Debunking Myth: Washing Hair on Your Periods Can Make You Infertile

For a lot of Indian women, every time we were set to have a nice, warm bath during our periods, we were reminded by someone not to wash our hair. You’ve probably heard it too, that washing hair during menstruation can lead to infections, worsen cramps, or even cause infertility.

But is there actually any truth to it?

Let’s travel back in time and look at the science to debunk this myth! 

Can washing hair during your period really make you infertile?

No, it can’t.

There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that washing your hair during your period has any effect on fertility. None. Zilch. It’s a myth that somehow still finds its way into conversations, usually passed down from well-meaning elders who genuinely believed it to be true.

Where did this myth even come from?

It goes way back to when rivers and communal baths were the only ways to wash.

Research shows that this idea dates back to a time when taking a bath meant heading to the river, a lake or a communal bath. Women on their periods were discouraged from washing their hair because cold river water was believed to “shock” the uterus, slow down blood flow, or cause swelling — all untrue by today’s medical standards. Also, let’s be real, bathing in a communal water source during menstruation was just… not the safest thing hygiene-wise. So the fear wasn’t completely unfounded, it’s just outdated.

Does washing hair increase period pain or infections?

Not at all. If anything, it can help.

A warm shower can actually ease cramps, relax muscles, and make you feel more like yourself. Washing hair on your period is not only safe, but also pretty refreshing when everything else feels kind of gross. As for infections? As long as you’re using clean water and good hygiene products (like this one) clean, there’s zero risk related to washing your hair.

So, is it safe to wash hair on any day of your cycle?

Absolutely.

Whether it’s day one or day five, feel free to shampoo away. Your uterus isn’t going to “catch a cold,” and your fertility isn’t hanging by a strand of wet hair.

Let’s stop passing down fear, and start passing down facts.

We inherit a lot from the women before us — their strength, wisdom, and sometimes, their misinformation. This is your gentle reminder that just because something has been said over and over, doesn’t mean it’s true. Washing hair during your period is totally safe. It doesn’t affect your fertility. It doesn’t mess with your hormones. And it definitely doesn’t make you any less clean or sacred or worthy.

In fact, a good warm shower, however, definitely helps with period cramps and helps you relax during menstruation. 

So go ahead and wash your hair. You deserve to feel good, every single day of your cycle.

Through ‘Debunking Myths’, we acknowledge period myths and expose them with verified facts. Let’s debunk more period myths here.