Period: Twelve Voices Tell the Bloody Truth

by Kate Farrell (Editor), Arisleyda Dilone (Contributor), Ann Friedman (Contributor)

Periods enter the spotlight in this essay collection that raises a variety of voices on a topic long shrouded in shame and secrecy.

In this collection, writers of various ages and across racial, cultural, and gender identities share stories about the period. Each of our twelve authors brings an individual perspective and sensibility. They write about homeless periods, nonexistent periods, male periods, political periods, and more. Told with warmth and humor, these essays celebrate all kinds of period experiences.

Periods are a fact of life. It's time to talk about them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Essays, Womens, Anthologies, Adult, Politics

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Maede · Rating 4 out of 5]

پریود: دوازده صدا حقیقت خونین را می گویند

صدای سیزدهم: من
کتاب رو در حالتی شروع کردم که از مسکن گیج و منگم و در حالی که به کیسه آب جوشم چنگ زدم روی تخت مچاله شدم. تمام کلاس های امروزم رو کنسل کردم و از برنامه درسیم هم عقب موندم. هر ماه رسماً چند روز زندگی من تعطیل میشه و مجبورم کرکره ها رو پایین بکشم و با بدبختی های این "معجزه ی بدنم" (!) سر و کله بزنم

عصبانی ام. خیلی. که بخشی ازش طبیعیه و بخشیش نیست و این رو می دونم. همین دونستن اینکه مغزم داره بیش از حد عکس العمل نشون میده چون داره در دریایی از هورمون شنا می کنه عصبانی ترم می کنه. این محدودیت روی زندگی من تاثیر زیادی گذاشته و من حتی نمی تونم ازش حرف بزنم

همین الان ذهن سنتی من که سال هاست دارم دفنش می کنم، از زیر خاک فریاد می کشه که چرا این ها رو می نویسی. واقعا می خوای این رو پست کنی؟ آره می کنم
ازش دلخور نیستم. این نتیجه بزرگ شدن توی جامعه ایه که اسم پریود هنوز هم توی گوش ها یواشکی زمزمه میشه. خون "نجسه"، وقتی پریودی نمی تونی وارد مسجد و عبادتگاه بشی چون "پاک" نیستی و یاد میگیری تا جایی که می تونی مخفیش کنی، حتی از خودت. نبینش، از خودت دورش کن و راجع بهش زیادی فکر نکن

جالبه که حرکتم به سمت کم زباله شدن برای محیط زیست مجبورم کرد که به سایکل هام و محصولات بهداشتی و مشکلات اجتماعی مربوط به پریود برای اولین بار فکر کنم. در صورتی که باید "دیدن" و "فهمیدن" رو از خودم شروع می کردم. تلاش برای تغییر روشی که پریود خودم رو باهاش کنترل می کردم، وادارم کرد که باهاش رو به رو بشم و به خاطر محیط زیست، بیولوژی بدن خودم رو بهتر فهمیدم

استیگمای پریود زمانی توی صورتم خورد که با دوستان و اطرافیانم راجع به استفاده از روش های پایدارتر مثل کاپ صحبت می کردم. صورتشون رو در هم می کشیدن و می گفتن حتی نمی خوام تصورش کنم! یا وقتی یکی بهم گفت شاید این همه دردت طبیعی نیست، واقعا از اینکه تا حالا خودم بهش فکر نکرده بودم شوکه شدم. انگار تا چند سال پیش متوجه نمی شدم، ولی تازه دارم می فهمم که این استیگما چقدر زندگی ما رو سخت کرده و حتی سلامتمون رو تحت شعاع قرار داده

صحبت کردن از پریود و خواندن ازش برای همین مهمه. این تغییر باید از الان شروع بشه. این تجربه ی مشترک آدم های (نه زن ها) زیادیه که نیاز به توجه و درک داره. این کتاب سیزده نویسنده مختلف داره که با دید خودشون به پریود نگاه می کنن. یک زن روی ویلچر، یک زن سیاه پوست، یک مرد ترنس، زنی که قبلا بی خانمان بوده، زنی که ماراتن لندن رو در زمان پریودش دویده و زنی که از مسائل سیاسی و برابری در پریود میگه، همه از افرادی هستن که چند صفحه از این کتاب باعث شده صداشون به گوش برسه. درسته که ساده و کوتاه بود و به نکات مهم فقط گذرا اشاره می کرد، ولی چنین کتابی شروع خوبی برای اینه که به این مسئله بادقت تر نگاه کنیم. برای همین سه و نیم ستاره رو به بالا رند کردم

