I’m looking forward to this HOA tomorrow. I meant to reshare this earlier. If you can’t watch it live, you’ll be able to enjoy it later.
Originally shared by Science on Google+
Menstruation and menopause are two fundamental biological processes in every woman’s lifetime. However, both these subjects are shrouded with secrecy, and it’s often difficult to have open conversations about them because of cultural taboos. But what are the consequences of silence? What are the economic impacts, the social injustices, and the health risks? Why is it so difficult to find consensus on what menopause is, and what its purpose is?
Join us for a Mosaic and Science on Google+ Hangout on air as we speak to author Rose George about these under-reported topics. Rose wrote two fascinating articles for Mosaic about menstruation and menopause, and we will be exploring these subjects in-depth.
This HOA will be hosted by Dr Buddhini Samarasinghe. You can tune in on Saturday 23rd January at 3 PM UK time. The hangout will be available for viewing on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/ScienceHangouts) after the event.
Rose’s articles: http://mosaicscience.com/story/blood-speaks and http://mosaicscience.com/story/menopause
Join the conversation using #MosaicHangout
January 23, 2016
Is there a question and answer segment?
If so, may I suggest an Idea?
These things are taboo…
I’m glad you’re addressing it.
I haven’t done one of these things in forever, I’m unsure what the format is like.
But, if there were a way to forward Qs in advance, to then be forwarded to the speaker by Science on google+, so names wouldn’t pop up on everyone’s screens during hangouts?
That might drum up some audience participation.
Just a thought…
January 23, 2016
rare avis, I’m not running the HOA. You should be able to type questions in the Event post. There are plenty of previous hangouts that you can look at , to see if you like the current format.
January 23, 2016
I was hoping the first link would be more medical than anthropological. Working for a CPG company, I knew this and can also tell you that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as dealing with a period in utter poverty.
I’d love to see them tackle clot issues and blood disorders (for personal reasons). One group I’m part of just reported another teen died from taking contraceptives and not knowing she had a blood disorder. When you’re 18 and healthy, no ones checking your blood. When this stuff goes OTC like they’re trying, I think you’re going to see a lot more deaths from clot disorders.
Taboos: no one but friends want to discuss it. If more people did, maybe the CPG companies could design a product that actually works. Friends with endometriosis have told me they keep a change of clothes, full boxes of product and laundry detergent in their desks just in case. Even in developed countries, the products available are ineffective for some.
January 23, 2016
Ray of Sunshine
I think there’s a ‘window’ of development when a family or a parent can ‘normalize’ talking about this stuff; but, I think it might begin and end prior to the onset of most girls’ first period; a time when many simply don’t think to do so…
I have friends who are very open in their homes; their girls have no problem being candid and respectful, and addressing these issues; they don’t collapse into ‘gigglefests’.
I think it has to come from the parents.
I think, too, after marriage or birth/fertility treatments, etc; women enter again into a stage of life where they’re open about these things; especially now.
My Mom’s generation, no; but mine, and later? Yes. Maybe the dividing line for the age of moms/in a partnership who feel comfortable, at least in my culture, is Woodstock {I wasn’t quite here yet} or the Our Bodies, Our Selves generation?
Having said that, I’ve observed women and girls freely, openly discussing intimate matters, until a boy or man enters hearing range. That seems to ‘turn the faucet’.
Still, it’s a challenge to raise these issues among not-intimate-in-real-life friends, like online, unless it’s a Directed Discussion, like this one is.
I’d love to see that change; like you.
I think it takes seeing these matters discussed openly, too; for many: before they’ll openly participate or engage.
When I come across thoughtful essays or anthropological, or archaeological {not too much health-oriented} research, or ‘pop-culture politics’ relating to menstruation, the ‘womb’, I post about it; I try to very gently and very courteously raise the subject; I never press.
Recently, I came across an anthropologist decrying the lack of parity ~historically speaking~ in researching, investigating, discussing the Evolution of the Vagina; she was right, I think, that contemporary pop-culture doesn’t celebrate the female reproductive tract as boisterously or openly or ‘normally’ as it’s male counterpart. I shared this article, too. A limited, but I think valuable conversation ensued.
