The structures we live amongst in America should be more accommodating to menstruating humans. Capitalism is problematic for several reasons. It governs work-life “balance”, how we feel about ourselves, and rules our institutions (unless you decide to start a business). The 40 hour work week has gotten out of hand with standards and expectations that you must rise & repeat, week after week, with no attunement to an individuals’ changing needs. So, what’s one to do when they are feeling bogged down, depressed, hormonal or unfocused? How about periods? Are the symptoms that come with bleeding ignored entirely, or otherwise mocked? If we had more research done on female bodies maybe there could be a new way, one where women’s bodies were respected and understood well enough to make room for not just a man in this world, but menstruating bodies too. Menstruating bodies are anyone with a womb, who is of reproductive age. You can be male, female, non-binary, gender non-conforming, etc.
MEDICAL RESEARCH (or lack thereof)
Starting with research, did you know medical research was not conducted on MB’s until the 1990’s? (Anandi week 2). It’s pretty hard to believe…but in turn this has caused female anatomy to remain a “medical mystery”. It hindered the progress of understanding menstruating bodies in response to medications (Liu – Dipietro Mager 1) and has left a lot of MB’s confused. In lab testing on animals, male rats will be chosen over females because the hormone cycle is thought to be too complex to follow (Kordsmeier 23:25). Talk about bias! How can we make progress if we avoid medical research on ½ the population? Recently, many pregnant women and some of reproductive age have expressed concern over the Covid vaccine, but because pregnant women were left out of clinical trials with the vaccine, MB’s are having to make a choice based on the limited data that is out there (Rasmussen 1). There’s not a lot of options when the research isn’t in your favor.
Heart attacks, which affect both men and women, present differently in each sex. “This has caused many women to end up in a much more serious condition because doctor’s weren’t able to correctly identify the heart attack symptoms in women” (Kordsmeier 23:50). In fact, over 8,000 women in England and Wales had died of misdiagnosed or untreated heart attacks that they attempted to report over a 10-year period. Yikes. “Since MB’s are losing the battle in the arena of general medicine, they’re even more hamstrung in the field of female-specific illnesses” (Learmonth 7-15). Some MB’s suffer from hormone related issues, such as PMDD, PCOS or endometriosis. These issues are so under researched, that their causes and treatments are unknown in general medicine (Learmonth 4). And yet they affect up to 13% of recorded women.
Because female bodies are not a priority in the medical field, MB’s are often left on their own, confused and ashamed of their sufferings. If left unaddressed, these issues will continue to be swept under the rug, unconscious bias will perpetuate in the medical field and women will be forced to find alternative ways to address their issues. We can’t all be scientists.
HORMONAL RHYTHMS
Men have what’s called the circadian rhythm, and actually, women have this too. However, men don’t also have an infradian rhythm, which tends to override this. Let’s dive into them. The circadian rhythm is the biological sleep-wake cycle that regulates when you sleep and when you wake. It repeats every 24 hours, with the rotation of the earth. Menstruating bodies have this and an internal rhythm, which tends to cycle with the moon. It’s not traditionally recognized but is very important. Alisa Vitti, HHC, AADP and author of two books on women’s health writes, “The infradian rhythm is one of two internal timekeepers experienced by people with female biochemistry. It is a 28-day cycle that regulates the menstrual cycle. The infradian rhythm powerfully affects six different systems of the body: brain, metabolism, immune system, microbiome, stress response system, and reproductive system” (Vitti 2). So, while men experience a shift in energy throughout the day, MB’s experience monthly rhythms in addition to this. “This means we hit way bigger highs and way bigger lows, being in that cycle” (Korra 00:35). However, capitalism tends to be more aligned to the sun, to our 24 hour biorhythms, not taking into account monthly fluctuations that ½ of the world goes through. To add on to this, most of our knowledge about the circadian rhythm is based on research in men (NCBI 1). Which totally isn’t fair, because if we had more research on MB’s, we would find it necessary to include female biochemistry into the structural aspect of our culture. For example, trying to do various tasks while on your period vs. when you’re ovulating is kind of like waking a man up in the middle of the night saying “go perform your best work” (Kordsmeier 51:00). So, since MB’s experience the same shifts that men do, but also experience weekly shifts in energy, we should be accommodating to that. As Europe demonstrates, scheduling a nap or downtime in the early afternoon is healthy and important for the circadian rhythm. Many managers and employees will schedule downtime around 3pm, when they are less available for important tasks. “This allows them to be more alert later during the natural high points in their circadian rhythm” (Barnes 2). Allowing females to set important dates/meetings during peak moments in their cycle, and slowing things down to more mundane tasks during other times in the cycle, like the luteal phase, could allow for more progress in companies, work culture and MB’s personal lives.
