Lunaception
Encyclopedia
Lunaception is a practice that purports to enable a woman to know ahead of time when she will be fertile each month, based on practices found in many non-urban cultures. It was named and described by Louise Lacey in her 1974 book Lunaception. The practice includes making a daily chart of temperature, condition of vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...

, mood
Mood (psychology)
A mood is a relatively long lasting emotional state. Moods differ from emotions in that they are less specific, less intense, and less likely to be triggered by a particular stimulus or event....

, and other observables, and sleeping in complete darkness except for three days each month. The name comes from the belief that most women's menstrual cycles usually become synchronized to one phase of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...

 during the three nights of sleep
Sleep
Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than...

ing with light. Lunaception has not received scientific testing; it consists of heuristic
Heuristic
Heuristic refers to experience-based techniques for problem solving, learning, and discovery. Heuristic methods are used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution, where an exhaustive search is impractical...

 knowledge shared through anecdotes and practice.

Theory

The theory is primarily based upon personal testimonies of the author and anthropological studies of various ancient cultures that drew a link between menstruation and the moon. Lacey claims that hundreds of different references to connections between women and the moon, and also between menstruation and the moon, have been documented. Furthermore, Lacey documented that many languages have a common root word for "moon" and "menstruation." For example, in English, "menstruation" comes from the Latin word "mensis" which means "month" and is related to moon. Lacey also claimed that in many cultures, menstruation arrived with the new moon and fertility came with the full moon.

Lacey posits that before electricity, most women experienced their menstrual cycles with the phases of the moon and at more or less the same time as all other women. The method uses light to control ovulation. In practice, all light should be blocked from coming into the bedroom at night. During the three fullest days of the moon (the day of the full moon and the days preceding and following), a small light should shine throughout the night in the room. This can be as simple as a small nightlight or desk light. After several months, the menstrual cycle should come into balance with the light. When attempting to conceive, intercourse is had on those three nights when the moon is fullest.

Lunaception has also been linked with helping to increase the production of fertility-quality cervical mucus, sometimes known as "egg white cervical mucus" in reference to its unique resemblance to egg whites. This fertile cervical mucus is what bathes the sperm
Sperm
The term sperm is derived from the Greek word sperma and refers to the male reproductive cells. In the types of sexual reproduction known as anisogamy and oogamy, there is a marked difference in the size of the gametes with the smaller one being termed the "male" or sperm cell...

 in a protective and enriching coating in order to sustain the sperm until the egg is released and aid their journey to the fallopian tubes. Studies have shown that shortly after the night light is introduced during sleep, the natural production of this fertile-quality mucus is triggered and enhanced, bringing together the critical combination of timing of ovulation
Ovulation
Ovulation is the process in a female's menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum . Ovulation also occurs in the estrous cycle of other female mammals, which differs in many fundamental ways from the menstrual cycle...

 with coinciding of fertile mucus.

Lunaception has also been linked with resolving abnormal cycle lengths (excessively short or long cycles), regulation of FSH
FSH
FSH may refer to:* Follicle-stimulating hormone* Fox Sports Houston, a regional Fox Sports Net affiliate station for the Houston, Texas area* Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy* International Civil Aviation Organisation code for Flash Airlines...

levels, reduction of spotting, reduced incidence of miscarriage, and relief of premenopausal symptoms.

In cases where most light cannot be eliminated from the sleeping quarters, a dark, well-fitting eye mask may be substituted, although it is debated whether the effectiveness is retained when the entire body is not immersed in total darkness.
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