NPS report busts myth menstruating women attract bears

(Aug. 15, 2012) -- It is difficult to accurately compare the ratio of males to females that are injured by bears because the park does not keep records of visitor use in the park by gender. However, the bear-inflicted human injury data for Yellowstone National Park does not indicate any correlation between bear attacks and menstruation. Although there is no evidence that grizzly and black bears are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor, certain precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of attack.