Ovulation monitoring and reproductive heterosex: living the conceptive imperative?

Culture, Health & Sexuality
Joann WilkinsonMaggie Mort

Abstract

Using biosensors, or devices that provide biological information to users about their own bodies, to map ovulation and time intercourse is a practice of rising significance in economically privileged countries. Based on an ethnographic study of ovulation biosensing, this paper explores the contradictions between device manufacturers' figurations of reproductive heterosex as a natural and pleasurable experience facilitated by fertility monitoring technology, and heterosexual women users' accounts of the pleasures and difficulties of ovulation monitoring and associated sexual encounters. Drawing on Science and Technology Studies and the concept of 'script', we examine the frameworks of action defined by makers of ovulation biosensors and how these are accepted, refused or remade by users. Within the scientific romance configured by manufacturers, reproductive heterosex emerges as exciting and fun, whilst the hard, 'technical' work of conception is done by ovulation technologies. Yet ovulation monitoring is described by many heterosexual women users as an exciting and yet anxiety-producing practice through which they come to know their bodies differently, often through online discussions with other women. Living a 'conceptive impe...Continue Reading

References

Feb 13, 2010·Sociology of Health & Illness·Barbara L Marshall
Nov 28, 2012·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Roberto MarciAlfredo Patella
Feb 7, 2013·Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·Sophie Christin-Maitre

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Citations

Feb 8, 2020·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Nicola Human, Michael Quayle
Jul 2, 2020·Sociology of Health & Illness·Joann Wilkinson

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
biosensing
biosensors
pregnancy test
contraception
Hormone
using

Software Mentioned

Viagra
Living
MarmaladeT

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