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2 - Transitional Bleeding in Early Modern England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2022

By
Sara Read
Edited by
Iosifina Foskolou  and
Martin Jones
Iosifina Foskolou
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Martin Jones
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

This chapter explores the historical evidence for cultural attitudes to menstruation. The most commonly promoted medical theories as to why women experienced a monthly bleed are discussed. The many words and circumlocutions early moderns used to describe menstruation and related female reproductive bleeding are considered, along with prevailing cultural expectations about this event.

Keywords

vaginal bleedingearly modern Englandmenstruationmenarchedeflorationpostpartum bleedingmenopausemedicine
Type
Chapter
Information
Blood , pp. 18 - 37
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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