Overview

Here is an up-to-date view of menstruation from a feminist perspective. Despite the fact that the menstrual cycle is an integral part of women’s lives, menstruation is often viewed as an illness or problem.

About the Book

Lifting the Curse of Menstruation answers essential questions about the occurrence of menstruation—from menarche to menopause—and its effects on women’s lives. Experts examine the relationship of menstruation to cognitive competence and psychophysiological response, premenstrual syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and the relationship between psychopathology and the menstrual cycle.

Discussion and Insights

The contributors also discuss how menstrual cycle research has been tainted by sexism and assumptions of biological determinism, offering insightful suggestions on how future research can become more sophisticated, reliable, and valid. Lifting the Curse of Menstruation shatters myths and misconceptions, providing an enormous body of knowledge about the menstrual cycle that will help women to better understand their bodies and enable health care professionals to provide better informed, higher quality care.