The Period Bracelet?!

What is this you ask? A waste of 10 bucks if you ask me. Apparently, the company who makes this bracelet feels that it is necessary for women to warn others when they are on their periods.

I decided to check out Periodbracelet.com to see what on earth they were saying in attempts to convince women that this is a necessary product.

When I went to the site I was greeted with slogans such as,

“The must have accessory for 2009...available now! Saving a relationship (or ruining one) has never been so affordable.”

and

"Make your worst time of the month your most fashionable"

Is nothing sacred? Now we need to market our menstrual cycles?

Not only does this site's mission seem absurd but their "About" section is an enthusiastic bout of contradictions. Here's what the site has to say...

Since 2008, Periodbracelet.com and its parent company, Maxi-Rad, Inc., have been in the business of saving relationships. We want to humanize the menstruation process and help you through it. And more importantly, help us through it too.

History teaches us that the a woman's menstruation is taboo, misunderstood and shameful. In biblical times, women were quarantined to "red tents" outside of the community. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder once wrote of the powers of menstrual fluid:

"Contact with it turns new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, grafts die, seed in gardens are dried up, the fruit of trees fall off, the edge of steel and the gleam of ivory are dulled, hives of bees die, even bronze and iron are at once seized by rust, and a horrible smell fills the air; to taste it drives dogs mad and infects their bites with an incurable poison..."

Now imagine how co-workers feel around menstrual women...not to mention spouses, loved ones, family and friends.

However, through modern technology and our own independent research, Maxi-Rad., Inc, has found the above quote from Pliny the Elder to probably not to be 100% true! We want to change the general public's negative perception and erroneous beliefs and celebrate, support, and share in this most magical and natural cycle.

Please use our relationship management products to help us through this transition, err, period. And remember.... "Let us know when you flow."

This company insists that they are "humanizing" periods and decreasing shame or discomfort surrounding them. Periodbracelets.com contradicts themselves as they suggest that wearing a bracelet when women are riding the crimson waves will save relationships with co-workers, family, friends and lovers.

It is not my job to tell others when I am on my period. It's not something I should feel that I HAVE to do. In my experience women will announce that they are on the koolaid if they are cramping or if they are asking for a pad or tampon. I don't know one person who feels the need to spend good money on a piece of jewelry that warns others.

In addition to the insulting nature of the period bracelet it also doesn't logical sense as one would have to explain to those around them that the bracelet represents their menses.

I don't know about you ladies but when I am on my period I don't want to have to think...oh shoot I've got to remember to put on my bracelet this morning!

But if the bracelet isn't enough the website also sells t-shirts.



Across the front of this shirt reads the words, "You're losing an a egg. Don't lose your friends." How is this statement reversing shame that a woman might feel when she is menstruating?



These shirts come in men's sizes as well. So, now boyfriends, husbands, brothers etc can join in.

Why do we need yet another product telling us that a woman's period is unnatural and a burden to others? Companies sell douches (which are unhealthy), scented pads, and wipes that come in boxes with flowers on them which send the message that a period is unnatural and needs to be covered up in unnatural ways.

And now we have Periodbracelet.com promoting sexist products. A menstrual period can indeed be uncomfortable and some women (not all) do experience mood swings. Mood swings are not an indication that everyone else is in harm's way.

Ladies you don't need this product. To voice your opposition to this product you can email Periodbracelet.com here.