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Period Queen: Life hack your cycle to own your power all month long
Ladies, meet your four period superpowers! Just like the seasons, there are four phases that keep coming around. Once you learn this self-awareness, you'll come to love and appreciate how your body tells you when to dream, do, give and take. By harnessing the power of your menstrual cycle, you're about to learn the greatest life hack of them all.
For so long, girls are given the 'talk,' then told how to 'manage' their periods - the beginning of a tedious bloody grind, one of the last great taboos. But the truth is the menstrual cycle has benefits. Big, fantastic, daily, monthly, even lifelong benefits which, when understood, will change the lives of half the people on the planet.
For so long, girls are given the 'talk,' then told how to 'manage' their periods - the beginning of a tedious bloody grind, one of the last great taboos. But the truth is the menstrual cycle has benefits. Big, fantastic, daily, monthly, even lifelong benefits which, when understood, will change the lives of half the people on the planet.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2021
119 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 3, 2020
“...some people are mortified that we would dare talk about our cycles. They think it’s gross and weird. I think it’s pretty weird that we’re made of the same stuff as stars and lions and share nearly 60 per cent of the same genetic material as a banana, but I don’t let it stop me enjoying my life or use it as an excuse to stop anyone else from enjoying theirs.”
I. Loved. This. Book.
Every menstruator needs to read this. And everyone that KNOWS someone that menstruates needs to read this. It is so much more than just talking about periods. And it is SO BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.
Lucy Peach talks about the four phases of a menstrual cycle, and how we menstruators can best harness the superpowers that come with each phase.
I have always been stuck in the same mindset, slightly aggressively announcing to the world and any naysayers, “I can do ANYTHING, having a period doesn’t slow me down!” And it’s very true; we CAN do anything, our period doesn’t have to slow us down.
But we don’t HAVE to do anything, everything, all the time. It’s OKAY to slow down. This book gives us permission to ride the waves of our cycle, rather than stubbornly pushing through and hurting our own chances of success.
I feel ready to take on the world. And I think I want Lucy Peach to adopt me.
I. Loved. This. Book.
Every menstruator needs to read this. And everyone that KNOWS someone that menstruates needs to read this. It is so much more than just talking about periods. And it is SO BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.
Lucy Peach talks about the four phases of a menstrual cycle, and how we menstruators can best harness the superpowers that come with each phase.
I have always been stuck in the same mindset, slightly aggressively announcing to the world and any naysayers, “I can do ANYTHING, having a period doesn’t slow me down!” And it’s very true; we CAN do anything, our period doesn’t have to slow us down.
But we don’t HAVE to do anything, everything, all the time. It’s OKAY to slow down. This book gives us permission to ride the waves of our cycle, rather than stubbornly pushing through and hurting our own chances of success.
I feel ready to take on the world. And I think I want Lucy Peach to adopt me.
March 12, 2022
Despite being a former-sexual health educator and human biology teacher, Peach refuses to acknowledge that not everyone with a period is a woman. She mentions the existence of non-binary people once in the entire book. This book perpetuates the already overpowered notion that we live in a gender binary society - because of this, I would not recommend this book to anyone who isn’t already extremely aware of this.
Despite this, the book helped me understand parts of my experience with my cycle. I value knowing that my body works in a cyclical way and that the more I know my cycle, the more I may harness the benefits of each stage (and recognise why I may be feeling like crap at certain times). I especially enjoyed how Peach speaks about the time just before your period comes, where we occupy a liminal space while we wait.
Overall, the tone was annoyingly upbeat and often Peach over-explains her points. Maybe because this book is written for a younger audience? If so, I return to my original thought that because of the books lack of gender awareness and it’s potential intended audience, I would not recommend this book.
Do better, Peach - your writing has potential to add intriguing and compassionate ideas to many people’s lives.
Despite this, the book helped me understand parts of my experience with my cycle. I value knowing that my body works in a cyclical way and that the more I know my cycle, the more I may harness the benefits of each stage (and recognise why I may be feeling like crap at certain times). I especially enjoyed how Peach speaks about the time just before your period comes, where we occupy a liminal space while we wait.
Overall, the tone was annoyingly upbeat and often Peach over-explains her points. Maybe because this book is written for a younger audience? If so, I return to my original thought that because of the books lack of gender awareness and it’s potential intended audience, I would not recommend this book.
