How exactly does the menstrual cycle work? You can use a lot of words explaining this. Sometimes though, one image works better than a thousand words. Therefore: a selection of long and short animated films with a leading or supporting role for menstruation. Menstrual animations to educate or to entertain. For some titles: pump up the volume and sing along 🙂
Menstrual animations to educate…
Phone call to your ovaries
Ova and Ovy are the names of the two animated ovaries in this 5:49 minute educational film from Mahalingaiah Lab for the Museum of Science in Boston (USA). In this video, the human body is compared to a building. It’s therefore logical that eggs are prepared in the kitchen after they’ve received a telephone call from Pituitary (the pituitary gland). Then they’re carried to the uterus through Fallopia or Fallopio (the fallopian tubes). In the meantime, Uterus makes sure it’s prepared for the incoming egg by lifting weights in the gym.
Terrified little egg
Using the perspective of a terrified little egg, Koit Studios explains the concept of menstruation crystal clear in this cute animation – with a catchy theme song – in less than two minutes. Watch via Spotify or You Tube.
Where is the ovum?Â
On the Instagram page of the Canadian Design_Cells you’ll find beautiful animations about all kinds of medical subjects. Including this ultra-short video about menstruation that reminds us a bit of an old-fashioned pinball machine. PS: The answer to one of the questions in the comments: the unfertilised ovum goes nowhere; this is absorbed by the body.
Menstrual animations to entertain…Â Â
Theme in the American comedy series Big Mouth: the horrors and unexpected events of teenage life. So it’s no surprise that ‘periods’ pop up every now and then.
For example in Jessi’s First Period (2017); about Jessi Klein who gets her first visit form Aunt Flo on a school trip – while wearing white pants. Meet The Hormone Monstress (2017) and The Hugestest Period Ever (2020) are also recommended. Sing along? You’ll never get the evergreen Everybody Bleeds out of your head.
More animated series in case Aunt Flo pays a visit? In South Park, no topic is left undiscussed. Periods are no exception. We quote Mr. Garrison (the sad sixth grade teacher at South Park Elementary school): ‘I just don’t trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn’t die’. Other period themed episodes are Does Cartman Have a Period? and Are You There God? It’s Me, Jesus. The episode of Family Guy – in which the Griffin family sees a sanitary towel commercial without blue blood – also deserves some credits.
Speaking of Disney: the animated film Turning Red (2022) from Pixar Animation Studios for Disney+ is all about puberty topics such as a changing body, crushes, and … menstruation. Main character Mei Lee turns into a giant red panda when she gets stressed. ‘Red panda’ is a metaphor for puberty and things that are passed down from generation to generation, such as menstrual shame.
Was Disney with Turning Red the first in the category popular films and series with a leading or supporting role for menstruation? Yes and no. Disney made the first-ever sponsored menstrual education film to be shown to high school students. In 1946. But when it comes to mainstream films and series for kids, the scoop was for Braceface. In the episode The Worst First Date Ever. Period from 2001 of this American series for Fox Family, the first period of ‘braceface’ Sharon Spitz plays the leading role. Period!
Also read:
Menstruation in literature
Menstruation in advertisements
Menstruation in quotes
Menstruation in films
Menstruation in music
Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our Contact page.
