Tampax

• The answer, I believe, lies in the pervasive culture of shame that has long surrounded menstruation, stifling open dialogue around the subject.
• So, I embarked on a research project with a team of colleagues at the University of Leeds into the history of menstrual stigma.
• What we’ve discovered so far are examples of stigma and shame surrounding periods from many thousands of years ago through to the modern day.

Not a new problem

• This passage asserts that women (along with anything they lie or sit on) become “unclean” during menstruation.
• If a non-menstruating person touches either the menstrual blood, or anything the woman has touched, they too will become unclean.
• He writes that crops “will wither and die”, and bees “will forsake their hives if touched by a menstruous woman”.

From history to today

• Some 70 years later, in 2020, Tampax was criticised for advertising tampons that “open silently for full discretion”.
• Read more:
  Solving period poverty is about more than just making products free

  Another example of the stigmatisation of menstruation can be seen in the long history of euphemisms.

• A similar study from 1975 discussed 128 menstrual euphemisms, many of which are still used today (such as “Aunt Flo” and “on the rag”).

The harms of stigma

• This long history of menstrual stigma continues to inform contemporary culture, having a negative effect on people who menstruate today.
• In 2021, a group of researchers concluded that feelings of stigma and shame perpetuate the expectation that people should hide their menstruation.

What can we do?

• But there are numerous small actions each of us can take, which collectively can make a significant difference.
• First of all, we can all (irrespective of age, gender or sexuality) embrace open conversations about menstruation.
• We need to tackle period poverty, ensure access to clean water and private toilets, and encourage employers to develop positive menstrual policies.

• P&G commissioned Unitea via Amrak Solutions agency to build a web portal which includes gamified learning tools and more resources for students.
• The Capitanes Del Futuro platform mirrors Unitea's core product, which offers an in-app economy that allows users to earn digital tokens for their engagement.
• The Capitanes del Futuro program is the latest extension of P&G's longstanding commitment to furthering the progress of Hispanic communities.
• Beyond Capitanes del Futuro, P&G continues to invest in programs that support education, including its long-standing support of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Always School Program and more.

• NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New feminine hygiene brand, Private Matters , has said that the US national shortage of tampons and feminine products is an opportunity for consumers to choose more sustainable options.
• Over the last year, several tampon and feminine hygiene brands including Tampax have faced increased supply chain, shipping, and labor issues that have led to a national shortage.
• "Not being able to access essential feminine hygiene products is a big worry for millions across the US.
• But the good news is that tampons and pads are not your only options," said Kirsten, Co-founder, Private Matters.

• The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) announced today that it had received a $100,000 donation from Procter and Gamble (P&G) brand Tampax to expand EndoFound's education programs.
• These programs include the ENPOWR (Endometriosis: Promoting Outreach and Wide Recognition) Project, a school and community-based endometriosis education program.
• The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research.
• The Tampax product lineup includes Tampax Pure Cotton, Tampax Pearl, Tampax Radiant, Tampax Pocket Radiant, and Tampax Pocket Pearl.