May is #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth and I've been trying to post something about menstrual health every day. Today is day 31 which means we made it to the end! Strap yourself in for a mammoth summary thread with links to all the posts :) 1/36 #PeriodFriendlyWorld
We've covered everything from what periods are and how many we have in a lifetime, to how much they cost, period disorders and discomforts, the impact of vaccines, and perimenopause and menopause. 2/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld
We've also covered period products, how badly they've been tested, and the lack of international standards. 3/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld
This month we've also been crowdfunding to do a study testing how well bacteria can stick to menstrual cups and discs. After 18 months of rejected funding applications, crowdfunding was our last resort. 4/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld
We're currently at about 20% of our target, so thanks to everyone who has donated. I know times are tough so I really appreciate you getting behind us. We've enough money so work on the project going for a couple of months, so I'll let you know what progress we make. 5/36 #PeriodFriendlyWorld
Support Menstrual Cup Research

How safe are menstrual cups? Help us understand how harmful microbes interact with menstrual cups and discs, and the potential impacts on our bodies.

University of Auckland Medical & Health Sciences Foundation
On day 7, we did some back-of-the-envelope calculations for how many period people will have during their lifetime: bsky.app/profile/siou... 13/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlajxpufsm2g
I followed this up by making a calculator so you can work out your own numbers: 14/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld infectious-thoughts.ghost.io/ever-wondere...

Ever wondered how long you've ...
Ever wondered how long you've spent bleeding?

If you are someone who has periods, are you curious to know how many you've had in your lifetime? How many days you've spent bleeding? According to Sarah Thomas and Charlotte Ellertson, 450 is the average number of periods over a lifetime. Writing in medical journal The Lancet over 25

Infectious Thoughts
On day 9, we explained what MDCD stands for: menstrual discomfort, conditions, and disorders: bsky.app/profile/siou... 15/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlfqjy34ic2v
On day 14, we covered the important news that the misleading Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has just been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS): bsky.app/profile/siou... 20/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mls4cwttes2f
On day 19, we covered historical period products (who can forget the Hockert's Catamenial Sack!): bsky.app/profile/siou... 24/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mm7gh3ynzs2b
On day 20, we covered the history of menstrual cups (who knew they are almost 100 years old!): bsky.app/profile/siou... 25/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmbbhqxj7c2a