“I LOVE This”: An Exploration of How Self-Objectification Predicts Support for Menstrual Suppression

This study was designed to explore support for menstrual suppression. It was hypothesized that menstrual attitudes would mediate, and feminine norms moderate, the relationship between self-objectification and support for suppression. Participants were 228 women who completed a questionnaire. Results indicate that menstrual shame is a significant mediator. The interaction between feminine norms and self-objectification acted as a moderator: those high in care for children who self-objectified less showed less support for suppression. Open-ended responses reveal reservations about safety and belief in the right to choose. Findings provide new insights into factors that affect women's decision to use reproductive technology.