Period

February 27, 2023
Clancy, an anthropology professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, debuts with a bracing look at periods and how society lets down those who have them. She pushes back on menstrual stigma and busts myths about periods, noting that the incorrect understanding of menstruation cycles as “static, twenty-eight-day phenomena” stems from eugenicists’ belief in an “ideal” cycle and overlooks the “malleable, responsive, dynamic” nature of menstruation. Chronicling historical perspectives, Clancy traces how medieval views of menstruation as attempts to “purge the impure from the body” have evolved into contemporary stigma that encourages remaining silent about periods to better fit into professional and educational settings originally designed for men. The medical establishment, she argues, continues to fail in this regard. She recounts how her tweet asking if the Covid-19 vaccine had also affected other people’s periods turned into a formal survey that found 40% of respondents had experienced heavier bleeding, raising awareness of the fact that vaccine trials seldom take menstruation into account. Technical explanations of the biology behind periods might go over the heads of lay readers, but Clancy excels at outlining how sexism influences the production and process of science, as well as public understandings of research findings. The result is an urgent call to reconsider how periods are researched and discussed.

October 1, 2023

Although it is a common experience for over half the world's population, discussion of menstruation is still viewed as inappropriate in many cultures. In this rigorous yet accessible study, anthropologist Clancy (Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) breaks the silence about periods, debunks menstrual myths, clearly presents the science behind menstruation, and shares a path toward a more equitable future for all. Listeners will learn exactly what occurs in the ovaries and uterus during the menstrual cycle, and that most common knowledge about the menstrual cycle is false (e.g., that a "normal" cycle is 28 days, with ovulation on day 14). Research in both biology and anthropology is presented alongside anecdotal stories about everything from menarche to menopause, and Clancy is careful to use accurate and inclusive language, specifically highlighting the experiences of trans men and nonbinary people throughout. The author narrates this debut, and her enthusiasm for the topic shines. Note that there are occasional variations in the volume, and parts of the recording have an echo that detracts from the content. VERDICT This illuminating, explicitly feminist study will provide listeners with a more accurate understanding of the menstrual cycle, as well as ideas for improving menstrual health on a global scale.--Nanette Donohue

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