Menstruation myth?

[GameofPhones]

Has anyone come across the idea that soaking the feet can bring forward a period? A translation I am doing appears to say this. I have looked up menstruation myths and foot swelling and menstruation are sometimes believed to be linked.

Not heard it, but if bloating is associated with periods then it doesn't sound totally far-fetched. Not sure about whether soaking feet could bring on a period - wouldn't the egg have had to be released already? So if it did 'bring it on', then would only be a few hours, maybe? But I don't know! There's often more than a grain of truth in myths. How confident are you of the translation?

Thankyou for reply! This lady would have a reason for wanting to bring on her period early, as she is going to make a long journey in a few days' time, plus she knows she will find the first days of her period very painful. ('X' is how she refers to her period.)

The German is (from her diary) 'Um 10 mit waerm flasche in Bett. Vorher Fussbad um X zu beschlennigen.'

I've translated it 'At 10 went to bed with a hot water bottle. A footbath before that, so that X would make up its mind.'

The diary entry is 9th June. Her period actually started on 12th June, her journey started on 13th June.

Never heard anyone complain get foot swelling before a period don’t think is common thing. Not sure how soaking feet would help this. It’s the law period only arrives on the most inconvenient week or day will never change!

PS have just seen in a dictionary that 'beschleunigen', which her handwriting could also be, means 'accelerate, expedite'.

Could it have been herbal mix in water? I imagine much of women's social history has got lost in time. If you can find something works you be quids in!

That sounds really interesting op. The only myth I've ever heard was that having a bath whilst on your period can cause haemorrhage heard as a teen from my mother of all people

A bath causing haemorrhage while menstruating is a similar idea. The same lady incidentally refers to menstruation as a visit from Auntie.

Sort of related but my great gran always said if you wear socks/slippers instead of bare feet on cold floor then your periods are shorter. It did work for me, don’t know if there’s any science behind it though

Unrelated to menstruation but I remember reading about trying to avoid massaging a certain point on the heel of the feet during pregnancy as it can stimulate labour and induce a premature birth. That stuck with me, I don't know whether the stimulation would have any effect on bringing forward menstrual cramps?

Look up Pinoy menstruation superstitions - some of them are wild.

@brambleon

Sort of related but my great gran always said if you wear socks/slippers instead of bare feet on cold floor then your periods are shorter. It did work for me, don’t know if there’s any science behind it though

Not totally impossible. Heat increases blood flow, cold slows it down. So hot water bottles, baths, having warm feet may all increase body temperature very slightly which could speed up bleeding?

Intriguing! In some Eastern European and Russian cultures it’s said that if you sit on a cold surface or have bare feet on a cold floor you will give yourself fertility problems. Some people can get quite adamant about that. What you’re saying OP could perhaps be seen as the logical extension of this belief, i.e. heat makes your reproductive organs more stimulated/more efficient or “better” somehow, so everything is expedited.

Although the text you’ve posted could also simply be construed as someone relieving PMS, heat for muscle aches and cramp, that sort of thing. And the relief could make it seem like the whole thing happens more quickly.

I like the sound of this lady!

@GameofPhones
We (North-West) have among tradtionial remedies that a hot bath may bring on your period and help with cramps and a hot foot bath used to be easier to get than a full body one.
What kind of translation are you doing? And when did the author live?
'beschleunigen' is a very High German and neutral way of saying 'speed up'

[quote Prokupatuscrakedatus]@GameofPhones
We (North-West) have among tradtionial remedies that a hot bath may bring on your period and help with cramps and a hot foot bath used to be easier to get than a full body one.
What kind of translation are you doing? And when did the author live?
'beschleunigen' is a very High German and neutral way of saying 'speed up'[/quote]
This is a personal diary written in the 1930's, in Hamburg. Which word is more likely in this context, do you think - beschlennigen or beschleunigen? Her handwriting can be difficult to read sometimes.

@GameofPhones

beschlenningen isn't a word - until ca. 1933 Sütterlin / deutsche Schreibschrift was written and taught and all the m, n, u, i looked basically the same

www.pinterest.de/pin/379498706085298118/?d=t&mt=login Example I hope you can see it

@Prokupatuscrakedatus an online dictionary gave the translation 'take a decision' for beschlennigen, but it's true I don't find that word in a proper dictionary. So I guess beschleunigen (bring forward) is the only option. Thankyou for the script information, it will be helpful.

@MumblesAndMutters

Intriguing! In some Eastern European and Russian cultures it’s said that if you sit on a cold surface or have bare feet on a cold floor you will give yourself fertility problems. Some people can get quite adamant about that. What you’re saying OP could perhaps be seen as the logical extension of this belief, i.e. heat makes your reproductive organs more stimulated/more efficient or “better” somehow, so everything is expedited.

Although the text you’ve posted could also simply be construed as someone relieving PMS, heat for muscle aches and cramp, that sort of thing. And the relief could make it seem like the whole thing happens more quickly.

I like the sound of this lady!

In my family the older generations believe that walking barefoot on a cold floor will give you kidney problems.

I read that sage tea could bring on a period. I used to have very erratic periods so tried drinking some when willing a late period to appear before an imminent holiday. It did nowt.

If I have a hot shower and wash my hair in the 48 or so hours before my period is due it does bring forward my period. Has worked for years. Something to do with heat.

One myth that abounded in my teenage years (1980s) was that you can't leak when in water (e.g. bath, swimming).

Absolute bollocks, as I thought sitting in the bath watching a blood clot bob merrily by.

My grandmother used to be appalled that I washed my hair whilst on my period. I'm not sure what she thought might happen! She used to mutter about it causing a disturbance in my circulation 🤷‍♀️

@ArblemarchTFruitbat

I’m pretty sure someone in my NCT group ages ago tried to bring on labour with sage. Below is the headline Google gives on a quick search. Presumably similar “logic”, if one can call it that, as bringing on a period - maybe something about uterine contractions.

“Clary sage helps stimulate contractions or surges very useful to induce labour especially following a membrane sweep'. It has quite a sedating effect which potentially has a positive impact on reducing adrenaline and therefore aids oxytocin production”

As for the no leaks thing - totally! I’m a teen of the 90s and this was said to me often, including in magazines like Sugar and Mizz. Agree it’s total bollocks.

@Macaroni46

“My grandmother used to be appalled that I washed my hair whilst on my period. I'm not sure what she thought might happen! She used to mutter about it causing a disturbance in my circulation 🤷‍♀️“

There’s something similar in my teen experience. My mother was a mean sort and, in the 90s, she used to comment that girls in my school with greasy hair must be on their period, hence them being mean. I never understood why. Thought maybe she was just saying this to fob me off, not wanting to engage with my various friendship problems at school. But, seeing your post, I wonder if she maybe believed that on some level (as well as being horrible).

I also distinctly remember a female history teacher, probably somewhere around age 13, talking about life in Elizabeth I times and commenting off-hand: “can you imagine having your period and not washing?”. I was like “whaaaaat?” since I assumed my mother thought that was the norm.

As it happens I was very late getting my period and never didn’t shower.

It’s so interesting to see all these whispered period myths out in the light, so to speak.

(Sorry OP for detailing the thread a bit.)

@ArblemarchTFruitbat

I read that sage tea could bring on a period. I used to have very erratic periods so tried drinking some when willing a late period to appear before an imminent holiday. It did nowt.

I was always told that raspberry leaf tea can bring on your period. This is suppost to help induce labour too. Never worked for me