What’s Inside?

Chapters

• Welcome

Chapter 1
The Blood of Us
For humanity, for creation, for love, we bleed. The Blood of Us speaks of connection, embracing this idea within ourselves – intentionally connecting with our own cycles and inner worlds as part of nature, connecting with others around us, and feeling a connection with all the women cycling for eons before us. We bleed, we endure, we create, we are simply amazing.

Chapter 2
The Chunky Stuff
Anatomy, Hormones, Phases, Menstrual Blood, Cervical Fluids
These words are quite self-explanatory! This chapter takes a deep dive into the workings of our reproductive body parts and the why and how of our whole menstrual cycle, encouraging you to get familiar with your body and its functions. This foundational information is must-have knowledge, for understanding and awareness, for selfcare and decision making, on your path as a cyclic being.

Chapter 3
Your Bloody Options
Encouraging your flexibility and critical thinking about period products! What your present options are, how we use them, and how they may impact your health and the environment. Helping you with informed decision making – empowering you through knowledge.

Chapter 4
Menarche to Menopause
Honouring the phases and potent times along the life path as a woman, meeting your power where-ever you are. Encouraging understanding of life’s phases and what you may experience on the meandering journey ahead of you. Here we explore different perspectives through the stages and ages, whist encouraging connection and reflection.

Chapter 5
Keeping Track
Consciously observing, mapping, tracking, charting… Some great ideas for purposefully keeping track of where you are in your cycle, what to intentionally assess and record, and the many reasons why this is important.

Chapter 6
Menstrual Wellbeing
We feel it. Menstrual wellbeing affects your whole being. Another chunky, vital chapter, where I encourage you to connect with others, seek support when you need to, advocate for yourself, and find what works for you. To address symptoms and enhance health and wellbeing, I also outline some common menstrual problems, and the different types of support and professional help available.

Chapter 7
Moon Time Magic
Discover how we are intrinsically linked with the beautiful lunar presence hovering in our skies, how the moon affects waters and life upon earth, including our own cyclic patterns in how we experience our menstruality. Connections, earthly and heavenly, we are part of nature too.

Chapter 8
Menstrual Synchronicity
Acknowledge the intricate connections between women, our pheromones and times of bleeding together through synching-cycles. Encouraging you to feel, observe, connect, reflect. Our connections run deep.

Chapter 9
Media & Messages
Navigating a modern lifestyle, we are bombarded with media influences – how do these affect you, and all of society? Here, we shine a light on how media and common language, is intended to deliver specific messages, either overt or embedded in deeper subconscious ways. This chapter pushes you toward awareness and encourages opportunities to adopt more empowering perspectives toward period-positive narratives. Period blood is life blood!

Chapter 10
Boys & Men
Recognising the other half of humanity, boys and men are of course an integral part of reproduction and social groupings for our species. We can’t expect change unless all the population joins the ride – education and awareness is needed for boys and men, young, old and in-between, all levels of society. We – the ones who embody menstrual experience and knowledge, can help support change in this space. Honouring all humans.

Chapter 11
Cultural Riches
Discussing the ideas of culture, rituals, rites, and taboos, and how they have impacted the bleeding woman over thousands of years. Culture, rich and strong, full of meaning-making and story, is an incredibly important part of being human, how we live and survive together. This chapter provides some examples of how menstruation, culture and religion have been woven together, and invites you to feel into these experiences, and reflect on your own in today’s culture, where-ever you are.

Chapter 12
Period Poverty
This final chapter invites you to understand what period poverty is, where and why it exists, whilst opening your awareness to the potential of period poverty in your own community. Hopefully, you may be inspired by some of the impactful not-for-profit organisations which are outlined in this chapter. Not only encouraging of understanding and awareness, but suggesting how you could also jump on board, contributing to positive change in menstrual education for all, support for those in need, and advocacy. It’s a bloody good read, and really just a beginning to your own research and discovery. Jump on in, we need you. Period poverty, menstrual shame and stigma, need to be eradicated with the light and efforts of everyone.