Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-182) and index.
Foreword; Preface; Introduction; 1 Menstruation in Western Civilization; 2 Menstruation: The Basis of Therapeutic Bloodletting; 3 Why Women Menstruate; 4 Premenstrual Syndrome; 5 Menstrual Cycle-Related Disorders; 6 Natural Suppression of Menstruation; 7 Medical Suppression of Menstruation; 8 In Support of Menstruation; 9 Absence of Menstruation and Disease; 10 Conclusion; Glossary; Bibliographic Essay; Index.
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The authors argue that regular monthly bleeding is not the "natural" state of women, and that it actually places them at risk of several medical conditions of varying severity. They maintain that while menstruation may be culturally significant, it is not medically meaningful.