I was curious and tried out the latest trend, this ‘period underwear’ thing, and I found it really comfortable and practical. But my boyfriend happened to see it and joked, “What is this, a diaper?” Honestly, I felt both embarrassed and annoyed. I don’t think my right as a woman to be comfortable should be turned into a joke like that. Have you ever experienced situations like this, or should I not pay attention to my boyfriend’s comments?
If you ask me, be clear with your girlfriend, say, ‘This is a period panty, I use it for comfort,’ and don’t be ashamed to explain. If she’s still joking about it, respond to her with the same level of seriousness. We need to normalize this because there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Depending on the situation, you might be able to lighten the mood with a little humor.
Let me be clear, this has nothing to do with social norms or your partner. Are you comfortable? Does it feel good for you? That’s the point. No need for debate; if it comes up, you can just say, ‘this is also a type of menstrual product for hygiene,’ and move on. I think you shouldn’t compromise on your comfort.
I honestly don’t know, I mean, there is a relationship at stake and your partner can comment on that. Men generally don’t know about these things, they might find it funny. Your intention is to feel comfortable, but your partner might also find it strange in their own way. Maybe you shouldn’t have shown it to them from the beginning.
These kinds of issues always come down to communication. Partners generally lack knowledge about menstrual products or menstrual topics. In such cases, it’s essential to express yourself clearly and set a firm boundary by saying, ‘this is what I need.’ You don’t have to go into too much detail; if you drag it out unnecessarily, it could lead to misunderstandings between you.
Actually, there was this situation where I tried to explain to my girlfriend, ‘it’s not like a diaper, it’s a special product designed for women.’ But she still just laughed it off. ‘Okay, I’m not saying anything anymore,’ she finally said, but it still felt like she was looking down on it. That’s why I was a bit hurt, to be honest.