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From Library JournalOnly a man could have written this book! Coutinho, a Brazilian gynecologist and family planning expert, argues that menstruation is not natural and is, in fact, not healthy. He supports this theory with a strange interpretation of historical and clinical evidence. Because women in primitive times had shorter life spans and spent most of their lives pregnant and breast-feeding, he notes, they had few or no periods. Now women live longer and start families later in life, so they have lots of periodsAwhich, according to the author, causes anemia, endometriosis, and PMS. As a result, and in order to safeguard their health, Coutinho suggests that women should prevent their ovulation by using contraceptive pills continuously. This alternative and controversial view not only ignores the cultural significance of menstruation, it also lacks scientific foundation and is potentially harmful to women. It is however, an unusual interpretation of medical and historical data, distinct from classic works such as Janice Delaney’s The Curse: A Cultural History of Menstruation (1976), which consider the social and cultural issues of menstruation but not its clinical aspects. This book is sure to get a lot of publicity because of its radical thesis, so, despite its circular and flawed logic it is recommended for academic and large public libraries.ABarbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.From BooklistIf your first reaction to the title is to wonder what idiocy the next offbeat author will write about, pinch yourself hard and read carefully. Coutinho, a recognized authority on fallopian tube physiology and pharmacology, is absolutely serious. He approaches his subject historically and scientifically (Segal prepared this English-language edition of the originally Brazilian Portuguese work). Down through the centuries, he points out, most women did not menstruate regularly. Either they were pregnant most of the time or they succumbed early to the many dangers and diseases that preyed on them. Menstruation has become regular and long-term for the typical woman only quite recently. Coutinho explores the purposes of this physiological function, its potential dangers, and its safe suppression (he has done pioneering work with Depo^-Provera). His arguments are scientifically based, and his conclusions are thoroughly worked out in a definitely provocative but eminently worthwhile book that well may spend most of its prospective library shelf-life off the shelf. William Beatty5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, July 6, 2000This book is a must read for every woman who wants to better understand menstruation and the cycles of her life. The author writes in fascinating detail from a historical, medical, and cultural perspective about what causes menstruation, how it has evolved through time, and what facts are important to current discussions about menstruation. The author makes a convincing argument that menstruation is not obligatory. He details the troubling disorders related to contunial menstruation such as anemia, endometriosis, and PMS. He then purports suppressing menstruation results in increased health advantanges for women. This book cannot be ignored. It provides critical information that will help any women make an informed decision regarding her health. Please contribute back by OCRing and Proofreading this book.I recommend ABBYY Finereader 10 for doing this work in a relatively easy way.If you plan to do that please leave a comment here so the effort won’t be duplicated by others. Please post back the final pdf and I’d also appreciate the project files as well (please PM if you do).