Menstruation. . .or no menstruation - Writers Forum

FinnMacCool · 04-20-2006, 02:38 AM

This is probably going to be one of the weirdest questions I ever ask on here. I have this story I'm writing, whose main character is a girl in medevial era (in a fantasy world though) that goes on a journey, and it chornicles her adventures from a young girl. I am trying to make this story realistic in its portrayal of a coming of age young person but I have not realized, up until now, that since I chose a female as the main character, this is a subject which I might have to touch on.

I thought that, without the guidance of some kind of parent, that the first time a girl experiences her period would be a tad bit frightening. I thought that this might create an interesting and maybe even funny event in the book. However, as the story marches on I'm starting to realize the admittedly obvious problems with adding it.

1) I'm not a woman. I don't really care about writing on different sexes but it is going to be a tad strange writing on a subject which I have not and, if I'm a normal male human being, will never have.
2) I have absolutely no idea what a woman would use in those days. I'm sure theres information. . .somewhere. . .but it might just be wasted effort since its only a small part.
3) My efforts might turn the reader off (no pun intended, just in case I'm making one unawares), or else make the whole thing look rather rediculous.

So. . . .what in the world should I do?

Hodge · 04-20-2006, 02:50 AM

Why would it turn the reader off? Menstruation is a part of life. I don't think they had any sort of primitive tampons back then, but they might have had extra thick underwear or something. Girls knew about it, too. Sex wasn't hidden back then like it is today. How could it have been? It isn't like mom and dad had a big "master bedroom" with thick walls and a thick door separating them from their kids.

FinnMacCool · 04-20-2006, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodge

Why would it turn the reader off? Menstruation is a part of life. I don't think they had any sort of primitive tampons back then, but they might have had extra thick underwear or something. Girls knew about it, too. Sex wasn't hidden back then like it is today. How could it have been? It isn't like mom and dad had a big "master bedroom" with thick walls and a thick door separating them from their kids.

Well I'm not so worried about sex. You will excuse me for not going into details since I'm not to keen on throwing them around here but I've attempted to explore a type of society which exists on voluntary order, and which, at its core, does not consider basic human neccesitys such as sex a taboo, but a need (as I believe it should be considered).

Because of this, I was actually going to include it and later throw back to some early lessons taught in an open and honest way by her mother and even her father. I'm just trying to play to the readers here, you know. But I think what I'm most concerned about is if a male can write about something like that, in as good a way as a female can or, at the very least, in a belivable way that isn't stupid.

Bika · 04-20-2006, 02:58 AM

If it is a small part, and makes no difference if it is included or not (will it affect the girl's character/future, or give insight into the girl's character that can't/won't be given elsewhere?), and you're unconfortable/not confident with the idea of writing it, then, were I you, I would leave it out.

StephenP2003 · 04-20-2006, 03:24 AM

How long is this story? If it's a short (less than 2 or 3 thousand words), then perhaps discussing menstruation might end up seeming like a more important part than you want it to be.

If it's in more of the novella range, then I do like the idea of adding that in there, a bit of a humorous break from the progressing plot.

Still, it's up to you. If it's left out, I doubt anyone will read your story and wonder why you failed to include a bleeding vagina.

K-P · 04-20-2006, 11:02 AM

Does this medieval fantasy era have tampons or maxi pads? It might be interesting if she starts getting cramps right in the middle of a big battle or when she's trying to sneak up on some villianous guards.
This would be something I've never heard of in a fantasy story, maybe the new kind of element the genre needs to finally make its mark in the literary world.

FinnMacCool · 04-20-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-P

Does this medieval fantasy era have tampons or maxi pads? It might be interesting if she starts getting cramps right in the middle of a big battle or when she's trying to sneak up on some villianous guards.
This would be something I've never heard of in a fantasy story, maybe the new kind of element the genre needs to finally make its mark in the literary world.

Ah it has happened in Berserk, which is a japanese manga I read but still it is an interesting thought.

As for the length of my story, well its already reached like 40 pages and
it's still only the beginningso I think I'm definatly going to be hovering around novel length.

FrankBlissett · 04-20-2006, 12:41 PM

I say "go for it" - you can always cut in in a later draft. Do the best research you can, and write it out. Then show the chapter it's in to the women in your life (or on one of these boards) and ask for advice.

-Frank

valeca · 04-20-2006, 01:16 PM

If you're showing her maturing both mentally and physically, then use it. It's a defining moment in a female's life. If it's fantasy, then invent something for her to use, otherwise start considering her class--someone in a higher social class might use some sort of cotton scraps that would be washed out by meanials. If you're looking to use something from actual history, people of a lower social class have used things like shredded bark and/or soft mosses.

It's not a new thing to find in literature. The ones that immediately come to mind for 'coming of age' female stories are, The Thorn Birds--the MC thought she was dying because she was bleeding, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Personally, having cramps suddenly come on during battle would turn me off. It's unrealistic that she'd notice something like menstral cramps when fighting for her life. To be perfectly honest, I'd start thinking, "Yup, written by a guy and he doesn't have a clue." Sorry, K-P...not a cut to you personally, I just don't like the idea.

Madeline · 04-20-2006, 02:23 PM

From asking a friend, feminine hygiene products have been available for thousands of years. For instance, in many cultures sea sponges are used (to this day) and both moss* and sheep's wool were used historically (it's surprisingly absorbent when felted**).

Forgot to mention, if your character was to have nettle tea that would counter cramping.

* my friend says some mosses can induce menstruation so be vague about which moss if you go with that one

** felting - using soap and water mix - many plants have saponin which produce a lather

suzakugaiden · 04-20-2006, 03:32 PM

Someone asked roughly this EXACT SAME QUESTION last summer. Weird.

imrhati · 04-20-2006, 03:45 PM

wow... i never even close to considered someone would touch upon something like this in fantasy. Seriously i gasped when Robert Jordan talked about getting a boner in wheel of time, personally this would really turn me off.

FinnMacCool · 04-20-2006, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I have a rough idea about what I'm gonna do when I get to that point. You've been a big help all.

Ilan Bouchard · 04-20-2006, 10:13 PM

Make her totally bitchy, that way the guys can relate to it as well.

suzakugaiden · 04-20-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Seriously i gasped when Robert Jordan talked about getting a boner in wheel of time, personally this would really turn me off.

Eh, most fantasy novels are pretty masturbatory as is. It's not that surprising ;P

Oh, anyway, most readers are pretty hard to offend. Unless they're, like, complete wimps. I mean, heck, there are probably a lot of people who would consider a five page dissertation on menstruation to be brilliant, assuming you told it with a relatively snappy and interesting tone, and were more personal than biological about it.