I unfortunately ran out of time to finish reading Blood while I had access to it on NetGalley, However, I will be getting a physical copy to finish. This is a refreshingly honest crash course in all things menstruation. It's what all of us wanted and needed in our middle school health classes. Direct information on what our bodies do, why they do those things, and how to take care of yourself. While it does occasionally get bogged down in the science, those who are turned off could easily use this book as a reference for specific topics or questions. Dr. Gunter uses inclusive language and current scientific evidence to give the most direct and practical information possible. I highly recommend this book to anyone who menstruates or who cares for someone who menstruates. I hope this book is part of a tidal wave of work and attention given to menstruation and other women's health issues.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy of Dr Jen Gunters new book. I truly admire Dr Gunter and her opinion is so highly respected. I was thrilled to be able to read this informative book and even in the first chapter I learned so much that as a medical professional and woman who takes an interest in health and the workings of the human body, I am astonished I was not aware of previously. I truly feel this book, along with the Vagina Bible, is one every young girl and woman should have access to.

I loved this. I love that Jen put all the facts in here but also made it accessible. It wasn't too hard for a non-medical professional to understand. All of this information is so important for everyone to know.

Very comprehensive look at menstruation - with some humor thrown in. She doesn't hold back her opinions on both homeopathy and the patriarchy, and also gives a lot of good ideas for change, both on a personal level but also on a worldwide scale.

Informative, enlightening and empowering. Dr Jen Gunter presents what can often be quite a dry subject in a fresh and entertaining way. It’s well-structured and comprehensive, covering every topic you can think of related to menstruation. I did cover a lot of this in my pharmacy degree, but it was a great refresher and debunks so many myths you often see on social media! 4 stars.

This is an excellent resource on menstruation for all people who do it, have done it, or will do it, including our trans community members. The science writing is that, scientific, and very explanatory. If you prefer your science to be written more colloquially, this is likely not for you. It goes into great detail about what happens to our bodies and it really was a fascinating read. Highly recommend and look forward to adding it to our collection.

3.5 stars. This is a very informative book, and it made me realize that, even as a woman who's been menstruating for years, there's a lot I didn't know about the process and never thought to ask! It also made efforts to be trans inclusive, which is always a plus. The reason I didn't rate this higher is purely personal---this is a very dense, scientific text and I don't generally find those enjoyable. I think I expected it to be a little more beginner friendly when I requested it. However, I do think this book is worth a read, especially for those who menstruate. It just might not be a book you can sit down and read in one sitting!

What can I say about Blood by Dr. Gunter?

This book is like the textbook you always wanted in college. (Or maybe that’s just me.) Yes, it’s full of so much information that at times your eyes might glaze over just the tiniest of bits. But it is also so incredibly fascinating - with loads of humor and a few rants to boot!

As someone who has been in the field of sexual health for years, popular science books on the topic usually disappoint me with their 101 approach. But Blood, while still written in a way that is very accessible for the novice, digs deeply into each topic. Dr. Gunter’s thorough exploration taught me a lot - whether she was rounding out my pre-existing knowledge or informing me about updated research.

My only complaint is that the book might seem a little TOO encompassing, which can feel overwhelming or disjointed at times. For example: Not only does Blood cover the menstrual cycle, menstrual products, menopause, pelvic exams, hormones, PCOS, and endometriosis… the last 100 pages or so (on my Kindle) were dedicated to contraception & abortion. And while, yes, Dr. Gunter does focus a lot on how various methods can affect the menstrual cycle, I almost wish that she would have reserved this chapter for a separate book on contraception. Not only would that have gotten me excited to read another publication by her, but it also might have freed up some space for the “mythology of menstruation” that the subtitle promises. As it stands, cultural or historical factoids are mostly relegated to small asides; whereas I would have LOVED a section exclusively dedicated to societal views throughout the ages.

Even with this critique, I think Blood is a book that every individual should read. It helps folks understand what occurs within the body during the menstrual cycle - and what might potentially be the cause when there are complications. Blood offers the level of reproductive knowledge that should be taught in our schools but is unfortunately censored, leaving so many people unsure of exactly how and when pregnancy can occur.

