Some of you may know I wrote my BA dissertation on the representation of periods
in advertisements, which lead on to the information given to young girls about
periods. My research found that not only were "information" pamphlets invented
by sanitary towel/tampon companies and written by men, they created a precedent
for all other information given to girls and women down to this day (not least
because adverts are one of the only sources of information available).

In short, from my research and my own experience, I have concluded that the
information given out to girls and women at the moment through "educational"
pamphlets and adverts is a bunch of crap.

I would like to somehow produce alternative information because I just can't get
periods off my mind! This is still in the idea stage, so I'm not sure what
format this information might take, be it a website, book, pamphlet, lesson
plan, seminar or what. But I want my information to reflect actual lived
experience of periods (or lack of them).

I think the best (and least used) way for women to find out about periods is to
talk to other women, so, I'd like to invite anyone who is interested to tell me
about their periods!

Anyone who contributes will have their responses treated strictly
confidentially, and will be informed about the progress of this idea.
Permission will be sought if, down the line, I would like to use quotes from the
comments in some way. I will not use the information in any way without
permission.

I am interested in every woman's experience. All women are part of the
"periods" continuum, even if she has never had a period. Indeed, contributions
from women whose reproductive function is outside the very narrow definition of
"normal" given in textbooks are most welcome and valuable.

To help you, you might like to answer some of these questions:

Are your periods different to how you were taught they would be when younger?
How?
Are they the same as how you were taught they would be?
Do you have strong feelings about your periods?
Are you feelings affected by the way periods were presented to you when you were
younger?
How would you have liked to find out about/be taught about your periods?
How do you deal with the practicalities of periods?
Have your periods changed as you have got older?
Have your methods of dealing with them/thinking about them changed?
Do you have any thoughts on PMS? The medicalisation of periods?
Do you have any hints or tips?
Do you think it is possible to control your periods?
What has surprised you about your periods?

You can email me at jezzburton@...

If you are interested in adverts/pamphlets for girls you could request my
dissertation or look at
http://www.mum.org
or
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/adaccess/

thanks all!
Jess
xxx