5 Powerful Period Ads That Are Helping To Normalize Periods
It’s time to cut the BS, end the stigmatization, and shut down the taboos surrounding periods. Period. The reality is, periods are a normal part of human life, which without none of us would even exist, and yet somehow throughout history, they’ve been immersed in shame and stigma. It’s time for the stigma to stop, and what better way to reach people than by using social media via period-positive campaigns. We’re welcoming a series of tampon ads that normalize menstruation experiences – leaks, stains, bloody tampons, period sex, and discharge – rather than those that fail to feature a drop of blood and feel somewhat alienating!
Here are five really powerful ads that are (finally) normalizing periods, ending the taboo surrounding period poverty, and educating people about what it’s really like to have a period.
1. Bodyform #Wombstories
If you’re someone who menstruates, you’re bound to find some part of this relatable. Whether it’s horrific period cramps, struggling to get pregnant, or for others, being grateful that you’re not, these #WombStories showcase the realities of menstruation. They do so with humor, heartbreak, and joy, with the overriding message that menstruation is beautiful and everyone’s journey is different, which is what makes it so relatable and heartwarming. We love the illustrations that narrate the unwelcomed realities of your period; like sneezing and suddenly opening the flood gates of your vaginal canal. Hands up if that’s happened to you? It sure as hell has happened to us!
2. The PERIOD Movement
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“If faces were bleeding, someone would do something,” so they say in this provocative ad. This is one of those hard truths that really makes you question why period poverty isn’t discussed more openly and why menstrual products aren’t more freely provided to those in need.
Period poverty, by definition, is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, and/ or, waste management. And it’s currently a global problem, which has only been magnified due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This powerful advertisement from @nadyaokamoto in collaboration with PERIOD, a non-profit youth-powered charity that aims to end period poverty, forces people to face reality and asks for help in any way possible. Check out their page for more details.
3. Jessica Megan for Natracare
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Many of us still feel the need to hide our periods from the world. You know the classics: “Oh I just have tummy ache,” or running to the bathroom with a pad or tampon wedged up your sleeve so your coworkers or classmates don’t see. This advertisement reminds (or teaches) us that we shouldn’t feel the need to hide our menstrual products.
Alongside the stunning photo from influencer Jessica Megan, which proudly showcases her Natracare period products, is a beautifully written caption in which she questions why “People with periods are given permission to be sexy” but are not allowed to remind society that they bleed every month.
The comments are full of support, and even have some users saying that when they first saw the images, they were shocked at first, which they realize only goes to show how much work we all have to do, because ultimately, there is and shouldn’t be anything shocking about the image.
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4. Dazed: Breaking The Taboo Surrounding Period Poverty
While we’re on the topic of period poverty, watch this short film created by Dazed, which showcases one of the many realities of period poverty. I think we can all relate to that feeling of dread when you discover you don’t have a tampon, pad, or menstrual cup when you need it.
In this short film, when a girl bleeds through her make-shift pad, a boy kindly offers her his jumper to conceal the stain, adding that his sister has experienced the same thing. Not only is this a beautiful act of compassion but it shows that when everyone is educated about periods, we can all be a part of the solution.
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Recently a woman shared a VERY similar story when her daughter got her period while riding on the school bus and an older classmate offered her his jumper. Just like this woman says, it’s important to share positive stories too.
5. “I Stained The Toilet Seat #onmyperiod”
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After you recently shared your #periodstories with us, this one really hit home. The caption reads:
“Who else does this in a rush? 😅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I stained the toilet #onmyperiod” – Anonymous⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I was in a rush after coming back from the mall and I was too late to reach the toilet. It gets messy sometimes and it’s okay. Even tho the cleaning is sometimes hectic but I’m proud of my body and what it does for me!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have my period regularly. Sometimes it hurts and it’s very heavy and other times it’s okay to handle and it’s light. My period is quite moody and so is my personality when I’m on my period. I get anxious and irritated easily. In the Middle East periods are considered a taboo and it’s horrible. If a bf or a husband buys his significant other period products he is considered a simp which is horrifying to me!”
There are so many things that happen when we’re on our period that we rarely share, even with our closest friends, which only makes us feel more embarrassed when they occur. Case in point: getting blood on the toilet seat or on the bathroom floor. While this post isn’t an advertisement, it’s an organization dedicated to normalizing periods through storytelling, and we’re really here for it. After just ten minutes of scrolling through their page, we came to the powerful realization that many things that have happened during our period have also happened to others and (say it loud) are so NORMAL. Follow @itsaugust on Instagram for relatable, real posts!
For more period related info, check out the PMS symptoms no-one talks about.
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