Bloody Hell

Sandwiched between two feminine hygiene commercials was a moment on "Celebrity Apprentice" when Gene Simmons mouths off some machismo remark about Ivanka going to tell her “sisters” what the men were up to. It was classic Simmons, but what disgusted me more were those commercials.

First up was Tampax. The commercial features young women in their home in Africa with a narrative about how x amount of girls miss school because they have their periods and have no protection. I’ve missed work because of crippling cramps, but thankfully have always had the proper barriers to both allow me to get my period and let me to function when Flow arrives. The ending slogan? “Use your period for good.”

Um…what?

While still wondering why Tampax just doesn’t donate a ton of tampons to these girls, another commercial similar in nature comes on. This time we see the African girls in school and it’s the brand Always conveying the same message. Their tagline? “Have a happy period.”

I’m all about the cause—no woman should have to go without at least a panty liner, but I don’t like how Tampax and Always incorporate this need into an ad to supposedly do good, yet it manipulates consumers. When I am in the store buying these products, it’s bad enough I have to choose between plastic and cardboard applicators. But now I need to think about using my time of the month for good? Isn’t it already good in its own bloody way? Besides, if people cannot afford or do not have the stores to acquire pads or tampons each month, we should be donating the washable, more practical cotton cloth re-usable pads. Makes more sense for the menses.

By the way, Nadia Comaneci looks fantastic.