Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising - Jezebel Comments

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

AprilElephenor — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:24:55 EDT

My name is Matthew and I appreciate this discussion, in part because I know that there are a few men who need to wear maxis due to health issues. Thanks for the commentary.

AprilElephenor

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

ceejeemcbeegee — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:46:24 EST

It boggles my mind that women in the "belt" ear never thought to tape their pads to their drawers. That is all.

ceejeemcbeegee

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

LollyPops — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:37:33 EST

Mmmm... New fiber! That ad was awesome. And totally made me hungry for some celery.

LollyPops

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

finette — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:12:44 EST

I haven't worked my way up to a cup yet but I have another alternative: cloth pads! I bought four to try this month and love them so much that I went on a spree yesterday and ordered seven more. They're sooooft (the ones I've seen are topped with flannel, 100% cotton, or velour), they come in fun prints, and they don't leak, bunch, or slip. They're also easy to care for--most people just give them a cold water rinse, let them all soak until the end of their period, and then throw them in the washer. I got most of mine from VajPads but there are lots of sellers on Etsy as well.

finette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

DramaClub — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:49:53 EST

@dayglo: Aw but kataroo said you CAN have sex with it in...

I think she was getting the Diva cup mixed up with the Instead frisbee thing. The Diva cup looks like the top of a wine goblet and it completely blocks the chute. You have to take it out to have sex.

DramaClub

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

spamanda — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:22:08 EST

@dayglo: supposedly you can't use the Insteads with an IUD. It has to do with where each one sits inside you. I looked into it, too. With the Insteads there's a chance you'll catch your strings when you try to take it out. Ouch.

spamanda

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

dayglo — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:03:31 EST

@DramaClub: Aw but kataroo said you CAN have sex with it in...

Once upon a time my bf had sex with a girl even though she had a tampon in. It was so weird.

dayglo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

dayglo — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:58:36 EST

@mary.not.buggin: And then pulling it out had me looking like Carrie...

dayglo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

big.mary — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:50:50 EST

@dayglo: I've had bad luck with Instead as well. Maybe I'm not putting it in right, or maybe I'm shaped weird, but I might as well have used nothing it leaked so badly.

big.mary

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Bianca_Cheri — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:37:58 EST

@cheri: *pull them out

Bianca_Cheri

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Bianca_Cheri — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:37:41 EST

@DramaClub: oh man that is the worst part of wearing tampons seriously. when you have to pull them up and it's kinda dry. yea I know TMI lol

Bianca_Cheri

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Bianca_Cheri — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:36:08 EST

hey one of those girls is the new Kendall from All My Children. LMAOO so mad I recognized her right away

Bianca_Cheri

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

LonelySock — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:26:55 EST

@spamanda: Yes! I too can't help but think of anal beads. And the phrase "pearl necklace". So weird, the whole pearlized plastic thing. Especially with tampons - what the fuck?

LonelySock

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

DramaClub — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:12:06 EST

@dayglo: They are VERY different. Instead is worn high up against the cervix like a diaphragm and looks like a frisbee. Diva is a tulip-shaped cup worn lower in the vagina more like a tampon. You cannot get busy with a Diva Cup in. It would be in the way the same way a tampon would.

One other benefit - the cup doesn't dry out your catbag like a tampon.

DramaClub

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

neutralforce — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:08:42 EST

I hate to admit that I know this and recognize it, but at least two of those ads are starring women who were later on ABC soap operas: All My Children and One Life to Live respectively.
Apparently if you're headed for lousy daytime TV, maxi pad ads can really boost your career.

neutralforce

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

dayglo — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:00:47 EST

Is the Diva cup better than the "Instead" cups? Cuz I tried those and they just didn't do it for me.

I still have my diaphram from before I got my IUD and I use that for sexual purposes.

