THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The faith and devotion of millions of women who offer Pongala to Attukalamma here, is so strong that they would go to any extent not to miss an offering, including intake of hormone pills to delay their monthly periods. According to The Guiness Book of World Records, the Attukal Pongala festival attended by over 25 lakh devotees is the largest congregation of women in the world. Going by the hike in the sales of the hormone pills, this festival could also be the largest conglomeration of women on these pills.The most commonly used pills are Primolut N (5 mg) and Regestrone (5 mg).These pills are taken three days before the expected date of menstruation. Regestrone sales in the city record an increase of over 50 per cent while that of Primolut N by 25 per cent during the Pongala seasonMini J, a resident of Thrikkannapuram, who had to take the pill a few years ago during the Pongala time, says: “I had been offering the Pongala for the last 12 years and I didn’t want to miss this one.”However, she had to deal with physical discomfort a few days after its intake. Some other devotees who take pills say that it takes time for the body to get back to its natural rhythm. A few even lost their babies as they were unaware of their pregnancy.However, gynaecologist Dr P V Aysha says that the pills do not have any serious side-effects. “But you have to consult a doctor before taking it. Girls nowadays take them to attend marriages and even to go for a picnic,” she adds.The only other time when the sales of these medicines pick up is during the Sabarimala season when women try to maintain “sanctity” at home for the menfolk who are on a pilgrimage then.
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