The Menstrual Cycle Speaks

Menstruation is a naturally occurring experience that almost half of the population experiences during their lifetime. Menstruation carries a long history entangled with shame and currently remains a taboo topic in many parts of the world. This research project studied the concept of using creativity to explore the menstrual cycle phases. The researcher, an art therapy student, used her lived experience, facilitating an online open studio for those interested in exploring the wisdom of their menstrual cycle phase. This research was conducted using a heuristic and artsbased approach. The researcher examined her lived experience using three theoretical frameworks: Jungian art therapy, feminist art therapy and eco art therapy. The researcher presented three key findings. Creativity acted as a tool to examine menstrual cycle shame. Creativity allowed for several embodied acts of liberation through her body. Creativity led to an internal paradigm shift within the researcher, giving way to a deeper sense of self-understanding and self-acceptance as a cyclical being. This research project acted as a way to introduce and consider various impacts of menstrual cycle health and well-being for those working in the field of art therapy.