Why is Vagisil shaming young women?
“There is money in vaginal shame.” (Dr. Jen Gunter)
Shame is a common feeling for so many women.
Shame for owning your sexuality, shame for your menstruation, shame for owning your voice. Shame for the natural smell and function of your Yoni or as society likes to call it…your vagina.
Look around and you’ll see products everywhere profiting off you changing your ‘vagina’ to fit into society’s ideals of how this sacred space should look, smell, and feel: Waxing, vaginal tightening creams, labiaplasty, and intimate care products such as Vagisil.
Vagisil has a new line of products aimed at young women. They call it a ‘Glow Up’ for your intimate area. It has fun scents like creamsicle…
How these feminine hygiene products are harmful
They prey on young women feeling shameful for the smell of their vulvas and propose smelling like a creamsicle or vanilla-clementine = proper care.
They make young women believe their intimate area needs a ‘Glow Up’
They equate vaginal health care with using fragrance but the opposite is true. Fragrance is bad news for optimal vaginal health and there are plenty of studies to back this.
They market their line as a solution to ‘Period funk’ and ‘bikini itch’. First off…what is ‘period funk’? What does that even mean? Second, ‘bikini itch’ requires the attention of a Gynecologist. A scented wash is not the answer to an itch in intimate areas.
These products are telling women that their natural functioning body is dirty or unacceptable. This sort of toxic marketing is everywhere. Some are more obvious than others with their creepy sexist tactics…
Now…imagine for a second if we shamed young men in a similar style (yes, I actually designed this! When you turn the tables, you really see how ridiculous it all is):
Next Steps
Do not support products that promote shame in young women for their natural functioning bodies.
Educate any young women you know that these sorts of products are not ok.
Follow empowering and educational leaders such as Dr. Jen Gunter @drjengunter
Thanks for being here,
Joss | Yoga Therapist C-IAYT