Berke Breathed had me believing for years that "feminine protection" was a chartreuse flamethrower.

dayglo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

katastic — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:54:36 EST

"Sport" tampons do push-ups.

katastic

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

missjwalker — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:47:20 EST

That guy in the last ad looks a tad like Bill Paxton. And no, my guy isn't my number one reason for Midol. It's those excruciating cramps, thanks.

missjwalker

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

DramaClub — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:24:43 EST

You can buy the Diva cup directly off their website [divacup.com] or you can look on eBay for several sellers - that's where I bought mine. Other women I know have found them at their local granola and patchouli store.

One big tip - if the stem bugs you just cut it off. Mine is now stemless and it's a lot more comfortable to wear. Don't stick it up too high, don't leave it hanging out. You should be able to feel the bottom part of the tulip only when you bear down a little.

DramaClub

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

PoisonPixie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:04:44 EST

Why is there a laugh track in the Courtney Cox ad? That sorta threw me off.

PoisonPixie

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

TGY — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:36:32 EST

Why 'Diva' Cup? Is it designed for opera singers? Scuba people?

TGY, Inquiring Minds...

TGY

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

somabuzz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:30:55 EST

@dramaclub: where do you get these diva cups? i have seriously never heard of one

somabuzz

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Miss. Money-Sterling — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:18:30 EST

@jammiriffic:

Some have also suggested using just a little bit of lube while you're figuring out how to get it in there; the first few times I inserted mine I either put it in in such a way that it was pinching, or else I got it in crooked and had leaks. I find that when it's in correctly I can still feel it if I think really hard about it, but otherwise you shouldn't be aware of it. Sometimes it helps if you bear down a little instead of clenching (which, if you're frustrated...). I flatten/fold mine, insert it and give it a little twist so it opens up again. To take it out you need to pinch it a little, because if it's created a seal you'll just end up yanking on your cervix which is really, really painful. I might suggest experimenting when you don't have your period.

When we make our own Jezebel menstrual documentary, I totally want to be the mom who helps her kids learn how to put things in their cooters, k?

Miss. Money-Sterling

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Miss. Money-Sterling — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:08:30 EST

I'm jumping on the Diva Cup/ Keeper bandwagon as well. Using a cup takes some getting used to, and it took me a few rounds to get comfortable with mine, but it's AWESOME not to have to buy tampons, both for my wallet and the environment. Don't get me started on the fact most commercial tampons contain toxic synthetics, bleach, and come with a fucking LUXURY TAX. I will buy the organic no-applicator kind if I'm traveling or if I get my period away from home(not a v. regular girl).

Then again, I always thought that being intimately acquainted with my lady parts was one of the best parts ABOUT being a girl, and I realize that there are others who don't feel that way when it relates to their periods.

FYI, I bought my keeper about 6 years ago at Bluestockings in NYC, and when I walked out of the store I fumbled with my stuff and it fell out of my bag and this very kind orthodox dude who was walking by picked it up for me. If only he knew!!!!

Miss. Money-Sterling

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Absinthelating — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:05:05 EST

I like the idea of the diva cup too, but too many scary memories of the sponge! Emergency gyn visit anyone?

Absinthelating

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Cthulhah Bankhead — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:00:38 EST

It's nice to know that someone as impossibly gorgeous as Watts had an awkward phase.

Cthulhah Bankhead

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

spamanda — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:26:30 EST

@petuniacat: I hate the idea of "pearls" too. Something about the graphics on the box always makes me think of anal beads.
And I am SO getting a diva cup before next month.

spamanda

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

deitybox — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:02:49 EST

Jesus Christ. They could put a man on the moon in the sixties but didn't think to put adhesive on the back of a pad?
I love the idea of the Diva Cup, but wouldn't be able to deal with having such an up-close-and-personal relationship with my period. Maybe I'm repressed.

deitybox

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

chris10 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:43:41 EST

As far as I know, the only people who ever had blue periods are Picasso and the Queen of England.

chris10

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Tiny-Moves — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:16:07 EST

I heard Courteney Cox was actually the first person to say the word "period" on television. It was that ad, that recently.
And yeah, I love that Judy Blume made you fortunate to not have to deal with that stuff poor Margaret did, if you're an nineties teen, like I am. Remember "Mens-troo-al..."
And: Diva Cup sounds great. I'm sold. Sex w/ it in? Really?