حتما باید جدی تر و دقیق تر هم از لحاظ علمی و هم مسائل اجتماعی درباره اش بخونم. امیدوارم که ریویو کردن این کتاب ها در گودریدز باعث بشه افراد بیشتری درباره پریود بخونن. برای شکستن این تابو، حقیقتا امیدم به امثال آدم های خاصیه که اینجا می بینم

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[This Kooky Wildflower Loves a Little Tea and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Curse"

"Aunt Flo"

"The Thank God She's Here Because I Did Not Want a Kid with Him"

No matter the name, anyone with a period should feel comfortable waxing philosophical about her. This microhistory discusses societal, biological, and cultural complexities with honesty via various writers (e.g. Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman laugh over their "period friendship").

We hear a trans man's account of his period and the emotional and mental aspects never discussed, i.e., the fear of others finding out.

A black woman shares how puberty and one's period negatively stereotypes young black girls in the community, i.e. hypersexualization.

A woman, once homeless, shares tips on how to help local and national homeless women regarding their parents. One such tip: Hand Sanitizer.

Pop culture's role in founding society's view on menstruation, i.e. calling it "the curse" and gross.

I would love to see this book in global libraries as menstruation today speaks political volumes. Tampon Tax. Girls not able to go to school due to a lack of supplies. Women are seen as unstable during "their time". Such nuances are challenged in this book.

Menstruation is normal.

Menstruation is healthy.

Maybe I'm doing so as I type this review.

Viva Le Tampax!

(Or, Kotex, if you're not a tampon aficionado. Or, Diva Cup, if you rock the cup.)

[Liza Wiemer]

Eye-opening and important! As I read the essays, I stopped and shared sections with my husband. This book evokes discussion. For some, reading and talking about periods may be difficult. But come on, this is a normal part of at least half of the world's population and these essays are truly enlightening.

Highly recommend.

[Aubrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book at a feminist bookstore while I was on a trip. Not one to shy away from gender studies, I thought this would be a nice book on my shelf, seeing as I don't have any on the topic of menstruation. Funnily enough, I have my own issues with periods. It hasn't been regular in many years, seemingly happening whenever it pleases. I carry a little pouch with supplies, just in case, but after traveling and switching bags, and all that, somehow I had forgotten to put it back in my purse and ended up starting my period at work. For some reason, the cramps were worse than usual and after work, I just wanted to take a hot bath. I have come to enjoy reading in the bath and decided no book could be more perfect to start on that fine day than this one.

The book was a short and easy read, filled with essays coming from many people's experience with their periods. The most harrowing essay was about having a period while poverty-stricken. I found it kind of silly that I had been so upset at my own uterus having a mind of its own when some people had theirs more frequently and couldn't even come by supplies. There were suggestions as to what to pack for a period kit for someone in need that I hadn't thought of, and that I want to tell my friends about and maybe have a kit-packing party.

While the book was a fast read, I don't think it's any less important. Periods, for some reason, are still such a taboo topic of discussion, and it really doesn't need to be. I thought my period was the odd one out, but a little after reading this book, somehow the subject got brought up one night when I was with three other women. Turns out, absolutely none of us are the same. Mine are just irregular, one doesn't get hers at all, one is by the book, and another has to have regular checkups because her bleeding could be from ovarian cysts. Why aren't we talking more about these things?

All in all, I like this book, and it made me think of more ways I can help another bleeding person get through their period. There are many resources in the back of the book, such as places to donate, or charities that help spread the word that people with periods deserve better, such as stopping the luxury taxes placed on pads and tampons and helping incarcerated women get the supplies they need without sacrificing other needs or time.

In a way, I don't think that twelve stories are enough, but it's a start. I think actually talking to people about it and normalizing the topic, will help get more stories out.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the yes. All the angels singing. All the flowers being thrown at its feet.

It goes where often no one ever goes and it knows it and does it intentionally without feeling intention. It never cheapens itself. It tells the truth and I love it. Love it. LOVE IT. Love. It.

The stories include black girls and their period, a marathoner who chose to free bleed while running London's marathon, thoughts on being homeless and menstruating, why there's a tax on hygiene products to start with (shouldn't they be free?), being trans and your period, and on it goes. Again though, it was intentional without feeling that way. Each story had it's own bent but in a wonderfully powerful way that was informational, thoughtful, and empathetic. There's discussions about periods portrayed in books and movies. And a favorite-- the author who writes that she's waiting for the day in which the blue liquid used to demonstrate blood on a commercial is actually blood.

And right before the sign-off at the end... a uterus whose tubs are shaped like the best Amazon woman's arms. And I fell more in love.