Do better, Peach - your writing has potential to add intriguing and compassionate ideas to many people’s lives.
October 6, 2020
I found the central idea of this book - that there are different needs and strengths in each stage of the menstrual cycle - really useful, but the lack of awareness of trans people is a massive oversight. While the information presented here could be helpful for anyone who has a menstrual cycle, you should know going in that this book is written for cis women, and written as if cis women are the only people who menstruate.
Again, much of the book's content was useful for me personally. I did appreciate the acknowledgement that the ability to reproduce does not equal the desire to reproduce, and I liked the idea of 'giving life' being applied to creative pursuits. But there was a lot of waxing lyrical about womanhood, which was generally unscientific fluff that I definitely could have done without.
The menstrual cycle is described with heavily gendered language throughout the book - the author even repeatedly refers to it as 'womaning'. There was one passing mention of non-binary people, and sometimes variations of 'people with a menstrual cycle' is used instead of 'women', but Peach never makes the explicit connection that not everyone who menstruates is a woman, and not every woman menstruates. So this book ultimately excludes a huge chunk of the people it is aimed at helping.
Again, much of the book's content was useful for me personally. I did appreciate the acknowledgement that the ability to reproduce does not equal the desire to reproduce, and I liked the idea of 'giving life' being applied to creative pursuits. But there was a lot of waxing lyrical about womanhood, which was generally unscientific fluff that I definitely could have done without.
The menstrual cycle is described with heavily gendered language throughout the book - the author even repeatedly refers to it as 'womaning'. There was one passing mention of non-binary people, and sometimes variations of 'people with a menstrual cycle' is used instead of 'women', but Peach never makes the explicit connection that not everyone who menstruates is a woman, and not every woman menstruates. So this book ultimately excludes a huge chunk of the people it is aimed at helping.
July 1, 2020
5 big glorious stars for a book that has changed my life, my outlook & my feelings about myself. I could not have loved this book more! The way Lucy describes woman’s cycle, how we can care for ourselves & most importantly for me, how to not feel bad for not feeling the same thing all cycle long has been the biggest eye opener. The only thing I am sad about is that I have spent almost 30 years of bleeding not understanding myself. Buy this book for yourself & tell your daughter, your nieces, sister & other woman in your life that they need this book too. We all need Lucy’s loving, gentle, empowering ways to guide us!
October 10, 2020
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are two main reasons why I didn't like this book:
- It is marketed as an adult book when it is written as if it's geared towards pre-teens. Lots of random capitalised words and multiple exclamation points. I don't mind an informally written book, but this pushed it over the edge and kind of felt lazily and poorly written. Much of the period advice was painfully obvious, like eat chocolate, use a hot water bottle, take painkillers - you don't need a book to tell you these things, you barely need a Google search.
- This book seems to be centered around the idea of period being linked to 'female empowerment', and this is then tenuously related to destigmatising periods. Personally, I fundamentally disagree with the idea that period stigma can be ended simply by feeling empowered by them, there are a lot more structural inequalities in play and it feels a little condescending and naive.
This book maybe would have been useful for me to have read when I was in my early teens, in the mid 00s. Sadly it also feels left behind there - while Peach makes clear (correctly!) that ability to reproduce does not equal desire to do so, she’s still stuck associating menustrating with “womanhood”, regardless of the fact not all women are able to have periods and not all the people who experience them are women. This association I don’t think is helpful for cis women who menstruate either - I don’t think we need to feel empowered by our periods or reproductive systems, although I certainly agree we need to not be ashamed of periods. Learning to work with menstrual cycles- e.g. manipulating exercise and diet - I think is really helpful without it needing to fall under a somewhat condescending umbrella of “empowerment” - not to mention the fact it’s hard to feel empowered by something that for many people sucks and hurts a lot of the time, and no amount of painkillers and meditation can get around that (if it can for you, well done! Consider yourself very biologically lucky).
I’m also concerned placing the onus of empowerment to get rid of menstrual stigma erases the role other structural inequalities play - in particular medical professionals who under diagnose endometriosis etc. To be fair to her she does touch on this but just kind of says, just try another doctor, you deserve to not feel pain. Which, sure, but for a book attempting to address period stigma, it's again very surface level and really doesn’t move much past basic advice bordering on pseudoscience and platitudes of “empowerment”. The Do/Dream/Give/Take phase tracking bordered on period astrology for me, and much of the advice kind of felt like a YouTuber self-help book where they bullet point how to boil an egg- obvious and surface level.