Tiny-Moves

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

blnkfrnk — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:11:02 EST

@jammiriffic: Are you folding it in half? You sort of have to hold it folded in half, then wiggle it up there. It also helps, if you have the option, to get it warmed up and wet under the hot water faucet. Go slow; try different ways of standing/sitting while you try to put it in. I had to do several "dry runs" as it were before I got the hang of the Diva Cup.

Anyone who wants to get one: it's the greatest thing ever. Oh my, it changed my life. I'd suggest buying two, so you can have a backup when you inevitably lose one in a hotel bathroom if you're anything like me.

blnkfrnk

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

jammiriffic — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:40:40 EST

@dramaclub: Wahhhhhhhhhhh ... I got a DivaCup last month and I still can't get it to work ... help meeeee ... Is it normal for it to hurt - a lot - when I put it in?

jammiriffic

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

DramaClub — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:22:52 EST

Just get the goddamn Diva Cup. It will completely change your life. I am not fucking joking.

1) It never leaks. NEVER. I can sleep naked all night with it in and nary a drop hits my expensive high thread count sheets.
2) There is NO SMELL. None. If you wash the Diva with scented soap when you remove it, it will smell like scented soap even when it's full of your menstrual blood. Or it will smell like scented soap and your regular vaginal funk, should you suffer from such unfortunate things.
3) You only have to empty it two or three times a day. This means you can put it in during your morning shower and get on with your fucking life all day and never have to worry about pulling a Spears. Get home, empty and clean it, then get on with your nightlife. Also without any worries about the paparazzi photoing your most embarrassing moment.
4) You are not flushing wads of cotton and the money they cost you to purchase them down the toilet. Your plumber and your wallet extend their thanks in advance. My Diva paid for itself in three cycles.
5) You can't feel it when it's in right. At all. It's almost like you're NOT HAVING A PERIOD AT ALL.
6) You can think it's messy or gross all you want but it's a helluva lot cleaner than fishing a leaky supermax out of your catbag while you're drunk in a stall at the bar. Quit being such a goddamn nancy. It's blood. Wash your hands and get over it.

Seriously, it's fucking awesome.

DramaClub

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Squot — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:35:50 EST

@Peke: Not to overshare, but when I change my tampon it's like fucking WWIII - and the damned things get slippery, and then you can't grab the front barrely part so that when you push the plunger it makes the tampon slide forward instead of the whole thing. Yeah. it's gross, and I end up looking like a murderer afterward. D:

Squot

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

alecksander — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:38:36 EST

@LaFemme: ohh yeah my school had those too!!! they had all these cartoon girls on them, living, laughing, and learning about the big M.

alecksander

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

greyeminence — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:29:23 EST

Fun fact - that Courtney Cox advert was the first tampon commercial to actually use the word "period."

greyeminence

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Le Kangourou de Kataroo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:25:55 EST

@etubrute: Divacup: (from what I've been educated about it from other commentors) a plastic, reusable cup that you stick up your vag during your period that catches all your blood. To change it, you pull it out, dump it, rinse it out (if you can- if you're in a public stally bathroom you can just wipe it down), and stick it back up there. You only have to change it a couple times a day, and you can have sex whilst having it. It's sworn by many many jezzies.

Le Kangourou de Kataroo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

lolly71 — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:13:04 EST

@RabbitRabbit: My mom was dating a guy who had two daughters, one my age, one a little older, and they'd both read Are You There, God.. and had had the facts of life explained to them. I read it and asked them "what's a period?" They'd tell me it's the thing at the end of a sentence and then walk away, giggling.*

I finally asked my mom and after confirming that I really did want to know, artist that she is, she whipped out a giant newsprint pad and a dark green pastel and drew a woman's hips and a 'v' for the crotch and then the uterus and fallopian tubes and proceeded to give me a very clinical, detailed description.

I told her this story years later and she laughed, "Really? I did?"

