Anatomical myths...
- Physical virginity
- FGC (Female Genital Cutting)
- Wandering womb
- Vagina/ vulva
- Top 10 menstrual myths
Evidence-based blogs...
Top 10 Menstruation Myths
Taboos prevent people from knowing, or feeling good about their own bodies, or seeking medical help when needed, and contribute to sex/ gender discrimination.
A womb of one's own... part 1
The womb (aka uterus) is perhaps the most mysterious and politically divisive of all organs, inspiring both wonder and fear at its life-giving properties.
Women's right to reason... part 1
The likely origins of the myth of the ‘irrational female’ and how it emerged alongside revolutionary political and medical movements in 17th Century England
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): Part 5- The 'problem'
What are the root causes of FGC? Patriarchal belief systems that attempt to 'control' female sexuality... Plus universally poor reproductive health literacy.
Why do humans menstruate?
It may seem like a basic question, but I bet you don't know the answer? Clue- it has nothing to do with 'cleansing the body' or preparing for pregnancy!
A womb of one's own... part 2
The ‘wandering womb’ persisted in the medical imagination for thousands of years. In Medieval times, it became possessed by demons, and 'hysterical'…
Women's right to reason... part 2
How the myth of the ‘irrational female’ evolved in 18th – 19th Century Europe, when new democracies were forced to decide if women were ‘able’ to become citizens
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): Part 2- What is FGC?
What counts as FGC, the four types of FGC, who does it, why they do it, and why it's so harmful for the status, health, and wellbeing of girls and women
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): Part 6- Solutions...
UK 'solutions' to FGC- We have criminalisation and medicalisation... but we are currently lacking the crucial element of public engagement and education, too.
The 'virginity' myth
Myth-busting the dangerous (even murderous) concept that there is a part of the female body (the hymen) that indicates whether or not that person has had penetrative heterosexual sex.
A womb of one's own... part 3
We gaze into the depths of the 'hollow' and 'empty' womb before trying to understand how a person might be able to ‘own’ their womb, once and for all.
Women's right to reason... part 3
The final part of this International Women’s Day special blog describes how the myth of the ‘irrational female’ thus became medicalised…
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): Part 3- FGC is not circumcision
Contrary to popular belief, FGC (Female Genital Cutting) is not akin to male circumcision... But they do share certain health risks
Washing the vagina and vulva
The menstrual taboo, plus the sexualisation of the female body, means that most people do not know enough about how to keep the vagina and vulva clean and healthy.
The great unknown; medicines and the menstrual cycle
Most medicines have only been tested on men. Find out more about how this situation came about, and why it continues to be a problem.
Bio-illogical; the myth of the irrational female
Sexist societies imply that female humans are biologically ‘irrational’, and so cannot make decisions, hold power, or even know ‘what’s best’ for themselves.
Female Genital Cutting (FGC): Part 4- Health implications
The many distressing mental and physical health implications of FGC. Pain, infections, infertility, trauma, and death.
Quick links...
What's normal?