To finish off, the couple of anecdotes about how non-Western cultures view periods were interesting but too short and kind of written in a “how cute and inspirational!” way that felt uncomfortable. The use of 'biologically female/male' might have been fine in 2009 but are we not past that as a society? If you're writing a feminist book in 2020, please read some form of gender theory. And, last of all, maybe don't cite Monsieur Misogyny himself, Charles Darwin, in your period book.
If you still like Caitlin Moran and her noughties feminism, I think you’ll enjoy this. If you’ve progressed past that, I’d advise skipping it.
There are two main reasons why I didn't like this book:
- It is marketed as an adult book when it is written as if it's geared towards pre-teens. Lots of random capitalised words and multiple exclamation points. I don't mind an informally written book, but this pushed it over the edge and kind of felt lazily and poorly written. Much of the period advice was painfully obvious, like eat chocolate, use a hot water bottle, take painkillers - you don't need a book to tell you these things, you barely need a Google search.
- This book seems to be centered around the idea of period being linked to 'female empowerment', and this is then tenuously related to destigmatising periods. Personally, I fundamentally disagree with the idea that period stigma can be ended simply by feeling empowered by them, there are a lot more structural inequalities in play and it feels a little condescending and naive.
This book maybe would have been useful for me to have read when I was in my early teens, in the mid 00s. Sadly it also feels left behind there - while Peach makes clear (correctly!) that ability to reproduce does not equal desire to do so, she’s still stuck associating menustrating with “womanhood”, regardless of the fact not all women are able to have periods and not all the people who experience them are women. This association I don’t think is helpful for cis women who menstruate either - I don’t think we need to feel empowered by our periods or reproductive systems, although I certainly agree we need to not be ashamed of periods. Learning to work with menstrual cycles- e.g. manipulating exercise and diet - I think is really helpful without it needing to fall under a somewhat condescending umbrella of “empowerment” - not to mention the fact it’s hard to feel empowered by something that for many people sucks and hurts a lot of the time, and no amount of painkillers and meditation can get around that (if it can for you, well done! Consider yourself very biologically lucky).
I’m also concerned placing the onus of empowerment to get rid of menstrual stigma erases the role other structural inequalities play - in particular medical professionals who under diagnose endometriosis etc. To be fair to her she does touch on this but just kind of says, just try another doctor, you deserve to not feel pain. Which, sure, but for a book attempting to address period stigma, it's again very surface level and really doesn’t move much past basic advice bordering on pseudoscience and platitudes of “empowerment”. The Do/Dream/Give/Take phase tracking bordered on period astrology for me, and much of the advice kind of felt like a YouTuber self-help book where they bullet point how to boil an egg- obvious and surface level.
To finish off, the couple of anecdotes about how non-Western cultures view periods were interesting but too short and kind of written in a “how cute and inspirational!” way that felt uncomfortable. The use of 'biologically female/male' might have been fine in 2009 but are we not past that as a society? If you're writing a feminist book in 2020, please read some form of gender theory. And, last of all, maybe don't cite Monsieur Misogyny himself, Charles Darwin, in your period book.
If you still like Caitlin Moran and her noughties feminism, I think you’ll enjoy this. If you’ve progressed past that, I’d advise skipping it.
November 10, 2023
This book is AMAZING! I wish I had it when I was younger to fully understand how my body and cycle works, and how to honour and love my body. This is an essential book for young girls/women!
November 7, 2020
I picked this book up on sale in the teenage section of Kmart and thought it would be a good read to pass down to my pre teen and young nieces to help them understand their bodies better as they hit puberty.
I felt conflicted about this book as I felt it could be targeted for pre teen / teenage girls who may wish to educate themselves more, especially when it comes to the ebbs and flows of hormones over a monthly cycle. However in saying that, there was some adult content that I wouldn’t be recommending my 12 year old niece be reading, including talking about self love and masterbation to assist with their hormone levels. I just don’t think 11-12 year old girls need to be aware of this yet, and it’s certainly a book they can continue to pick up and explore throughout their journey.
I felt this is a good book to pick up and put down as you need to learn more about your own body and how to have a comprehensive understanding and find a way to help manage any difficulties.
