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The Lunar Effect:
In his book of the above title, published in 1978, Arnold L. Lieber,
M.D., puts forth the idea that celestial bodies, specifically the moon,
effect just about every aspect of human life, including the menstrual
cycle. Dr. Lieber calls human's reaction to the moon the "lunar
response" and believes it is "a consequence of [land animals]
evolution from marine to land-dwelling creatures. At one time, all earthly
organisms were marine and influenced by the tides" (49-50). He
uses the example of the palolo worm of Samoa and Fiji to show how the
phase of the moon influences the reproductive cycle. In this case, the
worms, which live inside coral reefs, mate only on the night before
the last quarter of the moon in October and November (Lieber, 51). The
connection between human women and Fijian worms is left for the reader
to make.
Lieber uses the data of previous studies on the relationship between
the menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle to prove his point. He quotes
the results of Walter and Abraham Manager, whose study was published
in 1959 in an unknown journal:
"They used a massive data base. Examining existing studies on
the duration of the menstrual cycle, they found that, on the average,
the human menstrual cycle is not approximately the same length as
the lunar month-- it is exactly the same length, twenty-nine
and one-half days (52)."
Unfortunately, this is all that is said. No further reference to the
data is mentioned. Dr. Lieber simply "speculates" on how the
"lunar-timing component comes into play (53)."
A woman, or "girl-child" is effected by biological tides
from the moment of conception. During gestation, the fetus is in equilibrium
with the biological ryhthms of the mother. It is the timing of the actual
birth that Dr. Lieber claims is important. It is at this time the newborn's
rhythms are all her own. His theory is that the forces that regulate
all biological rhythms, but especially those of the menstrual cycle,
are cued up to the exact moment of birth, which he dubs the time of
"cosmic configuration" (54). Proof of this theory and how
it would relate to menstruation and ovulation are proved by Dr. Eugen
Jonas who believes that ovulation occurs not once, but twice a month.
First at the cosmic configuration and again at the configuration that
is 180 degrees opposite. This makes the times of ovulation different
for each month, following the progression of the moon (Lieber,55).
Lieber ends his chapter with further support of the general relationship
women, as opposed to men, have with the moon and thus, their own biological
tides:
"Because of the complex interplay between hormonal balance and
fluid and electrolyte balance, women at certain times during the menstrual
cycle may be more susceptible tot he triggering effects of biological
tides. During premenstruum, many women experience bloating, tension,
and irritability. Transient fluid buildups and electrolyte imbalance
occur. The added physiological stress of a biological high tide occurring
during premenstruum could result in drastic physical and/or behavioral
consequences. It is well documented that women are more susceptible
to physical illness and erratic behavior in the few days prior to
menses, and that hospital admissions, psychiatric illness, and violent
crime are far more frequent then. Male hormones are less involved
with fluid and electrolyte balance, and there seems to be no male
counterpart of the prementrual-tension syndrome (54)."
I think the generalizations and prejudice sin Dr. Lieber's work speak
for themselves.
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www.menstruation.com.au
This web site acts as a portal to all information regarding the process
of menstruation. The authors claim that it is designed to throw off
the shackles that imprisoned our grandmothers and make the cycle of
menstruation a thing to be proud of. They are fighting against the previous,
and present, cultural belief that there is something dirty or bad about
having a period. Part of the information the site offers is a page concerning
the link between menstruation and the moon. Unfortunately it is based
on the following statement:
"Women are connected to the moon by our blood, our hormones
and our souls" (menstruation.com.au).
The site offers no data to support its claims. It actually refutes
science and asks its readers to do the same.
The site supports Dr. Lieber's source, Dr. Jonas, and offers a very
general explanation of the two ovulation times a woman can have during
each month. The term Natal Lunar Phase Fertile Time. This Natal Fertile
Time is determined, as mentioned before, by the angle between the sun
and moon at a woman's time of birth. You of course can pay menstruation.com.au
to analyze your date and time of birth, and menstrual cycle dates and
provide you with your own personalized Basic Natal Lunar Phase Fertility
Report (menstruation.com.au).
Unfortunately, the attempts of the authors of www.menstruation.com.au
to enlighten women around the world in order to facilitate a revolution
for the often maligned period fail. The very inclusion of unsupported
claims just further the problems that accompany the plight of the period
in modern cultures. The misinformation just furthers ignorance.
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