There’s a lack of general menstrual knowledge. Just look at all the menstrual myths that keep on circulating. We list seven of the most common ones and explain why these myths aren’t funny, but instead rather alarming.

1 Cycles of women who live together sync up over time

Automatically menstruating in the same rhythm as your housemates or close female friends sounds very sociable, but isn’t true. Since there’s so much variation in the individual menstrual cycles, menstrual synchrony is mathematically seen impossible.

2 Your menstrual cycle follows the moon rhythm

Even though this is impossible from a mathematical point of view as well, the menstrual cycle has been linked to the lunar cycle since the beginning of time. Even scientists keep looking for a possible connection. Recently we wrote about a new moon study.

3 Using a tampon makes you lose your virginity

Contrary to what you might think, the hymen isn’t a membrane that covers the vagina entrance. It’s more like a tissue collar attached to the vaginal wall. The hymen can stretch and has an opening which allows the menstrual blood to flood through. This means that if you’d touch it by inserting a tampon, it won’t necessarily tear. Especially not when using small tampons, which easily fit through the opening. At most they might stretch the hymen. And even if the hymen tears, this doesn’t mean you’ve lost your virginity – that’s only after having engaged in sexual intercourse.

4 You’ll be attacked by wild animals when doing outdoor activities on your period

It’s a well known myth that sharks love menstruating swimmers. Indeed, blood attracts sharks. But apart from (menstrual) blood, sharks can also smell sweat and urine. So they’ll smell humans anyway. And see them as well. So no worries: swimming in the sea when on your period isn’t Jaws 5 waiting to happen. By the way: with five to seven humans killed per year, sharks are by no means the world’s deadliest animal, according to the statistics. That’s the mosquito… And over 80% of the people attacked by sharks are male. Do take care when menstruating around brown tree snakes and bears. And even more when you’re on your period next to a Komodo dragon. Why? Read this.

5 Don’t want to leak and don’t want to keep changing your tampon? Just choose one with a higher absorbency rate

No! The best absorbency level of your menstrual product is the lowest one possible for your flow. If the absorbency rate is too high, it’ll dry out your vaginal mucous membrane. This can lead to irritations and even infections. That’s also the reason why your shouldn’t start practising using a tampon if you aren’t menstruating yet. Make sure to change your tampon regularly; never keep it in for longer than the maximum time indicated on the package.

6 Food that’s prepared by a menstruating woman spoils quicker

Mayonnaise curdles, wine turns sour and food spoils quicker if there’s a menstruating woman preparing it. The belief that women are impure on their period or excrete some kind of menstrual poison is an ancient one, dating back to Pliny the Elder in the first century AD. Apart from old, unfortunately this belief is also ineradicable. Even nowadays, some cultures and religions still have all sorts of menstrual bans…

 7 You can’t get pregnant on your period

Alarm, alarm! You can get pregnant at any moment of your cycle. Yes, the chance is smaller when you’re on your period. But there’s still a possibility. Menstruation is no contraceptive, so better take other precautions. Think you can only get pregnant when having sex on the day of your ovulation? Think again: semen can stay alive inside your body for three to five days. Oh, so I just have to avoid those days? No! Only the ideal cycle is 28 days. If your cycle is shorter, you might still be menstruating right before your ovulation.

Menstrual myths. Unfortunately we keep on believing them. And there are way more than the seven mentioned above. How about: ‘A menstrual cycle is always 28 days‘ (no), ‘Period pain is normal’ (no), and ‘Your menstruation stays the same for your entire life’ (no). Funny? No. Because those myths and fables show how poor the general menstrual knowledge is. This lack of knowledge leads to bullying and health problems. That’s why it’s time for general menstrual education to become part of the curriculum. Not only about the biological side, but also about how to take care of yourself, when it’s code red and why you should feel menstrual pride instead of menstrual shame. Because girls start menstruating earlier nowadays. That unfortunately isn’t a myth. But more about that later. Period!

More about menstruation? Start here.  

Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our Contact page.