Your current location:HOME >business >Don't call them 'sanitary' products! World 正文
TIME:2024-04-20 14:40:57 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
Feminine hygiene products should be renamed to stop reinforcing the trope that menstruation is dirty
Feminine hygiene products should be renamed to stop reinforcing the trope that menstruation is dirty, according to a top gynaecologist.
Dr Jen Gunter said that while most personal items – such as toothpaste and toilet roll – are labelled based on their function, society continues to use 'euphemistic language' for period products.
Using terms such as 'hygiene' and 'sanitary' to describe them suggests menstruation is 'dirty or polluting'.
Dr Jen Gunter said that while most personal items – such as toothpaste and toilet roll – are labelled based on their function, society continues to use 'euphemistic language' for period products
This 'false belief' has existed for thousands of years to oppress women, for example by excluding them from religious services or from preparing food while menstruating, she said.
Writing in the New Scientist, she added: 'Menstruation isn't unhygienic.
'When someone menstruates, they aren't dirty or unsanitary; they are menstruating.
READ MORE: Step-by-step guide on how to master your hormones during your cycle by menstrual health expert DR COLLEEN FOGARTY-DRAPER'If we can say toilet paper – a product literally designed to wipe away faecal matter – without bringing up hygiene or sanitary concerns, surely we can do the same with menstrual products.'
Once described as the world's most famous and outspoken gynaecologist, Dr Gunter is a vociferous critic of Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop empire, describing it as a 'scare factory'.
Over the years, she has taken aim at the wellness company's 'garbage' claims underwire bras can cause cancer and its promotion of trends including vaginal steaming and infamous jade eggs.
Author of books including The Menopause Manifesto, Dr Gunter also takes issue with the concept of femininity around menstruation products as inappropriate when periods often start around the age of 12.
By refusing to label things factually, it 'reinforces the false narrative that what is happening is shameful and dirty'.
She continues: 'The easy fix here is to refer to tampons, pads or napkins, menstrual cups and menstrual underwear as menstrual products. That is their purpose.
'Nothing bad will happen to those who don't menstruate by seeing the words "menstrual products" on signage in a store or hearing them spoken. Menstruation isn't contagious....
'The terms "sanitary napkins" and "feminine hygiene" aren't some thin line preventing society's decline.
'It is high time for the use of euphemisms for menstrual products to end, because there is nothing shameful about menstruation.'
AdvertisementA politician running for mayor in northern Mexico is killed, the 16th hopeful slain over June vote2024-04-20 14:30
Return to sender! Bizarre items that arrived in the post and left people terrified2024-04-20 14:19
I endured aggressive chemo and said goodbye to my family after being given just 15 months to live2024-04-20 14:19
Queen Camilla's tight2024-04-20 14:08
Pregnant Rooney Mara dresses her baby bump in head2024-04-20 13:50
8000 unvaccinated or partly vaccinated health workers were allowed to keep working2024-04-20 13:49
Lucy Boynton reveals why her Barbie character barely has any screen time2024-04-20 13:43
Robin Goodfellow's racing tips: Best bets for Friday, April 122024-04-20 13:42
WNBA moving date of its preseason game in Canada to avoid potential conflict with NHL playoffs2024-04-20 13:29
Prince William's supporters reveal what he's really like behind the scenes2024-04-20 12:10
Judge drops some charges against ex2024-04-20 14:37
'Commonsense' win as fish exports to US given all2024-04-20 14:30
Signs of sharp wit! These funny notices left customers in fits of laughter2024-04-20 14:02
Rustle these up with Rosemary: Sun2024-04-20 14:00
At playoff time, NHL teams march to the beat of their goaltenders and count on them to save the day2024-04-20 13:55
Watch: Nicola Willis reveals economy has slipped further this year2024-04-20 13:34
Prince Andrew enjoys horse2024-04-20 13:30
David de Gea jokingly asks 'who' as he responds to former Man United team2024-04-20 13:03
Convicted rapist charged with murder in killing of Connecticut visiting nurse, Joyce Grayson2024-04-20 12:54
Space X: Rocket set to slam into moon wrongly blamed on Elon Musk2024-04-20 12:43