While reading about adolescence and puberty this evening, I came across the Tanner Stages (NSFW—there’s an acronym I never thought I would use here), which are apparently also called Sexual Maturity Ratings. Eponyms are no longer held in high regard, you see. (Curtsey to Graham’s “Grow and Flow” post.)

I pondered the 28-day menstrual cycle. And then the twenty-something-day lunar cycle, upon which is based the calendar of my people (Got Rice?).

The menstruation article in Wikipedia suggests that there is no definitive evidence to support or deny any relationship between menstrual and lunar cycles. A quick PubMed search reveals papers that argue that women are more likely to menstruate during certain moon phases (though which moon phase is open for debate: new or full?). Cecil notes that opossums also have 28 day cycles—humans aren’t that special.

What about the oft-shared myth that people are more likely to appear in psychiatric emergency rooms around the full moon? (Lunar… lunacy….) Nope. They do not present more often at “that time of the month” and there are no more psychiatric admissions to the hospital than usual.

What about violence? Many people who are brought to the psychiatric emergency room are diverted from going to jail due to assault. Another “nay“. (Furthermore, there is no higher incidence of oral and maxillofacial emergencies during full moons. In case you were wondering.)

And then I added the “current moon phase” gadget to my iGoogle.