ONLINE COURSE

Contemporary menstrual studies

year one

This masters-level course is designed to develop your understanding of menstruation today in the contexts of business, feminism, history, law, public health, public policy, popular culture, religion, sustainability, sport, technology, wellbeing, and the workplace.

The first year of the course was created and launched in 2022 by Dr Lara Owen. In March 2025 a second year was added, for people who have already taken the first year. The introductory information for Year Two is available here.

To learn more about Year One, please read the rest of this page first. If you still have any questions, please email Grace. 

who it’s for

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

The course is designed for people eager to deepen their knowledge of menstrual studies, whether as a preparation or adjunct for formal postgraduate research and/or to inform their work as menstrual educators, activists and clinicians.

Menstruation is a fascinating and necessary topic, and it is also complex. Ideas, beliefs, practices and needs surrounding menstruation impact upon and are affected by different aspects of life. Accordingly, the topic is researched in many academic disciplines, each of which has their own preferred research methods and theoretical perspectives, yet which all speak to the topic. 

This means it takes a great deal of study to get a handle on the wider picture of menstrual research, to find out what we know and don’t know, and to understand prevailing ideas in context. Taking this course will help you with that process and guide you through the existing literature and research so that you can understand the topic with more assurance and depth.

The field of menstrual studies is rapidly developing and it is so exciting to see new knowledge emerging. But as yet there is no dedicated preparatory pathway at university level for postgraduate study, or related support for menstrual education, public engagement and activism.

This course fills the gap in available education for people who want to learn in depth about menstrual culture and practices, and be equipped to understand research across disciplines. The course will help prepare you for Master’s or PhD research, and/or build your strengths as a teacher or public communicator in the field.

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.

“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               

What the course offers

An overview

How it works

Course design

STRUCTURE

The course is structured like a university course. There are two semesters of 12 weeks each, with a two week-long breaks in each (situated around significant national and religious holidays), and a three month gap between the two semesters.

During term-time, there is a combination of lectures, seminars, videos and readings for each module. Content is made available as PDFs and video recordings.

There is one live group class each week, offered at two different times to make it accessible to people all over the world.

The live classes in 2025 are being held on Sundays at 7 pm and Wednesdays at 10 am (UK time). Both classes cover the same topic, but the conversation element will of course develop differently in each class. You are welcome to attend both if you would like.

TIME COMMITMENT

The time commitment for online attendance is an hour a week, for 20 weeks in total. On top of that, you need to plan time for several hours of reading per week for each topic, for watching pre-recorded lectures, and for short assignments such as watching a video or writing in your journal on a specific topic.

In addition, there are two substantial written, research-based assignments. These assignments are due for submission in Weeks 11 and 22.

To allow you to catch up with reading and to focus on your independent work, the semester breaks and the three month space in between the two semesters form a pause in the taught new information. This timing is also important in helping you to integrate the course material.

Reading

There is a broad and comprehensive reading list for the whole course. Key papers and additional reading are made available to you for each module.

Community

The course brings together people passionate about the topic of menstruation from around the world. Since its inception in 2022, the course has been taken by students from all six continents.

We have a WhatsApp group for past and present students to connect and stay in touch, and to build a community of expertise and ongoing support.

Certification

Graduating from the course and receiving the certificate of completion is determined 50% through attendance and participation, and 50% through written assignments.

You need to attend at least 80% of seminars (there is one per week during the semester, offered at two different times), and to participate in them, demonstrating you have read the required material and watched the pre-recorded lecture. For the assignments, you need to submit them on time and to a satisfactory level.

Certification is given in UK postgraduate style with three levels of Distinction, Merit, and Pass.

is it right for

your level of learning?

what you will study

course modules in BRIEF

Each lecture provides an overview of current knowledge and activity in the specific topic. It also pays attention to the main theories and research methods used in the topic.

Semester One

Semester Two

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