For ages, the most incredible myths and stories have been circulating about women's monthly bleeding. We find some of them disgusting, questionable, unbelievable and surprising. Some of them have a true background and may even be helpful, while others come from medieval views and call into question much of what we know about menstruation.

We have selected the 7 most bizarre facts about menstruation for you. 

1. Menstrual blood is toxic

At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists examined the menstrual blood of numerous women and allegedly found the poison menotoxin. This is a menstrual poison that causes flowers to wilt, destroys crops and can kill animals.

Centuries ago, it was believed that menstrual blood was poisonous, and this gave rise to numerous myths that have persisted into modern times. As a result, experiments were repeatedly carried out with menstrual blood and attempts were made to find connections between the female period and various misfortunes.

In truth, however, to date there is no evidence that menotoxin really exists, nor that women excrete any kind of toxins through their skin during their period.

2. A Kansas chiropractor wants to tape the vaginas of menstruating women to prevent the leakage of menstrual blood.

The most incredible menstrual product was invented by Dan Dopps, a doctor in America. He developed an adhesive in the form of a lipstick that is supposed to seal the labia in order to stop menstruation.

Only when you go to the toilet does the glue dissolve in urine and the collected menstrual blood can flow away. This is how the chiropractor wants to help modern women gain more control over their bleeding.

Mensez, as he calls his questionable glue, consists of amino acids and oil and is his alternative to tampons and pads.

We will be surprised to see how many women Mr. Dopps can convince of his idea.

3. Iguanas attack menstruating women

Have you ever heard that animals can smell menstrual blood and react aggressively to it?

When asked this question, most people probably think of a shark, but we are talking about an iguana here. Male iguanas react extremely strongly to the pheromone that women release during their period.

In America, there are several known cases of menstruating women being attacked by iguanas. Veterinarians suspect that female iguanas smell similarly during courtship and that the animals are irritated by the smell of humans.

4. The hormones before the period make us become shopping monsters

Researchers have found in a study with 500 women that they have about 10days go shopping most often before menstruation. Are you wondering why? Well, it has to do with the hormones surrounding bleeding. The researchers explain this phenomenon by saying that women feel uncomfortable during this time and want to compensate for this by making purchases out of frustration.

Well, dear women, if that isn’t a license to go on extensive monthly shopping sprees.

5.Ways to shorten your period

You are one of the women who have more than 5days every month and have been looking for a way to shorten your period for ages? Good news - it's apparently possible.

There are actually only two ways to shorten your period. You can either help the uterus to contract, which reduces the bleeding, or you can stimulate the bleeding so that it stops more quickly.

It may be that the tips presented here work to reduce the bleeding, but the previously built up uterine lining has to be removed from the body, no matter what. So this will probably only help in the short term.

Cold packs on the abdomen help the uterus to contract, which reduces the bleeding for a few hours. Herbal teas containing lady's mantle, lemon balm and yarrow are also used for heavy bleeding. However, these only work after prolonged use.

A lot of warmth and movement help to increase bleeding and thus drain menstrual blood more quickly. Sex also promotes bleeding because the muscle contractions during orgasm literally push the blood out of the uterus.

6. Pineapple should not be eaten during menstruation

Even though the fruit is considered extremely healthy, it can affect menstruation. The enzyme bromelain it contains promotes the formation of white and red blood cells, which can lead to increased bleeding, especially during menstruation. Eating a pineapple during menstruationdays can also lead to increased shedding of the uterine lining.

For a healthy woman, eating a pineapple during her period should not cause excessive bruising, but caution is advised if she already has a blood disorder or if she is bleeding particularly heavily.

7. Weight gain during your period

Your period is approaching and suddenly your favorite jeans no longer fit properly, your bra is too tight and you feel bloated. Many women notice a temporary weight gain during their period. This can be up to three kilos.

The reason for this is usually hormones, which cause water retention in the hips, chest and stomach. Small food binges and the uncontrollable craving for sweets also cause the kilos to pile on in the period before your period.

But don't worry, once the bleeding starts, your hormone levels usually return to normal and the pounds disappear as quickly as they came.