One issue of feminist contention is the way our society regards periods. Guys are sometimes afraid of or grossed out by them, women are sometimes grossed out and annoyed by them, and young women who haven’t had them yet often desperately want them and see them as a symbol of femininity (… or at least, before I got mine, I REALLY wanted it).
There is a new birth control bill that lets you not have your period, that we talked a little about here. I’ve been thinking it over for awhile, and I can’t decide whether it sounds really amazing (because, if you don’t have your period, I’d bet good money that you don’t still have PMS or cramps or a nice-sized annual tampon budget) but at the same time, I wonder if it’s indulging women’s hatred of their periods.
I mean, I sometimes really don’t like my period: it often ruins clothing, it sometimes makes me yell at my friends for no reason, and it often makes my stomach really, really hurt. But on the same time, it’s inherently feminine. It’s a sign that our bodies are working and healthy, that our bodies are prepared to have kids, and that we’re women, who possess this really beautiful power to grow other human beings inside their bodies. Having periods is also a rite of passage for women: you know you’re a woman when you get yours! It’s pretty exciting…
And although reproduction is hopefully not something on any of our minds right now (that is, unless we’re working to prevent it), I feel like girls are somewhat conditioned to hate their periods. Sometimes aunts still refer to it as “the curse” to girls getting the birds and the bees talk and women seem sort of embarassed about their periods… despite that virtually half the popular menstruates.
Thoughts??
What does this image (that surfaced upon Googling “menstruation”) say about periods? That it’s feminine and sort of cool? Or that it’s a painful pain in the butt?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jamia // Jun 12, 2007 at 11:30 am
Thanks for writing about something I love and hate. I LOVE and hate my period. It is a love hate relationship many women have. I hate the pain, the pms, the bloating, the zits that form in the same places each month telling me it is coming. I hate the fact that now I am on a new birth control method, my period has been here for TWELVE days. Grrrr… I just got off it… BUT i keep reminding myself how much I LOVE it when it has been late and it finally arrives giving me peace of mind. I love that it will allow me to give life one day. I love that it gives me an excuse sometimes to nap all day and be bitchy and hungry with no excuses. “)
Sonal and I want to blog about the Keeper/Diva cup. I want Sonal to guest blog about it since I am a big fan too and want to convert people to eco friendly period practices.
Also, we should tell our readers about Seventh Generation’s AWESOME tampon program to help low income women.
Check out something that will make you LOVE your period. I love their products… http://www.tamponcase.com/cyn/index.html
and also, did you know there is this old man in Washington who has an in home museum of menstruation?!
2 Jamia // Jun 12, 2007 at 11:31 am
PS. We should have an “Are You There God Its Me Margaret” tribute blog one day. BEST BOOK EVER!
3 Hollis // Jun 12, 2007 at 1:19 pm
i understand your tug of war (so to speak). when this new birht control pill came out that only gave you you period four times a year, my first reaction was “thank god.” the more i thought about it though, the more i realized how unhealthy that must be. our bodies are designed for a reason, and they endure certain functions (such as menstruation) for a particular reason). to alter that could possibly lead to destruction of our bodies. or maybe i’m just overthinking it?
4 Maddie Lear // Jun 12, 2007 at 7:52 pm
For me, I started my period very early, so when I got it, it was horrible!!! Now I kind of love it in some ways. Also, I want to blog about what I saw on one of those Dr. Phil like things (but not at all) where it’s this woman’s show, about women, and she talks about them emotions, and how pms is not fake feelings or you’re not gettting mad about things that aren’t true, they’re as real as if you are expecting your period in 2 weeks.
5 KateOczypok // Jun 13, 2007 at 2:26 am
i hear ya liz…i hate periods as much as the next girl, but i have what my friends have diagnosed as “baby lust” = the intense desire to have lots of children when i am old and married someday. so i like my period and hate it, just like every other girl! haha :o)
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