MYTH: Don't exercise when you are on your period (01 of24)
Open Image ModalMYTH: Don't go swimming (02 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: There was a time when young girls were told strange things like if they went swimming in the ocean, their period scents would attract sharks, or their tampon would swell with water, causing them to drown. These are pure myths. Tampons, for example, make it easier for women to enjoy swimming or beach days during periods.
MYTH: People can tell when you're on your period (03 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: Unless you're carrying a big red sign that says "it's my time of the month," nobody will know you're on your period. If you're embarrassed about pad lines (even though you can hardly tell), try wearing a tampon. Sometimes, you may also have a period odour. Again, nobody else can smell it. If you are worried, change your tampon or pad more often.
MYTH: Teens shouldn't use tampons(04 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: Tampons are perfectly safe for both teens and adults. If you still haven't used a tampon and you're worried about discomfort, make sure you read the instructions carefully. And no, using tampons doesn't mean you lose your virginity.
MYTH: During your period, you lose a lot of blood(05 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: For the first few hours/days of your period, it may seem like you’re losing a lot blood. On average, women lose about 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of blood, and considering a teen who weighs 110 lbs has about 3,500 ml of blood in her body, you can see the loss isn't that big.
MYTH: A tampon can float away inside your body (06 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: No. Just no. There is no way a tampon can "float" away inside your body. Once you insert a tampon, it will stay there until you have to take it out.
MYTH: Don't wear tampons overnight (07 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: You CAN wear a tampon overnight. Most tampons can be worn for eight hours a day or night, keeping in mind you should change your tampon every four to eight hours.
MYTH: During your period, only sleep on your side (08 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: Again, false. Sleep on your back, front, side, whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you're worried about leaks, try pads and tampons that are meant to be worn overnight.
MYTH: PMS is not real (09 of24)
Open Image ModalMYTH: Inserting a tampon hurts (10 of24)
Open Image ModalTRUTH: The key to using tampons is to relax. If you don't get it right the first time, don't worry. Practice makes perfect, even when it comes to tampons.
(12 of24)
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Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: A really cool and urban aunt who likes to listen to hip hop and buy vinyl records
But what you're actually referencing: Aunt Flo only visits once a month (a 28-day cycle to be exact). She is kind of uncomfortable, annoying and her conversations never stops flowing...
(14 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: Your really really really old aunt who has a kind soul.
But what you're actually referencing: Similar to her sister Aunt Flo, Aunt Rose seems to be the nicer of the two: Because we all know things like rose petals and rose bushes resemble menstruation.
(15 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: Like you have a giant wound and you can't stop bleeding. Ever.
But what you're actually referencing: You're being pretty literal here, but yes, a period means you're bleeding from your vagina.
(16 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: A really trendy urban cafe.
But what you're actually referencing: The dot/dots that appear on your liner, pad and sometimes on your bed sheets and underwear. Also, dot = period.
(17 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: Not just any friend, but a really annoying friend you don't like.
But what you're actually referencing: Sometimes we try to make the best of what life throws at us by staying positive and remembering our periods can be our friends.
(18 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: When the plumbing went wrong ... for a week.
But what you're actually referencing: Again, the leak refers the constant flow of blood coming out of your body. We also assume people are referring to leaks they get on their pants or bedsheets. The worst.
(19 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: Time of the month sounds like a hush-hush thing that happens to your body that only you and members of a secret club understand.
But what you're actually referencing: TOTM refers to time of the month when your period is taking place — just so we're all on the same page.
(20 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: A newsletter or a magazine that comes out once a month
But what you're actually referencing: To add emphasis that everything is cool with your flow and your period only happens once a month.
(21 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: Teenage slang
But what you're actually referencing: PMS actually stands for premenstrual syndrome, and isn't a synonym for your period at all.
(22 of24)
Open Image ModalWhat it sounds like: A dirty old cloth you use to wash your dishes and floor
But what you're actually referencing: The rag is closely related to the pad or tampon we wear during periods... and how uncomfortable it is. It's also an unfortunate visual.
(23 of24)
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