Cultural Beliefs Associated with Menstruation and Link with Mental Illness-An Indian Male’s Perspective
Abstract
Introduction: Menstruation is a natural biological phenomenon that is related to fertility and motherhood and overall womanhood, thus differentiating women from men as an individual. Since ancient times, there have been many cultural beliefs and taboos related to menstruation like restriction in entering kitchen or religious places. Menstruation has also been linked to many health issues including mental illness. The current study was planned to explore the cultural beliefs related to menstruation, amenorrhoea and its link with mental illness from an Indian male’s perspective. Aim and Objective: To explore the cultural beliefs related to menstruation, amenorrhoea and its link with mental illness from an Indian male’s perspective. Methodology: This was an open label, cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. Willfully participating male caregivers of psychiatry patients were included. Result and Conclusion: A majority of caregivers lacked knowledge about menstruation as a large number of them were not aware of biological reason and source of bleeding and considered menstruation as a detoxification process in which the impure blood having toxins and rays is expelled out. Amenorrhoea was believed to cause adverse effects including mental illness.
How to cite this article:
Kaur H, Chavan BS. Cultural Beliefs Associated with Menstruation and Link with Mental IllnessAn Indian Male’s Perspective. J Adv Res Psychol Psychother 2020; 3(1): 7-12
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2581.5822.202002
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