THE MAGIC IN CYCLES
What makes a menstruating body unique? What is the Luteal phase? Thankfully, our ancestors have been honoring the natural ebbs and flows of their bodies for centuries. And we can learn from that. When most people think of the menstrual cycle, they think of “bleeding”, but the menstrual cycle has 4 distinct phases: Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal, and Menstruation. Each phase lasts roughly a week, and comes with its own “superpowers”. The Follicular phase, commonly associated with spring, is where MB’s experience a rise in energy. It follows Menstruation and leads up to Ovulation. “Prompted by the hypothalamus, the Pituitary gland releases Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This hormone stimulates the ovary to produce around five to 20 follicles (tiny nodules or cysts), which bead on the surface.” (Hailes 4) FSH combined with estrogen a.k.a “the beauty hormone”, facilitates a slow, easy awakening from the cave of Menstruation. The brain & bodies of MB’s become distinctly connected. Once day 12 or 14 comes around, summer begins. Ovulation is a time to share with the world. Christiane Northrup, M.D and author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom says, “Many women find that they are at their peak of expression in the world from the onset of their menstrual cycle until ovulation. Their energy is outgoing and upbeat. They are filled with enthusiasm and new ideas, our male-dominated society values this very highly, and we internalize it as a “good” stage of our cycle” (Northrup 104-105). It’s easy to connect with others during this time and also a good time to wrap up projects, in preparation for fall, or, the luteal phase. During this phase physical energy is on a decline. “Towards the end of the cycle, if the egg hasn’t been fertilized, the corpus luteum is reabsorbed into the body. As this happens, your energy begins to soften and turn inward” (Vitti 150-151). Awareness, attention and comfort become key now. For me, as an MB, intentionally slowing down is helpful as my hormones take an abrupt shift. A fun part of this traditionally not-accepted part of this phase is that MB’s have access to parts of themselves that are less available during other times of the month. “In fact, it has been shown experimentally that the right hemisphere of the brain- the part associated with intuitive knowing- becomes more active premenstrually, while the left hemisphere becomes less active” (Northrup 107-108). Moving into Menstruation, Progesterone and Estrogen are at an all time low. This gives many a break from the hormone activity in the rest of the cycle. Menstruation is seen as the most yin part of the cycle and is known for being reflective and cleansing, emotionally and physically. Coach Korra INHC says, “On our periods, the two halves of our brains are the most interconnected than any other brain on any other hormone bath. What this means is the two halves of our brain are really good at talking to each other, so the feelings that come up for a person when they’re on their period are the most valid – it’s all the data our subconscious has been picking up about the world the past month, it all surfaces during our periods” (Korra). Another fun part about this phase is that period blood is incredibly potent and nutritionally dense. One ancient technique and farming practice is to fertilize soil with period blood. Funny that modern culture treats it as waste & throws it away.
FEMINISM, PAIN & MENSTRUAL LEAVE
When MB’s complain of period pain or pms, their concerns are usually pushed aside. A bioethicist and professor of clinical epidemiology and population health confirms, “It’s a huge issue in medicine, health care providers have implicit biases that affect the way women are heard, understood and treated. The issue is slowly being addressed, but there’s still a lot of work to do” (Pagan 2). This problem has resulted in a large number of women confused, left with two options: hormonal birth control (the pill) or prozac. The pill is easy to prescribe, take, and is very reliable and convenient. Women can use it to manipulate their cycles and avoid periods altogether, or save it for the weekend. “In short, it fits the cultural ideal” (Northrup 393). We know that the pill is prescribed for reasons other than birth control. Personally, I have seen several Doctors and Gyno’s, explaining the pain I feel each month before my period. I was flat out told that it was “something you have to put up with as a woman”. I still haven’t accepted that as an answer. As someone who works out regularly, eats healthy, tries my best to remain balanced, this was extremely frustrating to hear. You want to put your trust in a doctor who has more medical knowledge than you do, but it seems that isn’t always the case. “The pill has been associated with lower serum levels of B vitamins and other metabolic changes. In general, the pill’s benefits outweigh its risks for the vast majority of women” (Northrup 395). Some doctors even withhold information about potential risks of the pill from their patients (Littell MD).
