Periods and the Menstrualscape: Menstrual Products and Menstrual Manifestations in Scotland, 1870–2020

Abstract

The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 is the first national legislation of its kind and makes provision for menstrual products at no cost to menstruators throughout Scotland. While the act is welcome, and ensconced public conversation about menstruation, it also simultaneously nationalized the practice of physical concealment through use of menstrual products. This article explores the historical debut of manufactured menstrual products in Scotland during the 20th century, and the junctures at which they rose to national significance. It does so through the concept of the menstrualscape. This term serves as shorthand to refer to the ephemera, material artefacts, and visual representations of menstrual products in relation to social and cultural beliefs. The menstrualsape sheds light on the historically relevant ideas and factors that undergird Scotland’s Free Provision Act.