Internal Collab - primary research feedback

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTc5o1T6CGBkZ0pSsLxwKddv4Nrrzo6jUmDtbbqTjmaqwB0A/viewform

Do you think this stigma affects transgender and non-binary people more? Please state why?

I definitely think it does, because especially for individuals who are more masculine presenting, speaking out about the fact that they have a period is basically outing themselves. There are already so many stereotypes surrounding identifying on the trans spectrum and then on top of that there are misconceptions around periods (mostly from amab individuals). It’s just another reason for people to look down upon afab trans people, and another reason for afab trans people to feel ashamed of themselves. 

Furthermore, many members of the general public may not even consider the fact that afab people who identify on the trans spectrum, especially trans men, even have periods, and so this adds a factor as to why trans people don’t feel like they can talk about their periods.

Yes because it's even harder to talk about them when it's know as a typically female thing

Yes. Periods in general have a stigma around them, which wholeheartedly affects cisgendered women and their experience. However, when efforts are made to open up the conversation about periods, language is often heavily gendered, and trans and non-binary people are therefore excluded from conversations. There needs to be a greater awareness that for some people, the stance of celebrating their period in this way may not be possible due to their gender expression.

It’s already so stigmatised to be open and honest about periods and access services around periods/sexual health and is even more so when you have to fight against the belief that people like you don’t/shouldn’t have periods. There are many times where I’ve had to choose between having my gender respected and necessary medical care for period-related issues.

I think it sometimes makes people think that someone is "less trans" because they still have periods which are associated with female body and experiences

Yes. We aren’t ever involved in mainstream conversations about periods and often get forgotten.

Yeah, because no one assumes a man will have a uterus or that a man experiences periods. People think than women have periods, which cause pain. Men don't experience pain. Therefore, trans men are not <real> men. (not my real opinion, just what I've experienced)

Do you ever feel uncomfortable buying sanitary products? Please state why

I used to when I first started my period, but that was purely just due to being an awkward ‘girl’ just growing up and stuff and I feel that’s a stage everyone goes through. Nowadays, I am lucky that I am a more female presenting non-binary person, and so I don’t need to feel uncomfortable buying sanitary products because I look somewhat like a person that would be expected to buy them.

Yes I wouldn't want people to think that there for me as they are mainly targetted at women

It depends. Most people read me as a butch lesbian so I tend to get away with buying things without too much fuss, but I’d rather use a moon cup to avoid being unnecessarily gendered in public.

I ‘pass’ as male well enough that people usually assume I’m buying them for a partner now, but in the past when people haven’t been sure of my gender I have been faced with more hostility because of it.

Yes - I used to hate being seen buying sanitary product because it would cause people would see me as female (I don't pass that well)

Sometimes, because it basically gives away what genitals I have to cashiers.

No, because Im a staunch advocate in reproductive health so if someone had a problem with me buying pads that's they're own problem

What would make you feel more comfortable when buying these products?

Change of people's perceptions and less feminine packaging

Neutral packaging (e.g. ‘im ohne’), and scrapping the phrase ‘feminine hygiene’

A change in attitudes of who period products are for, more free sanitary products in every bathroom, gender-neutral language on period packaging

If the aisle didn't say "feminine hygiene" I'm not feminine, I'm a man.

Not labelling them as ‘feminine’/female’ products, don’t make them look all girly and flowery, I know that’s something that even cis women don’t always like.

If sexual health education was more gender neutral and genital specific. It shouldn't be "men have penised and women have vaginas" it should be "here is what a penis looks like. Here is what a vagina looks like"

Do you feel like that the packaging design and marketing of these sanitary products is exclusive to cisgender women? Please state why.

Definitely so. A lot of the marketing around periods seems to be focused around ovaries and vaginas and the whatnot as kind of what it means to be a woman and i think this is so insensitive to all trans people - it excludes trans women and makes them feel somewhat less valid as a woman, and can induce dysphoria in afab trans people, as well as making it harder for them to speak out about the fact that they have periods.

It is typically very feminine

I think the packaging definitely isn’t designed by or for trans or non-binary people. Not that purple and butterflies = being a cis woman, but it can’t be argued that these products aren’t overtly ‘feminine’. I have a very complex relationship with femininity (like many AFAB people) and it would help and improve my day to day experience of dealing with being trans, especially when on my period, if it wasn’t slapped on every product I need to use to get through the day as a marketing ploy.

I think it’s exclusive to some types of cisgender women. It’s implicitly gendered down to the print and colour choices (and the fact some of them are floral scented??) and the thing that really kills it is that those options are the *only option*.

Absolutely. Only cis women on the TV adverts and use of specific wording - only aimed at women, discreetness, pretty etc

Stereotypically yes, but we all know pink/flowers etc doesn’t = girls but in patriarchal society, everything is usually labelled or presented very stereotypically.

Yes. Because you NEVER see a woman of colour on period adverts. So why should I expect to see trans people?

How do you think that the packaging design and marketing could be changed so that it is more inclusive?

