Menstruation has been a constant process embedded in female human anatomy since time immemorial. It’s the cultures and conceptions surrounding menstruation that are subject to change as time moves on. In Indian society, there are currently many prevalent myths surrounding menstruation that haven’t been addressed through science or logic. These are often imposed by an elderly female in the household who was subject to the same myths.
One of these myths is about washing hair during periods, and the claims made vary across cultures and households. Overall, they suggest that washing your hair when menstruating can lead to a range of problems including:
- Worse menstrual cramps
- Prolonged duration of period
- Disturbance to the natural balance of hormones
- Infertility
- Hair fall
Why has hair washing hair during periods been discouraged?
From a historical context, we can trace two major reasons why washing hair, or even taking a bath was discouraged for menstruating women.
The first reason has to do with the prevalent use of communal baths or rivers for bathing. Menstruating women were not encouraged to bathe so that their blood doesn’t enter the water and so that the harsh soap water doesn’t irritate their genitalia as the area is more sensitive during menstruation.
The second reason has to do with regulating body temperature. Women in the ancient times did not have the luxury of choosing the temperature of water to bathe with the way we do today. We can assume the water used cool and would have a cooling effect on the body. Since maintaining a warm body is more beneficial for efficient blood flow during menstruation, women probably avoided bathing to not restrict their blood flow.
While most of us today have access to our own showers from which we can control the water’s temperature, the myths regarding washing hair during menstruation have not been entirely dispelled yet, and this is largely due to the taboo nature of menstruation in Indian society making it difficult for these notions to be openly challenged.
The concept of impurity adds another layer to the challenges faced by menstruating women in conservative households. Apart from restrictions on washing hair, there is a range of other restrictions including:
- No entry into the kitchen or temple.
- No handling of any items considered holy.
- No cooking (light meals are prepared by someone else separately) etc.
When these factors come together, they heavily influence our habits for when we menstruate. Women who move out of the house get more comfortable overtime breaking out of habits imposed on them.
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Is there any scientific evidence for not washing hair during periods?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that washing your hair when menstruating has any impact on your flow, cramps, the duration of your period or your fertility. It’s recommended to use warm water which also helps alleviate muscle tension, but if you don’t like taking warm showers, you can use room temperature water.
Using cold water or practicing any form of cold immersion is not recommended for those on their periods as they can increase the intensity of cramps, but if you regularly take cold showers and experience no negative symptoms on your periods, then there’s no reason to stop them.
The claim that washing your hair during your periods is also false. Hair loss is a long-term issue which is caused by several factors including your hormone levels, diet, sleep, age and mental health. If you’re experiencing hair loss, notice whether you’re losing a similar amount of strands on your periods versus during the rest of the month. You can consult a doctor to treat the same.
Also read - Horny on period? - Period sex
What is the Ayurvedic perspective on washing hair during periods?
According to the Ayurvedic perspective, menstruation is a process through which the female body cleanses itself of impurities. Ayurveda also distinguishes between menstruation symptoms according to one’s constitution (prakriti); if one is a vatta, pita, or kapha person.
In the Ayurvedic system it is claimed that the first three days of menstruation are very important for the body to release heat and discharge blood. Washing your hair or bathing with cold water can interfere with this process. It is instead suggested to have a head bath on the fourth day of the period.
Ayurveda also gives importance to the apana vayu which is one of the five winds that are present in the body and is responsible for regulating downward moving energy to pass urine, stool, flatulence and menstrual discharge. Ayurveda maintains that excessive physical exertion as well as a cold head bath would disrupt the apana vayu.
The role of individual choice in determining hair washing during periods
Your haircare and hygiene routines should ultimately come down to your own preference and comfort. It’s normal to be nervous about breaking with a tradition that has been imposed onto you since childhood.
Take it easy when experimenting with different hygiene regimes and find what works best for you. All we’re here to establish is that there is no scientific grounds for many of the prevalent myths regarding hair washing during menstruation.
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FAQs regarding washing hair during periods:
Does washing your hair make your period come faster?
No, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that washing your hair can make your period come faster. This is a common misconception, washing your hair doesn't affect the hormonal fluctuations that regulate your menstrual cycle.
Is it okay to wash your hair on the first day of your period?
Absolutely! There's no scientific evidence to suggest that washing your hair on the first day of your period, or any day during your period for that matter, is harmful or affects your menstrual cycle in any way. This goes for washing your hair on the second day of your period as well.
Does washing hair reduce period flow?
No, there’s no evidence which suggests that washing your hair can impact your period flow. Washing your hair can help relieve you from having an oily scalp if you experience greasy hair as a PMS symptom.
Can we wash hair on Saturdays during periods?
Restrictions that discourage you from washing your hair on a particular day (usually Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) are based on astrology and may associate washing your hair on certain days with adverse effects on your family or financial. These claims have no scientific basis.
If you were raised in a setting that imposed such claims, you can read up on scientific evidence or testimonials countering such claims to put your mind in a state of ease if you wish to break free from such notions.
Also read - Period blood only comes out when I sit on toilet
Conclusion on washing hair during periods
Conversations and notions surrounding menstruation should move forward and evolve with the times. We’re living in a time with an abundance of knowledge available for us to research and verify any outdated claims about menstruation.
Certain parts of our culture have stood the test of time and should be continued for their validity and relevance, like the practice of yoga. But not all every cultural aspect should prevail unchallenged, and it’s high time that these myths surrounding washing hair during menstruation should stop.
The way you manage your hair care and your hygiene in general should be up to your preference and comfort. Put yourself first and do what feels good!
More to read
Important things you must avoid during periods
How to maintain menstrual hygiene?
