An exploration on the science and cultural history of menstruation that challenges many of the myths and false assumptions that have defined the study of the uterus. Covers issues such as bodily autonomy, menstrual hygiene, the COVID-19 vaccine, and the ways racism, sexism, and medical betrayal warp public perceptions of menstruation.

"After centuries of being shrouded in taboo and superstition, periods have gone mainstream. Seemingly overnight, a new, high-profile movement has emerged--one dedicated to bold activism, creative product innovation, and smart policy advocacy--to address the centrality of menstruation in relation to core issues of gender equality and equity. In Periods Gone Public, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf--the woman Bustle dubbed one of the nation's "badass menstrual activists"--explores...

"Most women, transgender, and non-binary people who menstruate can expect to have hundreds of periods in a lifetime. So why is real information so hard to find? Despite its significance, most education about menstruation focuses either on increasing the chances of pregnancy or preventing it. And while both are important for many people, those who menstruate deserve to know more about their bodies than just what happens in service to reproduction....

"Explores the subject of menstruation, from toxic historic and religious roots to how young activists are challenging the silence and shame that can erode self-esteem and even threaten lives ..."--Page 4 of cover.

"Every month, millions of girls and women around the world miss school and work during their periods because they don't have access to menstrual products such as pads or tampons. In 2008, Celeste Mergens was working with an overcrowded orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, when she learned that menstruating girls there sat on cardboard in their rooms for several days each month. This set into motion a seemingly simple idea-combining a washable,...