A history of women's menstruation from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century : psychological, social, medical, religious, and educational issues

This is the first extensive study on the subject of the cultural and social understandings of menstruation by tracking its evolution over centuries. This study examines the evolution of the biological, psychological, sociological, and behavioral meanings of menarche and menstruation in dominant European and European-American Culture from the Classical Greek period through the early Twenty-First-Century. The results of this evolution were used to explore the implications for the menarcheal education of girls. The research indicates the following major influences impacted the cultural construction of menarche and menstruation: religion during the ancient period, medicine during the modern period, and commerce during the contemporary period. The book suggests that educational reform in this area include: non-dominant cultural world views, intergenerational support, both male and female family members, included as part of college coursework, include community and religious based educational centers, and provide information addressing the health risks and alternatives to commercial products. Introduction -- 1. The Ancient Construction: The Classical Greek And Roman Period Through The Eighteenth-century. The Classical Greek And Roman Period -- Medieval Europe -- Sixteenth-century Through Eighteenth-century Europe -- 2. The Modern Construction: Nineteenth-century Europe And America. Medical Explanations Of Early Menarch -- Menstruation As Rationale Against Girls' Education -- Menstruation And Class Differences -- Menstruation And Gynecological Surgery -- The Early Psychiatric Management Of Menstruation -- A Response To Medicine: Women's Religious Reform -- Menstruation And Food-handling Restrictions -- Arguments Against Menstruation As Disability -- Medical Explanations Of Menstruation -- 3. Contemporary Construction: Twentieth And Twenty-first Century Europe And America. Decline In Menarcheal Age -- Discovery Of Hormonal Influence On Menstruation -- Menstruation And Class Differences -- Menstruation And The Education Of Girls -- Emergence Of Commercially Produced Menstrual Products -- Tampons And Toxic Shock Syndrome -- Tampon Safety And Research Act -- Pms, Menopause, And The Selling Of Estrogen -- The Ovulatory Revolution -- 4. Implications For Education. General Educational Implications -- Educational Implications Of The Religious Construction -- Educational Implications Of The Medical Construction -- Educational Implications Of The Commercial Construction -- 5. Summary, Recommendations, Future Research. Glenda Lewin Hufnagel ; With A Foreword By Carolyn Stout Morgan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 108-156) And Index. Hufnagel chronicles the historical inaccuracies in understanding menstruation which have contributed to viewing women as a ‘second sex'and perpetuated feelings of shame. Her argument claims that only in the last few decades has science begun to fully understand the issue. Subsequent social and psychological treatment of menstruation in recent years has helped women to have an increased sense of comfort with their bodies. From Ancient Greece where Aristotle claimed that women were closer to animals, to contemporary misunderstandings about menstruation leading to increased acne, which was viewed as a sign of sexual immorality beginning with pubescence, the book tells the tawdry tale of women learning to accept themselves through successive scientific breakthroughs. Presents a study on the subject of the cultural and social understandings of menstruation by tracking its evolution over centuries. This title examines the evolution of the meanings of menarche and menstruation in dominant European and European-American Culture from the Classical Greek period through the early Twenty-First-Century This study examines the evolution of the biological, psychological, sociological and behavioral meanings of menarche and menstruation in dominant European and European-American culture from the classical Greek and Roman period through the early 21st century with implications for the menarcheal education of girls.