The science of menstruation in 10 minutes | Dr. Jen Gunter

Humans don’t have pheromones, women’s periods do not sync up with one another, and there’s no scientific evidence that a menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. OB-GYN and health communicator Dr. Jen Gunter explains.

There have been many misconceptions about women’s health in recent decades, resulting in a widespread lack of proper education on menstrual science. According to Gunter, this can be incredibly harmful, as it perpetuates myths, leads to misunderstandings about normal menstrual health, and prevents people from advocating for themselves effectively.

In just 10 minutes, Gunter explains ovulation, the reason for menstrual cramps, the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and the potential dangers of commonly used period-tracking apps. Finally, Gunter reiterates the need for better menstrual health education to combat ignorance and misinformation, which can have serious implications for women's health and autonomy.

0:00 Medicine & myths
1:38 Which mammals menstruate?
1:58 What is a menstrual cycle?
2:38 The science of menstruation: the decidua
4:38 Evolution’s curse: period side effects
7:59 “Breeders”: Data dystopia

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About Jen Gunter:

Dr. Jen Gunter is an internationally bestselling author, obstetrician, and gynecologist with more than three decades of experience as a vulvar and vaginal diseases expert. Considered “the world's most famous—and outspoken—gynecologist,” (The Guardian), her New York Times and USA Today bestselling books, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto, have been translated into 25 languages. She is the host of Jensplaining, a CBC/Amazon Prime video series that highlights the impact of medical misinformation on women, and the recipient of the 2020 NAMS Media Award from The North American Menopause Society. Her 2020 TED Talk, “Why Can’t We Talk About Periods?” received more than two million views in its first six months, leading to the launch of her popular podcast on the TED Audio Collective, “Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter.” Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, she lives with her sons in San Francisco,CA.

[taylorjenkins]

There’s not enough research on women’s bodies

[HungerSTRKE]

"We are definitely seeing a shift toward viewing women solely as 'breeders' and that your life has less value than your role as basically carrying a pregnancy. I don't think we can sound enough alarms about that." Very well said.

[prolozaloser]

I find this really sad. Even till now; we don't know much nor does there seem to be an improvement on women's health (eg. Gynae tools still used, preganc pushing techniques, periods etc.). Even with other doctors and researchers trying to bridge the gap; there's not enough of them for it to be effective nor recognised.

[jaynefaux]

TBH I think schools need to teach more about puberty, and to NOT SEPARATE by female/male. Thankfully my elementary school didn't separate us & we learned the basics of both reproductive systems. They only taught about the physical process of a menstrual cycle & the production of semen. They've gotta teach kids about the hormones during puberty & not just that you might get varying levels of acne & some mood swings.

[alinebarreto]

Nowadays, women in Brazil are facing a regression in abortion laws. Our congress passed a law that criminalizes girls and women if they attempt to abort after 22 weeks, even in cases of rape and anencephaly. They can be penalized with more than 20 years in jail, which is harsher than the punishment for rapists, who can be jailed for just 10 years.

[ILLAILLS]

Here to better understand human health.

[SvetaFromUkraine]

I never knew that it's normal for your cycle to change from month to month. Thank you Dr. Gunter!

[sunnysunflowers]

Can we stop saying "there's no scientific proof of that" when it is a fact that there is BARELY scientific research on periods and menstruation? Let the people who bleed come up with remedies that assist them, such as syncing their cycle with their training/workout schedule.

[brooklynnchick]

Can we please do some education about the difference between viable pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy, false pregnancy, tumor-based abortive experiences, and other menstrual or pregnancy related outcomes that may require or cause an abortive event that is not triggered by the woman experiencing them.

[rebel.taylord]

Watching this in bed waiting for the painkillers medication effect to kick in, damn you period cramps.

As a childfree woman I hate that I have to suffer through this every month - cramps, body ache, headache, dizzy, diarrhea, vomit, exhaustion... menopause can't come soon enough 😢

[codecrook]

My home state of Odisha, India is celebrating an ancient, 3 days long festival of "Raja Parba" starting today, which is to celebrate menstruation and womanhood. (I haven't heard of any other similar festivals anywhere.)
This video couldn't be posted at a better time. 😃

[NeuMel]

I think I'm going to ignore these comments of angry paranoid people and take the word of a person who's studied and experienced in the field they're talking about instead. 🤔

[spicylemons]

THANK YOU!! I hated the trend where people were trying to sell us “Pheromones” to attract a partner. I kept yelling at my screen saying ITS NOT REAL 😭

[annezdrojewski]

We need more people to watch educational videos like these. Can’t wait to get my hands on your book!

[fatimzehrahajjou]

Just watching this video about periods is enough to give me cramps

[ant]

As a male science teacher- this was really eye opening

[ss]

Absolutely love this! There’s so much misinformation around menstruation and not a topic talked about enough!!

[manpreetlakhanpal]

I am a guy and I winced many times while watching this. Gotta appreciate these sacrifices that women make for mankind.

[hannahstraining]

An intelligent primer on menstrual periods. I thank science monthly for giving me ibuprophen!

[lolamoreano]

Great video! I am a menstrual educator from Ecuador and love to find a new author and thinker in this topic. Sadly, the history and foundation of every topic related to femenized bodies are full of superstitious beliefs, misogyny and man supremacy ideas. We need to learn everything again!