Menstrual Cycle

Free bleeding is the practice of menstruating without blocking or collecting the period flow. Here’s why people do it.

Tampons have been the subject of moral panic, health scares, taxes, and ridiculous advertising. Can you lose your virginity by...

Were the first tampons made of wood? Where does the phrase “on the rag” come from? Historian Helen King has...

How did we end up with the tampons and pads we all know?

How do you manage your menstruation at night-time? Our readers share their tips.

Carnesky spoke with us about how she synchronized her cycle with her team of “Menstruants" and took a literal bloodbath...

People are making awesome podcasts about all kinds of things — yes, even menstruation. Here are some of our top picks.

Period art is currently having a moment, but menstruation has long been a source of creative inspiration.

Beyond your period, these are great podcasts for when you’re thinking about sex, getting active, or crossing things off your...

When you track in Clue, you contribute to an unprecedented data set that is forwarding the understanding of female health.

Have periods always needed code words? Where did these words come from, and how did they come about?

We spoke to Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, the author of “Periods Gone Public,” about what menstrual equity means.

Auratnaak started with an idea: make a space for women on the comedy stage.

My non-profit organization in rural Kenya saw a radical shift when we started involving the boys and men.

Can jokes about periods be empowering? We caught up with zine-maker, teacher and #periodpositive comedian Chella Quint ahead of her...

In the '70s and '80s, our neighborhood was a hub for new ideas about healthcare.

There are a lot of menstrual cups on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There are a lot of reusable pads on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There are a lot of disposable menstrual pads on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There are a lot of menstrual cups on the market. Which one is right for you? We reviewed them.

There are a lot of menstrual cups on the market. Which one is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of period underwear on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

There is a lot of reusable menstrual pads on the market. Which brand is right for you? We reviewed them.

Your body may give you a few clues.

Are vaginal fluids really all that different? In this article, we explain how to identify vaginal discharge, arousal fluid, and...

The balance of bacteria in your vagina is important.

The quality, consistency, and volume of cervical fluid types changes along with the menstrual cycle.

What is "normal" vaginal discharge? Everything you need to know, from color, to consistency, to odor.

Vaginal dryness is common but treatable, and can happen at any age.

How to know when it’s happening.

I’d heard that experiences of menopause vary, but there’s one thing I wasn’t prepared for: my skyrocketing sex drive.

It was once thought to have a high association with developing some forms of cancer. But the latest research has...

The responses and personal stories were heart-melting.

We sometimes get emails asking why we collaborate with naturopaths for our online content. It's a fair question.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women advancing reproductive health. Here are some women making an impact.

Sex education can help us make decisions, but only when taught in a way that is relevant to our individual...

Here’s what to do before, during and after your visit, to get the best healthcare possible.

And where is it? A guide.

Getting to know our hormones.

How androgens, like testosterone, affect everything from menstrual cycles to libido, and how to know if your levels are normal....

Hormones are the messengers of the body, telling it how to breathe and grow.

Getting to know our hormones.

The vagina changes: during sex, throughout the menstrual cycle, and with age and different life stages. There’s no such thing...

Breast traits go beyond just big and small boobs, and everyone’s are different.

Lumps, pain, and nipple discharge. What's normal and what you should get checked out.

Magnesium promotes healthy estrogen clearance and may help to prevent period pain. Magnesium can also relieve symptoms of perimenopause and...

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein that helps to keep your hormones in balance.

Everyone experiences stress, and for many it’s not an enjoyable experience.

Practicing meditation can promote both mental and physical changes throughout the body.

Here’s what the research says about menstrual pain.

People with menstrual pain often look for other alternatives to painkillers and birth control.

From getting a good bra to trying meditation, find out what you can do to relieve the discomfort.

There might be a connection between your menstrual cycle and your headaches.

Our research finds that 36% of people experience it.

What it is, and how to know if you’re experiencing it.

Your uterus won’t get “backed up”.

Fibroids are abnormal growths of muscle tissue that form in or on the walls of the uterus.

The menstrual cycle is more than just your period—it’s the rhythmic changes of the your reproductive system.

The significance of period blood color is commonly misunderstood.

How, when, and why does spotting happen? Is it different than light bleeding before and after your period?

When a miscarriage occurs very early in pregnancy, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a miscarriage and...

What the research says about the effects of eating soy on cardiovascular health, breast cancer, sperm quality, testosterone, and more....

Well-planned vegetarianism and veganism can be healthy diets at any stage of life, including pregnancy. Here are a few ways...

Is period poop a thing? Cara, a digestion-tracking app, helped us answer questions about food, digestion and the menstrual cycle.

Why do bad hair days happen? Why does sex feel amazing on some days and not as great on others?...

Your skin and scalp change in response to hormonal variations occurring throughout your cycle. Some people report more bad hair...

You may have noticed changes to your skin—particularly the skin of your face—starting around puberty. Your skin responds to many...