In saying that, many girls and woman will continue to experience common gynaecologogical issues, including endometriosis and PCOS. It is important that if something hurts, or doesn’t feel right, it might not be period plan and please get checked out by your GP or get a referral to an OBGYN.
I didn’t learn much from this book, as someone who has experienced many complications and still sees her OBGYN every six months and will likely have future surgery, I’ve done a loooot of research, but still highly insightful for those that might not be a nerd like I am!
I felt conflicted about this book as I felt it could be targeted for pre teen / teenage girls who may wish to educate themselves more, especially when it comes to the ebbs and flows of hormones over a monthly cycle. However in saying that, there was some adult content that I wouldn’t be recommending my 12 year old niece be reading, including talking about self love and masterbation to assist with their hormone levels. I just don’t think 11-12 year old girls need to be aware of this yet, and it’s certainly a book they can continue to pick up and explore throughout their journey.
I felt this is a good book to pick up and put down as you need to learn more about your own body and how to have a comprehensive understanding and find a way to help manage any difficulties.
In saying that, many girls and woman will continue to experience common gynaecologogical issues, including endometriosis and PCOS. It is important that if something hurts, or doesn’t feel right, it might not be period plan and please get checked out by your GP or get a referral to an OBGYN.
I didn’t learn much from this book, as someone who has experienced many complications and still sees her OBGYN every six months and will likely have future surgery, I’ve done a loooot of research, but still highly insightful for those that might not be a nerd like I am!
November 25, 2021
“So we bleed in secret and learn the art of downplaying our feelings.”
This was a another book I’ve had on my shelf for way to long. If periods make you uncomfortable this review and my accounts probably is not for you. Peach breaks down your period cycle into four superpowers. It makes you extremely self aware and will teach you to love and appreciate what your body goes though every month.
There are so many little hacks and facts I learnt reading this book. As woman and girls were generally told to keep quiet on this topic and for so many years a woman’s period was such a taboo topic. Peach does an incredible job of breaking the stigma and education her audience.
I think everyone, man and woman should read this book. While I probably wouldn’t reccomend for a young girls and boys this should be essential for teenagers to read to better under and how and why our body’s reacts during the specific point in each cycle. There’s also a great list of further content to read. One I’ve started is a paper on the effects of the pill and woman’s mental health.
“Women’s pleasure is routinely depicted as a performance that is secondary to successfully satisfying a male partner.” - isn’t that the truth.
This was a another book I’ve had on my shelf for way to long. If periods make you uncomfortable this review and my accounts probably is not for you. Peach breaks down your period cycle into four superpowers. It makes you extremely self aware and will teach you to love and appreciate what your body goes though every month.
There are so many little hacks and facts I learnt reading this book. As woman and girls were generally told to keep quiet on this topic and for so many years a woman’s period was such a taboo topic. Peach does an incredible job of breaking the stigma and education her audience.
I think everyone, man and woman should read this book. While I probably wouldn’t reccomend for a young girls and boys this should be essential for teenagers to read to better under and how and why our body’s reacts during the specific point in each cycle. There’s also a great list of further content to read. One I’ve started is a paper on the effects of the pill and woman’s mental health.
“Women’s pleasure is routinely depicted as a performance that is secondary to successfully satisfying a male partner.” - isn’t that the truth.
December 14, 2020
I started Period Queen at the beginning of my period cycle, one month ago. And I paced it well, because the phases of my cycle coincided with the phases of the book – ’Dream’, ‘Do’, ‘Give’ and ‘Take’.
As I read ‘Do’, I felt frantic and energised, surprised by the accuracy of Peach’s observations.
In Give, I effortlessly connected with my loved ones and was able to give more of myself.
While reading the perils of ‘Take’, I, too, was feeling its wrath – I had *zero* fucks to give.
And here I am back at ‘Dream’, ready to switch off, take stock and reflect on this book.
How did I get here? As a freelance writer, I get most of my stuff done within a 1-2 week period. The rest of the time? I’m hobbling around feeling tired and inadequate.
I’ve vehemently hated my ‘Take’ phase because my whole life unravels and it takes half of the next cycle to build it up again.
These monthly battles, coupled with the whispers of friends “cycle hacking”, was Mother Nature kindly nudging me towards period awareness — and Lucy Peach was there to *egg* me on!
Peach isn't the first to write about cycle hacking, but her take on the subject is fun, accessible and celebratory.
