Scented sanitary towels

[HavingALittleBabyToolshed]

Nearly every week I see a thread started on MN about scented sanitary towels and almost every single day I see them referred to on some thread or other.
At work we see a lot of women, who whilst they come in with something far more serious, are also impacted by thrush, itching and various other irritations because of highly scented plastics worn against the skin.

When I have my period I try to use my mooncup or reusable towels but sometimes (if I come on unexpectedly at work or out and about) I’ll buy pads which 9/10 cause me irritation because of scent.
The whole sanitary protection aisle stinks of this weird part floral/part talc stench which means you cannot discern which brand does or doesn’t smell.
Some are even marked “perfume free” but perfume free does not mean scent free.

This has such an impact on young girls who are largely reliant on what their parents buy, on women and girls on low incomes who don’t have the money to shell out on large one time spends for mooncup and anyway let’s face it they aren’t really for young girls just starting their periods and feeling overwhelmed or something every woman feels comfortable with.

Why on earth to brands like Always, Bodyform etc. feel the need to floral our fannies? Why are our periods so disgusting and revolting to them?
Are they in bed with vagisil etc.?

I truly believe this is something we should tackle as feminists because it is bonkers.

Ok, I’ve started a thread unscented san pro sticky plea on Site Stuff. I’ll update MNHQ response when I get one 🤞

I developed an allergy years ago to Always, we’re talking raw patches on my skin. I switched to Natracare pads and they have been great, really absorbent. They seem stiff at first but gradually relax and mould to your body. I did actually find that my periods became lighter and I had less cramps as well. I bulk order online but you do still pay slightly more.

I jsut don't understand why manufacturers think it's necessary? It must cost them more to make smelly products

I agree, there's no need. But these manufacturers have convinced society that periods are unsanitary, dirty, smelly and unfeminine. So we need to redeem ourselves from this situation by purchasing floral scented, 'luxury', sanitary wear which is pretty and marketed with bright 'feminine colours' and flowers so we can at least still feel pretty on the outside even if were bleeding and disgusting on the inside.

I actually really rate using a mooncup and reusable pads, which I just chuck in the normal wash. No fuss and environmentally friendly.

I used to use Vespré, they were the most comfortable, but even they made me itch. Not knowing any better, I assumed it was my own blood that was causing the irritation. It was only when I bought my first set of cloth pads that I realised that it was the Vespré causing the itch. Then I went on the kind of BC that suppresses menstruation

Also use the reusable cloth ones but only at home as I found they tended to slide when I walked which resulted in an interesting bulge in the arse area!

I safety-pin the front end of the pad to my knickers to stop that from happening.

Great plea in site stuff.