[❄Elsa Frost❄ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menstruation is so common, yet almost no one talks about it. In fact, it's ignored so much that many women are left without the education and resources they need to effectively handle it.

Does that make books contributing to the conversation about period very important? Absolutely. We still live in a culture that shames people who experience (or never experience but are expected to experience) period. There are societies where women grow seriously ill because of the inadequate resources they are forced to use in order to handle their cycles.

These and so many other reasons are why books like this are so important.

Story: She'll Become A Woman Later
Author: Arisleyda Dilone
Mini Review: Arisleyda Dilone is an intersex Dominican woman who came to the U.S. Because she was raised as a woman, she came to identify herself (and her gender identity) as a woman.

But she never got her period and neither did her breasts grow in, which are often two identifying factors society likes to use to tell someone, "You're a woman now."

I think something good about reading this story is that we read about the experiences of an intersex person who was raised as a woman and was even expected to experience life as a woman. When she finds out that she has male chromosomes, this engages conversations about understanding intersex issues, gender identity, and the culture of shame surrounding (an absence of) period towards intersex individuals. It also touches very briefly on genital mutilation, which is unfortunately still a common practice around the globe--and very dangerous.

Something I'm curious to know from this story is if Arisleyda's family ever learned that she's intersex or if they somehow already knew? At least for me, this part seemed unclear and was never really expanded on.


Story: Periods and Friendship
Author: Anne Friedman and Aminatou Sow
Mini Review: There's something relieving about having someone who understands and knows what you're going through in any aspect, and just having them be there for you can help with the situation. The same can also go for periods.

This story features an ongoing dialogue--during the course of a single cycle--between two women: Anne Friedman and Aminatou Sow. Of course, their experiences with period and having it associated with shame is included in this story, as well as the different aspects of misogyny involved in shaming those who experience periods, even if it's an issue that affects others besides women. The conversations people hold often focuses solely on people who are AFAB instead of all who have period, including trans and non-binary folks; this story challenges that. Furthermore, this story also talks about how important it is to educate about period due to the lack of knowledge there is surrounding period.

Several books are recommended between the two in this dialogue, but it could also be taken as personal recommendations for people to better understand how bodies function, how each body functions differently, and so on.

This story encourages dialogue regarding period and shows how addressing this issue is empowering. Period is part of the biology of a human being, and it's acknowledged that period shouldn't be used as an ultra-political tool or as a so-called source of power. It is a biological cycle and a reality for many people. It's as simple as that. However, I felt that this focused more on dialogue than on resolution. (I thought of another critique of this story, but because I'm sick--and therefore forgetful--, I'll have to bring it up when I'm able to remember it.)


Story: Going with the Flow: Blood and Sisterhood at the London Marathon
Author: Madame Gandhi
Mini Review: If there's one thing that those of us who experience period know is that we have no control over it nor over when it comes. This piece is proof of that.

Madame Gandhi chooses to freebleed (in case you don't know what that means, it basically means you choose to not wear a tampon, sanitary pad, or any sort of material for your period once it hits) in order to raise awareness for those without access to resources for menstruation. In a sense, I think that this also made her more aware, by giving her a small glimpse through a single event, of what it's like for those who do not have resources or have inadequate resources. I think that can be an eye-opening event for any woman to experience, and is important to consider when spreading education and awareness.

I do feel like this story could have been longer. It felt pretty short for an important topic such as this one. I do want to know more about what Madame Gandhi thought with this experience, and how it has changed both her perspective and her contributions towards changing things.


Story: I Can't Walk but I Can Bleed
Author: Santina Muha
Mini Review: Those of us who have period know what it's like to have PMS, the pain that comes with menstruation, etc. But what about the experiences of someone who is in a wheelchair and experiences menstruation?

This kind of scenario wasn't something I had given much thought to before this story, but reading this story, I can get a small glimpse into what this kind of thing is like. While there are pros--like if you get period unexpectedly and a stain forms on the back of your pants--, there are also cons. It affects Santina's decision to choose to wear pads over tampons (because tampons are a small risk for TSS, but given her experiences, she is worried it'll debilitate her further and so she chooses not to wear them after a while). It affects how Santina reacts through PMS.

This story also briefly approaches how birth control can be extremely important for those who experience debilitating symptoms of period. This is also important knowledge because there are many women who will need birth control in order to help with irregular periods and other symptoms.

I did feel like sometimes Santina focuses more on able-bodied or non-paraplegic/quadriplegic experiences, so I'm curious: What advice would Santina Muha give for those who share and relate more to her own experiences with period?