I felt empowered reading Period Queen and quite vindicated, actually. I innately knew this knowledge but had not yet had the language or permission to make sense of it.
I got *many* takeaways from this book, but most of all, I love the idea of ovulation being a prelude to the birth of ideas, creative projects and relationships.
Thank you for your energy and wisdom, Lucy Peach. I look forward to seeing your show this Fringe season.
As I read ‘Do’, I felt frantic and energised, surprised by the accuracy of Peach’s observations.
In Give, I effortlessly connected with my loved ones and was able to give more of myself.
While reading the perils of ‘Take’, I, too, was feeling its wrath – I had *zero* fucks to give.
And here I am back at ‘Dream’, ready to switch off, take stock and reflect on this book.
How did I get here? As a freelance writer, I get most of my stuff done within a 1-2 week period. The rest of the time? I’m hobbling around feeling tired and inadequate.
I’ve vehemently hated my ‘Take’ phase because my whole life unravels and it takes half of the next cycle to build it up again.
These monthly battles, coupled with the whispers of friends “cycle hacking”, was Mother Nature kindly nudging me towards period awareness — and Lucy Peach was there to *egg* me on!
Peach isn't the first to write about cycle hacking, but her take on the subject is fun, accessible and celebratory.
I felt empowered reading Period Queen and quite vindicated, actually. I innately knew this knowledge but had not yet had the language or permission to make sense of it.
I got *many* takeaways from this book, but most of all, I love the idea of ovulation being a prelude to the birth of ideas, creative projects and relationships.
Thank you for your energy and wisdom, Lucy Peach. I look forward to seeing your show this Fringe season.
July 7, 2025
Wow. This book was so amazingly insightful.
I would say this book is an essential book to read or just have the knowledge of if you have are raising/living/know anyone with ovaries.
I have highlighted so much in this book and will always come back to it as a reminder.
I read each phase the same time I go through it in my own cycle which I found to be really beneficial as a reminder of what I should be doing more of/ less of in that time.
I would say this book is an essential book to read or just have the knowledge of if you have are raising/living/know anyone with ovaries.
I have highlighted so much in this book and will always come back to it as a reminder.
I read each phase the same time I go through it in my own cycle which I found to be really beneficial as a reminder of what I should be doing more of/ less of in that time.
July 25, 2020
Just brilliant! I loved everything about this book - I hope it lands in the hands of many women and girls because it has so much wisdom we all need to hear, and unfortunately most of aren’t taught when we start having periods. Full of generosity, positivity and wise practical advice. This is a book I’ll be diving back into for years to come. Thank you Lucy! Also love the podcast that accompanied its launch.
July 19, 2021
Empowering and funny. Reading it felt like having a convo with your quirky-over sharing Aunt. Loved pairing this with her podcast and songs. Knowing this info has changed my life. I wish I knew it sooner. Negatives - Is very targeted towards teens, but also a lot of diva solutions like having a bath and putting on makeup. Either way, definitely recommend and will be doing more research on the subject.
March 11, 2023
this book is informative and important. but the way it's written is painfully millennial and is not as inclusive as it should be.
December 13, 2021
Loved it! Everybody should read this book, with or without a womb this book is filled with information for everyone!
I have learnt so much, I am more aware of how the changes in hormones influence us far more than I realised, and we should embrace these changes rather than fight to be the same every single day, because we can't!!
I have learnt so much, I am more aware of how the changes in hormones influence us far more than I realised, and we should embrace these changes rather than fight to be the same every single day, because we can't!!
September 6, 2022
Interesting read, very educational
June 19, 2021
This book is so important and just gave me all the warm fuzzies. I feel so empowered and I want others to feel the same. Must read for all who bleed or loves someone who does.
November 19, 2024
omg shut up
Read
March 20, 2026Periodmaxxing 🤓☝🏼
November 26, 2020
Gosh I wish I'd had access to this 25 years ago! Incredibly informative whilst being entertaining. I know what I'll be getting everyone for Christmas now 🤭
April 5, 2021
If I could give this more stars I would. This book changed my life. I finally understand my body and Lucy did it with such good humour and honesty, like your best mate has just sat you down to explain some big stuff in a fun and easy to understand way.
February 10, 2023
True rating: 4.5/5
Periods have had pretty terrible PR in modern history.
