This is an absolutely brilliant book that should be essential reading for all women of all ages. And men too for that matter. Periods should not be taboo, unmentionable, embarrassing or shameful; period problems should be discussed and investigated so that help and treatment can be accessed by all women who need it. It is written from the heart with candour, wit and great sensitivity.
I have actually now bought my own copy of this fabulous book and will be recommending it widely.
Many grateful thanks to NetGalley and Emma Barnett for my copy.

informative and I for one did not appreciate how much period poverty there is and the lengths some women have to go to just to deal with a period

repetitive in parts but nevertheless a good read

“We can’t continue as a human race without periods - and yet we still can’t acknowledge their existence.”

I was so excited to learn there was a book being published about periods and even more excited that my (male) partner brought it to my attention. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book.

I did enjoy this book. It was well researched, covering a wide range of topics related to periods and menstruation. It didn’t entirely focus on white feminism, although most of the book did, and I was glad to see it. That said, there were parts of white feminism that I was shocked by - we’re so “used to” imagining period poverty in the third world that we don’t realise it’s happening here too. I did wish we had gotten more non-white feminism though.
I liked a lot of the anecdotes the book offered. Although much of it is personal, the author has clearly spoken to other people to see where their expectations, experiences and opinions differ from hers. A lot of them were included to demonstrate a point and some were for humour purposes - which was amazing. Periods, for all the pain and upset they cause, can be funny! It makes the book and topic relatable, so hopefully more people could find it accessible.
Unfortunately, I was surprised to find I already knew a lot of the stuff that was covered in the book. That, of course, is no fault of the author, but maybe a reflection on the fact I’ve already tried to educate myself? Well, maybe it was just I knew the general information but not the specifics. I was also surprised by how some stuff had stayed the same since this was written and some had changed; for example, tampon tax: soon to be abolished on all non-reusable period products - but stigma involving period products (particularly reusable ones)? I still haven’t seen them on the tv.
Again, no fault of the author, but I wish she’d covered more of the alternative period products. I want to say it’s because sustainable periods weren’t a “thing” when she was writing it, but it’s definitely not true. She talks about Thinx and WUKA, albeit briefly, focusing for a paragraph or two on Thinx’s period sex blanket. Now, I knew sustainable periods were a thing by this point, and I wasn’t writing a book about periods, because I’d been using Thinx for months when the blanket came out. Plus, I don’t even remember the author mentioning menstrual cups once? This might not have been a problem had I not already been frustrated by her relationship towards pads and tampons at this point - heralding tampons as the superior products and condemning pads as these almost archaic torture devices. I’ve been told it was for humour purposes, but it just ended up feeling a bit judgey to me.

This was the first pick for my feminist book club: Tits, Dicks and Feminist Bits. I was grateful that the book prompted so many questions and sparked so many discussions, both about the book and periods generally.

How much do you know about periods? Emma Barnett's books explores the facts about periods, the cultural and political attitude towards menstruation and women's health in general, and what needs to be done to make it better for women. Continue reading this review over on Pretty Books: https://prettybooks.co.uk/2020/07/18/mini-reviews-pretending-here-is-the-beehive-period/

I really enjoyed this book, I found it fascinating.

Emma’s book is very informative examination of the cultural stigmas and social stigmas that surround the topic of periods. The book covers a wide range of topics related to periods, including religion, menopause first periods, and how it is such a taboo topic, it’s shows we’ve still got a long way to go.

A chatty and informal book, it’s a book to start conversations. I’ve recommended it to my friends and family.

I brilliant book that I feel would be valuable to anyone who reads it, whether you have periods or not.

A funny and much needed book about periods. The stories were interesing and helped me to understand what its like for other women. I would have liked to hear more about the author's experience of endometriosis, a subject that needs more discussion.

I was so looking forward to this book as I'd seen some really terrific reviews on it. Given the many books that have come out of this sort of nature (How to Fail etc), I knew it was something I could get really in to.

Barnett obviously feels quite passionate about the subject, and I'm so glad that is the case as it's something that we should be talking about in this day and age.

I found the content somewhat repetitive though and this at times made it quite boring in sections as it was reading the same points over + over.

I learned some new things but towards the end of the book I was ready for it to be over.

Many thanks to #netgalley for the copy!

