Ladies, let's take a moment to thank today's feminine hygiene products
Just imagine what the world would be like without the beauty of our easily disposable pads and tampons, or the incredibly easy to re-use diva cups.
Imagine having to be sent home from work or school, whenever it's that time of the month. Imagine having to use "ancient" tampons made out of rotting bags of sand. Imagine reusing the same dirty old sponge or rag.
Imagine all the things you could not do, all the missed opportunities, all the unopened career doors... all because you can't do something about your bleeding vag.
Remind yourself just how much harder it would be for women to strive for equality if we were non-functional every single month.
We would not be able to compete in athletics. We would not be chosen to be the new CEO because the board of directors does not want someone who is out of commission every month. We would not be able to travel the world as easily. We would not be on the team of National Geographic crawling through the dingiest places of the earth. We would not be able to be adventurous.
I'm very thankful.
Posted Dec 16, 2011, 1:08 AM UTC
You make a very good point, and one that should bring world inequality to mind. Women in many African countries (such as Kenya) are still living with these sorts of issues and are being ostracised because they don't have something as simple as a sanitary towel. Look at this, for instance and see how such a 'small' thing can have a big impact.
I don't mean to sound sanctimonious but it would be worthwhile to look into the subject and perhaps offer aid where it's needed.
Here's some more info
When I was in China last summer it was literally impossible to find tampons. You would think that in a large city such as Beijing, simple feminine products could be found. I found out later (through Reddit) that you can actually buy them in discreet "women's stores," just not in the average places. Accessibility to western feminine products is far less optimal than I had realized. Needless to say, wearing strange pads from China while walking miles and miles without bathroom breaks was not a pleasant experience. I support this cause wholeheartedly. If Chinese tampons barely exist, I can't imagine what it would be like to live in Africa, Saudi Arabia, etc.
I think that there is also a sort of stigma against tampons in China. When my father found out that I used tampons, he was furious that I was using them, because I might break my hymen or some ridiculous shit. He even cited a case where this Chinese lady had used tampons, had broken her hymen, and then sued the tampon company. Unfortunately, when I've discussed using tampons with my female Chinese friends and family, they give me the same story about how using tampons will break your hymen. Not sure if this is why tampons cannot be easily found in China, but there you go.
Oh no, your hymen, however shall your misogynist husband be sure that he is taking your virginity on your wedding night DOT DOT DOT
HA!
I've heard that before from certain religious organizations in the United States. Interesting, but is that really true? I don't think I've broken my hymen...have I? I feel like I would notice haha. But you never know! That's a legitimate concern I'm sure. How do you stand on the issue? Do you use tampons despite it all? We even had a hard time finding pads in China but maybe we didn't know where to look...
Yes, you can break your hymen by inserting a tampon. This just means that it's quite possible, not that it necessarily happens in every case.
Here's a 'guide to the hymen' and how stuff works where you can find the following:
I personally have been adverse to the idea of tampons, it just doesn't appeal to me for a variety of reasons. I've also been put off by the potential it could break my hymen because I wanted my first time to be 'natural', I guess I just wanted to remain more 'in touch' with my body during it. I tried a tampon once regardless, it hurt like heck and I never used them again. Still bled during my first time though!
I'm always glad for awareness of these issues in developing areas
...but...
also realize that this is an issue in the United States (or whatever developed country you live in) as well! Its not necessarily keeping people home from school, but tampons, etc. are EXPENSIVE and are a necessity. Women's shelters are ALWAYS in need of more feminine products.
Not saying that Kenya isn't important (it absolutely is!) but just drawing attention to issues in our own backyards too.
Thank you, you're very right. Might be worth writing letters to tampon/sanitary towel companies asking them for their take on it, see if they have any schemes up that could benefit those who need them.
I went to an all-girls' school that did a lot of relief work and raised a lot of aid for projects in malawi. And yet something as simple as packs of knickers and a load of sanitary pads never even crossed our minds... And yet I as well as many others HATE having a period even with all the above products in our arsenal...
Those things normally are overlooked, which is a great shame because it's so simple. It irked me a while back when Always (sanitary towel brand in the UK) released a product that had silk in them. Silk! Girls have to skip school in Africa and fall behind their male counterparts and we get to bleed on silk!
It's definitely something worth spreading awareness for (girls in Africa needing sanitary towels, not silk pads!)
Admittedly tried the silk pads - im in the UK too...
They were shit. they probably contain 1 strand. Can I also say not as comfy as their regular pads...
It really is simple. This is ridiculous. Might see what the women's officer of my student union has to say. we might be able to get a donation drive going for money to send to the rotary clubs. OR as students are strapped for cash but there's often offers on that result in one free - actually having somewhere to donate packs to be sent out - idk how viable that is tho.