7 things women are unfairly forbidden from doing during menstruation

Have you ever felt uneasy or even judged by others for something as natural as your monthly cycle?

I remember once as a teenager, sitting in my church pew on a Sunday, feeling self-conscious because a friend whispered, “You shouldn’t be here if you’re on your period.”

Back then, I had no idea that some people still believed a woman could be “unclean” just because of her menstruation.

Over the years, I’ve met many women who carry shame about this entirely normal biological process.

So, let’s look at seven things women are sometimes unfairly forbidden from doing during their period — and break down why these restrictions don’t stand up under biblical truth.

1. Attending church or participating in worship

For centuries, some Christian communities have held onto an Old Testament perspective that a woman is ritually impure during menstruation.

Because of this, they discourage or even forbid women from attending services or receiving communion when on their period.

It might be a cultural norm in certain places, but when I compare this to the life and ministry of Jesus, I see a stark contrast.

In Mark 5:25-34, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus, touched His cloak, and was healed.

Instead of condemning her for her “impurity,” Jesus commended her faith.

Today, He invites all of us to come, no matter our physical condition.

When I was in my early 20s, I wrestled with guilt for even walking into church on a particularly painful day of my cycle.

Then I read Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

That verse lifted my shame.

God wants our hearts, not our avoidance. If we avoid church out of fear or taboo, we miss the incredible support and fellowship found among believers.

2. Leading Bible study or prayer groups

Some people believe a woman shouldn’t take on leadership roles or pray publicly during her period, as if her connection to God is somehow diminished.

Yet Scripture shows no indication that a woman’s spiritual authority depends on her physical state.

Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, “there is neither male nor female,” highlighting that we are all one in Him.

If you’ve been told to step back from ministry during menstruation, think about how Jesus continuously lifted women to places of honor—like the woman at the well in John 4, who became an evangelist in her community.

When I first started leading Bible studies, I noticed some women hesitated to join if they were feeling unwell or had concerns about cleanliness.

But leading a study, praying, or sharing the Word doesn’t hinge on biological cycles. God’s Spirit doesn’t retreat when our hormones shift.

3. Engaging in normal household tasks

I’ve heard stories from fellow Christians who were told they shouldn’t cook, clean, or even touch certain items during their period because they were “unclean.”

This mindset often springs from ancient purity laws in Leviticus, which served a purpose for Israel under the Old Covenant.

However, under the New Covenant in Christ, believers are not bound by these ceremonial laws. It might be easier for some to conflate practical hygiene with spiritual purity, but they aren’t the same.

I actually embrace taking it a bit easier on difficult days—less cooking, more rest—but that’s for self-care, not because I think God demands isolation from everyday life.

If anything, I see my family coming alongside me, pitching in more.

That’s not about forbidding me — it’s about caring for one another.

4. Participating in social events or fellowship

I once attended a women’s conference where a dear friend of mine was so uncomfortable with her period that she felt unworthy to join a prayer circle.

She’d grown up in a household where her mom had taught her to separate herself during “that time of the month.” But biblically, we see Jesus constantly breaking down walls that isolate or shame people.

He mingled with the sick, the broken, and even those labeled “unclean.”

If anything, menstruation is a reminder of our human frailty, which should draw us closer to each other—not force us into isolation.

Here’s the thing:

Fellowship is crucial for spiritual growth.

Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to encourage one another and meet together. Excluding ourselves during our cycle can rob us of the comfort and encouragement God intends for us to have.

5. Receiving communion

Another taboo that pops up:

Some churches or individuals believe women shouldn’t receive communion while menstruating.

Yet Jesus established communion as a remembrance of His sacrifice for all of us, independent of gender, race, or physical status.

If you think about the moment of the Last Supper, Jesus extended the bread and the cup to His disciples as a gift of grace. He didn’t attach conditions based on physical uncleanliness.

When I was in college, one of my theology professors helped me see that communion is a celebration of the new covenant.

It’s a powerful reminder that Christ’s blood was shed so that our sins—our spiritual stains—would be washed clean.

Let’s not let man-made rules add barriers to experiencing God’s grace at the Lord’s Table.

6. Reading or touching the Bible

In some traditions, menstruating women have been told not to handle holy objects like the Bible.

I find this particularly heartbreaking.

Scripture is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and believers are encouraged to study the Word, day and night (Joshua 1:8). That call doesn’t pause based on our bodily cycles.

Think about it:

• Would God really deny a woman the chance to encounter His Word at a time when she might feel vulnerable or physically uncomfortable?
• Doesn’t Scripture offer comfort, instruction, and spiritual nourishment exactly when we need it most?

When I was younger, I remember someone casually remarking, “Wait until you’re off your period to read the Bible, so you’re spiritually clean.”

Even back then, that felt off to me. Over time, I’ve come to see how these restrictions can drive women away from the very hope and wisdom they need.

7. Serving in marriage and family roles

In certain households, it’s a norm that a wife distance herself from her husband or drastically alter her parenting during menstruation.

Sometimes, the idea is that her mood or “impure state” disqualifies her from closeness and affection. Granted, every couple handles intimacy differently during that time, and that’s a personal choice.

But forcing a woman to isolate isn’t biblical.

Paul’s instructions about marital intimacy in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 revolve around mutual understanding and love, not shame or forced separation.

I’ve discovered that open communication with my husband, Daniel, has helped us navigate those monthly discomforts in a healthy way.

It’s not a time of taboo — it can be a time of extended grace and patience.

When it comes to my teenagers, Lydia and Caleb, they know I might have less energy on certain days, but that’s exactly why they step up to help with chores or dinner.

It becomes a moment for the family to show love, not to push me into a corner.

Closing thoughts

As a Christian woman, I’ve learned that our faith celebrates the dignity and worth of every believer—male or female—at all times, in every season.

Menstruation isn’t a curse or a reason to withdraw.

It’s a sign of life and part of the way God created us. If you’ve ever felt shame about this natural process, I invite you to bring those burdens to the Lord.

Let His words of grace and acceptance wash over you.

Here are a few ways to honor God during your period:

• Rest when you need to (self-care can be worshipful).
• Continue reading Scripture to feed your spirit.
• Stay connected with church and fellowship.
• Communicate openly with family or close friends about how you’re feeling.

One sentence to carry with you:

God’s acceptance of you isn’t limited by any biological process — He meets you with love and grace every day of your life.