This is a common myth. It is perfectly fine to wash your hair, take a shower or bath at any point during your period. Myths about periods have been around for as long as girls have been menstruating so that's why your mom may have heard it.
Are you wondering whether your hair falls out more on your period? During menstruation, the sudden drop in oestrogen can cause the hair to enter the shedding phase too quickly - causing a common, temporary type of hair loss during your period called 'telogen effluvium' (TE). The hair does however grow back.
Things you should avoid
“Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period,” said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes. “Avoid drinks like coffee, energy drinks etc as they can cause headaches and constipation.
It's okay to bleed in the shower. The blood will run down the drain. If you had a pad on before your shower, you may notice brown-colored blood rinsing off, too. This is likely from your pubic hair catching the blood, and it's important to rinse it off thoroughly to prevent infection and odor.
It is perfectly fine to wash your hair, take a shower or bath at any point during your period. Myths about periods have been around for as long as girls have been menstruating so that's why your mom may have heard it.
Some people think a woman shouldn't take a bath or shower when she has her period. Some even think she shouldn't wash your hair. This is not true. There is no reason not to bathe during your period.
If a hormone imbalance occurs, the endometrium develops in excess and eventually sheds by way of heavy menstrual bleeding. A number of conditions can cause hormone imbalances, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, insulin resistance and thyroid problems.
You may notice your hair and skin are more oily
Just before your period begins, your body produces testosterone. This hormone creates sebum, an oil that can appear in your skin and hair. It is this oil that can lead to monthly acne and greasy hair.
Your scalp is more sensitive
Your hormones control everything when you are on your period. And your scalp is no exception! When your cycle starts, you produce hormones that increase pain sensitivity, which causes your scalp to become tender and sensitive to everything as well.
Studies suggest that period blood could contain stem cells, though this is still debated. It is, however, rich in nutrients such as zinc, copper, and magnesium, but you can also get these nutrients from regular face creams and supplements, so there don't seem to be any unique benefits to the idea.
Free bleeding is when someone menstruates without using period products such as tampons or pads to collect or absorb the blood. You might feel a bit daunted initially — but for some, free bleeding is an incredibly liberating experience.
People may worry if they notice clots in their menstrual blood, but this is perfectly normal and rarely cause for concern. Menstrual clots are a mixture of blood cells, tissue from the lining of the uterus, and proteins in the blood that help regulate its flow.
If your hormone levels aren't balanced, your body can make the lining too thick, which leads to heavy bleeding when you shed the thicker lining. If you don't ovulate (release an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in your body, too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period.
As your period continues, you may notice blood that's jelly-like or broken up into thick clumps. This is typically caused by blood clots that are passing through your body. This is normal during any part of your period.
Heavy menstrual bleeding often causes women to feel tired, commonly known as period fatigue. This is normal due to the decrease in oestrogen levels, which occurs around this point in your menstrual cycle. Your energy levels will usually return to normal within a few days as your hormone levels begin to increase again.
Changing your pad every 3 or 4 hours (more if your period is heavy) is good hygiene and helps prevent bad odors. This is especially true if you'll be playing sports or rushing around from class to class. Changing pads often also helps prevent accidental leaks.
Usually, menstrual bleeding lasts about 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost is small (2 to 3 tablespoons).
A significantly greater number of cycles (70.4%) commenced during the night or in the first 4 h after rising, compared with later in the day. In a large proportion of these (29 out of 76), blood was noted to be present on waking, menstruation thus having begun at some time during the hours of sleep.
Avoid: Processed foods
They can interfere with hormones and amplify PMS discomfort. Processed foods are also a huge source of sodium, which is a major cause of bloating and water retention, and is best avoided during and a few days before your period.
“No, taking a bath cannot affect the flow of your period,” says Lucky Sekhon, MD, a medical expert at Flo and reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York. “Being immersed in water can present an illusion that the flow has stopped when really it is merely diluted due to the surrounding bath water.
Menstruating doesn't affect your ability to donate. Enjoy your relaxing time on the donation couch and a tasty snack afterwards. As someone who menstruates, it's a good idea to check out our information about iron.