Incredibly technical explanations aren't really my cup of tea but if that is the way your brain works this is the book for you. It was informative and some parts I did find interesting but for a lot of it I found myself zoning out and skipping to the summary at the end of each chapter.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

I absolutely loved this book! I think it should be required reading for all humans. I think if people had a better grasp on menstruation and contraception we would be better for it. There is such a stigma in America about talking about periods and "women's problems" that many people have no idea about the way that these mechanisms work. As someone with PCOS the chapter on it was eye opening. It put all of the things that I have worked for years to learn in one chapter that I can share with people who I love who need to understand better. I love that she is a huge advocate for understanding that women do not need to have a period in the modern day and that if having a period is incompatible with your life for whatever reason it is ok to reach out to your healthcare provider and ask for birth control where you skip the placebo days! This book is a boon to anyone who reads it! For people who menstruate it explains their body and options and for people who don't menstruate it helps them understand the people in there lives who do menstruate!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to devour another one of Dr Jennifer Gunters books. I’m a big fan and have read her other books all with the same admiration for someone who breaks it all down to an easy to read (and learn) book about things that are often not spoken about. Blood does the exact same, giving anyone who reads it an insight to what it’s like to have a period, what’s normal, what’s not. Honestly, books such as Dr Gunters should absolutely be available in school to learn from, most of what I learned at a young woman was from word of mouth, movies and eventually the internet. Having access to learn about what to expect, when to see a doctor and advice (with backed up medical knowledge) would be a great asset to many. I will be purchasing since having the advanced copy. I’m nearing the end of my cycles, as I’m over 40, but this knowledge will be something I can pass on, and confidently converse with those in need of advice, or just some schooling.

Dr Jen Gunter does it again! What a great summary of a very important topic! Every teen girl should read this book! Not a ton of new information for me but there was a few good points. I like Dr Gunters straightforward and funny approach!

I think this book is going to be great for (mostly cis) women who have grown up with very little discussion or education about their own bodies and health, who are casual-to-moderate users of social media.

With the caveat of 'I’m A Cis Woman', this book overall felt reasonably trans-inclusive, with the introduction saying
“Not all women menstruate, and not everyone who menstruates is a woman. Women born without a uterus, trans women, women who have had a hysterectomy, and women who no longer menstruate because of medical conditions or menopause are all women. Some trans men and gender nonbinary people menstruate.”
But like, I’ve learned loads of Cool Biology Facts™ about HRT just from having trans friends, and basically none of those cool facts came up in this book.

Gunter very much wants everyone to be less weird about vaginas and periods, and I support that mission! although I’ve never really had shame about my period, or ~being a woman~, so a lot of the radical acceptance stuff wasn't as impactful for me.

She very much also is subjected to the worst parts of social media where extremely harmful and unethical shit is going on all the time and she desperately wants people to be better informed about their own bodies, so they don’t fall for Gwyneth Paltrow-esque scammers latest money making scam to trick vulnerable women into taking unsafe, expensive supplements to ~balance their yonic energy~ or whatever.

But I think you have to be just the right amount of ~online~ to get the intended message. Because otherwise, you’ll be left assuming that she’s talking about people who like, take multi-vitamins, and her vitriol for dangerous scammers is going to come out of nowhere. Or you’ve seen way worse and are like, yeah, yeah the horrors of living in late-stage capitalism, we’ve all seen it.

The biggest problem I had with this book mainly center around the feeling that Gunter still has a lot of anti-fat bias she hasn’t dealt with yet. She is not fatphobic the way so many doctors are, but she straight up says that one possible way to better manage the symptoms from PCOS is weight loss (PCOS famously makes it hard to loss weight, btw), and you could try the new weight-loss medications, or bariatric surgery.

