A quebra de tabus sobre menstruação e práticas sustentáveis

Abstract

Menstruation is the natural process from which almost every woman passes through life, being culturally considered a "necessary evil”. ​The woman's relations with her body are directly linked to the patriarchy and capitalist system, which have shaped for decades the feminine standards to be accepted socially. Faced with the advance of industries in the twentieth century, demands like the disposable absorbent have emerged, creating practicality and being diffused by the Brazilian media as a product of the "modern woman". During this same period, the menstrual collector was created, a sustainable alternative to the disposable absorbent, which had its production interrupted due to the shortage of rubber during World War II, being produced in silicone at the beginning of the 21st century. The menstrual collector, unlike the disposable absorbent is a safe alternative to the health of the female body, not causing allergies and diseases by fungi and bacteria, but its use is still taboo these days, for providing an intimate experience of the woman with her own blood, a relation demonized in several cultures, where this period becomes punitive and isolating. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between women 's health and freedom from a theme that has become invisible in Brazil, resulting in the production of tons of absorbents that significantly impact the environment. ​In addition, through an online questionnaire, it was possible to outline the profile of women in the region on what they think about menstruation and the products used during the cycle .