Opposable thumbs, the power of speech, the capacity to think and reason: there are many reasons to relish being human. Regularly bleeding out of your vagina is not one of them.
We are taught that menstruation is a normal part of the reproductive cycle, a necessary by-product of being a sexually reproducing species. Every cycle, before an egg is released from the ovaries, reproductive hormones like progesterone cause the lining of the uterus – the endometrium – to thicken and fill with blood vessels. If the egg is fertilised, the uterus is ready to receive it so that it can implant and start growing. If not, progesterone levels fall rapidly, and the endometrium begins to shed. Your regularly scheduled underwear-staining, cramp-inducing crimson tide has arrived.
It turns out, menstruation is quite rare in the animal kingdom, even amongst mammals. Other primates menstruate (though not as heavily as humans do), as do some species of bats and elephant shrews. That’s it. The number of myths, taboos and misconceptions surrounding this phenomenon are a testament to how rare and alarming it is – the word taboo itself likely derives from the Polynesian word for menstruation, tapua. Pliny the Elder explained that menstrual blood could stop seeds from germinating, wither plants, and make fruit fall from trees. Conveniently, it could also clear a field of pests if the menstruator walked around in it naked. Throughout history, people have been forced to isolate themselves during their periods, for fear they would spoil food or cause men to lose their virility. Still today, menstruation is poorly understood because periods are widely stigmatised and talking about them openly is uncomfortable. A recent survey from the makers of the cycle-tracking app Clue found over 5000 euphemisms for the word “period”. Among my favourites: ペリー来航, Japanese for ‘the arrival of Matthew Perry’ – the naval commander not, sadly, the Friends actor; les anglais ont débarqué, French for ‘the English have landed’, in reference to the red coats the English wore in the Napoleonic wars; and, inexplicably, kommunister i lysthuset, Danish for ‘communists in the gazebo’.
Menstruation seems like such a wasteful, energy-consuming process. It would be like deep cleaning your spare room every month for a guest who might not arrive, and whom you might not even want in your house. And yet, menstruation evolved independently at least three times, so it must have some evolutionary advantage.
Pregnancy is often viewed as a magical time in a person’s life, during which the birth parent forms an intimate bond with their child. In fact, pregnancy is an all-out evolutionary war. On one side of the battlefield, we have the embryo, and its genes. Its goal is to divert as much nutrition as it can from the parent so that it can grow to propagate its genes; human embryos are amongst the most invasive during pregnancy. On the other side, we have the parent. The parent wants to conserve their energy so that they can have many children to propagate their genes. There is some evidence that the embryo gets some genetic reinforcements from its father, whose genes are pitted against those of the parent in the early stages of embryo development. Natural selection may have acted to advance each belligerent’s goals.
To understand why menstruation evolved, we have to think of it as a by-product of spontaneous decidualisation. In most mammals, decidualisation – the thickening of the uterine wall – is controlled by the embryo: it occurs in response to fertilisation rather than in preparation for it. In menstruating species like humans, spontaneous decidualisation is one way the parent tries to wrest back dominance of their uterus from an increasingly invasive embryo. The uterine lining now responds only to the parent’s hormones rather than the embryo’s, and the parent controls whether or not they get pregnant. They put their defences up preemptively, by sealing off the main blood supply from the endometrium before the embryo implants there. Not content with this, the embryo evolved to burrow through the endometrium until it reaches the arteries, where it tears through the wall and rewires the blood vessels so that it can bathe directly in the parent’s blood. The (arguably) ungrateful parasite pumps out hormones to make the arteries expand around it, and paralyses them to prevent the parent from cutting off its supply. It produces more hormones, which act directly on the parent to maintain pregnancy and increase the availability of nutrients. The parent defends themselves as best they can: their endometrium fights against the embryo’s invasive proteins, their immune system attacks the invading cells, and their own hormones try to counteract those of the embryo. The tug-of-war rages on.
Human embryos may be aggressive, but they are also particularly prone to genetic abnormalities. Genetic analysis of morphologically normal, high quality embryos during IVF showed that around 70% of embryos have complex chromosomal abnormalities such as aneuploidies. An aneuploid cell has either too many or too few chromosomes, and most aneuploidies are lethal. It’s unclear why, but the rate of aneuploidy in human embryos is estimated to be 10 times higher than in other mammalian species. Therefore, the second advantage of spontaneous decidualisation is that menstruation gives the parent the opportunity to get rid of defective embryos. As we’ve established, growing a new human takes a considerable toll on the parent. Spontaneous decidualisation gives them the power to select the embryos that have the best chance of prospering. Embryos with lethal aneuploidies are more metabolically active than healthy ones, possibly because they are expending more energy just to stay alive despite their abnormal genotype. When the cells of the endometrium prepare for a possible pregnancy, they gain the ability to sense this metabolic activity. If the endometrium decides that an embryo is unworthy, it actively hinders the migration of the embryo through the endometrium. The uterine lining is then shed, taking the embryo with it. This could explain why, compared to other species, humans are inefficient procreators: it has been estimated that only half of human conceptions progress to a full pregnancy. However, it is also thought that the repeated cycle of regeneration may allow the human endometrium to adapt and improve. In other mammals, this renewal would only occur at the end of a pregnancy, whereas humans have a monthly practice run. This could be why most people who suffer from recurrent miscarriages eventually have a successful pregnancy.
