Everyday (online) body politics of menstruation

There has been a growing trend to resist mainstream body ideals via social media sites. From fat-acceptance, vulva-positive to menstrual-pride blogs, Tumblrs and Facebook groups, people use social media to question and challenge mainstream depictions of the female body. In this article, I look at social media culture and how the notions of the menstrual body are evolving online. I analyze these concerns with a case study based on a women-only closed Facebook group created to discuss issues around feminine health, sexuality, and wellbeing. I argue that by looking from the lens of everyday politics, it is possible to understand how political participation and social change can emerge through people’s everyday practices. My findings suggest that the private Facebook group serves three purposes. One, as a pedagogical space to address a gap in knowledge about the menstrual cycle and menstrual health. Two, as a platform to break the silence around menstruation and make it visible to the public. Three, as a tool for building a caring community among the participants. This study illustrates how social media is used for everyday body politics, contributing to changing attitudes, beliefs, and values in daily life.

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