I planned to reveal perceptions and expectations the general public had of women’s reproductive health through the evolution of feminine hygiene product ads in slideshow form. I decided to make a video because it is the best way to see the differences and similarities of the ads through time. For the amount of advertisements I included, a video would be the most efficient way to get my message across. Keeping the ads in chronological order was integral to my video. Although I could not include all the menstrual product ads ever made or even the most important, I included  the most interesting and most repetitive I came across in my search.  I included ads that showed women are valued for their purity but are seen as inherently dirty because of their monthly cycles. Women are shamed and guilted into keeping their period discreet for the sake of men. This has not only put women in danger but can strip them of their confidence. I include ads that  show we have left certain patriarchal aspects behind but we still have a long way to go to give women the freedom and encouragement to be comfortable with their bodies  and to educate men to be kind and supportive to the women in their lives.  I tried to end the video on a positive note with the last ad. It is an example of how ad campaigns run by women can normalize periods and reverse the patriarchal stigmas put in place years ago. 

While doing research for the video I learned that women reproductive rights have been controlled by men for centuries and we are still affected by that today. I specifically chose recent ads that show how the patriarchal stigmas enforced back then still linger in today’s society but manifest themselves slightly differently. Despite having better technology and more knowledge on female anatomy, women still get the short end of the stick when it comes to reproductive health care because these stereotypes and stigmas are ingrained into society. I’m a woman and this issue affects me directly. This is why I decided to make this video and include my own thoughts on the way feminine hygiene products are marketed to us. Marketing plays on society’s values and expectations. Unfortunately, the topic is kind of heavy and upsetting but I tried my best to add lighthearted bits throughout. My knowledge and skills on video editing, sound, and animation are very limited but I tried my best. I put the slideshow together on Canva and then recorded the audio on my phone. I Included a transcript in case my words aren’t clear.

At the end of the day, I’m glad to be a woman in the 21st century where we know more about women’s anatomy, anyone can be a doctor, and we have the technology where women can and should be comfortable despite our reproductive health cycles. More women are open about their periods and are comfortable speaking on the trials and tribulations surrounding periods. I believe more ads should encourage this comfortability because periods are a normal part of womanhood. And it not only affects women, it affects all menstruating bodies. Menstrual product ads should be accurate, educational, empowering, and relatable.

here is the link to the video

here is the link to the video transcript