Anne Walker shows that women are neither the victims of raging hormonal fluctuations nor entirely unaffected by them.

Unlike most previous publications that focus on menstruation (a part of the cycle), The Menstrual Cycle presents a well researched study of the entire menstrual cycle and its relationship to women's lives.

Women's own experiences in different cultures are contrasted with medical textbook descriptions and the "normal" is found to be rather elusive.

This book will be read by discourse analysts, doctors, nurses and any woman who has felt curious about her menstrual cycle and its possible effects.