In the first few weeks before my period, I couldn’t contribute much externally. Not unless I had control over my schedule. Unfortunately, this freedom over one’s schedule is privileged and not an option for all. We could be provided tools we need like the option to take menstrual leave. Like maternity leave, menstrual leave is the option to take paid (or unpaid) leave from employment (Menstrual leave 1). Just before and/or during your period you can choose what feels correct for you that month, whether that’s 4 days off or none at all. Some feminists think, “Menstrual leave is controversial because it is seen by some as a criticism of women’s work efficiency or as sexism” (Menstrual leave 1). I would argue against that. We know that both men and women have sex hormones that influence our likes, dislikes, brains and personalities. New way of feminism, in my opinion, is about embracing our biological differences. Dr. Sarah Hill, author of This is Your Brain on Birth Control says, “We need to steer away from this thinking that acknowledging the role of sex hormones in the brain is somehow threatening to women or to feminism and the ideals of feminism” (Hill 14:58). It doesn’t mean that we are less competent, it means we are different. Capitalism may even influence the opposite thinking. “Capitalism influences where we find meaning in life by over glorifying productivity, and even promoting it” (8th House 2). We then internalize it as a central source of meaning in our lives. In response to these beliefs, some people have formed feminist movements around proving themselves as worthy or equal to men, which comes with it’s own set of privilege not accessible to those with disabilities and other maginalized groups (Vinall 3). We must fight for a new way to exist in a system that was built upon white men (Taylor 35:33). Capitalism is rooted in patriarchy and patriarchy follows male-oriented rules (Northrup 4). Capitalism is not about females nor gender non-conforming beings.
In a world unsupported of feminine energy, it can be tempting to alternate oneself in order to show up like a ‘man’. But in reality, MB’s bodies are sacred in that they are constantly shifting (Harding 78-79). We are taught that this makes us weak, fragile, or unpredictable. It makes us anything but, and now, women around the world are courageously seeking that truth and gaining knowledge about their bodies that was not generally taught or accepted (Womben Wellness).
SOLUTIONS
So, we’ve talked about how MB’s are often cast aside and not focused on in medical research. What do we do now? Creating a space where menstruating bodies can exist without restraint is a priority. In my opinion, creating workers unions to protect the rights set in place for menstruating bodies would be the first step. Allowing for flexibility in a MB’s worklife will allow for more depth and a thorough job on projects. Giving MB’s the opportunity to say no to and check out of work during phases in the cycle that support rest & reflection, can allow MB’s to fully charge, bringing their newfound energy & creativity back to work with them. For example, with school depending on where I’m at mentally and when my deadlines are, I will take a break on days 20-28, fully knowing that I’ll have access to my sharp wit and motivation later on, and focus more on the visionary aspects of work during the luteal phase. I’ll dream up ideas, read books, all which usually end up fitting into where I take my projects. Once my period hits and a little afterward, I am able to sort through & organize that information. I feel FAR more productive when I get that phase of rest in my cycle vs. having to constantly outpour my energy. Built in menstrual leave can be an option for MB’s who identify with this struggle to spend their time more wisely. Menstrual leave can also protect the rights of fair pay (since MB’s aren’t less valuable due to hormones). Start and stop hours could be another option for MB’s, it may even out over the month, some months, you’re putting in more work during the high point in your cycle, at others, not so much. MB’s should be able to live in a world where taking time off is not a threat to their income or academic status. The world needs to accept and appreciate MB’s unique cyclical nature, as the world can benefit from its perspective.
Another thing that could enhance our growth as a society is implementing menstrual cycle awareness into K-12 health classes. We learn about sex and how to properly dispose of menstrual blood, but not much else beyond that. Young MB’s could grow up to be empowered if they had an understanding of their bodies instead of searching for answers later in life (like me) when they run up against problems in the healthcare system.
In conclusion, you can see that this world is not very accommodating to menstruating bodies. Female hormones aren’t considered in medical testing, and the 40 hour week does not shift according to MB’s needs. MB’s are unique and valuable and until we start embracing that as a culture, the world will continue to struggle with its balance. Patriarchy affects us all, BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, etc. are all left out. We can do better as a culture.
Works Cited
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(More to come on birth control soon).