India may be racing ahead to become a five-trillion-dollar economy, but when it comes to menstrual hygiene, many young girls are still being held back by age-old myths. 

“Don’t eat pickle, don’t touch curd, don’t play, don’t go to school” — these are some of the restrictions that continue to echo in households whenever a girl gets her first period.

Doctors warn that such beliefs not only make life more difficult for adolescent girls but also harm their health, education, and confidence.

To challenge these myths, the Association of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of Delhi (AOGD) organised a major workshop on adolescent health at Kailash Deepak Hospital, Delhi. The aim was simple but powerful: to spread the right information, encourage open conversations, and empower young girls and their families to treat menstruation as a natural part of life.

Dr. Dipti Nabh, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Chairperson of AOGD’s Adolescent Health Sub Committee (2025–27), explained that confusion and misinformation still dominate conversations around periods. 

“In my OPDs, I often meet girls who say their mothers stop them from eating pickle, curd, or hot food. Some are even told not to exercise or attend school during their periods. But all these restrictions are baseless myths. Menstruation is a natural process, not an illness. What girls need is correct knowledge, not fear,” she said. 

Dr. Nabh also highlighted that AOGD teams regularly visit schools to talk about menstrual hygiene, sexual awareness, and preventive measures like cervical cancer vaccination, engaging not just students but also their parents.

Echoing her views, Dr. Renu Chawla, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Kailash Deepak Hospital, added, “Restrictions like avoiding baths, skipping exercise, or not offering prayers during periods are still common in families. But none of these practices have any scientific basis. Girls can and should carry on with their daily routines without fear or hesitation.”

Some girls, however, face more serious health concerns. Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi, and Co-Convenor of the Workshop of AODG, pointed out that many suffer from heavy bleeding and anemia but are unaware that these are medical conditions requiring treatment. 

“Awareness is the first step. Only when girls understand their bodies and recognise abnormal symptoms can they seek timely medical help,” she stressed.

Speaking about the challenge of early puberty in children, Dr. Shama Batra, Member of AOGD and President of the Indian Medical Association–East Delhi, said that increased media exposure and lifestyle changes are leading to boys and girls entering puberty earlier than before.

“We often see that even girls in sixth or seventh standard hesitate to talk about the changes happening in their bodies — whether it is breast development or sudden growth in height. They need the right guidance to accept these changes and maintain good hemoglobin levels, which are essential for their studies, health, and overall confidence,” she explained.

Dr. Batra also strongly emphasised the importance of the cervical cancer vaccine, which she said should ideally be given between the ages of nine and fourteen. “In some government schools, the vaccine is being provided free of cost. I always tell parents — make this vaccine a gift to your daughter on her birthday. It is one of the most precious protections you can give her against cervical cancer,” she said.

Importantly, Dr. Batra highlighted that the vaccine is not just for girls. “Boys between the ages of nine and fifteen should also get vaccinated. It protects them from cancers such as oral, rectal, and penile cancers. For girls, apart from cervical cancer, it also offers protection against oral, vaginal, and anal cancers. This vaccine is about safeguarding the health of our children — both daughters and sons,” she added.