Blood: The science, medicine and mythology of menstruation

(Paperback)

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'The world's most famous and outspoken gynaecologist' (The Guardian) fights myths and fearmongering with real science, inclusive facts, and shame-free advice on the topic that impacts more than 1.8 billion people worldwide: menstruation.

Women can expect to have between 350 and 450 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 crucial, women deserve to know more about their bodies than just what happens in service to reproduction.

Not knowing how your body works makes it challenging to advocate for yourself. Consequently, many people suffer in silence thinking their bodies are uniquely broken or they turn to disreputable sources. Blood is a practical, empowering guide to what's typical, what's concerning and when to seek care - recounted with the no-nonsense expertise and frank, fearless wit that have made Dr Jen today's most trusted voice in women's health.

Dr Jen answers all your period-related questions, including: What exactly happens during menstruation How heavy is too heavy How much should periods hurt And provides essential information about topics such as:

* The impact of stress and health on the menstrual cycle

* Menstrual migraines, PMS and period diarrhea (yes, it's totally normal)

* Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and fibroids

* Endometriosis and the latest treatments

* The endometrium's (the uterine lining's) fascinating connection to the immune system

* Different cultural perceptions of menstruation and how they affect girls and women

* Menstruation and the trans and non-binary experience

* Legitimate menstrual products and the facts behind toxic shock syndrome

* The risks and benefits of hysterectomies

Blood is about much more than biology. It's an all-in-one, revolutionary guide that will change the way we think about, talk about - and don't talk about - our bodies and our well-being.

Author Bio

Jen Gunter, MD, is an OB/GYN and a pain medicine physician. She writes a lot about sex, science, and social media and is The New York Times bestselling author of The Vagina Bible. She has been called Twitter's resident gynecologist, the Internet's OB/GYN, and one of the fiercest advocates for women's health. In addition to her academic publications, her writing has appeared in places like The New York Times, The Cut, USA Today, The Hill, and Self. She has taken on politicians, celebrities, and the press over misinformation and fake news about women's health care.

Dr. Gunter was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, and graduated from The University of Manitoba School of Medicine in 1990 at the age of 23. In 1995 she completed her OB/GYN training at the University of Western Ontario and moved to the United States to complete a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Kansas. After completing her fellowship she continued studies in pain medicine. She is board certified in OB/GYN in both Canada and the United States. She is also board certified in pain medicine. Dr. Gunter lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two sons, her chocolate lab, and her one-eyed cat Luna.