The Body Embarrassed? Rethinking the Leaky Male Body in Eighteenth-Century England and France

Abstract

According to early modern European medical theory, men could menstruate vicariously through various bodily orifices. Although some medical men thought that the flow was pathological, others believed it brought significant health benefits. However, as the ability to control one's body and mind became central to eighteenth-century definitions of manhood, leaky male bodies became increasingly problematic. The understanding of male bodily flows was complicated by age and class. As such, it is important to examine ‘male menstruation’ within the broader context of masculinity and other flows. Looking at medical literature alongside experiences of sufferers, this article considers the extent to which male bleeding (particularly haemorrhoids) was considered desirable in the eighteenth century. A comparison of England and France also reveals regional differences, with male menstruation being seen more positively in France than in England.