*I hated those two snotty little girls. Grrrr...

lolly71

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

RabbitRabbit — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:03:53 EST

@kitschenette: I also dated a guy who said he could smell when I was on the rag. He was fascinated with the whole process and would literally put his ear to my stomach, as if my uterus would make grumbling noises or something when I was menstruating. He got props for not being grossed out, but still, that was a bit...disturbing.

@Looker: The first time I read AYTG?IMM I had no idea what a period even was (I was 7). I thought it was a black cardboard dot that you somehow magically acquired. The entire book made no sense to me. I've read it several times since then, and a few years ago one of my friends bought me a new edition. This new edition is updated and there's no mention of belts at all, and it omits the scene where the girls all get weighed at the nurse's office. I kind of missed the outdated belt talk and such. No idea why.

RabbitRabbit

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

lolly71 — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:00:24 EST

@eatsshootsleaves: AND! She's carrying the entire box! That's the part that irritated me the most.

@snaffles: "Island splash" - pina coladas and low tide??

lolly71

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

La Madrugada — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:47:17 EST

Dude, I lived that Kotex classic ad. It was 1986, 8 am, I had just gotten my first period, and the only thing open was the drug supply store that sold prosthetic limbs. My mom went out and bought the dustiest box of Kotex ever. It was my first period, and I was wearing a diaper on a belt. It was kind of a bummer, but I didn't know any better, so I totally showed my belt off to my best friends.

La Madrugada

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

of_a_tuesday — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:23:26 EST

@of_a_tuesday: and, of course, by "sight" I meant "site" and oh my god, you'd think I discovered the internet yesterday. "What is this World Wide Web kids these days are talking about?" *headdesk*

of_a_tuesday

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

of_a_tuesday — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:17:13 EST

@theskyisfalling: Okay, this will mark the second time I talk about the diva cup on this sight, all within a week, too.

But - it's awesome. Seriously, once you get past the ick-factor (and it will be there at first) and actually get the hang of it (take a few months, like, 3 or 4), it'll completely change your period. No more stuffing cotton up your cooter! No more TSS fears! No pads, either! There's minimal leaking, like, practically none on your heaviest days, and it. Is. Awesome.

That is all.

Also, I am a huge fan of the "for the dyke in you!" ad idea. Now that is an ad campaign I could totally get behind. :D

of_a_tuesday

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

the.bleach — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:09:34 EST

@snaffles: hahahahhaha.
Fresh baby powder is about the last thing I want my vag to smell like. How about "baby retardant."

the.bleach

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

etubrute — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:07:10 EST

diva cup?! huh? what have i missed? someone. please.
Also: Slickhop - thanks for the link.

etubrute

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Snaffles — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:03:34 EST

@petuniacat: You can, however, make your cooter smell like "sweet romance," "fresh baby powder," "tropical rain," or "island splash."

Okay, my vagina already smells like "sweet romance" because IT SMELLS LIKE MY VAGINA.

Snaffles

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

PeanutButter — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:53:42 EST

@kataroo_kangaroo:
sounds kinda like my art class last semester. a freshman (i'm in high school) 1. screamed in front of the entire class that she was on her period, and 2. took a tampon out, pulled the actual tampon out of the applicator, colored it and told the guys to smell it, it was her "flower".

PeanutButter

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

TripLetz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:40:49 EST

I swear to God that I am not kidding when I say that the woman who is in the advancement of wings add directed me in a Greek play last year.

Ah. The smallness of the world.

TripLetz

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

the.bleach — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:39:49 EST

@LaFemme: When I was in middle school, you COULD get a tampon, but only if you TRIED a pad first. So you had to let yourself into the nurse's bathroom, stand there for 30 seconds with a three-inch-thick Kotex in your hand, and then tell her it wasn't working and you'd have to resort to Tampax after all...

the.bleach

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

WhiskeyAGoGo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:34:58 EST

My favorite ad of all time was in Japan - a super maxi pad flew over some city and absorbed all of the rain. The city was filled with very happy ladies who all cheered & put down their umbrellas. My description does no justice but it is probably my favorite commerical of all time.

