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HEALTH<br />
Just a phase: could<br />
the moon affect<br />
menstruation?<br />
Full moon, half moon, total<br />
eclipse… No, we’re not talking Jaffa<br />
Cakes – we’re talking lunar cycles.<br />
Matching the length of an average<br />
menstruation cycle, the lunar cycle<br />
takes 29.5 days to go from new<br />
to full, leading many cultures to<br />
associate the moon with fertility.<br />
Until recently, the idea of the<br />
moon affecting humans was<br />
largely dismissed. But studies are<br />
now noting links between sleep,<br />
mood, and the lunar cycle – with a<br />
study published in Science Advances<br />
revealing its potential impact on<br />
menstrual cycles.<br />
Examining 22 women, for<br />
between five and 32 years,<br />
researchers found menstrual<br />
rhythms varied. But out of six<br />
subjects who kept records the<br />
longest, five intermittently synced<br />
with the moon. When combining<br />
the records for all participants,<br />
periods started in alignment with<br />
the full moon, new moon, and<br />
perigee (when the moon is closest<br />
to the earth) more often than<br />
would be expected by chance.<br />
With such a small sample size,<br />
more research is needed to<br />
uncover if there is truly a lunar<br />
link with our menstrual cycles. But<br />
until then, we can still explore the<br />
connection between our cycle and<br />
mood – simply head over to p22!<br />
Writing | Kat Nicholls<br />
happiful.com | <strong>April</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | 11
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