Diffractive Menstruation: Toward a Technical-Rhetorical Perspective of Menstrual Health Technologies

Abstract

This article provides a technical-rhetorical perspective regarding the impact of historical menstrual health technologies through a material feminist approach. My Baradian diffractive analysis builds on previous work from material feminist scholars as well as feminist technical-rhetorical scholars to explain how menstruation and the innovation of menstrual health technologies are often predicated on efficiency bias. Ultimately, I trouble well-worn dichotomies to disrupt bodily efficiency logics and problematize deterministic ideas about menstruation.

Keywords:

• Dichotomy
• diffraction
• efficiency
• menstruation
• naturecultures
• technoscience

Acknowledgments

This article would not have been possible without the mentorship and guidance from my dissertation committee. In particular, Stacey Pigg and Zachary Beare were integral in helping me bring together the ideas, histories, and theories that serve as the foundation of this article. I would also like to mention my partner, Justin, who read multiple drafts of this article and constantly reassured me that it is important and impactful academic work. My deepest thanks to all of you.