Women take pills to delay periods. But many are not aware of the side effects

The deeply ingrained notions of ‘impurity’ around menstruation are forcing women to pop pills so that they are socially acceptable during festivals and rituals.

The first time Sabita Poudel took hormonal pills to delay her menstruation was when she was 28. There was a puja at her home and her mother-in-law suggested what she called “ mahinawari pachhadi saarne aushadhi ”, something that would delay the period.