Tampon Taboo!
At the age of 25 years, it is hardly fair to still be unaware of your own body and ways to give it maximum comfort. As a woman in india, we are still facing the issue of understanding our bodies.
Finding better ways to give ourselves comfort is still a far away dream for many. We are completely unaware of the feminine hygiene and sanitation products that have developed with time, and are using the age old methods of sanitation even today.
I was 24 when I first heard about Tampons from a friend who had switched to them. Prior to this information, I always assumed that the word Tampons that I heard repeatedly in foreign web series and movies was synonymous with Sanitary Pads.
It was only last year that I saw an actual tampon for the first time. It is not just shameful to be a woman and not know of devices made for ourselves, but also practically ancient!
For those of us women who are still unaware of the existence of tampons, let me explain it to you.
Tampons are cylindrical super-absorbent clusters that can be inserted into the vaginal opening at the time of our menstrual flow. Tampons help absorb the blood and spare us the usual discomfort of wearing a pad.
Tampons also ensure the segregation of the blood flow and keep our pee blood-free. The biggest concerns faced by young girls are probably that of stains, and tampons are the best armour against them.
However, it is simply unfortunate that tampons are in fact a taboo amongst the women of our society. They are seen as dirty and vile.
Ever since I started using tampons I have heard a large amount of ignorant banter against them. One of the most absurd myth I heard was that tampons tend to break the virginal sheath that we prize so much!
Women shirk from using tampons mostly because it is still an alien method for them. But more importantly, they believe that anything that is supposed to go up their vaginas will make them a non-virgin. Is this not absurd!?
Virginity is actually a social construct meant specifically to keep women as prized entities of the families, and the “pride” of their menfolk.
It is sad that even in the year 2019 we stick to these century old taboos. Nevertheless, you need to relax ladies and there is no need to get your panties in a twist. Tampons will not break your virginity.
If you like to go horse riding, do long. jumps, or rather indulge in any form of sports, chances are that your virginal sheath has already been broken! However, rest assured that tampons will not hamper your ‘character’ in any manner.
Another reason that I have encountered of women shying away from using tampons is the cost it projects. This is a rather valid reason and I have been facing the issue myself. An average sanitary napkins does not cost more than 10–15 rupees per pad.
However, a single tampon ranges anywhere between 20–25 rupees. Buying tampons in bulk burns a huge hole in the pocket. Tampons are treated in India as items of luxury, instead of necessity. They are therefore taxed accordingly.
The availability of tampons and awareness of their existence is another factor weighing into the reason women in india do not use tampons. I live in a rather small town and I have to order my tampons online because there are absolutely no medical or general stores around me that provide them.
While there are many reasons why women are not using tampons, there is just one reason why they MUST: Tampons are designed for maximum comfort during periods, they provide freedom of movement and they ensure that our period days are no different from our regular days.
So break free from your shackles, ladies, and embrace this little scientific miracle made just for our comfort!
