In some early cultures around the world, including Polynesia, Native America, and South America, the menstrual "product" for women was a special hut in their community called a Moon Hut. Because they believed that the menses brought creativity and healing powers, women would stay in these huts during their cycles to rest and meditate on life's great questions. Inside the hut were moss rugs where the women would sit to allow their menstrual blood to be cycled back into the earth. Many tribe chiefs made major community decisions based on the wisdom achieved by the women's meditation in the huts.

There are two schools of thought on the menstrual hut. Some people feel forcing women to retreat to huts during menstruation was an exertion of power over women, while others feel it was a sign of respect to a woman's body that her menses were treated with power and significance. What do you think?

The moon huts were also used to teach newly-menstruating girls what was up with periods, child-bearing and womanhood. Now that's what we call a comprehensive sex education!

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