Menstrual Myth Busting

Sally King is a postdoctoral fellow in menstrual physiology at King’s College London who specialises in integrating biological and sociological research and data concerning menstrual health. She is the Founder of Menstrual Matters, the world’s first evidence-based information hub on this topic (www.menstrual-matters.com). Sally was awarded the prestigious Sociological Review Fellowship in 2022, and an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded postdoctoral research fellowship in 2023.

• Introduction Part 1: Menstrual Myth Making1. The reduction and mystification of the menstrual cycle2. How did we get here?Part 2: Where are we now? PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)3. What counts as a premenstrual symptom?4. Mind over matter: the psychologisation of premenstrual changes5. Snatch-22: premenstrual changes as simultaneously ‘normal’ and debilitating6. The curse: femininity as debility7. Black box: the unknown/mysterious female reproductive body8. Conclusion and call to action

“Timely and insightful, Sally King exposes and challenges deeply engrained myths that distort our understanding of menstruation. With sharp scientific analysis and engaging writing, King makes complex ideas accessible, while calling for a rethink of how we approach women’s health.” Gemma Sharp, University of Exeter