From Menarche to Menopause: The Female Body in Feminist Therapy examines the latest research on the menstrual cycle and women's reproductive health. A panel of experts discusses how these topics may arise in therapy and provides advice on how to handle issues such as the effects of menstruation on the self-concepts of women and girls, appearance obsession as related to menstrual shame, communication about menstruation between mothers and daughters, and infertility counseling. This book fills the gap in feminist therapy literature with practical advice concerning the functions of women's bodies that can be used within the therapy context. This essential resource on women's reproductive health as it relates to mental health is an important addition to the bookshelves of feminist psychologists, clinical practitioners, social workers, and health practitioners as well as faculty and students of these disciplines.

• Introduction
  
• Self-Objectification and That Not So Fresh Feeling: Feminist Therapeutic Interventions for Healthy Female Embodiment
  
• Making Menarche Positive and Powerful for Both Mother and Daughter
  
• Negative Attitudes Toward Menstruation: Implications for Disconnection Within Girls and Between Women
  
• The Debate About PMDD and Sarafem: Suggestions for Therapists
  
• Abortion and Mental Health: What Therapists Need to Know
  
• Psychological Issues and Interventions with Infertile Patients
  
• The Aftermath of Pregnancy Loss: A Feminist Critique of the Literature and Implications for Treatment
  
• The Use of Rituals in Grieving for a Miscarriage or Stillbirth
  
• Psychological Issues in Childbirth: Potential Roles for Psychotherapists
  
• Myths and Mates in Childbearing Depression
  
• Coping with Distress During Perimenopause
  
• Facing the Unknown: Social Support During the Menopausal Transition
  
• BOOK REVIEWS
  
• Is Menstruation Obsolete?, by E. M. Coutinho and S. J. Segal
  
• The Curse: Confronting the Last Unmentionable TabooMenstruation, by K. Houppert
  
• Before She Gets Her Period: Talking with Your Daughter About Menstruation, by J. B. Gillooly
  
• Period: A Girl's Guide, by J. Loulan and B. Worthen
  
• Index
  
• Reference Notes Included