Get Your Curiosity Flowing

The impact books have on our lives is not limited to the words written between the covers. Some books inspire new thoughts and send us to unexpected places. Follow me Down the Rabbit Hole in this recurring segment.

For the past five weeks I’ve talked about menstruation, people with periods, sex education, stigma, and inclusivity. For something that is often not talked about openly, turns out I had a lot to say about periods. And I still do. So before moving onto the next Book Interrupted book cycle, I thought I’d leave you, dear reader, with a jumping off point to go down a rabbit hole of your own. I hope that like me you find yourself more comfortable talking about periods, and driven to normalize this simultaneously normal and extraordinary process. Without further ado, here are some interesting links I invite you to explore on your own, starting with the woman that started the conversation for us and author of Seeing Red, Kirsten Karchmer.

All Things Karchmer

Her website links to the many things she does: https://kirstenkarchmer.com/

Brazen where you can try out her supplements https://www.foreverbrazen.com/ and/or check out her blog Period Talk which has tips to improve your period

Follow her on Twitter @kirstenkarch

Facebook @KirstenKarchmerOfficial

TikTok @theperiodexpert where she answers questions posed by young PWPs about periods. This is wonderful for curious preteens to ask whatever they want and learn a whole lot about periods.

Buy her book Seeing Red on our website from The Bookshop, Libro.fm, or Amazon

Conceivable is her fertility program

Periods for Productivity

The one subject that is particularly cool that I haven’t yet dug into is how to optimize productivity based on the menstrual cycle. Not only are menstrual periods a barometer for our health, as Karchmer teaches us, but they are also a superpower just waiting to be unleashed at work. During the 28-day cycle, there are different phases that correspond to different testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen levels. These different phases correspond to different strengths. There’s some very interesting information out there about planning work tasks around these phases, and exploiting these differences to boost productivity. That’s all very impressive considering that one study found women are already 10% more productive than men at work.

Women are more productive than men, according to new research

How Women Can Use Monthly Periods As A Productivity Tool

The People Building Their Lives Around Their Menstrual Cycles

Menstrual Cycle Planning: Flow With Your Cycle At Home & Work

Movies Etc.

This Is the First Full-Length Period Poverty Documentary

Pandora's Box The Film

Pandora's Box The Podcast

Period. End of Sentence.

The bloody truth about period poverty in America | Full Documentary

"Red Scarf" on Wix

Read More About Human Rights and Positive Change

Looking for inspiration or wondering how to support those who are changing the world? Interested in learning more about period poverty and periods as a human rights issue? Check out these groups and organization that are making positive change for people with periods. These are just a few!

Organizations:

https://www.daysforgirls.org/dfg-pads/

https://www.dignityperiod.org/about-us

https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk/

https://www.period.org/

https://www.periodequity.org/

https://www.unfpa.org/news/periods-not-problem-thanks-pad-making-club-malawi

Articles:

Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know

TOP 4 ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING PERIOD POVERTY

Menstruation and human rights - Frequently asked questions

Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics – Neither Will Our Efforts to Bring Safe Menstrual Hygiene to Women and Girls

FAST FACTS: Nine things you didn't know about menstruation

Tampons will no longer be taxed as luxury items, after landmark German vote

Period Poverty in Canada and around the Globe

All The Other Stuff

Zen Habits article The Ridiculously Awesome Practice of Surrendering By Leo Babauta.

The State of Sex-Ed in Canada

DIY Period Power: How to Create a First Period Kit for Your Mighty Girl

The Weekly Wednesday Funny and other YouTube Videos

Menstrual Musings playlist

The Harmful Myths About Female Virginity

How Boredom Can Lead To Your Most Brilliant Ideas TED talk with Manoush Zomorodi

Baroness von Sketch Show - Hell Time - There's a special place in hell for women who don't support other women

Inside Amy Schumer - Dr. Congress

Baroness von Sketch Show - It isn't perimenopause... is it?

Guys Try Period Cramps: "Is this what cramps are like??!"

Guys Try Period Pain: "Oh my god, I can't breathe!" | Guys Try

Baroness von Sketch Show - You deserve the biggest, baddest tampon around.

Baroness von Sketch Show - Once a month you're going to feel a warm, glowing light around you...

That’s all for now.

Is there anything interesting you learned about periods that I haven’t covered? We’d love to hear from you. Comment below, email us, or connect through the Book Interrupted Book Club Facebook group! Or better yet, help us fight the stigma and have fun along the way by creating your own period inspired video. Send it to us and we’ll add it to the Menstrual Musings playlist on our YouTube channel.

If you enjoyed getting a little uncomfortable and emerging on the other side more informed and, hopefully, inspired to drive societal change, you’re going to love our next book. Until next time.