intimate area properly after sex.
Ultimately, it all comes down to desire, how you feel and what you’re comfortable with.
Periods prevent you from getting pregnant
FALSE! This is a persistent myth. Women who feel particularly protected during their period tend to be much less cautious. Yet women with a particularly short cycle need to be careful, especially knowing that the hardiest sperm can survive up to 5 days in the vagina.
I can’t use tampons or a cup if I’m a virgin
FALSE! Another misconception! The hymen, the small membrane at the entrance of the vagina that is intact before a first sexual intercourse, is not pierced by using a tampon or a cup. In short, both tampons and cups can be used by young or virgin girls without any problem.
A period every 28 days
FALSE! Completely FALSE! Remember, 28 days is just an average! A menstrual cycle can vary from 21 to 35 days. Everything is different from one woman to another. And for one woman, cycles can also vary a lot from month to month. Periods can become irregular and their rhythm can be altered by many external factors that are not always under our control: flu, a cold, jet lag, weight gain or loss, vaccines, stress or emotional shock can all affect menstruation.
Are your period 2 or 3 days late? Don’t panic! In fact, stressing about your period not arriving can delay it even more! After a delay of more than seven days, you can take a pregnancy test.
Are you worried about irregular periods? Do you notice recurring delays? Do you observe late ovulation? Or an alternation of short and long cycles? Don’t hesitate to mark everything on a period calendar or log it in a dedicated app—this will help you keep track and, above all, give you something concrete to discuss with your gynecologist or midwife.
You can also check out our dedicated articles:
Tampon or pad and nothing else!
FALSE! At Louloucup, we’re in a great position to remind you that there are green, healthy, eco-friendly, affordable, and reliable alternatives to pads and tampons! Period panties and menstrual cups are reusable, washable, zero-waste period products that are super practical and economical.
Period underwear comes in many styles (thong, string, boxer, shorty, brief), for all flows (light, medium, heavy), and is proving particularly effective. It’s truly the reliable, hygienic protection that’s gaining ground and winning over more and more women and teenagers.
The menstrual cup is an internal protection method that collects blood efficiently. It’s especially popular with women who have a very heavy flow and are tired of products that saturate too quickly.
Want to know more? Discover our range of Loulou menstrual cups and Loulou period panties now! Free shipping in France, Europe and worldwide!
