11 Lebanese Myths About Menstruation

Menstruation is still a taboo topic in many parts of Lebanon. So we’re here to bust a few of the most common Lebanese myths about menstruation.

1.  Bathing during menstruation stops blood flow

Shrabe may berde la te3kos al hamam al sokhne w bterja3. It doesn’t…although it is recommended to remove odors, and the warm temperature of the water can help alleviate cramps.

2.  Starting menstruation means a woman is ready for marriage

^{A young actress plays the role of Giorgia, a 10-year old girl forced to marry Paolo, a 47-year old man, during a happening organized by Amnesty International to denounce child marriage. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP Photo)}

3a2bel el 3aris. In Lebanon, there’s still no unified civil law setting a minimum age for marriage, leaving young girls without protection from child marriages.

It’s a common misconception that beginning menstruation either means a woman has physically matured or marriage should be used as a preemptive measure to mitigate risk of pregnancy out of wedlock.

3. You shouldn’t do sports during menstruation

Light exercise can help alleviate cramp pains. If your PE teacher is a man, don’t let him find out about this and you could still get out of doing the Beep Test.

4. But your period shouldn’t stop you from doing anything!!!

Who remembers this cringey Always ad we all saw years ago? Women did not have to conquer the world while bleeding…

5. Women in close proximity to each other will have their cycles sync

To be honest, I thought this was true. However, research indicates that cycle syncing is not possible. Your bestie DID NOT bluetooth her period to you.

6. You can’t swim while on your period

Leakage is unlikely as most women only lose around two-four tablespoons during menstruation.

Also, no, it does not attract sharks. Yes, some people really believe that.

7.  Tampons take away a woman’s virginity

El tampon 2onte, manna 2ade bi ma7kame. The tearing of the hymen is not an accurate indicator for loss of virginity.

8. If you are on your period, you shouldn’t open a brand new jar of pickles because they’ll rot

Shu khas l period b mortban l kabees?

It’s bad enough men don’t think you can even open the pickle jar by yourself, but when you do they start calling you a witch.

9. If you’re on your period, don’t touch the laban – it’ll curdle!

Mamnou3 we7deh sick time traweb laban 2w tseweh shee bel 7leeb byefsod.

Apparently, your period gives you lots of food-based superpowers.

10. If a woman is on her period, she shouldn’t visit a new mom because it might stop the flow of breast milk

How do they come up with these?

11. Menstrual blood is unclean

It’s not a “sickness”, so you don’t have to refer to it as one. However, if you pretended to be sick so people would leave you alone, we wouldn’t blame you.

Period blood isn’t rejecting any bodily fluids and it’s NOT the body’s way of flushing out toxins. It’s just a bit of blood, uterine tissue, mucus lining, and bacteria. It’s a very natural process and nothing about it is inherently unclean.

Looking for reusable menstrual products check out these 5 Shops Selling Alternative Menstrual Products In Lebanon