Feminist Posthumanist Design of Menstrual Care for More-than-Human Bodies

Title of the Paper

Feminist Posthumanist Design of Menstrual Care for More-than-Human Bodies

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Feminist Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Posthumanist Design, Biomaterials, Menstrual Care
• Keywords: Menstrual care, more-than-human design, biomaterials, feminist HCI, posthumanism, research through design, menstrual blood, soil fertility, bodily fluids, multispecies participation

Research Background and Problems

Existing Problems or Challenges

1. Menstrual Stigma and Design Issues:

   • Societal stigma around menstruation has led to unsustainable menstrual product designs.
   • Disposable menstrual products heavily rely on plastics, which are harmful to the environment and may pose health risks (e.g., endocrine disruption).
   • Menstrual stigma is exploited in product design to offer "invisible" or "absorbent" experiences, further perpetuating the stigma.

2. Anthropocentrism and Resource Waste:

   • Most menstrual products are disposable, reflecting assumptions of human superiority and a colonial attitude toward land.
   • Menstrual blood contains macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that can enhance soil fertility, but its potential is often overlooked.

3. Inequitable User Experiences:

   • Reusable products (e.g., menstrual cups) are not feasible for many due to a lack of essential resources (e.g., clean water, private spaces).

Research Significance

• Environmental Sustainability: Addressing plastic pollution and resource waste is an urgent priority.
• Health and Social Justice: Exploring the potential of menstrual blood as fertilizer helps dismantle menstrual stigma while seeking new eco-friendly menstrual care solutions.
• Multispecies and Multiscalar Exploration: Incorporating non-human species into design considerations prompts reflection on the ecological impact of design.

Research Motivation and Related Work

• Research Motivation:

  • Revisiting the interconnectedness of human bodies with non-human entities and environments through the lens of "transcorporeality."
  • Exploring the potential of "ecological feminist methodologies" in feminist HCI.

• Related Fields:

  • HCI research on intimate health technologies, such as menstrual self-monitoring tools and menstrual management apps; existing studies have begun to focus on the relationship between bodily fluids and design.
  • Posthumanism and more-than-human design promote decentralized, non-anthropocentric design approaches.
  • Biomaterial design is seen as a potential solution to plastic waste and the climate crisis.

Solutions

Methods and Approaches

1. Research-through-Design (RtD):

   • The authors conducted three design workshops with participants to explore the collection and utilization of menstrual blood, designing biodegradable menstrual products such as pads.
   • Material experiments included creating biomaterials using agar, lipoproteins, moss, and other substances.

2. Feminist + Posthumanist Methodologies:

   • The design adopts a more-than-human perspective on menstrual care, transforming it into care for both human bodies and non-human ecologies.

3. Compostable and Ecosystem-Sustainable Design:

   • Developing compostable menstrual products and exploring how menstrual blood can enhance soil fertility.
   • Practical exploration through alternating the use of menstrual cups and handmade biomaterials.

Key Innovations

• Introducing the concept of "more-than-human bodies," expanding menstrual design beyond human-centered approaches to encompass more complex ecosystems.
• Treating new materials (e.g., agar, bioplastics) and non-human species (e.g., moss, microorganisms) as co-creators in design rather than mere resources.

Implementation Steps and Techniques

1. Design Process:

   • Creating menstrual-related objects using biomaterials (e.g., agar, moss).
   • Conducting three design workshops: material experimentation, production processes, and soil fertility assessment.

2. Experimental Techniques:

   • Data collection and analysis (including pH testing and sensor usage).
   • Prototyping methods such as hand-cut molds and DIY material experiments.

Research Outcomes

Core Findings

1. Products and Prototypes:

   • Developed several prototypes of biodegradable menstrual pads using materials like agar and moss.
   • Explored tools and techniques to support the use of menstrual blood as plant fertilizer.

2. Methodological Contributions:

   • Proposed a "feminist posthumanist design" methodology, offering a new ecological approach to intimate health design.
   • Emphasized the human-environment relationship in menstrual care through the concept of "transcorporeality."

Advantages and Impact

• Compared to Existing Designs:

  • Expanded the scope of menstrual design from personal hygiene to ecological symbiosis.
  • Provided concrete practices for countering menstrual stigma and promoting destigmatization for women and gender-diverse individuals.

• Ecological Significance:

  • Proposed new possibilities for designing sustainable menstrual products by enhancing resource recycling.

Experiment and Evaluation Results

• Participant Feedback:

  • Workshop participants designed unique products (e.g., "menstrual chairs") to explore the connection between menstrual products and public health.
  • Participants showed high interest in sensory interactions (e.g., touch) and reflected on the sources and ecological consequences of materials.

• Technical Validation:

  • The biomaterials used were validated for compostability and comfort, though challenges remain for mass production.

Limitations and Future Directions

1. Limitations:

   • Material degradation may result in odors or compromised quality.
   • Unsuitable for direct mass commercialization (e.g., issues with overharvesting moss).

2. Future Directions:

   • Further exploration of materials with ecological and biological benefits and their potential for cross-species use.
   • Enhanced public education to promote discussions on menstrual stigma and eco-friendly menstrual care practices.

Conclusion and Reflection

This paper provides a cutting-edge perspective in the fields of intimate health and ecological design, linking menstrual product design to posthuman ecology and gender issues. Through practical and critical design methodologies, the authors successfully constructed a framework of "shared care" that spans human bodies and non-human environments, paving the way for future possibilities in sustainable design.