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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 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...

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
Jan 30, 20241 min read
Nutritionists guide to balancing hormones
This article discusses mistakes that nutritionist and hormone specialist Hannah Alderson says are most common when it comes to balancing...

Caitlin Peirse
Jan 30, 20241 min read
What's up with period poops?
If you're anything like me, you will know exactly what I mean by the term 'period poops'. This article explores why they happen and what...

Natalie Clarke
Jan 16, 20241 min read
Hyperthyroidism effect on menstruation
Words by Heather Smith suggest an overactive thyroid gland can affect the regularity and heaviness of menses, as well as fertility and...

Natalie Clarke
Jan 11, 20241 min read
MCA overview of 4 phases and hormones
This article contains a great overview of the four phases across a menstrual cycle and four key hormones that are present throughout....

Natalie Clarke
Jan 11, 20241 min read
Are period clots normal?
This article shares the lowdown of blood clots and what every menstruator asks themselves at one point or another... "Is this normal"?....

Caitlin Peirse
Jan 10, 20241 min read
The practice of yoni steaming
Yoni steaming is an Ayurvedic wellness practice meant to aid detoxification, fertility support, menopausal/menstrual health and spiritual...

Natalie Clarke
Jan 9, 20241 min read
Vitamin K and menstrual flow
Natalia Ningthoujam explores the role of vitamin K in menstrual flow - and how vitamin K rich foods (including fish, herbs, and...

Natalie Clarke
Jan 2, 20241 min read
Tax on period pants ended
Great news to start off 2024 for the UK: VAT on period pants has been lifted. The move from classing them as 'garments' to 'period...

Natalie Clarke
Dec 28, 20231 min read
Cyclical suicidal thoughts
There can be some really challenging points in a woman's life when cycle awareness is absent. Suicidal ideation was my experience in my...

Natalie Clarke
Oct 20, 20231 min read
Brain changes through the cycle
"Brain areas remodel themselves in synchronization with the menstrual cycle. Rachel Zsido and Julia Sacher conducted a study published in...


Natalie Clarke
Oct 9, 20231 min read
Take charge: Fertility awareness
Thanks to Camilla from my MCA training for recommending this book. Wow, what a gem! Fertility awareness and menstrual cycle awareness go...

Natalie Clarke
Oct 5, 20231 min read
Many ways to think about the menstrual cycle
Here's one from Ashley Yang tuning into Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oODE9fujZAk You can listen to the songs/albums she...
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