female |ˈfēˌmāl|

adjective

of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs, distinguished biologically by the production of gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes: a herd of female deer.

menstruation |ˌmenstro͞oˈāSHən, menˈstrā-|

noun

the process in a woman of discharging blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus at intervals of about one lunar month from puberty until menopause, except during pregnancy.

Menstruation is the monthly reminder of femaleness… There is absolutely no denying it’s occurrence. While it can be restrained by modern hormonal birth controls, menstruation still dictates our lives. Yet, our culture places a great deal of shame on menstrating women. The jokes and various other cultural references to periods in our media are often at the expense of women, and portray our monthly cycles as something disgusting, something to be hidden. As such, men pretend it doesn't exist, while women strive to control their bodies, lest

any sign of blood give them away as something less than clean.

The fact of the matter, however, is that women are having their periods. All the time. Everywhere. Just because it can’t be seen, doesn’t mean it is not happening, or that it shouldn’t be acknowleged. These images are meant to bring a physical process to light which is not witnessed nor celebrated, and to remind that menstruation is a daily part of our lives.