This is a fantastic introduction to the subject of periods and definitely deserves to be present in all school libraries. It was informative, helpful, and insightful. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book has absolutely opened my eyes to the way that I have been viewing the very natural process that has occurred since the beginning of time - our periods. ⠀
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I was left shocked, surprised, enlightened, inspired, proud and so very much relieved after reading this book. It is a gem and I wish I had read this just as I started my journey into womanhood. ⠀
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It looks at the history of periods, and how it has affected and strengthened women whether it be relationships, the workplace, schools and even politics (this one surprised me the most). After reading this, I am reminded how strong us women are. We need to give ourselves a lot more credit y'all and we need to be proud of who we are as we were created. ⠀
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It is about bloody time that this book has come along! Emma has created a wonderful piece of writing that not only acknowledges one of the most taboo subjects still around today but is dedicated to it and it is eye-opening.
This book covers periods of all sorts of women from sports personalities to members of Parliament, it covers period shame through to period sex and finally the menopause.
I particularly liked the section on wanted and unwanted blood, learning what life is like as someone who was born with no womb and someone who identifies as a transgender, and how hard it can be for them. Also I learnt what live is like with Endometriosis. As someone who is suffering with fertility issues myself, it gave me time to reflect on and think how good having a period can be and thankful that I don't suffer as bad as I know others do..
It was a great read and I really hope that everyone reads this, men and women alike and it makes people realise that it periods are a natural part of life and should not be ignored! I encourage everyone to read it!

Let's face it, it is about bloody time people started writing on the subject of periods so I have to commend Emma Barnett for putting it all out there. As something that affects a significant proportion of the population it's absolutely ridiculous that no one ever talks about it or if they do it's in whispers or on TV commercials with perfect women having the time of their life.

This book takes an in depth look at why periods are still considered to be something of a taboo and the impact that this is having on women (and men who are either completely ignorant about it or slightly horrified by the whole thing). Now I will admit this hasn't changed my mind about periods, I still think of them as something slightly gross that I have to arrange my life around, but it really opened my eyes to just how ingrained this view that it's something to be silently ashamed of is. It also showed just how dangerous this can be and how many women are left to suffer in silence.

There are a lot of facts and figures which shows the author has really done her research and knows her stuff but it's not a dry read. There are plenty of funny anecdotes and stories littered throughout and the author's personality and strong beliefs really shine through.

If I had one criticism of this book though, it's that it spends so much time talking about people not talking about periods (and the reasons for that) it didn't feel like it talked about them much itself. Barnett has been incredibly brave in sharing stories of her own problems and the impact it had on her life, and there are a few stories from other women dotted around but I wanted a little more of this. I know it's not a biology text but given this is something no one talks about it was these stories of other women's experiences that were the most engaging and relateable.

This is definitely an important book and I truly hope it goes some way to opening the discussion on periods.

A fabulously feminist read which I kind of wish I'd read ten years ago. And one I feel like every woman should read to try and overcome the innate shame we each feel about our period. I mean, I still feel awkward talking about it with my doctor. I blush when I go to the till with tampons. I sneak around with my tampons when I go to the toilet at work and it shouldn't be this way!

I found myself getting angry reading this as I felt called out. Things I do were shown to be wrong and I couldn't believe I still did them at the age of 28. It's definitely a book I want to hand out to all of my friends to show there is no shame so why do we let there be a stigma attached to something out bodies do naturally?

4 stars

This book is a fantastic social commentary on periods by british broadcaster and journalist Emma Barnett.
It covers everything from period shame, education, politics to sex, stories from around the world, transgender periods and the menopause.
This isn't a scientific book, it is a book to break down barriers and start a conversation. It is incredibly informative whilst being funny and feminist. Emma is a fantastic writer and cleverly links in facts with personal anecdotes and historical facts.
As someone with endometriosis, I was happy to see it come up although saddened to hear Emma suffers from it herself.
It is a bloody brilliant book (pun intended) and I hope it makes women feel less alone with their period and feel brave enough to talk about this natural process that so many of us go through.

Please note that I was gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Review
As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
As someone that sufferers with her periods and had to seek medical help with this, I knew I would enjoy reading this book as It is on a topic I have an interest in and it would probably teach me more facts that I didn’t know!

The front over is fab! Not all of the phrases I have heard before!

“We are in this thing called life together and period shame has been the norm for far too long”

I work for a company that has women in it, but in my department it’s me and two men. It’s safe to say that menstrual leave wouldn’t go down well with them - I’d never hear the end of it, plus, personally, it’s just not practical. There has been the occasional debate about how ‘period pains aren’t as bad as being kicked in the balls. I like the idea of ‘wellness polices’ I definitely think this is something that a lot of companies should think about, this could link periods in with things such as mental well-being.

“Our periods are not indicators of weakness, quiet the opposite, they are badges of our humanity”

I do see that it can be uncomfortable to tell you male friend or boss that you are unwell because you are on your period because you don’t know how they are going to react but I have also been witness to women that don’t suffer telling women that do to ‘man up’. This surprises me the most.

