PERIOD

"A bracing look at periods and how society lets down those who have them.... Clancy excels at outlining how sexism influences the production and process of science, as well as public understandings of research findings. The result is an urgent call to reconsider how periods are researched and discussed." — Publishers Weekly “In energetic and funny prose, Clancy castigates Western societies, especially scientists and physicians, for menstrual stigmas both ancient and modern. . . . [Period] conveys a consistently positive view of menstrual blood, the menstrual cycle, and the bodies of people who menstruate. Looking for agency, optimism, power, and healing in menstruating bodies, Clancy demonstrates that, indeed, these qualities are there for those whose eyes are open to them. . . . A main theme throughout the book is that there is a diversity of menstrual experiences, and that is a good way for bodies (and people) to be. In the end, Clancy simply wants periods to be understood and respected for the remarkable biological process they are.” —Lara Freidenfelds, Science "Give this book to everyone." —Aimee Cunningham, Science News

Myth Busting: Kate Clancy busts some myths around menstruation Read more...

Kate Clancy talks about her book Read more...

“This book is a transformative reframing of our understanding of the biology of menstruation and fertility, making clear the stakes of the scientific debates for our lives.” —Sarah S. Richardson, author of The Maternal Imprint “This book is a revelation. Kate Clancy demolishes the centuries of pseudoscience and misogyny that have wrongly made menstruation seem repulsive, and replaces them with a far more rigorous and fascinating view of this vital and nigh-miraculous act. Period is both an authoritative work of scholarship and a soaring, hopeful manifesto for a better culture and a more just science.” —Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of An Immense World “Kate Clancy shatters the taboo and stigma surrounding periods that pervade Western cultures, offering a powerful and necessary rethinking of everything society has told you about menstruation. Profound and insightful, Period opens a window into what menstruation could be in a more just, more feminist future.” —Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, author of The Disordered Cosmos “A tour de force of careful and robust science, personal reflection, and deep compassion that debunks misinformation and points the way to true menstrual liberation. With sparkling narrative and a commitment to care, Clancy shows why menstruation matters for all of us.” —Agustín Fuentes, author of The Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional “I thought I knew a lot about periods. Boy was I wrong! Period blew up so many of my preconceived notions in the best possible way, offering up a kaleidoscope of new perspectives on menstruation. Kate Clancy weaves history, science, narrative, and analysis into an expansive, inclusive, and insightful profile of the oft-misunderstood uterus. You'll never look at a tampon the same way again, and that's a good thing.” —Rose Eveleth, producer and host of Flash Forward