Are our Menstrual Cycles synced with the Lunar Cycle?

Did you witness the first full moon of the year? It happened on Monday 13th January. This full moon is also called the Wolf Moon, because it's believed that wolves howl more at this time of year due to a shortage of food in the middle of winter. 

I have been thinking a lot about the moon the past year and how it affects us as humans. We know that the moon controls the globe’s tides, so it isn’t so far-fetched to imagine that the moon might influence the internal tides of the menstrual cycle. 

The idea that women’s menstrual cycles sync with the lunar cycle (the phases of the moon) is a fascinating concept that has intrigued people for centuries. This belief likely stems from the observation that the average menstrual cycle length (28-29.5 days) closely mirrors the lunar cycle, which is about 29.5 days. For example, some Indigenous traditions linked menstruation with the "moon time", viewing it as a sacred period of rest, reflection and renewal. It was believed that, in a "natural state",  ovulation aligned with the full moon (a time of abundance and creation), while menstruation aligned with the new moon (a time of release and introspection).  

So is there any evidence to support this hypothesis? Well, a 1986 study reported that there was indeed a link: After testing 826 women, the researchers found that 28.3 percent of women began their periods “around the new moon.” A later study in 1987 supported this. 

These studies were refuted by a more recent one in 2013 which analysed 74 women over 1 calendar year found that there was “no evidence of synchrony.” 

The latest research, published in 2021, suggests that "in ancient times, human reproductive behaviour was synchronous with the Moon but that our modern lifestyles have changed reproductive physiology and behaviour".

Nevertheless, even in the absence of firm scientific proof, the association of menstruation with the moon can feel deeply empowering and symbolic. The phases of the moon—waxing, full, waning, and new— absolutely mirror the phases of our cycle:

🌒 Follicular Phase: Like the waxing moon, this is a time of growth and energy.
🌕 Ovulation: Full moon energy—fertility, connection, and peak creativity.
🌘 Luteal Phase: As the moon wanes, our bodies prepare for rest and inward focus.
🌑 Menstruation: New moon energy—a time for letting go, reflecting, and grounding.

And while not everyone’s cycle syncs perfectly with the moon, recognising that every phase has its purpose  can help us honour our cycles. Whether you're bleeding with the new moon, the full moon, or anywhere in between, your body’s rhythm is unique and perfect. 🌺

Even in the 21st Century, menstruation, for the most part, remains shrouded in shame and secrecy. If we can't talk about and tune into our bodies and their natural processes, how will we ever feel empowered to take radical responsibility for our birth? 

Let’s reclaim this connection, honour our bodies, and tune into the wisdom of nature.