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Original poster

Boots — “period products”

60 replies

Startinganew07 · 26/03/2024 09:30

Apparently the change happened a while ago but I have only recently noticed Boots has changed its “feminine hygiene” section to “period products”, presumably because periods are no longer the preserve of females?

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 26/03/2024 11:35

over50andfab · 26/03/2024 11:14

Much better description - feminine hygiene infers that our vaginas and vulvas should all smell like rose gardens - which they don’t - and anything else is dirty/unhygienic.

And you used to be able to get sprays that ensured you did smell like a rose garden (possibly you still can).

Changeandagoodrest · 26/03/2024 11:33

Well toilet paper keeps you clean and is just called toilet paper. I personally feel feminine hygiene was too middle of the road, I'd like either period products or Aunt Flo Condiments

GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight · 26/03/2024 11:29

@Startinganew07
you are right! I don’t really care — it is instructive to learn what others people (presumably younger) think

Don't think age has anything to do with it, it's not just youngsters who think period products is a better term, I'm certainly not young 😁

HJ40 · 26/03/2024 11:29

I used to work on this sort of things with retailers, it will have been decided by shopper research, so will be what our fellow women have asked for. Hooray!

GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight · 26/03/2024 11:25

Pipeskeepleaking · 26/03/2024 09:32

Thank GOD for this change. I can’t stand the idea of feminine hygiene and freshness and all that nonsense.
plain language is way better.
women have periods, get over it.

I agree, can't get worked up by it.
"Feminine hygiene?" 🙄 It makes it sound flowery and twee, why not just call it what it is.
Period products.

IClaudine · 26/03/2024 11:18

over50andfab · 26/03/2024 11:14

Much better description - feminine hygiene infers that our vaginas and vulvas should all smell like rose gardens - which they don’t - and anything else is dirty/unhygienic.

This. Feminine hygiene makes me think of those scented pads which must surely be thrush inducing.

Period products is fine

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 26/03/2024 11:18

I agree it’s better and may stop some trans women from thinking, “I’m a laydeeee now I must need feminine hygiene products” (except for the gross fetishist ones 🤢)z

over50andfab · 26/03/2024 11:14

Much better description - feminine hygiene infers that our vaginas and vulvas should all smell like rose gardens - which they don’t - and anything else is dirty/unhygienic.

RubyOtter · 26/03/2024 11:13

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

DadJoke · 26/03/2024 11:11

"Feminine hygiene" is very Victorian and implies that periods are unhygenic. I am glad people aren't upset by the lack of reference to "women."

Revelatio · 26/03/2024 11:10

Thank god! I hate that term. It’s so wishy washy. It could include deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo etc. Finally it actually says what it sells.

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 26/03/2024 11:07

it is instructive to learn what others people (presumably younger) think.

Younger than whom? I am an old lady with a bus pass to prove it.

Cauliflowery · 26/03/2024 11:06

I prefer period products to (flowery, euphemistic) feminine hygiene too.

Boots may well have made the change for misogynist rather than feminist reasons. But stopped clocks are right twice a day, Trump believes in gravity too etc etc.

I'm trying to shop elsewhere due to Boots' tax avoidance.

Original poster
Startinganew07 · 26/03/2024 10:46

@FineWordsButterNoParsnips you are right! I don’t really care — it is instructive to learn what others people (presumably younger) think. I myself do think of “period products” as being hygienic, as they keep (or kept…) me clean. And periods are part of the female experience (most females), not part of general human experience. But…. Seems like Boots and Aldi and others have a better understanding of consumer preference than I do!

OP posts:
Homecountieshome · 26/03/2024 10:13

Oh dear poor OP 🤣

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/03/2024 10:12

Well, that’s what they are ?

FineWordsButterNoParsnips · 26/03/2024 10:11

Thread not going how you thought, OP? 😄

Astariel · 26/03/2024 10:09

I totally agree that ‘feminine hygiene’ is a dreadful term.

Generally the use of the term ‘feminine’ is a red flag for some kind of ingrained misogyny.

35965a · 26/03/2024 10:08

I prefer it. More to the point and clear.

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 26/03/2024 10:07

Startinganew07 · 26/03/2024 09:30

Apparently the change happened a while ago but I have only recently noticed Boots has changed its “feminine hygiene” section to “period products”, presumably because periods are no longer the preserve of females?

I'm another who far prefers "period products". "Feminine hygeine" is as coyly unpleasant as "personal freshness". Not quite as bad as "personal daintiness" though.

And if you're GC then the new name is clearer - if you don't have a period then you don't need them.

And I do love the little baskets of free tampons and pads in toilets. Some things have got better since I was a girl!

MonsteraMama · 26/03/2024 09:57

Yeah I'm as GC as they come but Period Products is far better than "feminine hygiene". Clear language and removal of shame or the idea that periods are somehow "unclean" is a good thing.

Comedycook · 26/03/2024 09:49

I don't agree and I don't think it is anything to do with the trans debate.

Feminine hygiene is a bit of a coy phrase. Like you're too embarrassed to say what it really is.

Period products is a better term.

RainStreakedWindows · 26/03/2024 09:49

This is not something to be upset about. They are period products. Feminine Hygiene is a ridiculous term.

MurderousCheekbones · 26/03/2024 09:47

It's much better. Feminine hygiene is so unnecessary and coy, and implies that women need special help not to be unclean.

MaggieFS · 26/03/2024 09:47

Nothing to do with whomever menstruates.

It's a GOOD change. Brings it to the forefront. WOMEN HAVE PERIODS. Not 'the wrong time of the month' needing 'feminine' products for something 'unhygienic'. Hopefully by the time by DD needs them the embarrassment of buying them I suffered as a teen will have evaporated.