Story: There's a First for Everything
Author: Ingrid Nilsen
Mini Review: A lot of us probably remember our first period and what that was like. Even if we had been educated about it, we may have felt frightened regardless about getting that first one and may even feel shame about it.

This is where Ingrid Nilsen comes in with her story. But she not only addresses how her first period was like, but also her experiences with breaking out of the shame surrounding period. First, through the comfort of her mother; second, through a roommate who is understanding about period and ignores the blood; third, through a guy she dates who--instead of acting grossed out--immediately helps out. These are important experiences that seem to have also helped her out of the shame of having been abused, the shame society gives towards lesbians (including closeted lesbians like herself), and so on.

This story also kinda made me think of something, which may not be important for some but I feel is important to bring up. So here's what it's made me think about:

Planned Parenthood is an organization that supports women's health. I have never personally been inside one of their organizations or even to one of the events centralizing them, but I have been aroundis a minor issue that Planned Parenthood is more willing to hand out a free condom instead of free pads (the first, you can just avoid sex and never need products for sex, but period is unavoidable for many until they hit menopause). This is just based on my personal observations. If anyone has an experience that shows otherwise, I think it's important to contribute that to the conversation as well.

To conclude, I kinda felt that her coming out is brushed aside a little, but I wonder if she could have expanded more on how shame leaked out of her life through these experiences and whether or not they influenced how she came out and how she addresses period issues for all--including lesbians and lesbian couples--today.


Story: My Period and Me: A Trans Guy's Guide to Menstruation
Author: Wiley Reading
Mini Review: Menstruation is often used as a signifier in society for womanhood, even though this has been debunked many times. This story expands on how menstruation is not a signifier for womanhood.

Wiley Reading talks about his experiences with period and having to learn to separate bodily functions from how society defines womanhood, and understanding that gender identity and sex identity isn't as binary as we'd like to think. Instead of allowing this biological experience to negate his manhood, he gives a list of ways he copes by reminding himself that he is a man and associating with a community of trans guys who will better understand where is he coming from.

I think it is important to expand on this part as well. I'm curious to hear what advice Wiley Reading has to offer on this topic of gender identity to not just trans guys, but also trans girls and non-binary folks and how separating period from identity doesn't negate gender identity.

(Note: I had a better review for this story set up earlier, but my computer malfunctioned. Had to fix it and, as a result, I had to recreate this review as best as I could.)

Story: Black Blood
Author: Ashley Reese
Mini Review: Hitting puberty is a kind of milestone before receiving period, and Ashley Reese expands on how this affects Blacks specifically.

Ashley Reese expands on how breasts start growing early for almost a quarter of all Black girls (23%). This is in comparison to 15% of Latinas, 10% of White girls, and 2% of Asian girls. The oversexualization of Black girls also makes Black girls targets for sexual abuse. Appropriate educate about periods and the innocence of these young girls who experience puberty earlier than most demographics is absolutely necessary, and Ashley Reese expands on this through her work. It is important to keep these statistics in mind because of how society tends to view marginalized women, particularly focusing on Black girls in this piece, and strive to eliminate racist ideas even in these areas.

Something I would've liked to learn more about in this piece (and may learn more about through more research) is what is happening that Black girls are experiencing puberty and periods earlier. I think learning more about this would be incredibly helpful so that we can better work towards decreasing this incredibly high percentage.

Story: The Homeless Period: It Doesn't Bear Thinking about and That's the Problem
Author: Kylyssa Shay
Mini Review: When us women think about period, we think of its arrival, how it affects us, and of the resources we can utilize to help us with our periods. But what happens if our access to these products is cut off?

Kylyssa Shay addresses how homeless people are affected by period, especially focusing on how the lack of appropriate resources makes it difficult to take care of period. Additionally, Kylyssa Shay lists ways in which we can support others who are homeless and affected by periods. This kind of resolution is crucial, so that we better know how to take care of the issue.

Something I'd want to hear more about is what does she draw from her experiences and how they've affected her personally?

Story: Bad Blood
Author: Emma Straub
Mini Review: Although so many of us experience periods, there are also those whose experiences take on a whole new level.

Emma Straub expands on her own experiences with period, where she was losing incredibly high amounts of blood, was anemic as a result of losing such a significant amount of blood, and was constantly using the bathroom because of the excess blood. This affected her throughout her youth and into her adult years, until she found the reason for this excess loss of blood: fibroids.

She tells her story so that others may be aware of how severe periods can be an indication of a more serious issue. Through raising awareness through her story, she gives others the ability to identify whether or not there's a problem with their period and to also seek treatment.

