Radical Menstruation

Oh hey, we must have synchronized. No, wait...

> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 06:19:30 -0800 (PST)
> From: heather webster
> Subject: radical menstruation>?
>
> well.. I'm kinda glad you asked what radical menstruation is.. It's actually pretty broad and such a general term that it's open to individual interpretation.
>
> However, what I can answer is what is radical about menstruation? Tampons are made out of cotton./rayon fibers (unless you buy organic only cotton). In the US cotton is one of the most pesticide -ridden crops. Rayon is a synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp, and in the processing of rayon Dioxin is produced ( a harmful chemical linked to cervical cancer, endometriosis, tss, yeast infections, low sperm count (for guys who interact with a dioxin-tainted vagina), cuts in the vaginal walls, and birth defects. We are concerned about thoes chemicals being absorbes through our vaginal walls and fucking us up BIG time. So...We started a womyn's health and sexuality collective and the first thing we focused on was the health of menstruation. We did a lot of work and research on these chemicals and alternatives to tampons (like the keeper, homemade cotton or flannel pads, organic tampons, and stuff like that). We also looked at the impact tampons have on the enviorment- as a form of waste
> and as a chemical hazard, and the shame surrounding OUR BLOOD.
>
> So, currently we carry 8 or so zines about having a healthy period, practicing non-invasive birth control (fertility awareness through tracking your ovulation cycle (for more info see Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler)).. We also distro homemade pads, speculums, we give away info on making your own pad, and stuff like that..
>
> So, what I mean by Radical Menstruation is Menstruation Activism, tampon's are'nt healthy and if you do reaserch on them and still wanna use 'em that's fine. But I'm pretty angry that I was never told how harmful they can be. And I think it's importnat to get the word out there so menstruators can make informed decisions about thier health.
>
> if anyone wants more info.. I'd be happy to send zines and good stuff.. I'd just want $$ for shipping..especially cause most of y'all are in the UK...Wait, not necessarily- I'm actually visiting London from Nov 22-29 if there's someplace I could leave info??
>
>

(nb obv i like "womyn" coz it's a funny spelling, actually it's my favourite funny spelling)

alarm bells there...

Wow, that never occurred to me!

I don't remember learning anything at all in sex-ed about the fertility cycle, just that girls get periods and wear sanitary napkins during them so as not to make a mess. What a joke!

I also think the idea of menstrual cycles synching-up is fascinating (though there has been some scientific suggestion that this can be explained by mere random coincidence). I hopefully imagine that there is a good deal of behavior-mediating chemical communication going on between individuals that we haven't yet learned to recognize. And of course, the less physically shielded we are from each other, the more influence these things have.

If "radical menstruation" (a perverse name, obviously) is the response to our mindlessly commercial, interventionist health care system and paranoia-inducing health education strategies, then bully for it.

Okay why has my period been going on for five weeks?

It's getting A-SPENSIVE.

i read this as racial menstruation :/

Be colorblind, don't be so shallow.

http://members.shaw.ca/revchu/stuff/men2zb.gif

Buy some cheap red t-shirts to cut up and use as supplemental pads?

why isn't there a menstruation emoji

I just use the volcano emoji.

well, then what do you use for volcanos

The dancing lady.

lol