I wrote last week about how masturbation is a taboo topic. I think that openly discussing menstruation (in a positive way) is also taboo in our society. Most of what we learn about our menstrual cycle, both overtly and subtly, is ridden with dirtiness, shame, and silence. One of the gems for me of working on my first book right now, and interviewing women about a variety of experiences and meanings related to sex and sexuality, is that many of these women have made a shift towards embracing their cycle as a gift of wisdom.

From a medical angle, a recent research study found that menstrual blood could be a valuable source of stem cells. The article stated:

Experiments in lab dishes showed that under the right conditions, the menstrual stem cells could turn into more different tissue types — including bone, blood vessel, fat, brain, lung, liver, pancreas and heart — than other adult stem cells. The new stem cells also grow readily and rapidly, which is an important advantage....These menstrual stem cells could offer several advantages. They come from a source that's easy to obtain from women, they could be used to treat patients without the fear of tissue rejection, and they avoid the ethical questions associated with embryonic stem cells.

Click HERE to read this article about scientists pursuing a new type of stem cell found in menstrual blood.

If you're interested in checking out a cool site that honors and celebrates women's cycles, go to Red Moon ~ Cycles of Women's Wisdom™.

Jennifer Gunsaullus, Ph.D.

Relationship & Intimacy Doctor - San Diego
www.drjennsden.com