We are no longer “menstruators”, we are “period-havers” now.

Submitted June 26, 2020, 1:51 a.m. by akul4gepard

This just in from a NZ newspaper “Shoppers at Countdown chain will no longer see euphemistic language like “sanitary” or “feminine hygiene” products to describe pads, tampons and menstrual cups after the chain said it would be the first in the world to use the word “period” to describe the items.

No other local or international retailer used the word “period” to describe the products shoppers buy for menstruation, according to a spokesperson for Countdown.

The online shopping platform will reflect the changes, adding that products previously described as “intimate hygiene” and “female products” would now be categorised as “genital washes and wipes”.

It’s so political at the moment, taking a hardline approach around language. So to see a big brand jump on a train that they haven’t really even been asked to jump onto is very cool, very inspiring.”

27 comments recovered from the Pushshift database.
Tweeders55 · June 26, 2020, 3:14 a.m. · 2 replies

So are they designing a special anal tampon?

akul4gepard · June 26, 2020, 3:26 a.m.

ROFL 🤣

Strange_sunlight · June 29, 2020, 4:43 p.m. · 1 reply

Apparently, soaking a tampon in vodka and inserting it like a suppository is a good way to get very drunk very quickly. (The things I've learnt from spending too much time on the internet...)

Tweeders55 · June 29, 2020, 5 p.m.

That's been around since it was rumored Marilyn Munroe did this. Not saying she did just rumored.

feministunderyrbed · June 26, 2020, 9:11 a.m.

I was only born with a uterus so what do I know, but I’ve never liked “period” and related words to refer to menstruation. To my ears it sounds squeamish and inaccurate. But hey, it validates boys who want an excuse to eat chocolate and shove things up their asses, so who am I to stand in the way.

tamingthemind · June 26, 2020, 9:43 a.m. · 1 reply

It's always seemed obvious to me that terms like "sanitary napkin" and the like were about more than mere social politeness, and represented an aversion/taboo regarding normal bodily functions of women. I think it would be better if they were called menstrual products - it eliminates any uncertainty. As for "genital _____", are tampons going to be called genital cotton dildos or?

malachi_23 · June 26, 2020, 3:07 p.m. · 1 reply

Tangent but I love, love, love when lib-fems are all 'bout Bob and faux-Rastafarianism.

Besides his adultery and wife-beating, you know what the biggest insult one can say to another in Jamaica/Rasta culture? Calling someone a bomboclaat ("[period] blood clot").

Nothing is more disgusting to them than this routine, normal, healthy human female function. But they act like because he smoked weed and talked about peace, he's the second coming.

tamingthemind · June 26, 2020, 5:39 p.m.

Damn I had no idea.

ChristieFox · June 26, 2020, 9:56 a.m.

What's wrong with "intimate hygiene"?! That one's even as gender-neutral as it can get. Heck, when I shop at my drugstore, there are pads for men in that category.

This is so delusional. And unnecessary. There were so many words ready to use without any "uwu, need gender-neutral speak for my non-existent period" problem, if you need to pander that much.

lisasimpsonfan · June 26, 2020, 12:03 p.m. · 2 replies

Putting the insanity that is TRANS politics aside this is really harmful to women and girls. Our bodies and their functions are so stigmatized as it is. Women and girls are treated like dirty pariahs all over the world even in developed countries for menstruating. We need everyone to be embracing something that is natural and normal instead of pushing it further back out of sight by not using real words. Menses, menstruation, female body, and all that goes with it needs respected.

calming-tea · June 26, 2020, 2:31 p.m.

So how is it calling it 'menstrual product' worse than hinting at what it is with things like 'sanitary napkins'?

smiolet · June 27, 2020, 2:08 a.m.

How is this harmful?

Acknowledging that it's for periods is actually a positive thing that they are doing.

