Have you seen the new Bodyform advert?

[Fairenuff]

Just that really. Sorry if there's already a thread.

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/offbeat/bodyform-s-new-advert-breaks-period-advertising-taboos/vi-BB16hTmF?ocid=msedgdhp

I've been buying them for years but often struggle to find ones without wings. Can't stand the sticky bit that never sticks where it should but instead to my leg or pubes. 😑

Hmmm I feel a bit different. Is everybody's experience of their womb/ womanhood so miserable? I understand it's a mix and it's good to reflect all experience, but feels like this is tipping the balance towards sending a message that being a woman is a pretty burdensome, dark experience...

I have a 10 year old dd, and I would rather she not see this when she is getting ready for her first period!

And no, I don't need walking through meadows or roller skating.... but writhing on the bathroom floor?.... I would prefer something that gives a bit more emphasis to the beauty and power of being a woman....

I am also not keen on stories of tragedy and pain being used to sell stuff....

@BraveGoldie I don't think it's aimed at girls who haven't had their first period, there are plenty of more appropriate resources for that demographic.

Ah the girl in the sports kit.

Total flash back to me in white trousers at a martial arts competition. :( I had to borrow my friend's trousers. I was mortified.

Amazing advert compared to the normal nonsense.

The "people who menstruate" stuff just looks stupid

I love the video, but I think it is only necessary in current times, to make a point about women's biology.
If men didn't think they can actually be women, there would be no reason for it.
I'd like to think bodyform are nailing their colours to the mast, but it's probably a clever marketing ploy, aimed at the many many GC women out here.
Because really, why would they need to do it otherwise? Women and girls (and trans men I guess) already know what they are for.

@BraveGoldie agreed. The advert mostly references the worst things that can happen when having a womb without any of the good (except sex with a man?). Being a woman is wonderful. It’s not a tragedy

It also shows having a baby. That's a pretty wonderful thing about having a womb. I didn't think it was miserable at all.

@TheOrigBrave sorry if I have misunderstood - but this isn't a resource - it's an advert to sell stuff, which I assume will be broadcast publicly, so perfectly possible for my daughter to see?

Don't get me wrong, I want my daughter to grow up with a full understanding of what it means to be a woman, but this feels like a distorted version - not in that these stories don't happen, (and I am deeply sorry for anybody who has experienced similar)... but that they are over-represented. Nobody watching this advert would want to grow up to be a woman.....

I thought it was a work of art.

I have a 10 year old dd, and I would rather she not see this when she is getting ready for her first period!

I don't think it's meant for 10 year olds, given the sex scenes in it!

I like the girl in the sports kit with white shorts. Nice little dig at the stupidity of the adverts that advocate wearing white anything on your bottom half when it's your period. Those adverts were apparently dreamed up by a committee of men.

[quote BraveGoldie]@TheOrigBrave sorry if I have misunderstood - but this isn't a resource - it's an advert to sell stuff, which I assume will be broadcast publicly, so perfectly possible for my daughter to see?

Don't get me wrong, I want my daughter to grow up with a full understanding of what it means to be a woman, but this feels like a distorted version - not in that these stories don't happen, (and I am deeply sorry for anybody who has experienced similar)... but that they are over-represented. Nobody watching this advert would want to grow up to be a woman..... [/quote]
It’s not over represented; It’s represented, and absolutely should be. It is the reality of what many, many women go through simply by virtue of being female.

And you’re right, many people, including many women, I’d venture, wouldn’t ever choose to be women! But we don’t get a choice. It’s what we are.

The director is on twitter @NishaGanatra if anyone wants to let her know how good it is to see this.

I just asked my dh to watch it as I found it so powerful and his first reaction was "Oooh that's going to trigger a lot of gammon" 🤣
Well done bodyform I found it masterful. And I'll now make a point of only buying bodyform. Please make it clear which are unscented though, the scented ones make me nauseous. Disgusting artificial smell I wouldn't want on my wrists let alone my labia.

@BraveGoldie I suppose it's interpretation, not minimising your thoughts and how you felt towards it, I felt differently- neither of us are likely right or wrong, but it demonstrates the variation of perception. But when I was 10, the only thing I ever saw on the TV was either an advert with blue liquid, or adverts with the girls dancing around etc. There was nothing which really opened up any conversations, or seemed to make it okay to not find it easy, it just was something to not really talk about. I started my period in year 7, and despite having 'learnt' all about them, I thought I was really unwell because it wasn't anything like the limited exposure I had to it, and also I didn't really understand the wider implications of what my body was doing. I would have really liked this advert, but it's perfectly understandable that some wouldn't recieve it that way.

I love it! About time too. Always (ahem) find these ads bloody (sorry) patronising but this one fairly nails it. Feel strangely emotional after it actually.

I would probably have hated that back in the day when I thought the fight for equality was won.
Now I'm so bloody grateful that it didn't pander to the 0.1% I bloody loved it.
Am also waiting with bated breath and popcorn for the not so good doctor to react to it.

That is seriously amazing. Bravo Bodyform!

I also think it's important because so many men have no fucking idea what a period actually entails. Sanitised ads contribute to that.

And yeah, as someone whose periods have always been horrible, it's nice to feel seen by a company that makes period products. Writhing in pain, dripping on the floor, flooding: these are all very familiar to me. When I was a teenager I used to vomit with my period. I missed days of school because of the nausea and the severe pain.

Brilliant just brilliant and I love the music the devil biting yes I can relate to that it’s that good I’m speechless.

I loved it, can relate to pretty much all of it. I might have shed a few tears. Thank you @NishaGanatra, wow I'm feeling so much now.

@JellySlice you'd need to have your legs akimbo to drip on the floor?!? Jesus Christ can we swap lives please?

Randomfires

It just winds me up that loads of people have said that this ad will make them buy the product as I just feel that making an ad isn’t really supporting women and they feel like their job is done. I’d like to see them doing something practical to support women’s issues/ causes considering we’re the whole customer base! Saying something is a start. Doing something is better

I just spent about 30 seconds scrolling back on Bodyform's twitter feed. Found this. Also in May they donated an extra 150,000 pads to the NHS for international nurses day. Given how quickly I found this I wouldn't be surprised if they are doing a lot more too. What an amazing brand.

How embarrassing for you though.

Awesome advert. Thank you Bodyform. I will be switching to your products.