By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:19:18 +0000

I have a story to share. I am allergic to most mainstream menstruation products — I don’t know what I’m specifically allergic to, but I always get painful dermatitis when I use them, and in an obviously sensitive location. I put up with this for DECADES because of a lack of information, but finally switched to products that don’t cause a reaction (lunapads and organic cotton tampons). My sister-in-law was visiting a year or so ago and was poking through an old copy of Bitch magazine. She saw an ad for lunapads and loudly, derisively and forcefully denounced them and anyone who would use them as gross (she actually went off on them at length and was quite creative in her jabs). I had a choice to make: ignore her and busy myself with cooking, or respond honestly and share my experience. I’m sorry to say I took the former option. I was just too embarrassed. I’ve had similar incidents with my Mom and a close friend, and I’m not even using my usual online handle for this comment. I just can’t talk about these products — and yet, all I’m doing is perpetuating the lack of information about alternatives that kept me in pain for so many years. It’s appalling, but the shame and silence is strongly enforced by those around us. Thanks so much for your post and for this conversation.

Comments on: Is Menstruation a Disability?

By: Anne