Years Later, Still “Ayyo”: A Real Story About Periods, PMS, and the Beliefs We Inherit

Years have passed since my first period. But one thing hasn't changed — every month, when it's about to arrive, my first reaction is still the same.

Nobody really sits you down and explains proper menstrual hygiene or everyday period care. You just figure it out, month after month, sometimes the hard way.

“Ayyo… Already Ah?”

Every month, when my period is about to arrive...

My first reaction is still,

“Ayyo... already ah?” 

Forget the bleeding. It's the entire combo offer.

Cramps. Pimples. Mood swings. Bloating.

My face decides it's time for a breakout exactly when I have an important meeting or function. Perfect timing. 

The Water I Wouldn't Drink

And here's something I used to do that makes me laugh now...

During my periods, especially on office days, I hardly drank water. Not because I didn't like water. Because I didn't want to keep running to the restroom.

So my brain proudly said,

“Simple... don't drink water.”

My body was probably looking at me like...

“Seriously? This is your solution?” 

Only later did I realize how important hydration actually is during periods. If someone had simply told me,

“Keerthi... drink more water. It'll actually help.”

I would've listened.

Sometimes, it isn't carelessness. It's just a lack of awareness — the kind of basic feminine hygiene knowledge that should've been common sense, but somehow never came up.

If I knew better back then, would I have done things differently? Probably.

Paati's Rule: Three Days, No Washing

Then there's one memory that still makes me smile.

One month, I didn't tell my grandma that I got my period. She was the one who usually washed my clothes. When she saw the stain on my underwear, she immediately called me. Very seriously. She said,

“For the next three days, ask your amma to wash your clothes.”

I asked,

“Why paati?”

Without missing a second, she said,

“Old people shouldn't wash these clothes... it's paavam.”

I didn't argue. Honestly... trying to win an argument with grandma is almost impossible anyway. 

I just nodded and walked away.

Even then, some part of me wondered why being on my period made me untouchable to her.

What If She Had Known?

But years later... I started thinking differently.

What if... someone had taught my grandma about periods when she was young? What if she had received the awareness we're getting today?

Would she still have believed it was paavam? Or would she have looked at me and said,

“It's normal ma... don't worry.”

Sometimes we think the older generation created these beliefs. Maybe they didn't. Maybe they simply inherited them... just like we inherit recipes, traditions, and family stories.

The only difference is... some traditions deserve to be continued. Some deserve to be questioned.

And maybe that's exactly how change begins — one conversation at a time, alongside a little more menstrual health awareness passed from one generation to the next. Even groups like the WHO point to open conversation as one of the simplest ways old myths lose their power.

What I've Learned Since

•        Hydration matters just as much during your period as any other day.

•        Skipping water to avoid the restroom only makes cramps and bloating worse.

•        A family belief passed down with love isn't the same as a fact.

•        You're allowed to ask “why”, even when the answer is “because I said so.”

•        Awareness is often the only thing missing — not care.

Good menstrual hygiene tips for girls apply just as much once you're grown — things like staying hydrated, resting when your body asks for it, and choosing rash free sanitary pads for sensitive skin so period days feel a little less like a battle.

If you've ever wondered which sanitary pad is best for heavy flow, you don't have to guess through trial and error the way I did. You can now buy sanitary pads online and compare options from home  Femi9's period care products are worth a look, especially with more brands offering sanitary pads in India built for comfort rather than just absorbency.

For general guidance on hydration and period symptoms, the NHS has practical, easy-to-follow information worth a read.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, this isn't really a story about cramps or clothes or grandma's rules. It's about how much we figure out alone, simply because nobody talked about it openly — and how much easier it could be if we did.

Some traditions deserve to be continued. Some deserve to be questioned.

And maybe that's exactly how change begins. One conversation at a time.

If this story felt familiar, you can also read more About Femi9 and what we stand for.