I wonder what advice she would give to others who are experiencing the same (or even similar) problems, beyond seeking professional help. Are there any tips she'd give while the person is awaiting treatment?

Story: The Politics of Periods
Author: Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
Mini Review: Of course, in order to address periods appropriately, we need to understand the current politics of periods, how it is currently being addressed, and all current issues surrounding it. This is what Jennifer Weiss-Wolf expands on.

Weiss-Wolf addresses where we are in the fight for menstrual equity and how much farther we still need to go. Examples of how much farther we need to go includes eliminating the tampon tax (which sees period as a luxury as opposed to viewing it as a natural biological function) and consideration of providing tampons free or inexpensive for all.

We are still a long way from the end of the fight for menstrual equity, and this emphasizes the politics behind it. I do wonder, after having read this piece, what led Jennifer Weiss-Wolf towards delving more into the politics of periods and what her own individual story involving this is.


Story: Periods, According to Pop Culture
Author: Elizabeth Yuko
Mini Review: Periods aren't limited to just politics and our own personal stories. They can also expand into fictional areas. This is what Elizabeth Yuko expands on.

Elizabeth Yuko gives us further insight into how periods are addressed in media, including in helpful ways. But she also talks about any myths that circulate in the media. She brings up a wide range of resources as examples of how periods are made out to be bad (i.e. men try to avoid women during certain times of the month), and when they also perpetuate myths (i.e. women always experience sync up their periods). Elizabeth Yuko also addresses the period paradox, which is basically that women are told to "suck up" the pain and discomfort of period while also being told that this pain and discomfort is so debilitating that women are incapable of holding a position of power. I found this to be an interesting point, one that I've often thought about as well, and I'm glad that Yuko addressed it here.

I did notice that, based on the media mentioned here, there seem to be very limited fictional resources that openly discuss periods. Although not all literature and films will mention period, obviously, it seems like it's not addressed as often as it truly should be. I also wonder, based on this, what advice Elizabeth Yuko would give to addressing periods better in media, particularly in fiction?

This book delves into details about the movement towards menstrual equity and how it affects different individuals from diverse backgrounds. It discusses how menstruation is seen as a marker of womanhood, even though time and again this has proven to be a social construct. The book discusses how self-identified women and even trans-men are affected by period and how this concept ends up being used as an identifier for womanhood instead of being acknowledged as a bodily function. It discusses how Black girls are especially affected by the early onset of puberty and period. It discusses how homeless folks are especially affected by the lack of resources to take care of their periods. It discusses the politics of period and how much more change must be made in order to address the issue more completely.

On one hand, I feel that maybe the book should've been longer and/or held more stories. But then the book might not have been as meaningful as it is. I feel that the book should've re-ordered the stories so that "The Politics of Periods" is featured first or last in the anthology. But then people might not have wanted to delve into each person's individual story after reading "The Politics of Periods." Or, in the second scenario (being last in the anthology), the story that follows after this one--"Periods, According to Pop Culture"--wouldn't fit as well anywhere else since it does truly feel like a follow-up to "The Politics of Periods."

So I guess this book has, instead, left me with more questions than answers. But they say that some of the best books do, and I believe that to be true. If anyone ever asks me for a meaningful anthology, this will be among the top I would highly recommend.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a resale store. It was surrounded by old, classic books and stood out quite a bit. I’ve been more interested in reading about menstrual equity and following nonprofits that talk about it the the last few years. The essays are good and cover a variety of topics such as periods while experiencing homelessness, being trans and having a period, heavy periods, periods in pop culture, etc. I actually wish this was longer and filled with more essays! Several of the essays discussed how so often, young people are anxious to get their period, to feel older, to being able to talk about it amongst friends. I find this interesting as it was not my experience growing up, where none of my friends really talked about their periods specifically or being excited to have “finally” gotten theirs. Even as an adult, I can think of just a few friends who will talk about their period very openly without embarrassment. That’s why I think books on periods are so important and needed. This book in particular demonstrates that periods can differ a lot between people. Maybe younger people today will be able to see a larger variety in period literature and better understand that not every period is the same. And that items like tampons, pads, cups, etc should be accessible!!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many other reviewers, I found myself thinking that this is the book I wished for when I was younger and new to menstruation. I was pleased with the message that normal doesn't really exist, but at the same time, I am not sure my 11 year old self would be as appreciative of the message. I do think it's important to talk openly about it to try to relieve some of the stigma menstruation carries, and I was super impressed that this anthology included such diverse points of view, including intersex and trans authors. I'm pleased to have purchased a copy for my library, and it will certainly be one I recommend if anyone come hunting for information on the subject.

