About the Society
L to R: Elizabeth Kissling, 2009-2011 president; Chris Bobel, president-elect, 2015; Ingrid Robledo-Johnston, president, 2013-present.
The Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1979 by a multidisciplinary group of women who were pioneers in understanding the centrality of menstrual cycle research to women’s health. We are an interdisciplinary group of researchers, health care providers, policy makers, and students who share an interest in women’s lives and health needs as they are related to the menstrual cycle.
Our mission is to be the source of guidance, expertise, and ethical considerations for researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funding resources interested in the menstrual cycle.
We offer a network of communication and support that spans discipline, professional responsibilities, and geography to provide woman-centered perspectives on menstrual experiences. Membership is open to individuals who have an interest in research on the menstrual cycle or related issues, and who support the purposes of the Society:
- to identify research priorities, to recommend research strategies, and to promote interdisciplinary woman-centered research on the menstrual cycle.
- to provide a formal communication network to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue about menstrual cycle events in the context of women’s health over the life span.
- to examine the practical, ethical and policy issues surrounding menstrual cycle research.
- to generate and exchange information and to promote public discussion of issues related to the menstrual cycle.
- to influence public policy for the enhancement of women’s health.
History of SMCR
This short film (20 min) was produced by JoEllen Wilbur and Alice Dan. It features interviews with founding members of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research and other leaders of the organization. These interviews were conducted at the 2003 meetings in Pittsburgh.