Witty and to the point, This book highlights the obvious, but in a humorous manner, that we shouldn’t be embarrassed, it’s a part of human nature, our periods keep the world expanding #periodpride

If you have periods, had periods, going to have or even know someone that does have them - then you should read this.

I absolutely loved this book - so refreshing to read an open and honest discussion about periods. I told everyone at work about it, just to get the conversation going, as Barnett wants us to do.

There were some truly shocking elements too, about period poverty and about the treatment of women's health in general.

All women (and men too) should read this book.

A book with a difference. A great read. Certainly interesting.
Thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review

An interesting book that talks about the way periods are thought of by men and women today. I enjoyed it, especially the way the author pointed out ways we need to rethink how we talk about and think about periods in our everyday lives. Food for thought as a teacher. The author speaks movingly about her struggles with endometriosis and infertility too.
There is some historical context, taking about how periods were dealt with before the advent of commercial products 100 years ago, and some glancing references to how periods are still dealt with today in less developed countries.
However, I was a bit disappointed that there was very little scientific background about why periods occur. A couple of times it is mentioned that there is no medical need to have a period, then a differing opinion is mentioned later but with no links to further reading or scientific studies.
More of a memoir than a scientific/cultural study.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This book was excellent - funny, well-researched and engaging. Barnett explores a taboo topic with absolute openness.

I was looking forward t this book for so long and so happy when I was approved for an ARC, this book is everything I hoped it would be. Aiming to pull down the walls and break the taboo around periods, menstruation or whatever you want to call it we should be discussing this openly and without shame or fear. This is so interesting, educational, funny and should be mandatory reading in schools, available in libraries and I mean for all ages and genders. It’s about bloody time.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A funny, emotional and empowering book, Period is a text that will follow the reader around long after they have finished it. Barnett’s aim is to shift our perceptions of periods, smashing the taboo and any embarrassment woman may feel when they discuss or even think about them. It’s uplifting, inspiring, and full of take-away actions that women can harness to encourage society to be more accepting of periods.

I whizzed through this book, enjoying every page. However, I did have my reservations – I wondered how many ways Barnett could discuss periods and encourage us to be more open about something which (usually) happens to our bodies every month. Thankfully, I was never bored of the inspiring ‘call to arms’ that Barnett sprinkles her book with, and in fact, Period goes far beyond this impassioned – albeit effective – speech.

Barnett makes us consider the different ways that periods can impact day-to-day life. She divides her book into chapters that are well considered, and which each offer an interesting insight that many of us often don’t consider when our own period comes along. She discusses the hard-hitting evidence of period poverty, not only abroad but here in the UK too. This was probably the most emotional part of the book. While many of us are likely aware of the phrase ‘period poverty’ and a handful of facts that often accompany it, Barnett brings to light just how impactful something as simple as a period can have on vulnerable person’s daily life. Barnett really allows the reader to put themselves in the sufferers’ shoes, and to consider what we would do should something as cheap and accessible as tampons and pads, were not actually as attainable as we initially think.

She also makes us consider the topic of ‘wanted’ and ‘unwanted’ periods – i.e. those who have vaginal/reproductive complications, or trans/non-binary individuals, who’s period is a reminder of an identity they do not recognise. Barnett shows us that periods go far beyond the cramps, the leaks, the emotional roller-coasters that we are most likely all aware of (although these are by no means less important, and Barnett considers the impact that doing something simple such as telling your boss you are off sick because of your painful period, could have on the workplace), and highlights the other ways that periods seep into society. We also learn with Barnett – this isn’t a book where Barnett pretends to have all the answers or be an expert in the topic. Although she has been diagnosed with endometriosis and is generally more clued up than the average person, she isn’t a gynaecologist and there are sections of the book where she openly admits she isn’t sure or has had her viewpoint changed.

The section on the menopause, for example, showcases women who are both sad and relieved that their periods have ended, and what it means for each individual and their past relationship with their periods. The most eye-opening moment was when a woman discussed the lack of ‘up-and-down’ moods she had and how, in a way, she mourned them. She missed the rage and the sadness of being on your period, and the complete elation and new zest for life we often experience the week after our period has ended. It’s a new way of considering our periods, beyond the typical label of ‘annoyance’, and it made me want to celebrate the range of emotions that my own period allows me to feel.

Period is a must read for any woman, whether you loathe your period or are completely indifferent towards them. Barnett doesn’t suggest we should all love the fact that we bleed each month – she herself admits that she largely hates her own period and will be happy when they stop altogether. However, she does offer and alternative way of considering them, and encourages us to be open with ourselves – and others, if we so wish – about our bodies to help dismantle the period stigma, once and for all.