Mindful Menstruating: Unpacking Early Conceptions of Menstruation in Antiquity (Ancient Times) to Present Day
Written By Megan Todaro
Since time immemorial, menstruation has been a constant reality for women. (I understand that I am using a binary term, but for the sake of historical accuracy, gender variance seldomly existed publicly in antiquity, which was between 4500 BCE- 450 CE).
In antiquity, specifically Western Asia (i.e., Iran, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon), menstruation was a time in which women were considered to be “impure” and “unclean.” This is supported by a verse in the Old Testament, wherein “a woman undergoing menstruation is perceived as unclean for seven days and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening” (Leviticus 15:19). The blatant canonical misogyny and ignorance purported during this time period has carried well over into the 21st century. So you’re probably thinking, “Why is this important or relevant?” Well, I am here to show you why.
Universally, getting your first period is a sign of entering womanhood, but it is also a time of confusion. Clandestinely carrying tampons under your sleeve and silently hoping you did not bleed through your pants are moments most menstruators have dealt with. (I will now be using the gender-neutral term menstruators because I am referring to the present). But what this is also emblematic of is shame and guilt for being on your period. The stigmas around being on your period are often associated with disgust and fear. I deliberately used the word fear, because people who carry negative feelings or ideas about something (i.e., menstruation, racism) are often ignorant about the subject which is an extension of fear because it is the unknown. Most people, specifically men, who have not unpacked their unconscious biases against Women, Fem individuals, or Trans Men are likely to hold prejudices about menstruation. Even the premise for men who refuse to have sex with their partners simply because they are on their period relates back to Antiquity— whether they know it or not – as seen in the previously mentioned verse from Leviticus 15:24.
Menstruators feeling shameful for a natural process causes undue harm to their self-esteem. In addition, the feeling of shame is reinforced by the misogyny and patriarchy embedded in this country. What I mean by that is, a simple act of secretly carrying your tampon is a demonstration of the unconscious need to cover the fact that you are on your period. The shame and guilt menstruators feel will not end until society has accepted menstruation as a natural, and I would argue, a beautiful process.
My purpose for tying in history into this article is to help people understand how ancient religious texts have strongly influenced the way in which we see the world, consciously or unconsciously. Take for example the Constitution or Pledge of Allegiance, both seminal texts are predicated on Christian values. I believe it is important to acknowledge the world around us and to critically think about the systems/institutions that perpetuate racism, misogyny, patriarchy, xenophobia, etc. Guilt and shame that are often associated with being on your period is merely one facet of the systemic -isms in America.
Here are three thing I hope you have taken away from this article:
1. Reevaluating what it means to menstruate and how you respond/act when you are on your period.
2. Focusing on people’s responses when you tell them you are on your period. How do they react? Are they grossed out or dismissive? What is their response?
3. Critically examine the world around us through ideologies and systems. How do these ideologies and systems affect/continue the social, economic, political, gender inequities in America?
Thank you for reading!!! I hope this article has helped you think about menstruation in a new light!!! If you are interested in learning more about menstruation and women in Antiquity, I have been meaning to read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant which is a historical fiction novel highlighting the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah.
May love and peace be with you always.
*I wanted to add an explanation as to why I used the word “woman” in the beginning of the article. The idea of gender variance or non-binary (which means that an individual does not identify as woman or man) did not exist in Antiquity. Therefore, using the term menstruators, which is an umbrella term for women and trans men, would be anachronistic – meaning, that the idea or term does not fit within the given time period. I hope this brings some clarity!!!*