I still used pads, so what?
To each girl they’re own okay? The patriarchy is already regulating my body as much as they can, I don’t need your judgment on my period preference.
The main reason I use pads is because that’s all my mom taught me how to use. When my time came at 14, my mom only had pads to offer and one of her clients also went and bought me two Safeway bags full of pads so I would have enough for at least a year and a half. So, I never really questioned the other options I had since at that time, I didn’t have to deal with the burden of buying pads or anything else for my period.
I still get asked and badgered by my friends on why I don’t have or use tampons, and I always have the same comeback which is 1) It’s my preferred choice and 2) I’m avoiding Toxic Shock Syndrome. While TSS doesn’t happen a lot, the consequences and risks are still there. Just take for example, model Lauren Wasser who almost died from TSS and lost her left leg in the whole ordeal. You can read more about her story on Vice.
(The two sizes of pads that I use.)
Pads and other period products do connect back to the capitalist society Fritsch discussed in her paper, and how I connected it to the pink tax. Because obviously men don’t pay for period product because they don’t need them, however women pay a lot of money for a natural occurrence that happens in their body. Meanwhile, men always get condoms basically thrown at them for free, even though sex isn’t as important or bothersome as a period.
I will admit though, there are struggles when it comes to using pads. Like it took me a long time to find the perfect pad that I didn’t feel uncomfortable. The post “19 Things You'll Only Understand If You Wear Pads Instead Of Tampons” from Buzzfeed resonates with me so much.
Also, please enjoy this hilarious video of the men of Buzzfeed reacting to pads.
There is an important detail I need to mention since I am a Latina who refuses to use tampons. While my mother never imposed this idea on me, many other Latinas discourage their daughters from using tampons because they say “don’t use it until you need it” hinting that a tampon will make somehow make you lose your virginity, which will cast doubt for your future husband on whether you are pure or not.
Furthermore, looking at the article by authors Romo and Berenson who researched tampon use among different ethnicity group, their findings on the Latina study group goes on to prove my point. Many Latina women were more likely to reported that in their teen years, they believed that tampons were unsafe and inappropriate for virgins. They were terrified that tampons could get lost or stuck.
To any woman who has a vagina who bleeds, YOU CHOOSE HOW YOU DEAL WITH YOU FLOW HONEY.
Credit:
Romo, L. F., & Berenson, A. B. (n.d). Tampon Use in Adolescence: Differences among European American, African American and Latina Women in Practices, Concerns, and Barriers. Journal Of Pediatric And Adolescent Gynecology, 25(5), 328-333.