Adding to the chorus of Judy Blume's belt talk freaking kids out - I never could figure out where my mom hid hers since the pads & tampons were under the sink. I thought you were like issued one by your doctor or something & kept private. When I finally asked her about it, she just laughed, which made me feel so conflicted of Judy as she was instructive in so many other topics.

WhiskeyAGoGo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Le Kangourou de Kataroo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:20:57 EST

@theskyisfalling: The diva cup intrigues me, but I'm poor. And scared. Though the 2 boxes of tampons I go through in a period equal about $10, so $30 is actually a good investment, methinks...

Le Kangourou de Kataroo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

theskyisfalling — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:18:11 EST

My mum was still using the belted pads in the 80's. They seemed horrible. Of course those pads that taped into your underwear in the 80's weren't frankly much better.
Ahh, ob tampons. I'll never stray.
Though have been thinking a lot about the diva cup lately. Just not ready to shell $30 for one.
Convince me.

theskyisfalling

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Le Kangourou de Kataroo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:14:25 EST

Re: Scented tampons. The only good thing I've ever gotten out of them was watching 2 super drunk girls at a party run around with a (new) scented tampon (actually, one of the Playtex Sport tampons) urging all the guys to smell it. That was comedy gold.

Le Kangourou de Kataroo

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

slickhop — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:04:35 EST

i found the shark ad:
[www.spikedhumor.com]

slickhop

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

lovesjeffgoldblum — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:00:40 EST

i always wonder if struggling actress know that celebrities such as naomi watts, courtney cox & brenda vaccaro started their careers out with lady product adds ...

also when we're on the whole vajayjay topic ... did you know a common euphemism for the nether regions of a lady is "wendy" in great britian? it is so much nicer than many of the names floating around these days!

lovesjeffgoldblum

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Catie — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:59:39 EST

My sorority got a giant box full of the "sport tampons" for some reason (promotion during recruitment? Hopefully not) and they are absolutely no different than any other tampon.

Catie

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

slickhop — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:59:21 EST

@Athaliah: oh i def thought that was a lady ...

has anyone seen the print ad for some brand of tampons with the woman underwater? she's stunning and thin of course but more importantly she's surrounded by sharks, that are just kinda hanging out. the key bit being that usually sharks go mental at the slightest hint of blood but these tampons are so magical and absorbent that this lady might as well be a rock. if i remember right there was no text, just this great image.

slickhop

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

blyr — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:45:53 EST

Yes, we BLEED from our VAGINAS. People need to get be more comfortable with this fact of life.

I, for one, am bleeding right now and want to rip heads off, not "be the me he wants to be around" or whatever. (HEAR ME ROAR.)

blyr

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Looker — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:44:25 EST

Regarding the whole 'sanitary napkin/belt' thing: When I read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret as a child I had no fucking idea what they were talking about in that book. I was like, belt? WTF?

Looker

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Looker — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:41:52 EST

Ha! Those 1980s Always Plus ads are hysterical, if only for the fucked up fashion. God, I remember watching those, but they didn't seem so cheesey at the time. But I guess that was true for all of the 1980s.

Looker

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

cryincrawdaddy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:36:31 EST

@petuniacat: I've never seen a 'sanitary belt' either... but saw the pads that were to be attached to them once, in a little church that my grandparents used to go to. HUGE with long ends. but a lightbulb suddenly appeared over my head! I would have been mystified had it not been for my (occasionally perplexed) childhood devotion to ms. Judy Blume.

cryincrawdaddy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

PaisleyPajamas — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:31:11 EST

That is a very perky Naomi Watts in the first ad.

...cheesy-ness, euphemisms, and blue liquid...

You forgot white clothing. Lots and LOTS of white clothing. Especially skirts, short-shorts and tight pants.

PaisleyPajamas

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Ignorethesefourwords — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:24:32 EST

@Piecesofpi:
I became an OB convert a couple of years ago. I lent one to a friend that needed a tampon once, and she was kind of weirded out by the whole "no applicator" thing.