Jizera · June 26, 2020, 12:10 p.m. · 1 reply

Why is it considered euphemistic saying or writting "feminine hygiene/sanitary products"? It is a very exact specification. And not all such products are realated to menstruation/period like pantyliners. Absurdistan!

calming-tea · June 26, 2020, 2:30 p.m. · 1 reply

For pantyliners it really depends on how they are used. For some it is just for spotting days, for others it is around ovulation, others never even use, and others use it everyday

I still connect it with my period.

Jizera · June 26, 2020, 3:07 p.m. · 1 reply

I suppose all of them use also standard toilet paper for various purposes...

calming-tea · June 26, 2020, 6:43 p.m. · 1 reply

Is this really the hill you want to die on? Toilet paper is an hygiene item. No one connects it to periods the same way pantyliners are connected

If only women can get periods, then what is the issue about calling it a period product?

Jizera · June 26, 2020, 7:24 p.m. · 1 reply

What is the issue about calling it feminine hygiene/sanitary products?

calming-tea · June 26, 2020, 7:31 p.m. · 2 replies

I am fine either way. But i prefer a more open approach about what these products are for - menstruation

Continue reading
alexis21893 · June 26, 2020, 12:24 p.m.

When I first read the article I thought it was changing the products to be explicit about calling them period products instead of beating around the bush about what they're for? Maybe the trans train ran that whole thing over but from what I read the owner wanted to reduce the stigma around bleeding and call it what it is, a natural female biological fact instead of using words like "feminine hygiene" which almost reflects it as being an unhygienic thing. Or "sanitary napkins" which if you don't know what they are is a really vague term. Like it sounds like those antibacterial wet wipes you get for your hands

Marchaprilmay23 · June 26, 2020, 1:41 p.m. · 3 replies

I'm GC and I really don't understand the outrage here? "Feminine hygiene products" and "Sanitary towel" and the like feel really shaming, stigmatising and euphemistic to me. I'd much prefer the section to be called "Period products", "Menstrual products" or better yet "Pads, Tampons, and liners".

The words 'sanitary' and 'hygiene' make me feel like it's a dirty, shameful affair and I remember feeling so uncomfortable as a teen when my grandmother would use those words. I mean we don't call toilet roll 'sanitary paper' and the nappy/baby aisle isn't the "baby hygiene products" aisle; we just label them by what they are.

Maybe I'm missing something and if so please can someone explain the issue to me? This feels like a great change and I'm totally confused by other women's reactions here.

calming-tea · June 26, 2020, 2:28 p.m.

Agreed. Although i would use the word period only in informal contexts. I vote for 'menstrual products' (or just pads, tampons, pantyliners)

I absolutely object to things such as 'pregnant people' or 'menstruators'. But this is not what this is.

Marketing a product for 'menstruators'? Bad. Calling a product 'menstrual product' rather than 'femenine product'? Good.

Now, if the marketing went out if their way to make it gender neutral..to that I might object. I mean the same way some underwear companies started to make ads for women underwear that features 1 woman and 9 transwomen and apparently that is progressive now...

glitterjulia2 · June 26, 2020, 3:41 p.m.

I too read the article and the actual brand Countdown mentioned nothing of inclusivity being the reason, just ending period stigma and allowing people to use the word period instead of 'feminine hygiene'. I see no issue with 'period products' because its very accurate and does help normalize the word period a little. A good mark for NZ as countdown is one of like 3 supermarket chains there.

darlin_squishy · June 26, 2020, 5:50 p.m.

I agree. "feminine hygiene products" make me think that we are somewhat dirtier than men and we need more products tailored for our hygiene. You cant have an ad on tv with red blood for period, it has to be blue and the word period has been all but removed like it is something to be ashamed of.

Periods have literally been around longer than we have been able to walk yet we are forced to hide the fact we have them. Ask any woman which they would be more scared to drop at school, a tampon or their phone and 9/10 they will always say tampon. Because we are taught that it is something to be ashamed of and boys aren't taught anything about it so they find it gross when they hear about it.

We need to stop shamming girls and women for something we have no control over.

misc_1102 · June 29, 2020, 6:16 p.m.

TFW the word "sanitary" is trans exclusive