Doctors who push weight loss medication on people instantly become much less credible to me, and it’s only a matter of time before these pills end up being one of those “oops we super fucked up” bullet-points in medical history, so I was very disappointed. And then multiple times throughout the book she states that people who’ve had bariatric surgery can’t take NSAIDs to manage their painful periods, OR hormonal birth control! So why would you ever suggest it for someone with PCOS?

Overall, I think this book does a lot of demystify periods, and make them less of a secret shameful gross thing that Shan’t Be Discussed, and that’s important and good, but there’s just so much other cool stuff about periods regarding human biology, and history and culture, and only a small part got covered.

In a world where misinformation often thrives, "Blood" stands out as an antidote, delivering science-backed insights without compromise.The book not only shatters myths and dispels fearmongering but also provides a much-needed shift in focus from mere reproductive aspects to the holistic understanding of menstruation. With a perfect blend of real science, inclusive facts, and a shame-free approach, Dr. Jen Hunter has created a compelling guide that is both enlightening and empowering.

One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on the practical aspects of menstruation. Dr. Jen addresses a wide array of questions, from the basics like what happens during menstruation to more nuanced topics such as the impact of stress, vaccines, and overall health on menstrual cycles. This comprehensive approach ensures that readers gain a thorough understanding of their bodies, allowing them to advocate for themselves confidently.

Dr. Jen's expertise shines through, making her the most trusted voice in gynecology today. For anyone seeking a practical, empowering guide to navigate the complexities of menstruation with wisdom, "Blood" is an invaluable resource that deserves its place on the bookshelves of every individual who menstruates.

This book is full of great information. I struggled a bit at times because it felt so heavy, but the author does a great job of presenting information without getting into the weeds. She is very knowledgeable and gives sound scientific information and advice.

This book is DENSE and science heavy. It’s not a book you sit down and read through for enjoyment. But it’s a great reference material and I learned so much.

I absolutely loved Blood, though it did take me a while to finish as it's science-heavy. Honestly, I wish I had access to a book like this when I was growing up (albeit in more accessible prose; this book is very technical). There are so many aspects of menstruation covered here in reassuring and confident language that I didn't know about until my 20s (or until reading this book!) that would have been life-changing for me when I was twelve and experiencing symptoms I didn't understand.

This book discusses everything and doesn't shy away or aim to sanitize the subject matter. We've got the science of the menstrual cycle, common issues; symptoms; and disorders, contraception, pelvic exams, endometriosis, hormones, pretty much anything you can think of, Dr. Gunter included it. The tone stays conversational enough that it's enjoyable to read, although at times it does become slightly dry. If, like me, you aren't already familiar with physiology and menstruation, there may be a few places where you're wading through words and needing to retain lots of new information.

Regardless, Blood is packed with valuable information, scientific sources, and hard truths about the potential dangers of holistic medicine and uninformed choices. This is a book written by someone with a genuine desire to benefit her readers and their health, and it shows. I'll be purchasing a physical copy for myself and I highly recommend this for every woman.

nonfiction, health, educational, science*****

Excellent handbook for anyone with uterus and ovaries. In a time when some think that everyone is aware of what goes on with the body of someone in possession of those definitive body parts, there are still some sects and other nationalities that believe that menstruation is a curse and that those who do so must absolutely be segregated from everyone during the time of bleeding. Even "enlightened" people have no idea that their bleeding experiences are not universal. The information covers so many aspects that it must be read to appreciate its scope.
It is an excellent teaching tool in private or in groups, and would be a good gift for many and especially your local public library.
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books, Citadel via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you Net Galley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!


This was fantastic, easy to understand and I will highly recommend this to anyone who menstruates. This is a no bullshit kind of book and it was very refreshing. I plan to buy a physical copy that I can annotate.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kensington, and Highbridge Audio for the eARC and audioARC of this! I switched back and forth between formats, but definitely favored the audio, the narration was well done.

This was an interesting look at some aspects of menstruation. The author made references to her earlier books, that I think I will need to pick up as well. It wasn’t too dry, but it wasn’t as snarky & conversational as I tend to prefer non-fiction to be.