Even if one invokes “The Vagina Monologues,” a popular and much-discussed topic, it’s exceptionally challenging to ‘get people interested’, or maybe ‘comfortable’ with saying, “Vagina” out loud, or: typing it, online.
I think we fall back to ‘demure’ mode; we don’t want to be thought of as ‘crass’ or unseemly; untoward.
And I very much appreciate those who employ and promote good manners and courtesy.
But, too, I feel that this reticence on our part reflects an ‘unease’; and that, I think, is tied up in with so much of what ails us, as a culture in which things like violence against women, and victim blaming, and similarly disheartening gender imbalances: are still rife, and similarly not talked about.
I’d very much like to see the taboo dissipate; dissolve; I think when we do talk freely about these things, both mean and women, discussing women’s bodies openly: in every tone: respectfully, humorously, creatively, {just not {threateningly} ~at least as ‘normally as men’s bodies are talked about~ we’ll find that we all exist in a completely transformed space, culturally.
I’d like to help usher that time in.
I think our daughters and granddaughters will be safer for it, prouder for it, healthier for it; I think society will be better off for it.
Any time you {and anyone} might like to engage in a thoughtful discussion on these matters, I shan’t shy away.
Take good care…
~RA
🙂
January 23, 2016
rare avis I’m not saying don’t discuss the anthropological standpoint, but I’ve heard it and am already sympathetic. Women in Africa wash the pads in streams because they cannot afford a package, yet alone enough to get through a cycle. These are not cloth things. These are your typical Always pads. Women in Asia sleep on their backs only during their period. If you study the shape of the overnight style, it’s designed to help hold the pooling in the back from gravity. I could go on as I’ve worked with a company who we affectionately referred to as poo and goo for the past 18 years. It was part of the studies for marketing strategies.
I suffered a clot event (PE). I’m on meds. Those meds made my periods the absolute worst I’ve ever had. I’ve tried the cups. I filled one in an hour and a half. I have massive clots. The new Infinity thin pads are more like a sponge material so it doesn’t absorb, but sits on top and makes a giant mess. Tampons don’t catch clots. The only design that somewhat works are mesh covered pads bc it acts like a cheese grater to break it down. I fill those in an hour. There is no literature, blogs, or otherwise addressing the level of goo. My doctor hasn’t been much of help either (watch to make sure you’re not anemic). If I go on contraceptives to alleviate the heaviness, I put myself at I higher clot risk,so yes, my interest is selfish.
And friends seem to be more support. Family…my mother had a hysterectomy at a younger age than I am. No comments as she has no experience. No other women in my family had my issues, or have talked about it. I cannot be the only person with this and I’m all for it being a more open discussion bc I think we can learn from each other.
January 23, 2016
Ray of Sunshine and rare avis, I hope you can watch it now. It’s live.
January 23, 2016
I’ve either missed it or am missing it, but I’m interested in watching it later.
The topic is very timely for me: just yesterday I gave my young son a very straightforward explanation of the menstrual cycle. I did feel at the time as though I was performing something akin to a public service, doing my part to demystify and normalize the process, particularly for men.
January 23, 2016
Good for you Christina Talbott-Clark. I have 5 sisters, so it was hard for me to escape such topics.
January 23, 2016
Chad Haney I’m lucky in that my husband is entirely pragmatic about menstruation. He only grew up with a brother but managed to get himself well educated by some very unsqueamish female friends in his youth. But he’s unusual in that regard, I think.
January 23, 2016
Christina Talbott-Clark, yeah, that Bryan is a keeper.
January 23, 2016
I had class this morning so I’ll have to catch the recording.
January 23, 2016
I always thought you didn’t have class, Ray of Sunshine. Hahahahahaha.
January 23, 2016
Bitch, please. Im from Detroit. Stay classy Chad Haney
Actually had Gumdo (sword) class with spawn. So…physical vs. intellectual knowledge.
January 23, 2016
Ray of Sunshine, that’s cool. I didn’t know the kid was going too.
February 1, 2016
Mhh l mm mjbnmmftguzhnjnnvemn tjt
February 7, 2016
I will share to my friends, please.
May 25, 2016
nice