Those who bleed are often taught to hide it away, pretend it doesn't exist so the rest of society doesn't have to confront the reality that about half the population has (or has had) blood coming out of them for one week a month (on average). During high school there was a common fear of blood showing through your clothes - which could happen seeing as periods often take years to establish a predictable cycle - and if it ever happened to you, you were made to feel like a pariah. The shame encouraged you to hide that part of you away, encouraged you to treat it like a nemesis. 'So,' you'd say, looking at the tell-tale blood, 'we meet again.'
As teenagers we were shown the obligatory 'changing bodies' videos (which for my cohort meant watching some cartoon of cats 'snuggling' accompanied by a scientific illustration of fertilisation, then a visceral close-up of a live birth...huh?!), but the most I remember learning about periods was a) what tampons and pads were, and b) that eventually it would end. Periods were bad. Period.
Enter Lucy Peach, and her period-positivity!
Full disclosure, I was pretty sceptical of the whole idea when I started reading 'Period Queen'. A very dear family member gave it to me, and out of respect for her and her judgment I decided to give it a go... THANK GOD I DID. Bec, thank you so much!
I learnt about the four stages of a period cycle, and that there are scientific markers identifying what happens in each one. I learnt that there is a normal ebb and flow of energy levels throughout these four stages, and that it is LITERALLY IN OUR BIOLOGY. Society is truly designed for male biology, but instead of feeling guilty or ashamed in our 'PMS' or bleeding stages, we can revel in knowing what our bodies need, and what our bodies can do for us. Instead of dragging ourselves to the starting line of a race inherently stacked against us, we can find a healthier path that optimises our biology.
If any people who have never had a period are reading this review, or contemplating reading this book, please give it a chance. There's more than a good chance you love/know someone who does get periods, and my god it would be lovely to have more people who understand what periods are, and how the cycle affects people who get them. Don't be the guy that won't buy tampons, or asks every angry woman if she's on her period, because those guys are ignorant and really, really annoying. Everyone has come out of a vagina (except those C-section babies...but shhh I'm making a point), so would it be so terrible to learn a little about what happens down there?
----
This book took me forever to get through, which is less a statement on how difficult it was than the (temporary) loss of mobility in my hands. Turns out hands are really important for day to day life? Who could have guessed!
Reading this while going through a health crisis was surprisingly helpful, despite my medical issue having nothing to do with my reproductive system. I realised how little I knew about my own body - how disconnected I've been with my hormones, which feed into my mood, which feeds into my body... I've been unwittingly caught in a tragic catch-22 that I've only just started to resist. It also forced me to slow down, to really absorb what Peach had to say. By halfway through I had started a period journal so I could read about whichever stage I was in, as I was in it, which meant I could fully relate to the features of each one. I /felt/ this book.
As is so true of life in general, 'Period Queen' wasn't perfect. At several points I had to fight not to roll my eyes at the intensity of Peach's positive attitude. To her credit, she acknowledges that things are not always sunshine and roses, and her humour helped alleviate some of those moments that almost gave me toxic positivity vibes. She also seems to be a fan of aromatherapy - to be clear she only advocates them as an aid to relaxation, not as a medical treatment - which is not really my vibe.
This is a book I will be relying on for many cycles to come. I hope that this a book that will, as Constance Hall says on the cover, start a revolution for women.' Vive la révolution!
Periods have had pretty terrible PR in modern history.
Those who bleed are often taught to hide it away, pretend it doesn't exist so the rest of society doesn't have to confront the reality that about half the population has (or has had) blood coming out of them for one week a month (on average). During high school there was a common fear of blood showing through your clothes - which could happen seeing as periods often take years to establish a predictable cycle - and if it ever happened to you, you were made to feel like a pariah. The shame encouraged you to hide that part of you away, encouraged you to treat it like a nemesis. 'So,' you'd say, looking at the tell-tale blood, 'we meet again.'
As teenagers we were shown the obligatory 'changing bodies' videos (which for my cohort meant watching some cartoon of cats 'snuggling' accompanied by a scientific illustration of fertilisation, then a visceral close-up of a live birth...huh?!), but the most I remember learning about periods was a) what tampons and pads were, and b) that eventually it would end. Periods were bad. Period.
Enter Lucy Peach, and her period-positivity!
Full disclosure, I was pretty sceptical of the whole idea when I started reading 'Period Queen'. A very dear family member gave it to me, and out of respect for her and her judgment I decided to give it a go... THANK GOD I DID. Bec, thank you so much!
