Menstruation
"Menstruation is the only blood that is not born from violence, yet it's the one that disgusts you the most."
-anonymous
Menstrual taboos are still present in almost all cultures, where periods are associated with disgust and dirt which causes the person to be ashamed and hide it. Even in western developed societies those who menstruates are faced with the problem of its mysticism. There is such an intense attempt to hide and inhibit anything related to periods that the word “period” itself causes discomfort. This leads to ignorance concerning the issue that consequently leads to not prioritizing it an essential health need.
It is important to speak, demystify and understand the consequences of the frightened and disgusted approach that the majority of people have. After all, menstruation is a political, social, economic and religious topic.
Menstruation and Mental Health
PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
Many people are familiarized with the term PMS. It is usually used in a derogatory way towards a person that's being emotional. The problem in this situation is that PMS is a syndrome that affects the body physically and emotionally and many people, due to the stigma, end up suppressing it and not seeking for help or treatment. The problem only aggravates when talking about PMDD. PMDD is a severe form of PMS that many times restricts the person from having a normal daily life for a week or two a month. It is most associated with depression and anger. The main problem with this disorder is the lack of awareness and research made on the topic. Usually people that have it don't know what it is and, to add, it's very hard to get diagnosed and get the right treatment because even doctors aren't usually aware of this disorder. Mental health and sexual and reproductive health are still social taboos and that leads to major obstacles in a person's life.
The project started with a briefing that challenged to make a composition only out of one unlikely material/object. I chose menstruation blood seen under a microscope.
The experience of looking at menstrual blood at a microscopic level was memorable: I was expecting to see something much more underwhelming and was surprised with the massive amount of textures and colors in just a small millimeter. As a designer, I was amazed. But as a woman, I was moved. It was an intimate moment with myself that I will always cherish.
Photos were taken through the microscope lenses and were later used to create a poster and an informative zine about PMDD.
Photos were taken through the microscope lenses and were later used to create a poster and an informative zine about PMDD.
All the graphics in this project were made from the photos taken to the menstrual blood through the microscope lenses.
The final composition was made with the compilation of 124 photos.
The poster tries to simulate the act of looking through the microscope and discovering a whole new imperceptible world.
The abstract shapes in the zine were all made from blood paths and cracks.
All shapes and images in the zine were made with the individual photos taken during the experiment.
Typeface: Iconique Serif (Trial) by Nguyen Type
