Mena, the goddess of fertility and menstruation

Mena (also known as Mene or Dea Mena) in Roman mythology is the name of the goddess of fertility and menstruation.

Mena was a minor goddess, excluded from the chosen gods, but at the act of conception, tradition has it that the goddess Mena is also present who, a stepdaughter of Juno, queen among the chosen gods, superintends along with the latter the menstrual flow. Menarche, means “beginning of menstruation.” Mena is also often identified with the Moon by Pliny but also by Jeremiah and Isaiah, who tell of the spread of Moon worship among the Jews, as well as among Egyptians and Armenians.

Related article: Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Rome

Mena or Dea Mena with Juno assured menstrual flow, which is redirected to feed the developing child.

Turcan, The Gods of Ancient Rome, p. 18, citing Augustine, De Civitate Dei IV.11: “dea Mena, quam praefecerunt menstruis feminarum :”The goddess Mena, who was put in charge of menstruation” This may seem illogically placed in the sequence; Roman girls were not married until they were ready for childbearing, so menstruation would mark the bride as old enough to marry, and conception would halt the flow.