u/West_Variety_7573

I'm a microbiologist. I know pickles spoil because of moisture, air, or a dirty spoon. Not because a menstruating woman touched the jar.

But my aunt still believes period blood will rot the entire batch. And she's not alone. Millions of Indian women still follow this.

So someone explain this to me — how did a natural biological process become more "dangerous" than actual bacteria? Is this purely a patriarchy thing? Or was there some logic behind it in ancient times (like no proper hygiene products)?

Serious answers only. I genuinely want to understand where this myth came from.

Not sure if this belongs here but felt like sharing.

My father worked in a government textile mill somewhere in Tamil Nadu. When I was really small (kindergarten age) the mill was permanently shut down. Just like that. No second chance, no compensation that changed anything.

He never found a stable job after that. Started selling cattle feed. Did whatever work came his way. Two daughters at home. My mother managing the house.

He never once changed our school. Never missed a single fee payment. We didn't always have enough food but we always had school. That was his rule.

I just finished my PhD in Medical Microbiology from an India's Top institution. First person in my family to hold a degree.

I'm now making content about science the kind of science that affects everyday life. What's actually in your food. What medicines really do. Health myths our families have believed for generations.

Because the people who sacrificed the most to educate me still don't have access to the knowledge I now have. That felt wrong to me.

Is anyone else here from a similar background in India? A parent who worked in a government mill, a textile factory, or daily wage work and still somehow kept you in school? I'd genuinely like to know how common this is.

Not sure why I'm posting this today. Just had a conversation with my father and it hit me.

He worked in a government textile mill in Tamil Nadu. The mill shut down when I was really small — maybe 4 or 5. He never got a stable job after that. Sold cattle feed. Did whatever came.

Two daughters. My mother at home. No fixed income for years.

He never pulled us out of school. Never missed a single fee payment. I only understood later how much that cost him.

I just finished my PhD in Medical Microbiology from one of India's top institution. First person in my entire family to even finish a degree.

But here's the thing that's been sitting with me that my father, who gave up everything for me to study science, takes whatever tablet the doctor gives him without knowing why. Last week someone told him a certain food was good for diabetes and he just... believed it. No questions.

I spent years studying exactly this stuff. And the people I love most have zero access to it.

Anyway, one thing I'll say that Paracetamol, the Crocin or Dolo most of us pop for every fever, shouldn't cross 4 grams a day. Long term overuse silently damages the liver. Most people have no idea.

Does anyone else feel this gap with their parents? Where you've learned something and wished they knew it years ago?