I got my periods later than my friends.
A few of them, out of good humour , spread stories that period blood is green in
colour . They painted horror stories about the cramp pangs. With my own
curiosity about the white discharge (a colour other than blood red), I believed
and not believed them. But vaguely knew what was to come. So when I saw blood
on my underwear, I did not fear cancer. I did not panic. I went up to my mom.
She taught me about using a pad, and how often to use it. Around that time she
also taught me about wearing a bra, which I was unaccepting of. Because I had
made up mind that sanitary pads and brassier were only for married women. I was
able to give-in for one bubble burst, but not the other. Such was my ignorance.
Ignorance spawned by a society where biology teachers shied away from teaching
about reproduction, sex and consent. Where elders felt uneasy to talk about
intimate hygiene. It was collectively and consciously left to the peers to
influence our knowledge about intimate care.
Nonetheless, as I realized
later, intimate care is not that frightening. It is a simple hygiene practice
like washing hands. It is part of our personal care. It is required for both
men and women.
What charmed me however was how my
intimate care choices were enhanced by simple new-age intimate care products in
the market:
Sirona Tampons, for example, drew my attention to the material
of the products we use for intimate care. Our pubic region is sensitive and
easily prone to infections. But still, we use abrasive products for it inside
and outside. We adjust with the discomfort of constant dampness for five days.
Why? Why should we?
Sirona Menstrual Cups similarly, with its simplest and most
hygienic method of flow entrapment, showed me that dry days are possible during
periods. Whatever said and done, the second period day is the worst. More than
cramps it is the annoyance of heavy flow and immediate dampness. One has to
change more often than the other days. But the menstrual cup, gave a twelve-hour
relief. Twelve hours of dryness and no spots.
Sirona PeeBuddy on the other hand completely transformed my views about
female public toilet use. It is time that we have women
underwears not with ribbon bows, but with holes, to stand and pee. It is time
that women's toilets now have urinals, to stand and pee. Why should we endure the
fear of UTI?
In all
the years of our being, it is only now that we have a choice. A choice to say
no to adjusting . A choice that doesn’t limit our mobility. A choice to seek
what should be rightfully ours. A choice for sirona
intimate hygiene wash and care. A choice that I have made, along with
many other women and trans-women. A choice that I carry with me in all my
travels.
(Author: Sirona)
