PMS=Prehistoric Monster Syndrome

So the L7 video I posted awhile ago had tons of stereotypical discourse about menstruation:

1. after showing Donita Spark throw her used Tampon, the editing cuts to Donita Spark's screaming "I'm just so psycho" ( edited out of context, of course )
2. comedian tells the audience that Spark's is hardly a lady ( "the lady and i say that loosely" )
3. A metal head responds to the tampon as "yucky and gross"

what kind of connotations do we see?

Now in no way do i advocate chucking tampons at people, but i think Sparks' actions were interesting because such a crude act highlights discourses about women and their period. Albeit having a tampon thrown in your face may not improve any one's day, but the symbolism in the used tampon is striking because it is framed within a narrative that is reacting to "gross" monthly blood.

Through this ranting, and agrhhing i am trying to tweak my initial ideas about menstruation and come to a preliminary understanding of the pathologizing of periods.

Food for thought:
If you read the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, you will find your symptoms listed under “premenstrual dysphoric disorder” (PMDD). In other words, because of those symptoms, a therapist or doctor could label you as having a mental disorder.

The DSM is the bible of psychiatric diagnosis, used by nearly every hospital, clinic, doctor and insurance company, as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Since PMDD first was mentioned in the DSM in 1987, people have received the mistaken impression that it’s real and that it’s a mental illness. With the manual’s fifth edition currently in preparation, that notion seems likely to be strengthened rather than discouraged.

(Ms. magazine, summer 08)

when i first heard about the DSM and its definition of PMS i was so perplexed, but its amazing how that explains so much about my perceptions of periods.
how does this disorder get reproduced by cultural norms?
I know that neither myself nor Donita Sparks can truly own irrational feelings and actions without being "yucky" and perceived to be psycho! ...and even better, now we are defined by the DSM as having a mental disorder! yay!!!

The out of context editing of Donita Spark calling herself a psycho brings me to an annoying question about PMS and our monthly blood... how embedded are these stereotypes about menstruation? remember when Hilary Clinton cried during her campaign run? the stereotypical remarks about her (PMS) ability to be president came into question and one could say they compromised her chances at presidency!

in order to travel to the public washroom, don't we all hide our 'shameful' tampons in our pocket? We certainly wouldn't want people to know its that crazy time of the month!
for a good laugh and to bring this point home click below:
Prehistoric Monster Syndrome