To break down the stigma around menstruation we must talk about periods. The terms, expressions, and euphemisms we use can provide insight into how our culture views periods. Changing our language can then become a route for changing those cultural views. This post is going to tackle the term “feminine hygiene” and argue that the phrase supports the stigma around menstruation. This year, we should resolve to leave the term “feminine hygiene” back in 2020. 
 
1) Feminine hygiene implies that women are especially unclean. Hygiene refers to the things we do to achieve cleanliness. Using “hygiene” together with “feminine” creates an association between women and dirtiness or disease. “Feminine Hygiene” products, therefore, help clean up and manage inherent feminine dirtiness. We don’t call band-aids “human hygiene products” so why do we call tampons, pads, and cups feminine hygiene products? Because advertisers are trying to convince women that they need to buy their products to achieve cleanliness.   

2) Feminine hygiene is pernicious in its vagueness. The vague phrasing of “feminine hygiene” increases the taboo around women’s bodies and menstruation. The phrase is a cop-out because it lets shoppers, store managers, and advertisers skirt around acknowledging the specifics of the female body. It represents society’s menstrual shame and discomfort. The non-specific phrasing lets avoid meaningful engagement with the variety of products it references. When people refer to feminine hygiene, are they talking about douches? Vaginal wipes? Pads? Tampons? Cups? Sea sponges? Deodorant? The broadness is indicative of our cultural unwillingness to practically engage with or think about women’s reproductive health. Call a spade a spade, and refer to them as menstrual products.   

3) Feminine hygiene results in placement issues in stores. At my local Walgreens, “feminine hygiene” products are in the same aisle as family planning supplies like condoms, lube, and pregnancy tests.  What is the logic behind pad placement?  “It has to do with a vagina, so… put it with the sex stuff.” This placement showcases how society is only comfortable thinking about or seeing female genitalia when sex is within easy reach. This stems from our collective discomfort regarding women’s bodies. It’s simply more comfortable for everyone if women’s genitalia are things we only think about when we’re also thinking about sex, even though menstruation has very little to do with sex.  Why aren’t period products with the band-aids; where one could sell tampons as effective for menstruation AND controlling nosebleeds?   
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4) Feminine hygiene is an inaccurate description of its consumers. Not everyone who needs menstrual products is a woman; there are trans masculine people who menstruate and need menstrual products. Many trans masculine people already experience dysphoria about their periods and exclusive language in advertising only adds to these feelings.    
You may see these products also referred to as feminine care. While feminine care avoids ascribing special feminine dirtiness to women, the term is still overly broad, alienates part of its user base, and presents placing issues.  I prefer something basic and informative: Period products or menstrual supplies. Let us know if you have other preferred phrases by commenting below. 
 
Rachel Desmond
Women's Health Program Manager

Credit: Discard Feminine Hygiene Products Here Sign, SKU: S2-0942 (mydoorsign.com)