Tampons are discussed in the Talmud, which was put into writing in the early 1st millennium AD. They were intended for absorption of semen to prevent pregnancy rather than to absorb menstrual flow. Sort of an early contraceptive sponge, really.
from MUM
Hello, Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health!
My name is John Larsson and I work for Use-IT. Right now I'm commissioned by Libresse. I'm writing you because I've visited your Web site and have a link-tip for you:
Libresse Xpresse - http://www.libresse.com - is a new community where girls can talk about love, health and lifestyle or get advice from experts about menstruation and PMS.
Please let me know if you will place a link. Thank you!
Best Regards,
John Larsson
Use-IT Information AB
Eastmanvägen 18
113 24 Stockholm
Sweden
http://www.use-it.se
I have to admit that I, too, did a double take when I first saw your Web site.
I stayed to read more only because Ocean Grove [in New Jersey, U.S.A., the home of MUM board member Miki Walsh] was my childhood home.
But as I read along I realized that this very undiscussed topic needed to be addressed.
Our church just had a doctor from our congregation give a presentation to the women about it. So, we are making some headway.
As for "its" blessings, a least once a month my house gets cleaned. I go on an uncontrolled cleaning frenzy the week before. Nesting urge, I guess. Also, I get a chance to hibernate and take a break from some responsibilities. I couldn't do that very much when the kids were little, and really lost my sanity.
Here's a switch. I'm 52 years old, and for the first time in my life (since I entered my fifties) I'm as regular as clockwork. My body seems to have always done everything in reverse. Has anyone else had similar experiences? At this point it seems like I'm going to be the only grandmother who'll have to run to the ladies room in the middle of here grandchild's graduation. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks
P.S. I miss Ocean Grove so much! Take good care of that wonderful square mile. [Miki is taking this into consideration.]
My friend and I have been working on our history fair project that is on tampons. We have really enjoyed looking over your site. There was so much information on menstruation that we had no idea even existed.
I think that you should be commended for creating a museum on menstruation even though some have said you shouldn't and also for keeping up-to-date information on the Web.
I hope that you are successful in finding a better place for your museum.
Please, may I post a letter on your letter page?
I'm researching a documentary for the BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] about menstruation - myths and facts and blessing or curse.
I have much information about the curse and predjudice but I am finding scant information about the blessing! I was thrilled to find medical information linking surgery for breast cancer and the menstrual cycle and the New Scientist report about differing medication levels required during the 28-day cycle, and the research about eating requirements differing during the cycle etc., but I want to hear from women who have evidence of the cycle as a blessing, for example, artists, writers, etc., who are at their most creative whilst menstruating.
I also want to meet women who practice menstrual seclusion, as with menstrual huts of the past [and of the present; women still use menstrual huts].
And anything and everything to do with research into menstruation.
Next week I am interviewing Mr Peter Redgrove and Penelope Shuttle who wrote the first book on menstruation that offered positive information, The Wise Wound, 1978. I am very excited about asking many questions resulting from the book. If you have any questions for them pertaining to the book or their second book, Alchemy for Women, about the dream cycle corresponding to the menstrual cycle, I would be delighted to forward them to them on your behalf. They are not on the net so any questions would have to have addresses!
Thank you so much for this glorious Web site [many thanks to you for saying that!] and I look forward to hearing from visitors to your site.
Ali Kedge.
ali@shortkedge.freeserve.co.uk or fflic.zip@business.ntl.com
Irregular menses identify women at high risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which exists in 6-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a major cause of infertility and is linked to diabetes.