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The Red Lotus Blog
Here you'll find a curated collection of all things menstruality. We link to the latest evidence-based menstrual health studies and high-quality news items. And we add in our own voices with personal MCA reflections and posts on our own cyclical and creative endeavours. Enjoy!
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Caitlin Peirse
Mar 6, 20241 min read
Testing the Qvin diagnostic menstrual pad
Writer Sara Youngblood Gregory shares her experience using the Qvin Diagnostic Menstrual Pad (mentioned in an earlier blog post ). Sara...
Caitlin Peirse
Mar 6, 20241 min read
How much do periods cost in a lifetime?
A global report published by Nadzeya Sankovich shows the compared cost of pads for individuals around the world and roughly how much...
Caitlin Peirse
Mar 4, 20241 min read
COVID-19 vaccine and cycle length changes
Research led by Alison Edelman and published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Journal found that data from 19,497 Natural Cycles tracking...
Caitlin Peirse
Mar 4, 20241 min read
Using apps to track your cycle and fertility
Many people use apps to track their health, including their menstrual cycles. A review (that included 300 studies of 73 apps) published...
Natalie Clarke
Mar 4, 20241 min read
Menstrual health literacy in NZ
Massey University & Auckland Technology University are researching. menstrual health literacy in New Zealand with a 25 question survey...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 27, 20241 min read
“Menstrual discharge collection devices" and the tampon tax
An opinion article by Laura Strausfeld explores how switching from the term 'feminine hygiene products' to 'menstrual discharge...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 27, 20241 min read
COVID & menstrual cycle alterations
A recent study published this month looked at the impacts of COVID-19 on menstrual cycle alterations for 293 female medical students at...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 22, 20243 min read
Insights from my first month of cycle tracking
I am currently in the last week (inner autumn) of my first natural cycle since having my IUD removed a month and a half ago. Throughout...
Natalie Clarke
Feb 20, 20243 min read
7 years cycle tracking: I rarely bleed on a Thursday
Last month a new study was published with an attention grabbing title 'periods most often start on Thursday and Friday'. The results of...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 15, 20241 min read
The reality of period-related sick days
Author Kate Norris explores research from the latest Bupa Wellbeing Index suggesting how common it is for people to be taking time off...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 15, 20241 min read
Is coffee making your cramps worse?
Author Amy Glover explores a research review from the North American Menopause Society (NAMS, 2022) that suggests caffeine and other...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 14, 20241 min read
The issue with the word 'vagina'
A well written piece by Dr. Karla Loken for FemTech exploring the rejection and double-standards of female-centered words in advertising...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 14, 20241 min read
What is Post Menstrual Syndrome?
We have all heard of PMS pre-menstrual syndrome but a newly coined term Post Menstrual Syndrome describes similar symptoms felt at the...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 14, 20241 min read
New data on the prevalence of PMDD
A recent study led by Dr Thomas Reilly suggested around 1.6% of people met the strict diagnostic criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 14, 20241 min read
Researchers find link between PCOS and midlife cognitive decline
A recent longitudinal study over 30 years shows a link between PCOS and cognitive decline in those over the age of 40. This article...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 13, 20241 min read
Fit for menopause
Les Mills discusses the important role physical activity plays as people are experiencing perimenopause and menopause....
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 13, 20241 min read
Exercising according to your menstrual cycle
Les Mills gives a run down on the different phases of the menstrual cycle as well as what kind and level of physical activity is best...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 13, 20241 min read
Potential reasons for unpredictably light periods
Author Andi Breitowich comments on the sometimes unpredictable nature of periods, as well as potential reasons for experiencing a...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 13, 20241 min read
15 ways to help relieve period cramps
This informative article by Larell Scardelli looks at 15 evidence-based health behaviors and activities that may help relieve period...
Caitlin Peirse
Feb 12, 20241 min read
Contraceptive medication and emotion regulation
This article explores whether combined oral contraceptives (COC) medications can alter emotional regulation in women....
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