I learnt about the four stages of a period cycle, and that there are scientific markers identifying what happens in each one. I learnt that there is a normal ebb and flow of energy levels throughout these four stages, and that it is LITERALLY IN OUR BIOLOGY. Society is truly designed for male biology, but instead of feeling guilty or ashamed in our 'PMS' or bleeding stages, we can revel in knowing what our bodies need, and what our bodies can do for us. Instead of dragging ourselves to the starting line of a race inherently stacked against us, we can find a healthier path that optimises our biology.
If any people who have never had a period are reading this review, or contemplating reading this book, please give it a chance. There's more than a good chance you love/know someone who does get periods, and my god it would be lovely to have more people who understand what periods are, and how the cycle affects people who get them. Don't be the guy that won't buy tampons, or asks every angry woman if she's on her period, because those guys are ignorant and really, really annoying. Everyone has come out of a vagina (except those C-section babies...but shhh I'm making a point), so would it be so terrible to learn a little about what happens down there?
----
This book took me forever to get through, which is less a statement on how difficult it was than the (temporary) loss of mobility in my hands. Turns out hands are really important for day to day life? Who could have guessed!
Reading this while going through a health crisis was surprisingly helpful, despite my medical issue having nothing to do with my reproductive system. I realised how little I knew about my own body - how disconnected I've been with my hormones, which feed into my mood, which feeds into my body... I've been unwittingly caught in a tragic catch-22 that I've only just started to resist. It also forced me to slow down, to really absorb what Peach had to say. By halfway through I had started a period journal so I could read about whichever stage I was in, as I was in it, which meant I could fully relate to the features of each one. I /felt/ this book.
As is so true of life in general, 'Period Queen' wasn't perfect. At several points I had to fight not to roll my eyes at the intensity of Peach's positive attitude. To her credit, she acknowledges that things are not always sunshine and roses, and her humour helped alleviate some of those moments that almost gave me toxic positivity vibes. She also seems to be a fan of aromatherapy - to be clear she only advocates them as an aid to relaxation, not as a medical treatment - which is not really my vibe.
This is a book I will be relying on for many cycles to come. I hope that this a book that will, as Constance Hall says on the cover, start a revolution for women.' Vive la révolution!
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September 13, 2020I was skeptical that this book would play into women being unreasonable/crazy/being unable to trust feelings due to hormones.
Thankfully, the the message of this book is not anything to do with that. I apppreciated the positive framing ("Dream/Do/Give/Take") of the seasons of your cycle, and the perspective that, instead of morphing into a crazy woman who suddenly can't cope with normal demands of life when PMSing/on her period, actually who you are in those times is who you are as much as the times when your body is full of happy hormones, that you can use the times when you're full of energy and concentration to Do and Give generously- but that you NEED the times when you have a different perspective and a slower pace and that you can use those times to re-evaulate and rest, and that it is unrealistic to spend half your life expecting yourself to be (and having other people expecting yourself to be) how you are in the other half of your life!
One idea that I'd never heard of before was having greater capacity for creativity in our "Take" phase- Peach hypothesises this is part of why we get so pissed off at having to worry about small routine things in this stage, because we have the critical powers to create awesome things. I'm curious to notice if this is true for me.
Thankfully, the the message of this book is not anything to do with that. I apppreciated the positive framing ("Dream/Do/Give/Take") of the seasons of your cycle, and the perspective that, instead of morphing into a crazy woman who suddenly can't cope with normal demands of life when PMSing/on her period, actually who you are in those times is who you are as much as the times when your body is full of happy hormones, that you can use the times when you're full of energy and concentration to Do and Give generously- but that you NEED the times when you have a different perspective and a slower pace and that you can use those times to re-evaulate and rest, and that it is unrealistic to spend half your life expecting yourself to be (and having other people expecting yourself to be) how you are in the other half of your life!
One idea that I'd never heard of before was having greater capacity for creativity in our "Take" phase- Peach hypothesises this is part of why we get so pissed off at having to worry about small routine things in this stage, because we have the critical powers to create awesome things. I'm curious to notice if this is true for me.
