This session will trace the history of PMS, discussing how it has gone through several re-inventions, from labelling women as ‘hysterical’ and moving to pre-menstrual tension. A feminist lens will be used to discuss how the labelling of women’s experiences before their period as a ‘syndrome’ could have helped to keep them out of the workplace. There will be discussion of current research on PMS and hypotheses on why some women experience PMS.
There will be time for questions.
About the Speaker
Gabriella Kountourides is a doctoral candidate in the department of Anthropology at St John’s College, Oxford. She researches pre-menstrual syndrome, and is trying to understand why we see so much variation in both symptoms, and severity between women’s experiences of PMS.
This event is free, but we are very grateful for any donations. Bell House and Bloody Good Period are both non-profit, volunteer-led charities, so any donations go directly into providing our services. The suggested donation for this event is £4, which will be split between the Bell Health project and Bloody Good Period. Thank you!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GKountourides
Uni: https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/people/gabriella-kountourides#/