Menstrual Myth Busting

The Case of the Hormonal Female

Sally King (King’s College London)

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Paperback

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English

Policy Press
27 February 2025

Gender studies: women; Social theory; Medical sociology; Women's health

In this book, Sally King interrogates the diagnostic label of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to expose and challenge sexist assumptions within medical research and practice. She powerfully demonstrates how the concept of the 'hormonal' premenstrual woman is merely the latest iteration of the 'hysterical' female myth. By blaming the healthy reproductive body (first our wombs, now our hormones) for the female-prevalence of emotional distress and physical pain, gender myths appear to have trumped all empirical evidence to the contrary.

The book also provides a primer on menstrual physiology beyond hormones, and a short history of how hormonal metaphors came to dominate medical and popular discourses. The author calls for clinicians, researchers, educators, and activists to help improve women's health without unintentionally reproducing damaging stereotypes.

By: Sally King (King’s College London)
Imprint: Policy Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781447371632
ISBN 10: 1447371631
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 27 February 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Introduction 1. The Reduction and Mystification of the Menstrual Cycle 2. How Did We Get Here? 3. What Counts as a Premenstrual Symptom? 4. Mind over Matter: The Psychologisation of Premenstrual Changes 5. Snatch 22: Premenstrual Changes as Simultaneously ‘Normal’ and Debilitating 6. The Curse: Femininity as Debility 7. Black Box: The Unknown/ Mysterious Female Reproductive Body 8. Conclusion and Call to Action

Sally King is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Menstrual Physiology at King's College London, who specialises in integrating biological and sociological research and data concerning menstrual health. She is the Founder of Menstrual Matters, the world's first evidence-based information hub on this topic (www.menstrual-matters.com). Sally was awarded the prestigious Sociological Review Fellowship in 2022, and an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded postdoctoral research fellowship in 2023.

Reviews for Menstrual Myth Busting: The Case of the Hormonal Female

“Timely and insightful, Sally King exposes and challenges deeply engrained myths distorting our understanding of menstruation. With sharp scientific analysis and engaging writing, King makes complex ideas accessible, while calling for a rethink of how we approach women’s health.” Gemma Sharp, University of Exeter “This is a groundbreaking book that tackles pervasive menstrual myths with clarity, compassion, and scientific rigor; it has the power to challenge ingrained biases and pave the way for a more informed society.” Heather C. Guidone, Center for Endometriosis Care “Sally King’s astutely written book grapples with the vast menstrual illiteracy in public, academic, and biomedical circles, and her analysis offers readers action for meaningful change.” Saniya Ghanoui, University of Texas at El Paso