Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Mentor/Supervising Professor Name
Diller, Lisa
Presentation Location
On Campus
Description
In the 19th century, menstruation was a topic often vieled in silence and misinformation. Nonetheless, it is pivotal in discussions on women's agency and societal shifts. This paper explores 19th-century medical perceptions, the dissemination of reproductive knowledge through women's publications, and a case study of Adventist health publications. Through primary source analysis, this paper reveals how access to medical knowledge empowered women, especially in pursuing higher education. Additionally, examination of Adventist health publications showcases alternative remedies to menstrual disorders, granting women control over their reproductive health. This study illuminates the intersection of menstruation, women's agency, and societal change, emphasizing the role of medical knowledge in challenging norms and promoting gender equality.
Included in
History of Gender Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, United States History Commons, Women's History Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Silent Cycles: Unveiling 19th-Century Perspectives on Menstruation, Women's Agency, and Societal Transformations
On Campus
In the 19th century, menstruation was a topic often vieled in silence and misinformation. Nonetheless, it is pivotal in discussions on women's agency and societal shifts. This paper explores 19th-century medical perceptions, the dissemination of reproductive knowledge through women's publications, and a case study of Adventist health publications. Through primary source analysis, this paper reveals how access to medical knowledge empowered women, especially in pursuing higher education. Additionally, examination of Adventist health publications showcases alternative remedies to menstrual disorders, granting women control over their reproductive health. This study illuminates the intersection of menstruation, women's agency, and societal change, emphasizing the role of medical knowledge in challenging norms and promoting gender equality.