Full moon, low tide and then blood? The fact that the lengths of the menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle are so similar has been a reason for assuming greater importance for centuries and in many cultures.

What history has to say about it

The words “menstruation” and “menses” are also derived from the Latin and Greek terms mene (moon) and mensis (month). Many assume that the phases of the lunar cycle affect the woman’s cycle phases. Thus, the new moon is said to ring in menstruation and the full moon is said to have an effect on ovulation. Some also try to adapt their cycle to the lunar cycle to help fertility at full moon.

However, there is no scientific evidence of the relationship between the lunar and the menstrual cycle. Women around the world have menstruation and ovulation at different times, regardless of the phases of the moon. For some, the menstrual and the lunar cycle correlate. However, this is depending on how well their average cycle length and cycle variability fit the moon’s cycle.

But then again, shouldn’t all women around the globe have the exact cycle if the moon phases controlled the menstrual cycle? Or is all the artificial light to blame that we don’t all menstruate to new moon at the same time? (Attention, conspiracy theory!) Shouldn’t the lunar cycle then also synchronize the cycles of animals? How can it be that bitches have an average cycle of six to seven months, an elephant cow one of three to four months? The spirits divide and science finds no clear evidence of a correlation between lunar and menstrual cycles. It is a fact that many women match their menstrual cycle with the phases of the moon, whether to get to know their cycle better or to boost their fertility in hope. Whether this is actually possible is probably written in the stars.

Check out one of our other articles on menstruation here.