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Why is it Called “Feminine Hygiene” Anyway?
Last month New Zealand retail chain Countdown became the first international retailer to officially ditch the “euphemistic” language commonly used around periods in retail. Words like “sanitary” and “feminine hygiene” will no longer be used to describe the products and aisles, instead, the brand will finally call a period a period. This landmark move shows…
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I May Destroy You: Period Sex and Blood Clots on the BBC
**This blog contains spoilers for episode three: Don’t Forget the Sea** Like the rest of the internet, I’ve been totally blown away by Michaela Coel’s ground-breaking new BBC drama, I May Destroy You. The show deals with sex and consent in a nuanced and multifaceted way. In particular, episode three explores period sex and brings…
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Periods in History: Who Invented the Tampon?
This series brings to light the cultural and historical perspectives on periods that have shaped our modern understanding of menstruation. First in the series is a look at the history of the tampon and its influence on modern day menstruators. A Revolutionary Invention In 1931 US physician Dr Earle Haas patented a new compressed cotton…
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Men and Menstruation: Periods 101
This is a series of posts for men out there that have questions about menstruation and aren’t sure where to turn. You could say, we’re putting the MEN in Menstruation… After some frank conversations with the men in my life about periods and my ambitions for this blog, it’s become clear that many men are…
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Popular Period Myths and How to Bust Them!
Period myths can be pervasive in our culture. Spanning from the somewhat logical to the downright outrageous, there are many strange ideas that continue to circulate around menstruation. These rumours, myths and ideas contribute to the misinformation, stigma and shame we experience around periods. Some of these myths are easily busted, with many of the…