Fact Check: Does Washing Hair in the First 3 Days of Periods Decrease Blood Flow?

A recent Instagram post claims that washing hair in the first 3 days during periods decreases blood flow. This post is False.

Claim

An Instagram post claims that washing hair in the first 3 days during periods decreases blood flow. In the Instagram post by yourskin. expert, the user advises that "do not wash hair in the first 3 days during periods, it decreases blood flow a lot which causes many problems for women." The user further elaborates that during menstruation body temperature is a little high to remove toxins. The post then goes on to suggest that even on regular days, do not wash your hair after sunset. The post can be accessed here

Fact Check:

This claim is False. Washing hair during menstruation or at any specific time of day does not affect blood flow or health. This post perpetuates common myths that are not supported by medical science. Women should feel comfortable maintaining regular hygiene practices during their periods.

Understanding Menstruation

According to The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US, menstruation is the normal outflow of blood and tissue from the uterine lining through the vagina that occurs throughout a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. Menstruation takes place between menarche (occurs between the ages of 10 and 16, with the average age of onset being 12.4 years), a girl's first period, and menopause(occurs between the ages of 45 and 55), when menstrual periods stop. The average menstruation time in normally menstruating women is about 5 days. (1)

What is the Menstrual Cycle?

NICHD adds that the menstrual cycle is the monthly process by which female hormones drive an ovary to release an egg, thicken the uterine lining to support a pregnancy, and then cause the uterus to shed this lining (during menstruation) if no pregnancy occurs. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but it varies across women and month to month. The menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 45 days in teenagers, although it usually lasts between 21 and 35 days in women. (1)

Importance of Healthy Scalp

 CDC, US explains that the scalp generates sebum, a natural oil that moisturizes and protects the skin from infection. Some people make more sebum than others. When the body produces too much sebum, it can accumulate on the scalp. If you shower less frequently, dead skin, debris, product residue, and sweat may accumulate on the scalp. This can cause oily hair, increased risk of infection, and bad odor. (2)

A study conducted by Supriya Punyani et al. and published in The Journal of Skin Appendage Disorder indicated that "Decreased wash frequency of hairs results in extended accumulation durations for produced sebum. Sebum begins to be chemically altered as soon as it reaches the scalp's surface; the longer it stays, the more changes occur. Modified sebum, contains free fatty acids and oxidized lipids, both of which are known to irritate skin. Lower shampoo wash frequency was connected with a higher prevalence of scalp disorders such as dandruff”

They further mentioned that the low wash frequency was associated with an increased prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis (a common form of eczema that usually affects the scalp). Increased washing frequency, even with a cosmetic shampoo, resulted in less flaking, redness, itching, Malassezia, and inflammatory cytokines. They further concluded that shampooing 5-6 times per week resulted in general satisfaction with hair and scalp condition. (3)

Why is it important to wash the scalp regularly?

Regular washing of the scalp is important control scalp conditions and infections including in the time of menstruations. Some of the common infections include:-

• Ringworm on the scalp is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or person, or through the environment. Good hygiene habits, such as not sharing combs, towels, or other personal objects and frequently washing hands, can help protect you.
• Head lice are typically transmitted by direct head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact. They spread through sharing clothing or other possessions if lice eggs or lice are present. Cleanliness is essential for avoiding and managing the spread of head lice. For example, do not share combs, brushes, or towels. (2)

Is it true that During menstruation, body temperature is a little high to remove toxins?

Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team, spoke with Dr Sowmya K N, Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru and she informed, " Menstrual cycles are an interplay of hormones. Basically, estrogen and progesterone and a few more. Basal body temperature keeps changing throughout the menstrual cycle. Usually, the basal body temperature increases a little near ovulation and also prior periods. This is the because uterus and ovaries along with your reproductive hormones keep changing throughout the cycle. Period blood has no toxins. It is as pure as venous blood. Periods are just a response from the uterus which was preparing for pregnancy. If no pregnancy happens, due to a fall in hormonal levels, the uterus sheds the inner layer that is the endometrium. It has no toxic materials or it's not impure. Menstruation is as normal as urination. Just that it takes 25-28 days for the endometrial layer to grow under hormonal influence. Having regular periods is one of the most natural, important and beautiful things that happens to healthy, fertile reproductive women. Embrace your body and the changes that come with it".

Does washing hair in the first three days of periods decrease blood flow for women?

Medical Dialogues team conducted a throrough scientific literative review to assess whether washing hair in the first three days of periods reduces blood flow. We explored many studies and scientific information guidelines, but not scientific literature or medical consensus finds any relation between washing or hair during periods and the menstruation blood flow.

In fact, Several studies have revealed that keeping proper hygiene during menstruation is crucial. Bathing promotes confidence and helps girls feel better, especially during periods (4). 

According to another article published by M Pattie Birch et.al, in `The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, their results revealed that bad hair days (BHD) are more common during menstruation and in women who wash their hair infrequently. This may relate to a build-up of sebum on the hair but menstrual variations in the frequency of BHDs are unrelated to sebum levels. (5)

There was no evidence found that supports the claim that Washing hair during the first three days of periods reduces menstrual blood flow.

Speaking to the medical dialogues team, Dr Sowmya K N, Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, explained that the claim of washing hair in the first three days of periods decreases blood flow for women is false. She said," There is no scientific evidence its just as a matter of cleanliness, It is followed by washing or not washing hair during cycles and has nothing to do with menstrual flow, hormones, or fertility. Maintaining good hygiene is a good practice irrespective of the day of period. It's just a myth that washing hair during cycles causes hair fall, hormonal imbalance or fertility issues. It might have been started as a practice to give rest to the menstruating women as the energy levels keep changing during the periods for some women. It's a total myth. Cleanliness and comfort have to be your priority".

Speaking to the medical dialogues team,  DR. Manjula. N.V., Consultant - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ramaiah Medical College & Hospitals, Karnataka, explained the claim that there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that washing hair during menstruation affects blood flow or menstrual health in any way. She said, "This is a common myth that has no basis in medical fact. Menstruation is a natural biological process driven by hormonal changes in the body, which lead to the shedding of the uterine lining. The flow of menstrual blood is regulated by these hormones and the condition of the endometrium, and it is not influenced by external factors like washing hair or bathing. Maintaining personal hygiene, including washing hair, during menstruation is essential for reducing the risk of infection and promoting overall well-being. Women should feel confident in taking care of their hygiene during their periods without worrying about such misconceptions."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

It is a misconception that girls should not wash their hair during periods particularly in the first three days. In fact , it is vital to practice good hygiene by washing our bodies and hair regularly, especially during periods. Bathing and shampooing our hair gives us more confidence. No medical evidence or consensus was found which states that washing hair in the first three days of periods decreases blood flow for women. Hence, this claim is False.

Reference:

1 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo

2 https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/hair-and-scalp-hygiene.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/hair-scalp.html

3 https://karger.com/sad/article/7/3/183/295193/The-Impact-of-Shampoo-Wash-Frequency-on-Scalp-and

4 https://www.unicef.org/timorleste/media/2376/file/Menstrual%20Hygiene%20Management%20-%20English%20.pdf

5 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00103.x