Ignorethesefourwords

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

TrixieBelden — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:10:38 EST

@petuniacat: I totally entered this post hopeful that I would at last see a belt. No luck. So I've taken the google initiative and this is what I came up with. [www.mum.org]

I think the Museum of Menstruation is my favorite new site.

TrixieBelden

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Peke — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:55:40 EST

What the hell is a no slip grip? Has anyone ever lost control of their tampon and had it shoot out of their hand? Never got that.

Peke

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:40:42 EST

@motokitty: I used to wonder why there were commercials with grown women talking about diapers. No babies in sight! My five-year-old brain was all, "wtf?"

kitschenette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

motokitty — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:37:36 EST

When I was a kid back in the 70's, Stayfree had commercials with a woman walking down the beach, and a voice over would come and say "Stayfree. Because". Then I'd see these HUGE boxes of Stayfree at the drugstore and think "what the fuck can these things possibly be?" I was totally baffled, and when I finally asked my mom, she just said they're for when you're older. Ahhh, the good old days!

motokitty

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Athaliah — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:35:35 EST

sorry, double post.

Athaliah

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Athaliah — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:35:13 EST

1974 Midol ad "Be the you he likes. Good to be around, any day of the month."

Did anyone else, at first glance, think 'wow, that chick is kinda butch?', or was it just me...

Athaliah

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Piecesofpi — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:35:08 EST

Humm I've been more of an OB kinda girl myself, mostly because I never used tampons until I came to brasil, here they're a nessacity, what with going to the beach almost everyday. But tampons with applicators are so much more expensive, and I'm poor.

Piecesofpi

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Athaliah — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:29:08 EST

1974, "Be the you he likes. Good to be around, any day of the month."

Did anyone else think the "boyfriend" was a chick at first?

Athaliah

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:28:35 EST

In any case, I'd rather smell like Island Splash than uh, Lysol.

[www.mum.org]

kitschenette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:26:13 EST

@petuniacat: I remember that Victoria's Secret spray. I forget what it smelled like. What does "sweet romance" even smell like? Rose petals and champagne? I'm not so sure if I want the scent of Valentine's Day emanating from my nether regions.

kitschenette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

wigglepuppy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:25:48 EST

@Miss Pelled: ohmygod, i just snarfed in the library...poor grampa!

wigglepuppy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Miss Pelled — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:23:36 EST

@Miss Pelled: Why his system WASN'T working, that is.

Evidently I am also a bit senile.

Miss Pelled

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Miss Pelled — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:22:29 EST

@petuniacat: Yeah, evidently he couldn't understand why his system was working. Or why he couldn't flush the damn things down the toilet.

Maybe he was also a bit senile, now that I think about it...

Miss Pelled

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:21:09 EST

@kitschenette: Didn't Victoria's Secret once have a body spray called Sweet Romance? You could match your cooter scent to your perfume scent!

My vagina (picky lil thing that it is) only wants the kind of sweet romance that causes orgasm.

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

AbbyNormal — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:20:50 EST

@petuniacat: Well, strawberry actually sounds better than "sweet romance" or "tropical rain" (so, ozone and earth?) Island Splash is a kind of Hawaiian Punch drink, right? So when a guy smells my Island Splash scented cooter, a little cartoon guy appears and cold cocks him while saying "Wouldn't you like a nice Hawaiian Punch? No? How about Island Splash?"
And I'm going over right now to buy a Douche. I hope they have that Janka fella Moe is always raving about...
(I kid, Moe, I kid!)

AbbyNormal

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:19:12 EST

I once knew a guy who told a girl he was seeing that he could smell her period. He didn't understand why she was pissed off.

kitschenette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:18:38 EST

@Miss Pelled: Hah! I cringe to even think about that conversation with your grandfather. On a practical level, sticking the sticky part next to the skin would just cause the liquid to roll off, right? I mean, tape's not known for it's absorbancy.

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:18:16 EST

@petuniacat: Sweet Romance. I'm giggling like a twelve-year-old over here.

kitschenette

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

The HZA. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:13:19 EST

@eatsshootsleaves: Oh god. So good. I can't stop laughing.