[Elizabeth Wanda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book brings to the reader's attention how part of the female life can be experienced on a multitude of levels. Of course, most of us are guilty of thinking how a regular occurrence of life in our own individual world (our period) is probably the same across the board of life. These stories help us realize that groups of women/people who may look like us, live like us, experience life like us, know us, etc. have a vastly different experience that our world has not introduced to us. For example, many of us have the beautiful luxury of living in a home whereas others have suffered a setback, a loss, a major life game change that has left them homeless. Therefore, life occurrences between these different groups of people are different. Stories include the impact of a period on a transgender, a young girl, a marathon runner, and more interesting and beautiful people.

Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Story line adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The art is clever and clear as to what the book is about.

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

See this review and more on Books and Ladders!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

This was alright. It had some interesting pieces but it was kind of boring. I would have liked them to be more personal essays than informational essays that had a tinge of personal to them.

[Liv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arghhh this had so much potential to be brilliant but it just felt a bit meaningless for me. Quite a few of the stories I felt didn't mention the bigger picture and solely focused on the individual, which is not what I was expecting from a book like this. I only liked two of the eleven stories: the one about men having periods, and the one about politics and periods. Disappointed.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because while periods are individually experienced, this book uses the thoughts of people from many diverse backgrounds to show that periods and shame associated with them are socially conceptualized and resisted.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about the personal being political - this is a must-read, as far as I'm concerned. These essays come from a variety of viewpoints - ages, abilities, races, etc. - some I hadn't thought about until this book. There are also a number of resources at the end of the book. My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this eye-opening book.

[Jay Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very eye opening on different peoples stories!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection on both normalising the menstruating experience, as well as opening one's eyes to the vast variety of ways in which people menstruate

[Commodore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, and as with most anthologies, some essays are markedly better than others. I liked the design of the book, red splash pages—no pun intended—before each essay and deckled red edges to the pages. It’s like the opposite of tampon and pad packaging that would rather self-destruct than announce what it’s for. The two essays on being homeless and on one’s period and being in a wheelchair were the most interesting and informative to me. I’ll be donating sanitary products to my homeless shelter from now on. We hear from women who desperately wanted their period as girls (up to and including lying about having it to their friends, which was a common enough occurrence that it’s mentioned in more than one essay), women who would do anything to have prevented getting their period as girls, and thankfully a little about what’s normal in a period and what isn’t, which is helpful to the younger audience this book is aimed at.

You can tell the book was published in 2018 because a lot of essays will contort themselves to avoid categorizing those who get periods. There’s even a deeply confusing quote from an activist who worked to make sanitary products free on campus that called them “bleeding bodies”, as in “bleeding bodies deserve to think about Foucault and micro-organisms and the history of the bleeding bodies that came before them.” I understand that not everyone who gets a period identifies as a girl or woman... but there’s a scientific term for the roughly 51% of the population who will likely menstruate at some point in their lives.

[Kristen Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this was going to explore women from different cultures/socioeconomic status and their experiences but it was just 12 stories of nonsense haha 1.5

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know where I first came across this book, it might have been here, it might have been while processing books at the library, but the fact is I did, and it caught my eye and intrigued me.
I am not normally a non-fiction person, though I am trying to read more non-fiction, so I was a little wary about this, on top of that I'm not a short story/essay person, so again I was curious if I would make it through this book.
So, the fact I give it 4 stars, it was really pretty good and I would recommend it (though be warned it is a little detailed in parts)
I found this incredibly easy to read and was able to read it in 3 sittings (it would have been 2 but I was gone from home all week and had to catch up on my soaps with my mum). I liked all the different stories from people, and while I would have loved it if there was a story about super irregular periods (constantly missing months) as something to relate to myself, it was interesting reading about other people's situations and stories.
This book was really well organized, and though I read it in order tou could quite easily read in whatever order you want and skip over an easy if you want.
I could not really tell you which essay was my favorite, but the two I liked the least were "Periods and Friendship" and "Periods, According to Pop Culture", the first because the dialogue felt so forced (and I know it was email but it still felt awkward) and the second partly because it was probably one of the longest (if not the longest) and because it was talking about pop culture that I really was never a part of. The years of pop culture covered I was either not born, or not in the U.S. and the references were very U.S. oriented (also I was probably pre-period age for most of them). So I just couldn't really connect or relate to the last essay.
I do find it useful there is a resource section, and I liked how the end of "The Homeless Period:It Doesn't Bear Thinking About and That's the Problem" gave suggestions on how to make a period kit (with not just what items to put in it but specific product types best suited for the kits and why.
So, I think I'll end this review before it ends up being an essay, and wrap up simply by saying I am glad I read it, it was well structured and well written, and I would absolutely recommend it.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essays were clear, concise, and sometimes slightly funny. I genuinely liked the book, and plan to read it again. It taught me a lot about my period, and about the periods of others as well, and honestly, changed my whole view about periods as a strictly feminine thing. The essays showed me that periods happen to 50% of the population, which is a percentage full of diversity. I also liked how the book brought up the societal stigma that comes with having periods, and how period jokes are offensive. It also brought up the myth of "periods happening on a regular schedule" which, to be honest, I didn't even know that was a myth until recently! I love how these writers are freely able to explore their periods without the stigma, describing how messy, yet human, they are, and how they can connect people of different backgrounds. I'm so glad I picked this baby up from the dollar store (to be honest, I was so surprised to find it there!) It lured me in with it's pretty pink title, and for once, I'm so happy I judged a book by its' cover!
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this to anyone having periods, since the experience of menstruating is so often shamed in society, and finding a book like this was a great comfort.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book a 3 star because of the subject matter and the fact that they have done a really good job diversifying the stories to present many perspectives. But overall, I found it disappointing. As a mom, looking for something my daughter could read that would entertain as well as inform her about menstruation, this was a total let down.

