Search


	Podcast:		Science (Audio)
	Episode:		CARTA: Is There a Point to Periods? The Evolutionary History of Menstruation and Implications of Women's Health with Deena Emera
	Category:		Science & Medicine
	Duration:		00:24:17
	Publish Date:		2025-06-09 21:00:00
	Description:		Menstruation is the cyclical shedding of the endometrium triggered by falling progesterone levels. Menstruation is a rare trait found in less than 2% of mammals and likely evolved independently at least 4 times. Why do some mammals menstruate while most do not? The leading hypothesis is that menstruation occurs as a nonadaptive consequence of spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium, which evolved to increase biosensoring of embryo quality. While the trait of spontaneous decidualization (and as a byproduct, menstruation) was likely shaped by natural selection, menstruation also disposes women to conditions such as endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, and bleeding disorders, especially in the contemporary context. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40693]
	Total Play:		0