I remember laughing at the wrestling team because they used tampons for when the dudes got nose bleedes.

The HZA.

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:13:02 EST

@eatsshootsleaves: @AbbyNormal: Sorry - for misleading you all - there's no strawberry scented douche available on drugstore.com. You can, however, make your cooter smell like "sweet romance," "fresh baby powder," "tropical rain," or "island splash."

[www.drugstore.com]

p.s. I love that when I'm on the drugstore.com feminine care page, the text at the top of the screen, next to the blue internet explorer icon reads "Buy Douche Online." I figure some bad gigalos could also be listed?

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

wigglepuppy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:11:33 EST

@petuniacat: maybe starwberry yogurt? ohmigodimsogross

wigglepuppy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Miss Pelled — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:09:39 EST

My grandpa, in his waning years, had a bit of a prostate problem, and he decided pads would be a good way to deal with his related bladder issues. But, he didn't feel comfortable buying them, so he sent his 80-year-old girlfriend to do it instead. Yeah... because it's so much more normal for an old lady to be buying that stuff.

Also, one of the most awkward moments of my life was explaining to him that the sticky part goes in your undies, not against your skin. I can't even image what that must have felt like.

Ah, memories!

Miss Pelled

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

squirrelcop — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:06:54 EST

@stpauliegirl: Came across a sticker in a public restroom stall in college telling the user to dispose of 'soiled' feminine hygiene products in the bin. someone crossed out 'soiled' and wrote 'used'. have been angry about the original wording ever since.

squirrelcop

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:04:01 EST

@sjct: Ack. Thank gawd someone invented the sticky-backed pad.

@eatsshootsleaves: After using a scented douche like that one time too often, I have the feeling one's cooter wouldn't smell like either a vagina or a strawberry. Rather, I'm betting it would take on the odor associated with a nasty, yeasty infection.

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

LaFemme — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:03:43 EST

When I was in High School the school nurse couldnt stock tampons for the TSS factor, which in my opinion is total bullshit, and girls are capable of deciding if that bothers them or not...I for one had been using tampons for like, 4 years. Additionally, the only pads they had were like mattresses, seriously about 1 full inch thick and came in a box covered in people that looked like a cross between precious moments figurines and strawberry shortcake. They even advertised themselves as "beltless" which had me confused for awhile. Did I mention this was in 2003?

LaFemme

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

KimberleeJ — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:02:58 EST

Wow, those are a lot of feminine product ads.

KimberleeJ

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

touchmyshoe — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:02:54 EST

@sjct: But, uh, how does the pad attach to the belt? My mom tried to explain this once, too, and I'm still so, so lost. I keep picturing it with little pad-suspenders that attach to the belt.

touchmyshoe

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

dcdulce — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:02:21 EST

the damn thing has wings!

dcdulce

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

stpauliegirl — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:01:40 EST

I love how Courtney Cox shows foreshadowing of Monica by obsessing about cleanliness during her period. Which of course implies that our vajayjays are gross and dirty during our visit from Aunt Flow, natch.

stpauliegirl

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

AbbyNormal — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:01:31 EST

@eatsshootsleaves: I was laughing at your comment, and then saw your awesome username!
@petuniacat: I remember reading those references, and imagining the horror of life before self-adhesive. Wait-- strawberry-scented douche? My cooter should NOT smell like a smoothie.

AbbyNormal

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

eatsshootsleaves — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:59:19 EST

@petuniacat: I really don't understand why anyone would want their cooter to smell like strawberries, personally. Not to mention the fact that douches are actually really unhealthy and can cause infections.

eatsshootsleaves

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

wigglepuppy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:59:17 EST

@petuniacat: yeah, god forbid your vagina smell like...vagina!!! oh the horror!!!!!!!!!

wigglepuppy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

sjct — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:58:49 EST

@petuniacat: The belts looked like thongs without any material, just the elastic. They were horribly uncomfortable rubbing inside your crack and that's why I've never worn thongs. Too many raw memories.

sjct

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Charmingbutalarminglydisarming — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:58:12 EST

There's a gorgeous add that we get with a guy playing with a kitten telling it to "chase the mousie" and teasing it with tampons while his girlfriend looks on in horror and he's all "wha...?".