There are a ton of books about the science of menstruation and what changes the body goes through. There are also books that deal with the activism/feminism of periods. What my daughter wants to read are stories about real people who have had their period and who've had to deal with it. What it was like. What it is like. What is normal. The best piece in this book for that was the one about the woman who had excessive (like really excessive) bleeding. Everything else was more political or instructional but in a way that just won't appeal to her and thus falls short of the mark.

[Emily✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Menstruation stigma is a global human rights issue. When people who menstruate don’t have the means to safely manage their periods, when they don’t have access to supplies, or to bathrooms where they feel safe, they miss out on education and the opportunities it leads to. All societies suffer when half their populations have their educational and economic potential cut short.

3.5 stars. Period is a collection of essays, mostly biographical, by various authors surrounding the subject of menstruation. It is not a book about reproductive anatomy, but rather how periods affect the people who experience them, in ways as varied and similar as the people are themselves. It is about the culture of shame and silence that has historically surrounded this topic, and the necessity of sharing period stories in order to normalize this experience and move toward making it equitable and non-limiting for all.

Periods happen to lots and lots of people. Many of them are women and girls, but those of us who are something else should have a context for our experience and a way of talking about it without being misgendered.

What this essay collection has accomplished really well is including a diverse range of contributors. Included are essays about having a period while: intersex; transgender; black; wheelchair-bound; homeless. The essays are fairly US-centric, though. I especially enjoyed Kylyssa Shay's essay on homeless menstrual experiences and Jennifer Weiss-Wolf's about the politics of periods (including the "Tampon Tax"). I've been inspired to start regularly donating menstrual products to local shelters and charities.

It’s not unreasonable to provide free menstrual products everywhere[…] We have free toilet paper, so wanting the same for menstrual products is not extreme. This is a normal human function.

Though many of the essays were short and a bit shallow, I think Period broaches a taboo topic in an accessible and attractive way. The book has a very pleasing format and design, which is a mixture of the traditionally feminine (pink, fancy typescript) and traditionally grotesque ("blood-stained" edges and splash pages). There's also suggestions for further reading/watching in the back of the book. This is a quick read, and worth the time it takes to do so.

By establishing an expectation of period shaming, many modern societies prevent the opportunity to actually bond over an experience that half of the world’s population will likely have in their life.

[Sharondblk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud the attempt to remove shame from what is a basic biological function, and the attempt to hear a variety of voices on the topic. The problem for me is that essays were all really shallow, and did not explore the topic deeply. By essay 12 - a very shallow cultural review - I was only reading because I like to finish things.
I deliberately spread out the chapters, because I know books like this can often feel a bit samey by the end, but that didn't help. Maybe there is something to be said for the universality of period stories, despite the breadth it felt like they were aiming for. I would have welcoming this book when I was 14, and I'm glad the stigma around talking about periods is being lifted. This book is a valuable contributor to that, even if I did find it rather tedious.

