Caution: Girl Stuff

[Alex]

As always there is the question of to what degree media is simply reflecting the way women (as a composite average, huge variation in individuals) feel about their period or whether media is creating (as a composite average, huge variation in individuals) how women feel about their periods.

There's a huge difference between "that's a god sign that you are unclean, inferior, and generally despicable" and "wouldn't you rather not go through monthly discomfort." We control our bodies in so many other unnatural ways (including procreatively) that I don't see why menstruation would be some sacred inviolable area.

I'm not sure why there has to be a correlation between menstrual taboo and low self esteem, but if there is I'm sure it would be readily discoverable since the populations are pretty well self-defining and do a fair job of crossing socioeconomic lines. Do you know if anybody has done research into this?

Pretty much everything that come out of the human body is considered somewhat taboo (except, maybe, breast milk) so it isn't really surprising that there'd be some simliar attachment to mentruation.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Pretty much everything that come out of the human body is considered somewhat taboo (except, maybe, breast milk) so it isn't really surprising that there'd be some simliar attachment to mentruation.

Just don't breast feed it in public!

[MouseWife]

I have to admit, I have not had the time to read up on the links, so, I hadn't realized the 'unclean' 'low self esteem' issues.

I've never had either feelings. It has always just been something to have and be done with. I know a lot of moms who put their daughters on it {the pill} to help them with painful periods or to help regulate them. So, I've always looked at it as something we can/should have control over. Not it having control over us.

I think if it is possible to not have it for convenience sake, what a great opportunity. It isn't so nice to have to work and deal with it, that's for sure.

But, playing with my hormones does concern me. Personally. My body is on a nice even keel and while it would have helped me greatly when I was younger {although no one ever explained that it could do more than just prevent pregnancy} as I suffered greatly as it sounds like you did, CP.

Now, I have control over it not vice versa.

I even bought nice crisp white sheets.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

There's a huge difference between "that's a god sign that you are unclean, inferior, and generally despicable" and "wouldn't you rather not go through monthly discomfort." We control our bodies in so many other unnatural ways (including procreatively) that I don't see why menstruation would be some sacred inviolable area.

I agree completely and would further add, "wouldn't you rather avoid the inconvienience?"

I am one of the lucky ones, my period causes no symptoms (other than the bleeding, of course), it's short, light and occurs like clockwork. Having said that, I would prefer to avoid it...not to the extent that I'm anxious for menopause or anything, but just because, well, because it's inconvienient.

And at least in my case, feelings of inconvienience are wholly different from feelings of dread or emotional suppression.

And I have to say that, while I'm sure it exists, I just don't believe that I've ever experienced society's "menstrual taboo".