One of the good things that happened during Transgender Awareness Week this year was the launch of Tampon for Men. Created by Vuokkoset a Finnish sanitary product manufacturer who created this tampon aimed at trans men and non-binary folks. The company said in a press release that as a means of addressing the gender dysphoria trans men and non-binary people feel around menstruation, with the aim of changing perceptions of periods and reducing the distress it can cause. They added a rather shocking fact from their research which shows 93 percent of trans men have experienced menstrual-related gender dysphoria.
A DEI consultant, and face of the campaign Dakota Robin elaborated from personal experience. “When I was young, menstruation felt not only strange but somehow wrong. Our culture does not really acknowledge the diversity of menstruating individuals. This is definitely a step in the right direction. By changing attitudes and broadening perspectives, we can also remove discrimination against gender minorities.”
It is no shock however in this pernicious political anti-trans climate that the haters very quickly bombarded social media with unhinged rants against Vuokkoset and the new tampan. (which we do not want to validate by re-printing here ). However, there was a great deal of vocal support for this breakthrough with it being called “revolutionary” and others acknowledged how grateful for the fact it made them feel “seen”.
Vuokkoset’s Tampon for Men will first be available as a limited edition in Finland with wider distribution set to begin in early 2024. Sales from the product will be donated to Trasek ry, an organization focused on gender diversity and sexual health.
Labels: 2023, Tampon For Men, Vuokkoset
