Part 1: Overcoming the Taboo of Menstrual Blood

Discussing periods, especially period blood, has long been considered a no-no in everyday conversation, but this taboo is not only silly, it’s preventing us from learning

Photo by Oana Cristina on Unsplash

I told you that I fell down some rabbit holes about women’s health and to expect additional articles about what I learned. Well, this is one of them. While researching the gender disparities regarding statins and heart disease, I stumbled upon some incredible research about menstrual blood.

If your initial reaction to my mention of menstrual blood is disgust, then you’ll probably benefit from reading this and its sequel because while society poo-poos any mention of menstruation, some courageous researchers are discovering that period blood could revolutionize science in ways that benefit everyone.

Yet, scientists trying to study menstrual blood today say our deep-rooted cultural taboos about the natural process hinder researchers’ ability to study it. Something physician Sara Naseri learned firsthand.

The Curiosity

I came across an impressive, in-depth feature by Maddie Oatman in Mother Jones that inspired this entire menstrual rabbit hole I tumbled down.