A recent study revealed that many women feel their menstrual cycles significantly influence various aspects of their lives, including clothing choices, exercise routines, and social activities. Conducted by the natural period pain supplement brand monthlies, the research surveyed 5,000 women in the UK and found that over half reported feeling controlled by their periods. Specifically, 32% indicated that their menstrual cycle dictated when they engage in sexual activity, while 21% said it affected their eating habits.

The findings highlighted that a majority of women plan around their cycles for activities such as socializing (23%), sleeping (20%), and even committing to important meetings (11%). The study also noted that 54% of participants who experience period pain could identify specific days when discomfort would occur. Additionally, a significant number reported experiencing ovulation pain around mid-cycle.

Women generally strive to remain active throughout the month; however, mood fluctuations were common among two-thirds of those surveyed. Energy levels varied significantly across the cycle as well. Notably, days 11 to 15 were identified as optimal for confidence and energy levels—ideal for shopping or social outings—with day 12 being highlighted as particularly favorable for intimacy.

A representative from monthlies emphasized the importance of understanding individual experiences with menstruation and managing symptoms effectively while recognizing that each woman's journey is unique. The research underscores how menstrual cycles can shape daily life decisions and personal well-being.

Original article

The provided text is replete with biases and manipulative language, which are skillfully woven into the narrative to create a particular perspective on women's experiences with menstruation. One of the most striking aspects of this bias is the virtue signaling that permeates the text. The use of phrases such as "recent study revealed" and "research surveyed 5,000 women in the UK" creates an aura of scientific objectivity, which is then leveraged to promote a specific agenda. The text explicitly states that "many women feel their menstrual cycles significantly influence various aspects of their lives," which implies that these feelings are universally shared and deserving of attention. However, this framing ignores the complexity of individual experiences and reinforces a particular narrative about women's lives.

This virtue signaling is further amplified by the use of emotionally charged language, such as "controlled by their periods," "painful periods," and "ovulation pain." These phrases create a sense of pathos, evoking sympathy for women who experience discomfort during their menstrual cycles. While it is true that many women do experience pain or discomfort during menstruation, this language reinforces a binary view of menstruation as inherently negative rather than acknowledging its naturalness or even its potential benefits for some individuals.

The text also exhibits cultural bias in its assumption about Western worldviews on menstruation. The study was conducted by a natural period pain supplement brand called monthlies, which suggests that Western culture has created an industry around alleviating period-related discomfort rather than embracing or celebrating menstruation as an integral part of life. This framing reinforces a narrative that Western societies prioritize convenience and comfort over holistic understanding or acceptance.

Furthermore, the text displays linguistic bias through its selective use of statistics to create a particular impression. For instance, it highlights that 32% indicated that their menstrual cycle dictated when they engage in sexual activity, while 21% said it affected their eating habits. By emphasizing these statistics while omitting others (such as those related to overall health or well-being), the text creates an incomplete picture that supports its agenda.

Selection and omission bias are also evident in how certain facts are presented while others are left out. For example, there is no mention of how many participants reported experiencing no significant impact from their menstrual cycles on daily life decisions or personal well-being. This omission creates an unbalanced narrative that reinforces the notion that all women experience significant disruptions due to menstruation.

Structural bias manifests in how authority figures (in this case, researchers at monthlies) are presented as objective experts without scrutiny or critique. Their emphasis on understanding individual experiences with menstruation while managing symptoms effectively serves to reinforce existing power structures within healthcare systems rather than challenging them.

Confirmation bias is evident in how certain assumptions are accepted without question or evidence-based challenge throughout the article's discussion on mood fluctuations across different days within one's cycle (e.g., days 11-15 being highlighted for confidence). A more nuanced exploration might have considered alternative explanations for these fluctuations beyond merely attributing them solely to hormonal changes associated with one's menstrual cycle.

Framing and narrative bias become apparent through story structure: beginning with general statements about how many women feel controlled by their periods before delving into specific examples like socializing plans around one’s cycle emphasizes certain themes over others—specifically reinforcing narratives centered around control versus autonomy regarding bodily functions like menstruating bodies have historically been subject too