Perhaps menstruation is particularly bothersome to us nowadays because we have so many periods. For most of human history, having a period would have been rare. Other menstruating mammals and natural fertility human populations (so-called because they don’t use contraception) spend most of their reproductive life either pregnant or breastfeeding, during which time they stop menstruating. In Tanzania, the Hadzabe people have around 6 children on average, which they breastfeed for 4 years. At most, they likely have a few tens of periods. In contrast, people who menstruate in our society can now expect to have 300-500 periods over the course of their lifetime. For such a common occurrence, it’s appalling that we know so little about it, and discuss it so shamefully.
But now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go deal with the communists taking over my gazebo.
Written by Helena Cornu and edited by Ailie McWhinnie.
This article was originally published on 9/4/20 and updated on 26/6/20 to use more inclusive language.
When you say “This article was originally published on 9/4/20 and updated on 26/6/20 to use more inclusive language”, do you mean the erasure of the words “woman” and “mother”? For example, looking at the archive version, “Pregnancy is often viewed as a magical time in a woman’s life, during which the mother forms an intimate bond with her child” became “Pregnancy is often viewed as a magical time in a person’s life, during which the birth parent forms an intimate bond with their child”.
Hi Ben,
We chose to update the article with more inclusive language, to include menstruating or pregnant people who do not identify as women.
You chose to update the article to exclude women. The explanation of the origin of the word “taboo” is still on target– anything unique to female bodies is considered borderline inappropriate at best, or “exclusive” at worst. No males are menstruating. Only females menstruate. It’s female erasure to pretend otherwise.
Hi Rebekah,
I chose to update the article to be as inclusive as possible, and to reflect the experiences of people who menstruate who do not identify as women.
Helena, another thank you for the inclusive language!! It’s a pity such a fascinating and in depth article has had its comment section filled almost entirely with transphobia. I certainly learned a lot, and I’ll have to look up some more of those euphemisms!
One small criticism I have is of the line “the parent controls whether or not they get pregnant”. Given that some GOP lawmakers in the US have defended abortion restrictions in cases of rape by saying that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant because the body has ways to avoid pregnancy in such scenarios (for some examples: https://www.mic.com/articles/48691/the-7-most-outrageous-gop-explanations-for-why-rape-victims-can-t-get-pregnant), is there a better way to discuss this “control” without alluding to the false idea that a person can choose to not become pregnant in certain cases?
Your an idiot for thinking that an article about menstruation is “excluding” women. XD What just because the word person is used? Are women not people to you? Do you understand how langue works? Do you not understand that there are plenty of females and AFAB people on the earth that don’t like to use the word “women” or “mother” to describe themselves. Get out of your own cultural bubble every once and a while snowflake. XD
Hi Vanssea and Sasha,
We at EUSci are open to exploring scientific topics from all points of view and you are welcome to use the comment section to express your opinion on the articles, however I am reminding you that the comment section is not here to post personal insults on the account of the author. Please discuss your opinions respectfully in the future, otherwise I will have to remove your comments.
Anna Motylova
Head online editor of EUSci
Female animals that eat cooked foods have periods. Heavy ones. Humans and domesticated dogs, the worst.
It’s that simple
Oh and you SUCK for being a part of the movement to eradicate women from the language. Seriously, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
People who identify as other than what they are are insane. Simple as.
The entire Liberal and woke movement aims at eliminating women, the efforts of great women of the past and the family unit
Thank you for a fabulous article and read!! Had a great chuckle through it.
Yes I’m glad i am not the only one who knows that periods humans experience are completely unnatural and becoming more and more frequent, women are suffering more and more, and prior to 1800s there is little to no mention it, did it exist?? I believe not…I believe the cycle may be natural occurrence but not the bleeding and certainty not the frequency. I am very fortunate, I have never had pain or lengthy cycles but I know soooo many women who do, it just gets worse.
I think it has a lot to do with the water.
Thanks Nikki, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I didn’t do a lot of research into the history of periods for this articles, but there are a number of resources that delve into the history of menstruation and menstrual products. A couple of examples are: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/a-brief-history-of-menstrual-products, and https://www.modibodi.co.uk/blogs/womens/history-menstruation.