I think it needs to revolve less around like female stereotypes. In advertisements for sanitary products, it always seems to be like a pretty feminine white woman going out and partying with her friends or something and I think that needs to change to show a more diverse range of people who have periods.

Make them more neutral like not pinks and purples all the time and in adverts have non-binary and trans men

Changing colour schemes, using neutral language, and taking the chance to educate and normalise the fact that periods affect a broad range of genders and identities

Gender-neutral language in advertising and packaging would be a good first step. I think some consideration on the language used would be necessary - some people use the phrase ‘menstruators’ which just isn’t the greatest, but honestly, I don’t think we need a word or category period packaging is supposed to appeal to. If you need sanitary products, you need sanitary products, and the advertising/packaging should focus on the benefits of the product for whoever needs it, instead of spending time creating an idea of who *might*/is ‘allowed’ to need the product and working from there.

Just neutral packaging, describing the product as it is, not trying to market it at people.

Not all pinks and purples, and very simply stating what the product is for. Idk if it happens but like, don’t put a woman's face on it or feminine underwear, stuff like that. Just say for periods or menstruated products as well.

How could we make the design of the packaging for a sanitary product something you would feel comfortable buying? What features would it have?

Less feminine packaging

Clear information (size, absorbency etc...), no overtly feminine colours or flourishes, think ‘nice box of tissues’ rather than a box of tampons

I think a range of designs that go outside of the standard floral patterns and pinks/purples/yellows would be great. More primary colours. I want modern art sanitary products, tbh. Some COOL stuff I would be happy to spend money on.

Plainer packaging and not having any words like ladies or feminine or women's, menstrual/sanitary is better because it's more descriptive

.

I think it’s pretty good right now, absorbency, size, if it has plastic or cardboard insert or none at all, how many in the pack, and what it can be used for.

Don't put anyone on any advertising. No skinny models no happy white ladies. Just tell me that the product is worth it and why.

What steps do you think should be taken to educate people on trans/non-binary people experiencing periods?

For one, I think it is more important that boxers etc that are suitable for wearing pads becoming more widely available in shops. There are many female identifying people who wear typically male underwear anyway so they would probably be utilised by them as well. It would be such a step forward for the afab trans community if underwear such as this was normalised. At the moment specialised underwear for trans masc people having periods is expensive and hard to find, and this leaves many afab trans people to have to wear female underwear during their periods, which further induces dysphoria on top of the period itself- making this such a difficult time for trans people. 

I also think it’s more important for more diverse marketing campaigns to take effect - very much like that of THINX (check them out if you’re not already aware of them) to help normalise the fact that trans people exist and that some masculine presenting people have periods.

They should include it in sex ed at school

Including us in adverts for products, representation within large companies to help them improve authentically, including trans and non-binary people when teaching about periods in schools

I don’t think the discussion of periods should be gendered. In education, in the media, anything. And by that, I don’t mean that we should say ‘cis women/trans people/nb people’ either - because as soon as a category like this is applied it leaves people out. There are some trans women who experience periods/period symptoms, for instance, and some cis women who don’t at all. So I think we should focus on just educating about what a period is, how it works, why it happens, without gendering the language surrounding it and without implicitly deciding who deserves sanitary products/support.

Starting it in schools with educating on girls' experiences of periods and sex ed. Adding and normalising sanitary bins into men's toilets

When talking about periods it shouldn’t be said ‘women’, it should be people who have periods or people who menstruate and people should start making that a part of their speech when talking about periods. Maybe pamphlets in health aisles with info and on the inserts in the packaging. Info on the brand's websites.

Gender neutral health education, and genital specific learning. Take all concept of sex out of it, and start young. How come boys are taught to love violence and blood and gore, but also taught to find it disgusting and gross if a uterus bleeds naturally? Teach children to accept their bodies.

Any other thoughts or personal experiences?

I don't have periods any more because of contraceptives, and it was honestly such a relief - that I wouldn't have to decide where I could go to the toilet and (attempt to) pass as well as thinking about where I'd be able to dispose of used products, or worse have to carry them until I could find somewhere else to dispose of them. If there were adequate services in all bathrooms this would be much less of an issue for trans people who still have them. (And to take one step further - multiple single-stalled, gender-neutral bathrooms - each with bins- would also solve the problem).


Summary
There is a stigma surrounding periods, particularly for trans men and non-binary people as most often do not know that these people have periods (lack of education), there are misconceptions such as 'trans people shouldn't have periods' and speaking out about periods means that trans people out themselves. This lack of speaking about their periods leads to feelings of shame and can lead to dysphoria too.
People who took this questionnaire felt that packaging and marketing around period products are very cis biased, with feminine features such as flowers and pinks/purples. This coupled with the use of gender-biased language makes them feel alienated and uncomfortable. They felt if we were to improve the packaging and marketing we could use gender-neutral language, and make packaging that sells the product for what it is as opposed to aiming it at a specific audience. One person mentioned using primary colours (or something other than purples and pinks) and that they would want a 'cool' product that they could spend their money on.