Welcome to Contemporary Menstrual Studies
Dr Lara Owen’s Contemporary Menstrual Studies program educates menstrual advocates, activists and educators on menstrual research and knowledge across disciplines and contexts. It is the most thorough postgraduate course on menstruation currently available worldwide.
The first year of CMS explores menstruation in the contexts of business, feminism, history, law, public health, public policy, popular culture, religion, sustainability, sport, technology, wellbeing, and the workplace.
The second year builds on the critical thinking and research skills learned in Year One and explores specific aspects of menstrual experience in depth, including common symptoms and syndromes, menarche and menopause, trauma and psychology. Year Two is invitation only, based on successful completion of Year One.
The courses are updated every year to take account of new research and social, political and legal developments.
Feedback
Comments from previous participants
Scroll this section to see comments from students around the globe.
“This course was an amazing opportunity that opened my mind and heart to a new world of possibilities. I’m extremely grateful to have had Lara as a teacher and mentor. Her knowledge was truly amazing, and it gave me the structure and strength to keep going with my work as a therapist and menstrual educator. I appreciate every single lecture and discussion of this course. The fact that we had students from all over the world was an extra which enhanced our knowledge.” Melina Augusto, menstrual educator, Brazil.
“This year spent with you and my fellow participants of the course are invaluable to me and has put me on a track with more ambition, knowledge, and a thorough basis for a successful thesis. You’ve given me so much insight into topics I would have never even considered, and it’s just been a thrill to participate.” Marina Sakač Hadžić, postgraduate student in menstrual studies, Serbia and Belgium
“Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement this year. I feel like a different person emerging out of our CMS cocoon, and have grown so much from stepping outside of my comfort zone and engaging back into academic study. I did not know it was possible to write a piece like this at this time last year, and I am so grateful for the therapeutic process you helped us create for ourselves.” Lori Jackson, Australia
“This course has filled me up with so much new knowledge, inspiration, and a HUGE desire to delve deeper and get more involved. This course is absolutely gold, the knowledge you are sharing and in the way it is presented. It’s been a deeply personal and professional experience. This opens so much my desire to get involved in research, in this SO needed area. Thank you so much Lara, this has been one of the most inspirational courses. I have deeply enjoyed all the content, studies, tools and the ways presented. Having a journal has been an amazing and deep professional and personal practice.” Valeria Sumar, menstrual educator and nutritionist, Chile and New Zealand
“I feel privileged to have been in the first cohort of this thought-provoking course. Lara’s considerable experience, engaging delivery and supportive approach has made it an incredibly valuable contribution to my PhD studies. Sharing ideas with an internationally diverse group – all passionate about menstruation – has deepened my own commitment to making a meaningful contribution to destigmatising and dignifying the menstrual experience and its many milestones.” Karen Abi-Karam, Sussex, UK.
“Being part of the Contemporary Menstrual Studies course was one of the best expanding experiences in my professional career. As a Ph.D. student in menstrual health in India, I was looking for guidance to strengthen my work. In the process of this course, I was able to believe in myself again as a researcher and as a writer. Dr. Lara has an amazing way to guide you and support you in your work. Taking this course has been one of the best experience that one can have as a woman, a researcher, or someone keenly interested in menstruation.” Erika Lizbeth Vega Anaya, PhD student, Mexican currently living in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
“I am very grateful for having had this unique opportunity to attend the Contemporary Menstrual Studies Course for the class of 2022. I have gained in-depth and practical knowledge in every aspect of the topic of menstruation and a rich and detailed understanding of feminism. I highly recommend this fantastic course to everyone passionate about women’s rights.” Andisheh Jahangir, Health Project Officer, Iran
“Opting to participate in the course proved to be one of the best decisions I have made. The comprehensive curriculum deepened my understanding of various aspects of menstruation, and the course provided valuable access to educational and practical resources. Dr. Lara Owen, an exceptional educator, offered phenomenal support throughout the course, further enhancing my learning experience. The knowledge and skills gained will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my menstrual advocacy efforts and contribute to my ability to effect positive change. I strongly recommend this course.” Wendy Atswei Laryea, Chevening Scholar, Founder at Inspire to Rise, Ghana
“Taking the Contemporary Menstrual Studies course was an immeasurable experience encapsulating historic, diverse, in-depth material surrounding menstruation. Lara’s wealth of knowledge and magnitude of resources have given me the tools to build a stronger intellectual understanding of what menstruation really looks like in media, politics, the workplace and more. The vast nature of the seminars are harmonized by Lara’s eloquent and integrative teaching style. This is a course I would love to take over and over as it continues to expand. What a liberating experience it was for me.” Elena Mischal, Virginia, USA.
