The release of the world’s first tampons marketed for ‘men’ has sparked intense criticism from advocates, labeling it an affront to women facing period-related discrimination. Vuokkoset, a Finnish company, unveiled this controversial sanitary product during Transgender Awareness Week and International Men’s Day.
Presented in a dark blue box bearing the label ‘For Men,’ the packaging cleverly extends this phrase to read ‘For Menstruation,’ emphasizing inclusivity. Another segment of the packaging explicitly states that ‘periods are not a gender issue.’
Vuokkoset justified their product launch by highlighting the importance of addressing hygiene product gender norms and acknowledging the discomfort trans men may face regarding menstruation. They emphasized that trans men, biologically female individuals identifying as male, might still experience menstrual cycles despite hormone treatment or choose not to undergo such therapy, resulting in continued menstruation.
Citing studies revealing that 93% of trans men encounter menstrual-related gender dysphoria, the company’s campaign featured Dakota Robin, a Finnish trans man and human rights activist, advocating for a shift in perspectives to combat discrimination against gender minorities.
Despite Vuokkoset’s intentions, feminist groups and women’s health experts vehemently criticized the company for dissociating menstruation from femaleness. Anna Melamed, a midwifery lecturer, pointed out the pervasive period shame experienced by many girls worldwide and condemned the notion that ‘periods are not a gender issue’ as regressive and insulting to the sexism girls endure due to menstruation.
Milli Hill, a feminist author specializing in female puberty, expressed concerns about the product’s labeling, insisting that clarity regarding its intended demographical, specifically individuals identifying as trans men, would alleviate objections. Hill further criticized the redefinition of ‘men’ and ‘women’ by companies to accommodate the idea of changing one’s biological sex, which she deemed immutable.
This controversy contributes to a broader trend wherein women’s groups oppose efforts by companies and institutions to ‘erase’ the association vetween women and period products in the pursuit of being ‘trans inclusive.’ Advocates like Woman’s Place UK stressed that menstruation remains a biological fact of the female lifecycle, emphasizing that while menstruation is not a sign of femininity, only females menstruate, a fundamental aspect that can not be altered by catering to a small market seeking ‘for men’ labeled products.
About the Author
______________________________________________
🔴 Support Independent Journalism
This work is independently produced without corporate funding.
If you value it, a small donation helps keep it going and supports a senior creator continuing this work.
👉 Support here: I NEED Your Help Today
