"Why is menstruation commonly referred to as Aunt Flow or similar terms?"

As we all know, female friends experience menstruation every month. Menstruation is a technical term in medicine, but in daily life, many people call it menstrual period. So, how did menstruation become associated with menstrual period? I believe many people don't know why menstruation is called menstrual period. Today, I will explain to you how this term originated.

Why Menstruation is Called Menstrual Period

The first explanation is excerpted from ancient literature: In the late Han Dynasty, there was a girl named Jia who was 16 years old. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she lived with her aunt. As time passed, there were more and more marriage proposals, but she only liked Li Lang. Li Lang was infatuated with her and secretly met her at home. Just as they were about to get intimate, they heard footsteps. Jia said, "Menstrual period is here." Li Lang hid. After the rainstorm, Li Lang arranged for the marriage, and Jia entered the Li family. On their wedding night, as Li Lang prepared to undress and light the candles, Jia was embarrassed to say, "Menstrual period is here." Li Lang understood and stopped the intimate act. From then on, whenever Jia's menstrual period arrived, she would say, "Menstrual period is here."

The second explanation: It is said that one day, a little girl just started menstruating. She suddenly saw a pool of blood from her vagina and exclaimed in confusion, "Yi" (aunt in Chinese), and then anxiously shouted, "Ma" (mom). This is the origin of the term menstrual period.

The third explanation: In ancient times, when women first experienced menstruation, due to lack of knowledge, they were afraid to walk around freely. Whenever their female friends invited them out, they would pretend that "Auntie has come." Over time, this became a euphemism for menstruation.

The fourth explanation for menstruation and menstrual period: In Japanese, "I'm back" is translated into Chinese as "Tā Dàmā" (He's Auntie). Therefore, some Chinese people call menstruation's arrival as "menstrual period." Gradually, menstruation became synonymous with menstrual period. A woman who reaches a certain age will experience menstrual periods every month, which she treats as intimately as her mother. If a menstrual period does not arrive as expected, it is cause for concern because the menstrual cycle is regular. Irregular menstrual cycles may indicate underlying health issues. Therefore, ladies should never provoke this "menstrual period."

What to Eat When Experiencing Menstrual Cramps

When experiencing menstrual cramps, avoid all cold foods, difficult-to-digest foods, and spicy or irritating foods such as peppers, raw onions, raw garlic, pepper, strong alcohol, etc. During this period, you can moderately eat some pungent foods such as pickles and vinegar, which can help relieve pain. Additionally, those with menstrual pain should maintain regular bowel movements both before and after menstruation. Eat plenty of honey, bananas, lettuce, sweet potatoes, etc., as constipation can aggravate menstrual pain and increase discomfort.

After understanding why menstruation is called menstrual period, I hope all female friends will take good care of their bodies! Menstruation is an important matter for women. During this period, you can moderately consume foods that nourish blood and qi. Avoid cold water and raw, cold foods, as they can adversely affect your health and, in severe cases, may lead to infertility!