“Contemporary Menstrual Studies has been one of the single most significant and expansive experiences in my professional development as a menstrual educator. This course, with its comprehensive, considered and unparalleled scope, offered us a type of ground and breadth of knowledge that is largely lacking within the field of menstruation as a whole. Dr. Lara Owen is an incredible teacher and brilliant mind. I continue to feel privileged for the opportunity I had to study with her, and receive her masterful guidance and support as I navigate my own contributions to the field of menstruation. I am grateful for this course beyond measure.” Samantha Neal, Menstrual Educator, Byron Bay, Australia
“Joining the Contemporary Menstrual Studies course has been an exciting and much needed opportunity. The wide range of areas covered within the course has allowed me to explore many new avenues of interest, whilst deepening my existing knowledge with up to date research and context. Lara delivers the lectures in such an accessible manner and her vast knowledge, interest and enthusiasm has given me a thirst to continue learning in this field. It’s been great to connect with the other students who are based all around the world. This is an excellent course and I thoroughly recommend it.” Grace Hempshall, Menstrual Educator, Somerset, U.K.
“Contemporary Menstrual Studies is a highly transformative process. I have acquired new tools for multidisciplinary analysis of the menstrual experience. The cultural diversity of the participants enriches these experience by learning from each other and creating new awareness on the different realities. Dra Lara is an amazing educator who holds safe space not only for learning, but also for a personal transformational process. I highly recommend it.” Mariana Soriano – Sexual & Menstrual Educator. Co-Founder YAWAR Project, Bolivia.
“Being a part of the Contemporary Menstrual Studies course was genuinely inspiring. Across 10 modules, each delving into various themes related to menstruation, I had the opportunity to explore the latest developments in menstrual studies, in terms of theory but also practice. Lara, our exceptional professor, guided the class through a fascinating learning journey, attentively listening to students and fostering an environment that embraced diverse perspectives. I consider myself fortunate to learn from such a master in the field. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this enriching experience! Nicole Spohr, PhD, Menstrual educator and activist, Amsterdam and Brazil.
“This class was such a pleasure to be in and the highlight of my 2023. It exceeded my expectations and was exactly the kind of grounding in menstrual studies I had been looking for for years.” Kate Uhlman, Operations, London.
“The Contemporary Menstrual Studies course has provided me with the knowledge and confidence to bring the conversation around menstruation to different environments and to increase my efforts to fight its stigma. It has opened my eyes to all the areas that are influenced by the menstrual cycle and helped me to evaluate more critically what I read and see about menstruation in the written and online media.” Didi Ananda Rashmika, yogic missionary and menstrual activist, Dutch based in Colombia.
“Lara’s Contemporary Menstrual Studies course was a privilege to participate in. It was fascinating to learn both how broad and limited research with regard to the menstrual cycle has been. Being able to virtually connect with other individuals working in the realms of menstrual education, advocacy, research, and beyond created a beautiful context in which participants could share their own experiences, questions, and insights–all the while guided by Lara’s extensive knowledge and wide scope of the field. Lara’s dedication to ensuring menstruation receives the attention that it both requires and deserves is an inspiration for menstrual educators, activists, researchers, and for anyone who menstruates or who knows someone who menstruates (that is to say, everyone).” Molly Haglund, South Gippsland, Australia.
“I recently took the Contemporary Menstrual Studies course, which has been a game-changer. Dr Lara Owen, our excellent professor, demonstrated exceptional expertise and passion for the subject, making the learning experience informative, engaging, and empowering. Lara has a remarkable ability to break down complex topics related to menstruation in a way that is accessible to all participants. The course was beautifully crafted, featuring ten modules covering all menstruation facets. The encouragement to share experiences, ask questions, and engage in open discussions created a safe space for everyone. I am grateful to be part of this course and to receive Lara’s guidance and support. The course also provided an opportunity to connect with a global community actively involved in discussions about menstruation. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking a comprehensive and transformative understanding of menstruation.” Dinta Suresh, PhD Scholar & CMS Graduate 2023, Menstrual Educator, India