Published
Feb 27, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447371632Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 27, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447371625Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 27, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447371649Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 27, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1447371649Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Policy Press
Menstrual Myth Busting
In this book, Sally King interrogates the diagnostic label of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to expose and challenge sexist assumptions within medical research and practice. She powerfully demonstrates how the concept of the ‘hormonal’ premenstrual woman is merely the latest iteration of the ‘hysterical’ female myth. By blaming the healthy reproductive body (first our wombs, now our hormones) for the female-prevalence of emotional distress and physical pain, gender myths appear to have trumped all empirical evidence to the contrary.
The book also provides a primer on menstrual physiology beyond hormones, and a short history of how hormonal metaphors came to dominate medical and popular discourses. The author calls for clinicians, researchers, educators, and activists to help improve women’s health without unintentionally reproducing damaging stereotypes.
“Timely and insightful, Sally King exposes and challenges deeply engrained myths distorting 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
“Sally King cuts through millennia of misconceptions. Everyone should read this – clinicians, academics, educators, students. If you have periods or know someone who does, this book is for you.” Bee Hughes, Liverpool John Moores University
“This is a groundbreaking book that tackles pervasive menstrual myths with clarity, compassion, and scientific rigor; it has the power to challenge ingrained biases and pave the way for a more informed society.” Heather C. Guidone, Center for Endometriosis Care
“Sally King’s astutely written book grapples with the vast menstrual illiteracy in public, academic, and biomedical circles, and her analysis offers readers action for meaningful change.” Saniya Ghanoui, University of Texas at El Paso
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 Making
1. The reduction and mystification of the menstrual cycle
2. 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 changes
5. Snatch- 22: premenstrual changes as simultaneously ‘normal’ and debilitating
6. The curse: femininity as debility
7. Black box: the unknown/mysterious female reproductive body
8. Conclusion and call to action