Another recent one has the new boyf claiming he wants to know everything about his one true luff: how her eyelash curlers work, what a loofah is until she explains to him that the pad has wings to prevent side leakage and he locks himself in the bathroom horrified, telling her she can stop talking now.

Ah. Terrifying the male of the species with the bleeding. Props.

Charmingbutalarminglydisarming

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

WhippetsofMassDestruction — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:57:30 EST

Anyone else want to punch the ads that say "Have a happy period!"?

WhippetsofMassDestruction

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

princessprissypants — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:55:16 EST

Still better than "Have a happy period"

princessprissypants

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:53:06 EST

@SpecialSpaz: Scented tampons and pads are necessary because a woman's vagina naturally smells like a cesspool. We need flowery douches, tampons, pads and wipes to keep from gagging every man who comes within 10 feet of us.

*Stabbiness directed towards the douchebags who invented Summer's Eve strawberry scented douches.*

I've never used a scented tampon in my life; given my eczema and sensitivity to synthentic fragrances in other products, I'm betting I wouldn't stop itching from a month if I were to use one.

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

ClassicTidy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:52:50 EST

Seem like nothing! work so well! I've got a yeast infection!

ClassicTidy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

beastybeatsy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:52:27 EST

Hahahaha. That is all.

beastybeatsy

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

noasalira — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:51:07 EST

I am actually fine with the blue liquid. I also don't want to see the wiping qualities of toilet paper shown in vivid imagery either.

noasalira

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Elevendy has a sequin for an eye — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:51:04 EST

I had fun explaining to my bff (male) in 8th grade that vaginae don't actually bleed, they just leak blood, uterine lining, the shed egg, and tissue. These ads never helped.

Elevendy has a sequin for an eye

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

AbbyNormal — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:50:43 EST

Weren't the scented products tied to TSS?

I always loved the douche commercials where a woman asks her mother if douching really helped promote freshness, and the mom has a douche right there, under the table, that she whips out to show daughter. See, that's where I keep my extras, too.

AbbyNormal

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

eatsshootsleaves — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:50:35 EST

I used to hate that ad where a woman uses her tampon to plug up a leak in a boat. Why would anyone want a tampon that had that kind of absorption abilities?

However, I've always thought it would be awesome if there was like a commercial where a little Dutch boy uses a tampon to plug up a potentially country-devastating leak. "For the dyke in you!"

eatsshootsleaves

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

JSINAK — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:50:14 EST

@Cam/ron: Ditto. Make it a double.

JSINAK

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:49:05 EST

@filleunique: Remember all the belt references in Judy Bloom books? I'm still not 100% sure what one looks like.

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

petuniacat — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:48:27 EST

Tampax Pearls really bug me. Why do we need to make tampons sound like jewelry? And why would I want to shove pearls up my cooter anyway?

petuniacat

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Incognegro is a Grinch — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:47:36 EST

I cant see any comments yet, but can someone please explain the need for scented tampons and pads? i dont get it...the SNL add makes me think of the mattresses my mom used to buy for us.

I need the box in the last ad.

Incognegro is a Grinch

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Cam/ron — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:45:20 EST

Man, I wish I was drunk right now.

Cam/ron

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

Lady Skittlehattington — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:45:12 EST

How did I miss this SNL Kotex thing????? I love it!

Lady Skittlehattington

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

filleunique — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:40:09 EST

Hahaha the word 'napkin' reminds me of Judy Blume.

filleunique

Let It Bleed: A Look Back At Period-Related Advertising

kitschenette — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:39:32 EST

I think my favorite modern period-related ad is the one for some brand of pads, where this gigantic deluge of blue liquid comes blasting at some chick who is sunbathing and she jumps up and, superhero-style, blocks the blue tsunami with the maxi pad.

kitschenette