Menstrual Monday 2/22/10
Hello! You have reached GladRags’ Menstrual Monday. You’re one stop shop for all the newest menstrual news, art, politics, musings, and more! Let’s get right into it and see what we have this week.
- Dr. Machelle Seibel writes about vaginal pH and how different events and items can effect it. He notes that tampons can absorb the natural fluids that vaginas need to
maintain pH. Read his very interesting and short article if you need another reason to not use tampons. - The Diva Cup commissions a fun informative video about why eco-conscious ladies should use alternative menstrual products in Eco Menstrual Innovations: Diva Cup Give Pads and Tampons the Green Boot.
- Animal New York brings to light what happens When Men Create PMS Ads (see photo) shows us some confusing imagery and targeting techniques. Apparently, a Chilean ad campaign for a midol-type product is attempting to market their product to men to buy for their female significant others. What do you guys thing of this ad? Funny? Disgusting? Sexist? All three?
Bonus: Truth Be Told blog is hosting a GladRags giveaway and review. You can win a color pad sampler pack! Find out the many ways to enter here.
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February 23rd, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Wow. I knew it was bad to wear tampons for a number of reasons but the pH balance hadn’t even crossed my mind. That would certainly explain a few common problems I’ve had whenever I’ve tried wearing tampons (which I’ve never been able to do for more than half a day due to how uncomfortable they are).
Cups seem like a much easier and less painful way to go.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:17 pm
I love the Diva Cup, and I love the idea that more people are learning about what a strong ecological choice it is. I can’t even begin to count the number of boxes of tampons and pads I don’t have to buy since I’ve been using my Diva!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Thank you so much for creating this blog and for all the wonderful products. It’s so important to help women have healthier relationships with their bodies and cycles. We’ve been taught that our greatest stregnth and power is filthy and shameful. It is time for women to cast aside shame and embrace the fullness of life - the very thing our bodies create.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Great Blog love all the great info. I think this ad is definetely wrong. On so many levels. Men need to stop thinking of a woman’s period as the time of the month where she is “crazy” we don’t choose when our period comes and we don’t choose to feel this way. I think if men understood the science behind a period they would not be creating ads like this. They would be a bit more understanding.
I am also happy to see that so many other sites are raising awareness about alternative menstrual products. These great items can help make everything alot better.
February 24th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Unintended irony: “Apparently, a Chilean ad campaign for a midol-type product is attempting to market their product to men to buy for their female significant others. What do you **GUYS** thing of this ad?”
There was a book written by a linguist 10-20 years ago (? can’t remember name of it, it had a very dramatic cover, depicting a cemetery, I think) who addressed the use of the word “guy” to refer to both women and men - I think he also talked about how “gal” is rarely used.
What’s so wrong with using the word “gal” instead of “guy,” to refer to everyone? What is about the word “gal” that is so…is it that we automatically think of “cowgals,” with those big white leather gloves that flare at the wrists, with long fringe?
Maybe if “gal” were in the ascendency, as Casual Word of Preference to Refer to People of Either Gender (abbreviate that CWOP), maybe there’d be some other issue to discuss re: PMS ads, rather than sexism…I realize the subject is Chilean ads, but I think there’s something about the use of “guy,” that speaks volumes about menstrual attitudes…
February 24th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Great blog - keep the information coming! The Diva Cup ad is ok (don’t care for the part ‘it’s like not having your period at all’, although I can understand the market for that!). I do appreciate my Diva Cup when my life has to be active. Yet, I do love, love, LOVE to use my GladRags and clam down all the activity in my life during my cycle. For me, menstruation is a time of slowing down, experiencing my bodily sensations and becoming introspective. The PMS Ad is ridiculous - not even funny. Come on people, really??
Also: in regards to RedCollarTown - I agree! Too many of us use the term ‘guy’ to refer to both genders. Women: let’s start acknowledging our existence and refer to each other as ‘gals,’ ‘women’, ‘ladies’, etc. It will catch on! Positive language surrounding menstruation and womanhood will only help us to bridge the gender gap.
February 24th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Whoa. I’d heard something like that before, but it was crazy vague. It makes a frightening amount of sense that tampons would be non-discriminatory is what they absorb, and that can cause serious problems.
Yet another reason to love your diva cup/reusable pad.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
i like this arsenal of information you’ve provided for me to convince all my friends to stop using tampons and regular pads. it’s pretty dope- and makes me sound smart.
i want many mooncups to distribute to my friends like a bloody fairy!