Period Party Powered By Sirona: Experts Break One Taboo At A Time In The Ask Me Anything Segment

The world is making and breaking records when it comes to technological advancements, women empowerment, scientific research and what not. Despite all these, menstruation or period still remains a taboo in majority parts of India. We still hesitate before uttering the word ‘period’ in a public space, and often feel the need to ‘cover up’ our pads while carrying it. To bring a wave of positive change and shatter the taboos around period, OnlyMyHealth and HerZindagi by Jagran New Media hosted Period Party 3.0 – School Edition, powered by Sirona (gifting partners - Agapi and YEU), at Amity International School, Mayur Vihar, on December 23, 2025.

The initiative marked the beginning of a movement, which focused on creating awareness, empathy, and correct understanding of menstruation among young minds. In an insightful ‘Ask Me Anything’ session – experts Dr Nidhi Agrawal and Dr Bhavya Rathore, Gynaecologists and Obstetricians from Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, answered queries related to period – breaking one taboo at a time. Here’s a glimpse into the Q/A session. Read ahead.

What is PCOS?

PCOS or polycystic ovarian disease or polycystic ovarian syndrome is basically when you have an irregular period. It has a bunch of symptoms and is caused by hormonal imbalance. So, what you get is irregular periods, acne, facial hair growth, sudden weight change. You can have one of it or all of it. Hormonal tests and ultrasound gives us a diagnosis of PCOS. It is a lifestyle disease which causes changes in your hormones.

What are some early indicators of PCOS or period-related issues that teens should notice?

Well, in PCOS, the common symptoms that you can observe are a lot of acne, hair growth, facial hair growth specifically, as well as a sudden weight gain and irregular periods.

Are period delays always harmful?

Some of the myths that everyone has is that a regular cycle should always be 28 days or 30 days. But if you are having your periods every 25 days of the month and they are coming regularly, that is regular for your body. If it is coming regularly at 35 days, for you 33 to 35 days, it is absolutely okay for your body. But yes, it should not vary from your regular time for at least 2-3 days.

If you are missing your period or it is getting delayed, then it is a matter of concern. Talk to your parents, teachers or counsellors. They will obviously help you out in knowing why it is happening.

How do you comfort someone who is on their periods?

First of all, whenever somebody is going through a pain or having period cramps, one should always be helpful and empathetic towards the person and not discard it as this is a monthly occuring. You can give some hot water bags and medicines to the person. To pump her up, you can put on some music and get her some chocolates.

If someone is feeling sick or extremely low during their periods – is it abnormal?

The pain can be dealt with Meftal-Spa tablets. If that is also not helping, we have other medicines as well. The period pain can always be taken care of. The low feeling that you are having can obviously be because of the hormones, the period pain and the cramps. It is not an easy time. So, it is absolutely okay to feel low.

But then you need to know that if your periods are heavy and if the hemoglobin is going down, that is also one point where you can feel low. So, you need to check that.

Why does the lining of the uterus shed every month during periods?

This happens because ovulation is taking place mid-cycle and that is the time when the uterus is getting ready for pregnancy basically. So, whenever the pregnancy is not happening, the hormones drop suddenly; that is when the inner lining sheds off along with the blood vessels.

What are some common myths related to periods that teenagers should stop believing in?

So, have you heard of things like ‘periods are dirty’, ‘don't go to the kitchen’, ‘don't wash your hair’, ‘don't bathe’ or something like that? These are all myths. If you are properly maintaining the hygiene and everything, then there is nothing dirty about it.

What changes can you notice in someone experiencing their periods?

Women experience water retention a lot more around the time of periods. If you girls observe yourself, there is a slight gain in weight, a slight gain in inches — you can see the same length jeans, the same waist jeans are getting tighter just before your periods. And obviously, during periods, you will be feeling a little low because of the pain, and may be a little irritable also. So, these are some changes that you can observe in the behavioural part.

Why do some girls experience mood swings during periods?

Women’s bodies are actually governed by hormones. So there are some hormones, which if they are at a higher level, make us happy; if they are dipping, they make us a little sad. When we are on our periods, both our hormones estrogen and progesterone actually dip. So that makes us a little low. The discomfort during periods of the pain or some somebody's having heavy periods or painful periods also adds to the mood swings.

To deal with this, you can engage in some physical activity or sort of exercise, take a walk with your friends, talk to your friends, listen to some good music, and grab a bite of chocolate.

Can we take a bath during periods?

Yes, we can and we have to – be it winters, summers or rainy season. Hygiene is of paramount importance, especially during periods. This is because we want a very safe hygienic period; we don't want you to have infections. Changing your pads at regular intervals is also of vital importance.

What should you do if you feel shy to inform your parents or teachers that you got your periods?

If you feel shy, at least talk to your friend. I am sure everyone has a best friend; a friend who's their confidant. Talk to your teacher if you are in school. If you are at your home, talk to your sibling. You should have the confidence that your parents and your teacher are always there to help you. They will simplify things for you. Today, we have given you that confidence that when we can have this discussion at this big level at a podium, so from now on, you can have this confidence to talk to your friend or teacher; you will be heard and understood.

So, please go ahead and talk to them. I would also encourage teachers and parents to talk to their children even before they get their period, to prepare them. This way they will be mentally ready that this would happen and that's how to go about it.

Which factors point out that you may have PCOD or PCOS?

There are many factors. So the initial two to three years of your period, you would have irregular cycles. They are irregular because there is no ovulation. Most of the cycles are irregular and pain-free. It is completely normal; you do not need treatment for the first two to three years for irregular cycles. We do not label them as PCOD because their hormones are just growing, leveling up and attaining that equilibrium. After the initial years, how your periods are, it can decide whether you have a hormonal problem or not.

Please suggest some simple hacks to reduce cramps during periods.

We always start with the non-pharmacological methods – so something like, keeping a warm water bag over your lower tummy. Take a regular walk, engage in some gentle exercises. Sip some mild green tea. Consult your doctor and you can take analgesics for period cramps, after consultation. 

Also Read: Period Party School Edition: Breaking Period Stigma Where It Begins