Smith, Heidi

Holt, Deborah

Ludington, Morgan Cheyenne

2025-06-24T10:58:11Z

2025-06-24T10:58:11Z

2025-06-24

BACKGROUND: This social justice research elevates menstruators’ voices and validates experiences by curating their stories through narrative inquiry and creative expressions. Researchers posit that menstruation is more than blood, it is a holistic experience mediated by natural bodily processes and sociocultural influences (Bobel, 2010; Fahs, 2016; Peranovic & Bentley, 2017). Fahs (2016) recommends action, stating “we need new menstrual stories, ones that adequately capture the ways that seemingly ordinary processes of the body can have extraordinary implications for social justice movements” (p. 6). These key perspectives focused this research to explore personal menstruation experiences within one’s unique web of social, cultural, and political spheres of influence, though the bodily experience remains inseparable. The silences of menstruation experiences need shattering to allow for wider understandings of the lived experiences of women. These stories have potential to enable actionable interventions to improve menstrual health and dignity. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: It takes one brave voice to share their stories for others to realise they are not alone, and this is supported by those who create safe spaces for them to be heard. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to provide a space for participants to explore their menstruation experiences in-depth with a trusted researcher. The data gathered and presented here makes a significant contribution to menstrual and women’s health research discourses while maintaining a uniquely holistic and participant-led format. The guiding research questions are as follows: Main Research Question: How do social, cultural, and political contexts affect individual menstruation experiences around the globe? Research Sub-Question 1: How do menstrual stigmas affect the personal experience through social, cultural, and political interactions? Research Sub-Question 2: Can sharing menstruation stories reduce stigma around menstruation and promote progression of true gender equality? METHODS: This research utilised a feminist approach with narrative inquiry through six in-depth one-hour long interviews with five participants over six months. Interviews were conducted through Zoom, as participants were located in various parts of the world (United States of America, Norway, Italy, India, and Kenya). Participants also had the option to share creative expressions to supplement their narratives (Clandinin & Connelly, 1990, p. 4; Denzin & Lincoln, 2018, p. 100). The interviews were semi-structured, meant to support and prompt discussion while flexible enough for the participant to lead. Interviews were transcribed and then member-checked by participants, aiding the trustworthiness of the data. The first cycle of analysis involved analytic memos in the form of words and drawings on the margins of the transcripts. I also explored the emotions and physical experiences described by participants through dance and movement, embodying their narratives. The second cycle of analysis focused on coding to bring structure and organisation to the data. Through these analysis methods, I created a layered account of the data. Participants were chosen based on pre-existing trusted friendships, higher education, and history of open and deep discussions on menstruation or similar topics with myself. Mutual trust was paramount to gaining the depth and vulnerability that this research required, which supports the choice to recruit friends as participants (Tillmann-Healy, 2003, p. 733). Trust was strengthened throughout the interviews, with me trusting each participant to share and explore personal experiences and them trusting me to respect and honour their stories. Ultimately, they all expressed thankfulness for the space to discuss menstruation in such depth and the care I showed in guiding our conversations. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: Concepts such as self-surveillance, sexualisation of female bodies, isolation, silence, men’s reactions, pain, PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), lack of effective and empathetic healthcare, and desire to share more were discussed with each participant. For those who shared creative expressions, the importance of mind and body connection was highlighted. Participants noted that this research sparked an interest to learn more about menstruation, recognition of how impactful it is to everyday life, and a drive to increase knowledge and awareness in their spheres of influence. Through reflecting on early experiences, the participants came to a greater understanding of their present experiences and thoughts on menstruation. This research followed Fahs’ (2016) call to action and found that sharing stories is a vital part of increasing knowledge, decreasing stigmas, and can inspire social justice actions around menstruation experiences. CONCLUSION: This research curated in-depth narratives and creative expressions of menstruation experiences from five participants. These narratives were then discussed thoroughly alongside other research, firmly grounding the importance of holistic understandings of menstruation. The findings begin to reduce the stigma and silence around menstruation and show the power of sharing stories. Participants found empowerment and the strength to reclaim their bodies and stories through the interviews and creative expressions. They were also inspired to take action to improve menstruation experiences for themselves and others because of their involvement in this research. Their reflections have the power to guide future research and interventions to improve menstruation experiences world-wide within social, cultural, and political spheres of influence. This emotive report demonstrates the value of women-led research, menstruators’ voices, and creative ways of knowing that can lead to acceptance, empathy, and action to improve menstrual experiences around the world. Our voices and stories will no longer be silenced or ignored, our bodies no longer used to oppress us through stigma and shame.

https://hdl.handle.net/1842/43603

http://dx.doi.org/10.7488/era/6136

en

The University of Edinburgh

Ludington, M. (2023). Unwrapping the bloody truth of menstrual isolation: menstruation experiences of individuals and leaders in the outdoors. Horizons Magazine.

Ludington, M. (2025). Menstrual Cycle Scarf: Art description. The House of Smalls Art Gallery: Contexture Catalogue. Edinburgh, UK.

menstruation

stigma

periods

narrative

social

cultural

political

Shattering the silence: holistic narratives of menstruation

Thesis or Dissertation

Doctoral

PhD Doctor of Philosophy