How can this entire article on menstruation not mention “female” or “woman” once? It does. however, deem the use of the word “men” to be appropriate. What is up with the entire erasure of adult human females, AKA “women,” from our world? We are mammals. Mammals have two sexes–male and female–which is how we reproduce. As a life-long progressive, feminist, and social scientist, I do not understand this obfuscation of biological reality in the name of “inclusion.” Do you not see how regressive and misogynistic this is?
Hi Zu,
I updated this article to use more inclusive language. I made this choice to include the biological reality of menstruating people who do not identify as women.
It was a confusing read, for example “The uterine lining now responds only to the parent’s hormones rather than the embryo’s”, does the “parent” in this case refers to the mother or the father? It is very strange why I didn’t manage to find a single “mother/woman” in this article on a phenomenon that affects only women, however I managed to find the words “father” and “men” (‘..cause men to lose their virility’,’..reinforcements from its father”). Ironically this article laments “For such a common occurrence, it’s appalling that we know so little about it, and discuss it so shamefully.”, the reason can be observed by this article itself – misogyny.
Hi Kory,
That section of the article talks about the interplay between the embryo’s hormones and the birth parent’s (the pregnant parent’s) hormones.
I made the choice to use inclusive language in this article to include the experiences of menstruating or pregnant people who do not identify as women. I am still learning how best to use inclusive language, and in updating it you’re right that I should have updated the word “father” as well.
The conclusion of this article aims to draw attention to the fact that menstruation is something that roughly half of the human population experiences at some point in their life, and yet it is often still considered a very taboo subject, even more so for people who do not identify as women.
This is an article on periods but 0 count of “women”, 0 count of “mother” but 1 count of “men” and 1 count of “father”. Doesn’t seem fair, and seems more oppressive (erasure of women from the public life) than progressive. If this article truly aims to be inclusive and is not misogynistic, why not simply use “women and trans men”, “mothers and trans men”? I suspect they care more about not hurting the feelings of trans women (biological male) over dignity of females to have their name “woman” respected. Not to mention it is unnecessarily confusing for readers to understand.
Hi KT,
When we updated this article we made the choice to use terms such as menstruators or people who menstruate in order to include anyone with this experience regardless of gender identity.
Female is the scientific, inclusive term you’re looking for. It includes more than 50% of the population, and it is crucial to understanding and describing our bodily processes and experiences. Stop this misogyny.
Respectfully, I am utterly displeased to find out that wokeness has seeped into this place.
If writers here cannot simply KNOW and ACKNOWLEDGE that there are just men/boys and women/girls only; and also cannot KNOW and ACKNOWLEDGE that it is young WOMEN ALONE who menstruate(and it’s not like we enjoy it), I think I will take articles from here with up to 97% skepticism
Hi Joan,
EUSci holds itself to a high standard and every article we write is researched and referenced.
Sex and gender are on a spectrum, and we felt it was important to recognise that in this article.
Nonsense.
BIOLOGICAL SEX is NOT a spectrum.
Gender MAY be.
“Biological women”,
“child bearing post-adolescent adult females” CANNOT argue with those terms. Anyone who gets upset, that’s their problem.
It’s ideology. Misogynist ideology that you mlady aren’t aware enough of.
Woman.
Man.
That’s it.
Stop pandering to delusions. Ideologies.
Look how many comments you’ve had from many ppl on this. Wake up call for you.
Helena, I just wanted to thank you for modifying your language and going to bat for it in the comments. I’m a non-binary person (who still gets their period) and it’s very heartwarming to see you standing up for us. You’re doing the dang thing
Sam — thank you so much for posting a comment!! This means so much to me and honestly made my day
Your ideologies you subscribe to, and push, are EVERYTHING wrong with this culture, this sick toxic degenerate culture right now
You’re a WOMAN, if you get a period.
Thank you for this informative article. It was very refreshing to see the inclusive language! Gender is a social construct, having a period isn’t. Glad to have learned a bunch of things on this little-researched topic.
This was both fascinating and very entertainingly written!
Seeing comments here, I want to add that I very much appreciate the scientific accuracy of the updated language – saying this as a cis woman who values consideration for others and an interest in this complex and beautiful universe.
I came here looking for answers and this sincerely helped! It’s a shame that menstruation is so poorly taught at schools and is still taboo to talk about — even among other people who menstruate, so I’ve been quite clueless for a while and I’m glad to have read through this enlightening article. I was disheartened when I looked at the comments to see what others could add or thought of this but they were so distracted by pronouns that they forgot the purpose of this article. I appreciate the changes you made and the invaluable insight (I laughed at the Japanese euphemism).
Sincerely,
A woman tormented by the devil tossing a salad in her uterus
Great article. Keep up the great work. Know that you are trying to do the best you can which is more than I can say for some of us. 🙂
Want to also chime in and register my appreciation for the attempt at inclusive language. And not just that but standing by your decision in the comments. The amount of transphobic rhetoric here was sad to see, and the pushback means a lot.
Also, the article was really interesting! I didn’t realise human pregnancy was such an adversarial process.