It's About Bloody Time Maxi Pad Ads Looked Realistic

on July 8, 2011 at 11:44 AM

always maxi pad maze For DECADES, we women have been subject to TV and print ads for tampons and sanitary napkins that refused to deal with our periods as they actually exist. Over and over, the feminine hygiene products absorbed a "cleaner-looking" blue detergent-esque liquid. As IF menstrual fluid was some kind of chemical, alien, watery blue substance. We've wondered for years why ad agencies persisted in showing us this cockamamie fable! We know better, alright?! And believe it or not, MEN do, too!

But now, finally, finallllyyyyy -- the tampon/pad industry has entered the real world-slash-21st century! Always has a new AMERICAN (yes, that's important to note, because those Europeans are always cooler with bodily function stuff than we are) ad featuring a sanitary napkin with a maze trapping ... a TINY RED DOT. OMG! It's a miracle! Hallelujah!!!

No longer will a woman's menstruation be represented by false, "sanitized" (pun intended) imagery. A period is red. It is BLOOD. And we experience it every damn month! Someone finally gets that! Wow. It's a groundbreaking moment for us, ladies. It's the red spot heard 'round the world.

What do you think about this new ad?

Image via Always

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: menstruation, obgyn

Comments (14)

momkaribg

on Jul 8, 2011 at 12:23 PM

sidesplittinglaughter

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fryshannon34

on Jul 8, 2011 at 4:20 PM

omg I'll stick to the blue goo

bether89

on Jul 8, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Wow! A tiny red dot, how neat and organized. Soo like real life. Not!

1bluemonkey

on Jul 8, 2011 at 5:56 PM

I'll be remembering the adorable little red dot the next time I'm stripping the bed and washing the sheets at 6 am because of a BIG red dot.

Dolosus

on Jul 8, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Can't Always just play the scene from the Shining when the blood starts flooding the hall in the hotel? Much more realistic.

NicholasMama608

on Jul 9, 2011 at 12:37 AM

rolling on floor The comments are just as good as the article!!

elasmimi

on Jul 10, 2011 at 2:26 PM

I'd just as soon not see any ads about pads, tampons, or hemorrhid creams for that matter. Some things are better left unsaid and unseen.

on Jul 10, 2011 at 8:35 PM

^^^ No kididng! Especially during what should be "family" programming. Like I want to sit there with my 14 year old son, trying to watch a tv show (hello, escapism!) when they start trying to sell tampons and medications for erectile dysfunction. ew ew ew ew ew here we are dropped right back into reality.

EvalynCarnate

on Jul 11, 2011 at 12:37 PM

....Who cares about what color the liquid is? If the pad/tampon absorbs massive amounts of the blue (non gore) gunk and promises to keep if off my jeans, I'm down.