Why I study... the menstrual cycle

My interest in the menstrual cycle began in 1989 when I was a research student. While I was an undergraduate, the lack of topics of specific relevance to women in the psychology curriculum had not escaped my notice; this, together with the formation of the Psychology of Women Section, was influential in shaping my desire to bring such topics into the mainstream. Thus, in my quest for a topic of research I sought to combine this desire with another interest — the psychological benefits of physical exercise, stemming from my own experience of negative feeling states when I do not exercise.

Download PDF for article.