Authors: Elissa Stein and Susan Kim
What it’s all about: Periods! The authors explore everything related to vaginal and reproductive health — from hysteria cures to douching with Lysol — with a focus on different medical and cultural perceptions throughout history. Flow is a gorgeous, full-color book showcasing a wealth of vintage and modern “feminine hygiene product” advertisements that highlight the trajectory of the last cultural taboo.
Who it’s for: Flow is a great primer for women who are new to the discussion of topics surrounding menstruation and cultural views of women’s bodies. The authors take on a flippant, funny, “big sister” voice which lends itself to the overall light, magazine-style tone of the book. Readers already well-versed in women’s studies and issues related to menstruation may find themselves wishing for fewer glossy photos and girl talk, and more in-depth information.
Devoted cloth pad and menstrual cup users might feel a little slighted by Flow, too. While Kim and Stein do note that some women swear by reusable menstrual alternatives, they fail to paint any of these products in a positive (or even neutral) light. Throughout the book we are reminded that various iterations of the menstrual cup failed to catch on, and it’s only in the final chapter that modern menstrual alternatives are mentioned.
In this chapter, “Outside the Box,” the authors ask about menstrual cups if anyone really wants to have to get that close to their menstrual blood — and dismiss the possibility of using a cup in a public restroom altogether.*
It was a little disheartening to discover that, even after all of the body-positive, pro-menstruation talk of Flow — a book that is supposed to make us feel comfortable with our periods and help us ditch the negativity and shame we’ve learned from our long cultural history of menstrual oppression — we’re still supposed to be grossed out by our own bodies.
Flow’s treatment of cloth pads is unfortunately similar to menstrual cups. While the authors could have easily provided their readers with the story of someone who found relief from yeast infections or years of uncomfortable periods, Stein instead shares her own story of trying cloth pads.
In her story, we learn that although cloth pads are cute, she finds laundering them difficult and a chore. In the end she chooses to stay with her regular brand of disposable pads — a brand which she names and is the very same as those she lists earlier as contributing to the cultural taboo. The book provides no room for rebuttal; no voices from women who prefer reusables are included. This kind of stark bias in a textbook-style book that is presented as an impartial rendering of facts — and particularly the endorsement of a certain brand by the author — left us with a bad taste in our mouths.
* Most women don’t have any trouble using public restrooms while using a cup, since you can just empty your cup into the toilet and reinsert without rinsing (or use toilet paper to wipe off the outside of the cup). And, once you’re comfortable using a cup, actual contact with menstrual blood is minimal — about on par with inserting an applicator-free tampon.
Why you should check it out: Flow provides a fun, accessible introduction to the topic of menstruation and covers a wide variety of topics — everyone is sure to learn something new from this book! The vintage menstrual product advertisements, medicalization of menstruation, and the historical development of hysteria are some of the many interesting subjects addressed within the book. Be warned: reading Flow with friends will quickly spark engaging conversations! And if you find a particular section of the book lacking, just use it as a jumping-off point for a discussion.
Take a look: This makes a great coffee table book or gift! If you do read Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation, be sure to leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts!
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Editor: Rachel Kauder Nalebuff
