Running a marathon without a tampon. Does it 'break the stigma of periods'?

[ArmySal]

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/kiran-gandhi-ran-the-london-marathon-without-a-tampon-in-a-bid-to-break-the-stigma-surrounding-womens-periods/story-fni0cx12-1227475480183?

When I first read the story I was open mouthed through revulsion, to be honest, but after reading the story I understand (to a degree) the point she was making.

AIBU to think 'fair play' to her? As said in the article, it highlights the fact some women don't have access to sanitary products, something I hadn't really thought about before.

I don't really understand about why people here are being so blasé about access to sanitary products. Eg in the developing world lots of figures on how millions of girls miss school. Just one of the stories here :

www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/may/28/menstruation-girls-education-uganda-sanitation

Surely she must have been sore anyway. I've had to go without a pad overnight before (because they don't agree with me, but neither do tampons!) and the blood's horribly drying.

Doesn't really shock me though, I did an outward bound expedition on the first day of my period once. The exercise didn't help - I was still very sore - but there was something quite good about the whole thing. Even changing my pad behind a tree...

I still don't understand the revulsion though. It's still just blood

There are plenty of bloodborne diseases in the world. I think some level of wariness makes sense - we generally dispose of clinical waste separately, which includes san bins from the women's loos.

Plus some people do go funny at the sight of blood. Not sure how women cope with that, but I guess your own blood is different.

I wouldn't have done it but fair play to her! I've been a runner and can't imagine running a marathon during a period due to lack of energy. Couldn't wear tampons at all. Such a weird feeling. She sounds great actually.

Not hidden away no, and nothing to be ashamed of - I'm certainly not ashamed of a normal bodily function any more than I am the need to urinate etc. Not ashamed. Going off my own experience (have pcos) I'd have been extremely heavy and uncomfortable. Also, blood smells (perhaps TMI but when I've not changed sanitary products in a while, I do smell. Dont think anyone else notices as I'm probably hyper sensitive, but they would after time). Not a pleasant experience for the woman in question nor her fellow runners.

As I said, I call periods a normal bodily function. Urine and defecating are too. I would not be impressed if I saw someone with shit/piss on their trousers while running. Nothing to do with Shame or misogyny - everything to do with hygiene. Besides, call me old fashioned but periods are private to me, as are other bathroom activities and as such should not be flaunted in public. Its her body and her choice, but I do know I felt uncomfortable reading the article and did think 'whats the point'. She has access to sanitary products so I don't see why using other women who aren't so lucky as a reason is valid. Does that mean she'll stop wiping her arse with loo roll? some women don't have toilet roll after all

It's up to her, if she doesn't find it uncomfortable. But I don't think it 'breaks the stigma'. Marathon running isn't a day to day activity, and the fact that marathon runners frequently pee themselves, etc., doesn't make it more socially acceptable to pee in public at other times. (Or to have an unwiped runny nose as an adult, or not to clean yourself of any other bodily fluid.) If women in some situations or locations suffer stigma from having their periods, that's a separate problem.

Hstar access to sanitary protection is for sure neglected when thinking about impact of poverty etc. it's definitely something that needs more attention!

I find I have more energy on my period

I'm not sure how a tampon would rub or feel odd though - am I the only one who doesn't feel tampons?

I wouldn't like to do it myself but it doesn't make me outraged either

Wasn't the London marathon months ago?

Other people's menstrual fluids smell rank anyway. It doesn't smell like normal blood (which doesn't have much of a scent really), it smells like sour ham. Sickeningly sweet and metallic. I have had a few times at work to deal with it and you can smell it from 2/3ft away if the person hasn't used proper absorbable protection. Not pleasant.

Yeah April 27th....

You would t have been able to 'smell' her!

Sour ham......That's a description I won't forget in a hurry

I read that her bleeds are too heavy for one tampon to have lasted the entire race, meaning she would either have had to stop to change it somewhere or would have been uncomfortable with it falling out towards the end. A sanitary towel would have chafed and become sweaty, so was not a viable alternative.

As I understand it, the alternative was not to run at all so I can understand why she reflected on worldwide access - or lack of - to sanitary products and just ran without.

Thanks Garmin. So this 'news' is already nearly 4 months old.

Oh god yes the chafing

Why not just a tamping and a sanitary towel?

Or just take the pill - lots of female athletes do that

Obviously the marathon was 4 months ago, it is ran in Spring.

The news that she ran it without a tampon is new.

Why has it taken so long for it to be news?

I think it's an interesting point. How many of us hide our periods, sneak to the loo to change sanitary products, don't talk about the pain or cramps because it feels shameful? And yes there are always washable rags for women/girls who don't have access to tampons etc but often they have nowhere to change them so can't leave the house to go to school etc.

For 50% of the worlds population menstruation is part of our biology but it's hidden away and treated as 'dirty' so actually I think this woman has raised a point.

Lack of access to sanitary products is a really important issue, so I hope this does raise awareness.

Here's a great project focusing on homeless women thehomelessperiod.com/ There's a petition too, for shelters to get funding for sanpro, please consider signing it.

I run. I trained for and ran London marathon. Never have periods been a massive problem for me or fellow runners, if anything, they ease off slightly

Don't get the fuss. Think she is an attention seeker. A mooncup is great for running. But she knows this, she just wanted to be 'controversial'

I find tampons very uncomfortable and cannot run with one in without feeling like it will fall out, having it sitting too low whilst running is not a good feeling.

I would equally be experiencing plasticky rubbing with a pad on my upper thighs.

I don't run marathons but I do run locally and if I have my period and running is on, I'll just be wearing old black knickers which will go through the the wash after. I did not know I was making a political statement.

Equally I did not know I was disgusting.

Her bleeds are to heavy for one tampon ?

Well I imagine quite a bit came out then during the Marathon.

I went swimming once with nothing as blood does not come out in water. So Meh with this. lol On the Fence I suppose.

I can't believe that in a marathon of that size no one fell over and cut themselves I they did people would be sympathetic and not panicked about blood bourne disease because you actually need to exchange bodily fluids so a drop on your shoe isn't an issue.

I can see her point, I bet there were other runners in black leggings though.