“The Story Of Menstruation” by Disney & Kotex, 1946
I was expecting to scoff at this, but instead, I found it quite wise and comforting. I learned a lot, not least that I’m apparently taking orders from the pituitary gland like some Soviet-era lady-spy. The narrator’s matronly, even-tempered voice spoke right to my heart:
- “Try not to throw yourself off schedule by getting over-tired, emotionally upset, or catching cold.” Ain’t that the truth.
- “Some girls have a little less pep … perhaps an occasional twinge or a touch of nerves.” That’s it, I’m dropping the term “PMS” from my lexicon (it’s overused and abused, and vaguely sexist, to boot). From now on, it’s: “Oh don’t mind me, it’s but a twinge….”
- “Don’t let it get you down. After all, no matter how you feel, you have to live with people. You have to live with yourself, too.” That is the simplest and most satisfying reminder of why we keep on keepin’ on, and I mean all of us: women and men, boys and girls, and everyone in between.
- “Avoid constipation.” Yes.
- “And incidentally, it’s smart to keep looking smart. That well-groomed feeling will give you new poise and lift your morale!’ Yes, yes, yes.
- “The best possible insurance against trouble on those days, is healthy living every day.” Yes.
- “There’s nothing strange nor mysterious about menstruation. All life is built on cycles….” Yes: few men realize that their moods and bodies are also influenced by hormonal cycles.
I’d love to get my hands on the booklet, “Very Personally Yours.”
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The Great American Cooking Project
Notes from others: