To many, menstruation is still a dirty word, referred to in whispers,
sniggers or euphemisms—of which “Aunt Flo is visiting” is just one of
thousands. The perplexing persistence of what Karen Houppert calls the culture
of concealment surrounding women’s periods forms the central theme of her
entertaining polemic, The Curse. The result of all this secrecy? A
sanitary protection industry insulated from adequate regulation, and the
perception of women as victims of their hormones. Published by Farrar, Straus
and Giroux, $24/£14.70, ISBN 0374273669.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Can we ‘vaccinate’ ourselves against stress?
Features
ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness
Features
ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Can you determine your personalised stress score?
Features
Technology
We might finally know how to use quantum computers to boost AI
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Are Neanderthals descendants of modern humans?
2
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
3
Hospital-acquired pneumonia reduced by daily toothbrushing
4
Exclusive report: Inside Chernobyl, 40 years after nuclear disaster
5
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
6
We might finally know how to use quantum computers to boost AI
7
Is a super El Niño imminent, and what could the impacts be?
8
A key solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good
9
Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness
10
Beef is making a comeback – does it fit into a healthy diet?
