Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation

by Susan Kim and Elissa Stein

In this hip, funny, and irreverent book, menstruation is explored historically and socially. This full-color book not only offers a trove of fascinating information, but presents a pictorial history of this complex, secret, and uniquely female process.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031237996X
• ISBN13: 9780312379964
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Griffin
• Length: 271 Pages
• Weight: 2.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Amazing book with an important message, not just menstrual trivia!

This book is amazing. I read it cover to cover in about 2 weeks, and it only took that long because I teach full time and am in grad school. The main point of this book is that women's periods (and related processes such as menopause) have historically been viewed as dirty, wrong, or even diseased (this is not, of course when they're being ignored which also happens way too much), and such views have been used to explain and enforce why women are inferior, create feelings of shame and embarrassment, and make a LOT of money for various pharmaceutical and feminine care companies (often with little consideration of the affects on women's health or safety). However, the authors argue that these ideas (and the feelings they create in both women and men) are not only often outdated, wrong, and disturbing, but even possibly dangerous. The information is the book was eye opening to say the least. I realized that many of the questions I had were shared by countless women, and I have a much better understanding of my body now. Many topics were addressed that I was not even aware of, and I have been studying this sort of thing for a while. I am so glad they talked about feminine care items, issues with mass produced items, and possible alternatives. Am I going to rush out and change how I do things? Probably not, but it's nice to have information that's current and presents both the positives and negatives. The amount of information in this book is astounding. On this basis alone, I have recommended it to every friend I have (even some of the men!). That the authors present this information with humor and honesty was very refreshing and kept me interested (this is not a dry, boring textbook!). Is there an agenda in this book? YES! Arguably, there are several. Still, the most basic one, that women need to stop feeling dirty or embarrassed or ashamed, by a completely natural process which we pretty much all go through is one that I think almost every woman can support. The idea that women's needs should be addressed in a style that is most healthy for women (and maybe even the earth) instead of what will put the most money in the pockets of big companies is another one I think we can all get behind. Even the authors admit that some of the "pro-menstruation" stuff out there is a little much, but just because some of it is not your cup of tea is not a good enough reason to dismiss it all. The authors lay all of the information to support their argument in a rather organized fashion, and the research seems pretty sound. There is a lot of information about historical views or actions, but most of them contribute to the overall point of the book. As mentioned, the humor is fun and keeps things moving. Some of the information was scary or infuriating, but in the "women need to know this is going on because it affects our health" way. A very little bit of it was down right icky, but again, mostly relevant and important. Overall, I would recommend to any woman t

Blessing or Curse?

This book is informative, disturbing, infuriating....and fun. The authors address the gamut of issues involving menstruation, from physiological causes/effects, to cultural taboos and traditions, social history and ethical concerns. The writing style at times is a little TOO breezy/chatty, but the illustrations (a lot of vintage advertisements for "femcare products") more than make up for that. Even though this book is packed with data, and offers a lot of food for thought, you can sail through it in one sitting. Even a casual reading will give you insights into this pivotal, and still largely hidden, aspect of women's lives. Some examples: --References to menstruation are still largely euphemistic; the best one listed here is the Danish phrase, "The Communists are in the funhouse!" --Way back in 1918, Sears, Roebuck used to sell vibrators. With attachments. --Primates (like us) and some species of bats and shrews are the only mammals that really mentstruate. --Lysol douches were popular from the 1920's until the 1960's. Lysol, which shares germicidal properties with carbolic acid, was a highly recommended treatment for "offensive" vaginal odors. This initiated a vicious cycle, so to speak: a self-conscious, but often healthy, woman would douche with Lysol and kill off normal flora (and scald her tissues), which would pave the way for bacterial/yeast infections, which WOULD cause an offensive odor, which would compel her to douche more often. Because an abnormal body odor in a normally clean person indicates an underlying problem, women who actually did have a raging infection only made matters worse with this frequent purging. --Menstruating women have more nightmares, and erotic dreams, then when not menstruating. Plus, they can hold alcohol better. Good to know. --Female sexual climax has historically been frowned upon (by men), but clitoral stimulation was often performed in a doctor's office to address "hysteria," during the 19th/early 20th Centuries. Kinda creepy, no? --The independence that resulted when "femcare products" became available was a huge leap for women in society. This advance cannot be overstated. --Big Pharma has a big stake in women's health: there are more than 500 PMU farms in the US, where thousands of mares are kept pregnant so that their urine can be processed for hormone replacement therapies. (The foals that result from these gravid horses are usually sold to pet food companies.) Newer drugs that can suppress menstruation are also huge moneymakers, although there isn't a lot of long-term research available on the effects of such hormonal manipulation. --Religious authorities, especially in the West, tend to be really wigged out by the idea of menstruation (with the possible exception of Jesus Himself, who in Matthew 9:20-22 apparently cured a woman who suffered from menorraghia, or abnormally excessive flow). --Some Orthodox Jews believe that if a menstruating woman walks between two men, one will dr

Very interesting

My girlfriend bought this book and I decided to check it out. It was pretty fascinating for a guy like me to read about a subject that's really not too much talked about-- and the pictures and art were beautiful; definitely the kind of book to keep on display. I am a 41 year old male, possibly not the audience one might imagine for this book, but I think it was a great read, and kept me turning pages for hours.

A groundbreaking book

This is a very interesting and informative book. Not for women solely, but for anyone interested in learning more about a subject that there's definitely a lot more to be learned about. My boyfriend picked up my copy of this book and started rifling through it. "This is a really good book, I am going to read the whole thing," he said. I agree, excellent book. Educational, fun, and also the book itself is coffee table ready in appearance. I definitely suggest checking this one out.

A Must-Read!

Informative and funny, FLOW is a guide for all women who have had to sit through the requisite "growing up" videos in grade school and fuzzy advice from their mothers. I even learned a thing or two! But aside from its educational value, the book puts a pop culture twist on this oft-taboo subject, making menstruation accessible and open to conversation. Plus, vintage ads! Who doesn't love vintage ads? A great conversation starter for all the women (and men!) in your life.