[Ery Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

destigmatizing periods and talking about them - as well as reminding people that periods are not exclusive to women - is important work. I appreciated the full array of perspectives presented in this text. especially the trans & intersex perspectives. I just wish the book was more geared toward teens.

it looks like YA based on the cover and the marketing. BUT as a whole, many of these essays feel very, women in their 30s talking about what they wish they had rather than providing that to teens. the sense of audience was confused. and so many of the pop culture references are from things way older than teens growing up today.

the most valuable piece from this book is the references list in the back of the book. proliferate copies ppl

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but I did wind up skimming or skipping some essays, so there's that. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it felt like women's /gender studies 101 a bit to me. I dunno - maybe at age 50, I just have little interest in reading about anyone's first period experiences. The essay on having a period while homeless was useful. And I loved the essay on free bleeding while running a marathon. Folks who are looking for trans and intersex writing on periods will find essays here. But what gives about the essay that's really a series of emails between two friends talking about "period feminism"? What the hell is "period feminism"? The only reference to that phrase I could find googling was from - ugh - the founder of Thinx (a brand of period underwear), hardly a feminist.

[Abby Kloska · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Period is unlike any other book I've read before. There isn't one single author to this book because it is written by twelve people and their perspectives. I thought this book was great because I got insights into other people's lives who deal with menstruation. I never thought about what it would be like to be a woman and not have a period. While many of us might see that as a blessing, it also means infertility. I also got to learn through the perspectives of trans men who still have a uterus. Even though they might wish it would go away, it doesn't. I loved being introduced to new suggestions about menstruation that I hadn't thought of before. Overall, this book is a great source of education for those who want enlightening stories about menstruation.

[parva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I needed. I was seeking more information about how other females and people who get periods respond to their flow and how that impacts them and other people. I love how in-depth each other went into their period journeys or how society reacts to periods. The only thing that help me back from giving this 5 stars to that the author's stories are not organized into categories based on similarity. I think that organizing the book by first-period stories, unique perspectives, and then societal perceptions of periods that would give the book a better flow (no pun intended) all together, as opposed to putting these others in another order.

[Crystal (Goddess in the Stacks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Period consists of twelve essays about periods. The authors are wonderfully diverse, covering intersex, disabled, POC, and trans individuals. There are stories about fibroids, about wishing to have periods, wishing not to have periods, pads vs tampons, having periods at work, dealing with a period while being homeless, running a marathon while menstruating - just an amazing variety of experiences with periods. Some of the essays talk about how menstruation is treated in pop culture, from the famous "blue liquid" of pad commercials to the sitcom trope of "angry woman is irrational because she's on her period."

I think this is a book that every parent of a young daughter should read. I say that because it's a little advanced, so perhaps not a book to hand to every pre-pubescent girl, but there's a lot in it about what we teach our girls about their periods. Any person who has ever wondered if their period is normal should also read this book. There is SO. MUCH. VARIETY. when it comes to menstruation. But while there is plenty of variety that is normal, there is some that isn't. The essay about the fibroids is an example of this. That level of bleeding is NOT normal, and it's dangerous to tell people that it is. But because we don't TALK about periods, people unfortunately assume things are normal that aren't.

The book also makes me want to put together some hygiene kits for the homeless women I see in Baltimore. I'd never really thought about how difficult it is to deal with your period while homeless. Some pads/tampons, some hand sanitizer, and some cleaning wipes in a ziploc would go a long way towards making their lives a lot easier. The essay about having periods while homeless includes some ideas for kits to give out.

Overall, this is a very educating (and entertaining!) read. For those with periods AND those without. Menstruation should stop being a shameful topic. It's a health issue.

You can find all my reviews at Goddess in the Stacks.

[Mackenzie Kegley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really accessible intro to concepts like menstrual equality and period positivity. It’s geared toward a younger audience and I can imagine this being a really powerful tool compared to other resources used in middle and high schools to “educate” students. While it’s not necessarily groundbreaking, people already familiar with these topics might also enjoy it or may find it a helpful tool to recommend to others who may not have as much knowledge. My favorite essays in this collection were by Dilone, Friedman & Sow, Reading, and Reese.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about something so ordinary and being so shocked at its frankness just shows how still in the dark even we who go through this every month (or more or less) are. AND HOW USELESS U.S. "SEX ED" aka "family life" curriculum IS! A book like this, or selections from it, should be required reading for everyone in middle and/or high school. Anger aside, momentarily, I'll just say I'm glad the book exists. Thanks to all its contributors.

[Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great piece to open more discussions and shine a positive light in periods. While I, an adult woman, found the design (red, blood smeared pages and chapter pages that look like period tissue) to be part of the charm and openness of the book, I completely can see that being very off-putting for young girls and make them decide against picking this book up (I would have been very embarrassed by it when I was young). Still, it's an important book, and I appreciated it.