Associate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
We've also covered period products, how badly they've been tested, and the lack of international standards. 3/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
Here's the link, if you want to donate: support.auckland.ac.nz/mcr 6/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

Support Menstrual Cup Research
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
Ok, on to the posts. On day 1, we covered what menstrual health is: bsky.app/profile/siou... 7/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mkrgxeqadk2r
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 2, we covered what menstruation is: bsky.app/profile/siou... 8/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mktwtcy4at2f
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 3, we covered how many people around the world have a period: bsky.app/profile/siou... 9/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mkwr7crd4k2z
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 4, we covered what people around the world call their period: bsky.app/profile/siou... 10/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mkzb3cmdqs22
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 5, we explained some technical terms: bsky.app/profile/did:... 11/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3ml3kmavxz22g
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 6, we covered what age people start their period: bsky.app/profile/siou... 12/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3ml6fuy3qv32g
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 10, we raged at the gender pain gap: bsky.app/profile/siou... 16/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mliaxaerw22v
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 11, we covered premenstrual syndrome (AKA PMS): bsky.app/profile/siou... 17/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlkr7xxc3c2h
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 12, we covered endometriosis: bsky.app/profile/siou... 18/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlnfwk67oc2g
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 13, we covered adenomyosis and fibroids: bsky.app/profile/did:... 19/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlpmcifkdc2q
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 16, we covered menstrual leave: bsky.app/profile/siou... 21/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlwijhes6k2p
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 17, we covered menopause and perimenopause: bsky.app/profile/siou... 22/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mlyzmez2cs2p
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 18, we covered modern period products: bsky.app/profile/siou... 23/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mm3m4i5shc2o
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
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
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 21, we covered the environmental impact of periods: bsky.app/profile/siou... 26/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmdn4uf55c2y
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 23, we covered free bleeding and the free bleeding movement: bsky.app/profile/siou... 27/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmic3u4clc25
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 24, we covered periods and conflict, and the amazing work being done by Reemi: bsky.app/profile/siou... 28/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmknt5ocr227
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 25, we covered toxic shock syndrome: bsky.app/profile/siou... 29/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmnlpalley25
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie Wiles
On day 26, we covered periods and vaccines: bsky.app/profile/siou... 30/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmq46hmjdw2t
May 30 at 11:15pmWeb
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 27, we covered how misleading absorbency ratings are as they weren't tested using blood: bsky.app/profile/siou... 31/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmsmniob3d25
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 28, we covered the taxing of period products: bsky.app/profile/siou... 32/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmvrfumrhs27
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
And then made another calculator so you can work out how much you spend/have spent on disposable period products over your lifetime and how much tax you've paid/will pay: infectious-thoughts.ghost.io/the-price-of... 33/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

The price of periods
The price of periods

Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day! To "celebrate", we're talking taxes and have created a calculator to work out how much your period is costing you. But first, a quick intro to Menstrual Hygiene Day. Around the world, the 28th of May is the day we shout loudly and in unison about

Infectious Thoughts
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
On day 29, we covered Scotland's free period product legislation: bsky.app/profile/siou... 34/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mmxehtsfte27
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
And finally, on day 30, we covered the lack of international standards for period products and that that means for what they might contain: bsky.app/profile/siou... 35/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:a5os5cwusn2prc5wd6ujgopr/post/3mn2cnejibk2c
Show threadAssociate Professor Siouxsie WilesMay 30
Thanks again for engaging with me over the month and sharing all your stories. That link again if you want to support our crowdfunding campaign support.auckland.ac.nz/mcr 36/36 #MenstrualHealthAwarenessMonth #PeriodFriendlyWorld

support.auckland.ac.nz/mcr36/36
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