December 27, 2023
‘Period Queen’ A little cringy? Perhaps. But you know what if the woman wants to wear a cape and talk about superpowers she can and I’m not going to stop her because this book is LIFE CHANGING!!!! buy ten copies and hand them out to your friends and lovers male and female. I don’t dish out praise like this to any old book so listen up: the wisdom in this book is timeless and sacred and really we should all be taught this in school or before by our parents but sadly we’re not and that can only change if we educate ourselves. If you menstruate I can guarantee you will learn so much about yourself from this book and if you don’t, read it to understand your friends and family who do. I have read it twice and I see a third time on the horizon. This book is my bible and it should be yours too. What are you still doing here? Go buy a copy!
February 11, 2024
I found this book or rather this book found me whilst I was at a laundromat doing the most mundane job in my career as a mother - the laundry! As if a sign from the divine cosmos I happened to be on day 1 of my bleed and had a huge load of washing and drying to do that day. So I devoured the book. I then purchased a copy of the book later that night to re read it. It is must for all women to read this book, teachers, young girls, mothers, aunties. Knowledge that we need to arm ourselves with as we navigate our existence on this planet. It is a must that we understand - innerstand our cycles! It is our gift to us and to the entire world. Very powerful! So go on, get hold of this book for yourself and for the women in our life! Enjoy!
July 19, 2020
This book informed on things I didn’t even know about and shows how undereducated we can sometimes be! I really enjoyed reading this book and have recommended it to a lot of people as it’s just something as a woman you need to read!
It’s books like this that need to be given to girls and even boys in school to gain and understanding of what women go through once a month and how not one woman is the same! Would have to eliminate a lot of stigma and further educate people on something so natural. How well this book is written is also fantastic it’s gentle and empowering and this isn’t a combination I have seen very often!
It’s books like this that need to be given to girls and even boys in school to gain and understanding of what women go through once a month and how not one woman is the same! Would have to eliminate a lot of stigma and further educate people on something so natural. How well this book is written is also fantastic it’s gentle and empowering and this isn’t a combination I have seen very often!
October 10, 2021
The introductory chapter was interesting and offered a few very intriguing fun facts.
Sadly, it really fell flat from there forward: Reading this in my early 20s and being a female that is rather in tune with her body and decently educated on menstruation, it really felt like a waste of my time.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great starting point for young pre-teens and teenagers that are experiencing their cycles for their first time but as an adult women, most of what is written is rather obvious.
With that being said, the writing also felt extremely basic and it just did not grip me beyond the introductory chapter.
Sadly, it really fell flat from there forward: Reading this in my early 20s and being a female that is rather in tune with her body and decently educated on menstruation, it really felt like a waste of my time.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great starting point for young pre-teens and teenagers that are experiencing their cycles for their first time but as an adult women, most of what is written is rather obvious.
With that being said, the writing also felt extremely basic and it just did not grip me beyond the introductory chapter.
December 8, 2020
At the age of 40 I have come to realise that my cycle is key to making the most of me. I have listened to other experts in the field to try and understand my cycle and how to harness it for the good. This is the first explanation that actually is easy to understand. The author gives great everyday life examples and I feel as though I have finally gotten a good grasp on it all now.
Fascinating subject and a great accessible book.
Thank you to NetGalley & publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for a honest review.
Fascinating subject and a great accessible book.
Thank you to NetGalley & publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for a honest review.
August 11, 2020
Thank bloody God for Lucy Peach! I devoured this book and all the wisdom, joy, humour and permission it offers. It seems so simple - tracking your cycle and treating yourself/doing things according to your needs in that phase - and yet in our crazy-busy world, there's so much pressure to go go go. What a relief it is to realise we're cyclical creatures living in a linear world. I loved this book so much - it's a MUST READ!
August 10, 2021
I loved this book! Lucy sounds almost like a loving relative, explaining beautifully, how to look after your whole self throughout the month of you cycle. I took so many things with me from this book. This book and Period Power by Maisie Hill have actually pushed me in the direction of studying women’s health medicine and following my true passion in the field of women’s health. Such a lovely read that sits by my bedside as a sort of menstural encyclopaedia!
September 18, 2021
Delightful and educational at the same time. Lucy Peach has completely changed the way I think about my cycle, and now I know I can embrace the upswings and accept the downswings. Now I'm so attuned I can feel the phases come and go, and in my head they're something like "energy", "love", "creativity", "rest". It is completely transformative not to expect the same things from myself every week of the month, and instead ride the flow.
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