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The idea that periods are unclean was baked right in.
Getty Images/pixelshot/Amanda K Bailey
Theres so much paranoia and shame.
But as any ob-gyn will tell you, itsnormalfor your vagina to havesome kind of smell.
The vagina cleans itself, so you dont need products or perfumes to cover an odor.
Its very delicate and can get thrown off course very easily.
We decided to ask the various companies that still make them.
But the companys herbalpadsdo contain essential oils.
In response SELF asked, Why have that option at all?
Its a meaningful question, Alfieri says.
She acknowledges that theres most certainly demand for a scented product.
If you looked at our competition, obviously it suggests theres willingness, she says.
Weve been really focused on them not being fragrances but being essential oils.
She also says because they are cosmetic products, there is no residual scent profile.
(Spokespeople for Honey Pot declined to comment further on Dr. Franklin and Dr. Thorton-Daviss insights.)
Changing attitudes, same old stigma
Period-product marketing doesnt highlight odorquitelike it used to.
Even before then, though, the tide was starting to turn.
For instance, Playtex phased out its scented Fresh Balance tampons in 2020.
If anything, its going the other direction.
Biber agrees: Everyones trending towards a less is more approach.
And P&G offers Always scented pads, which are currently available on its website.
It isnt branded as a scented product but rather an odor neutralizer, Biber says.
Similarly, she notes that certain Carefree pads also have odor control technology.
If youre confused by this, thats because itisconfusing.
To be truly fragrance-free, a product shouldnt contain any fragranced materials or masking scents at all.
As for the unscented label?
It doesnt mean its not fragranced.
Will scented period products ever go away entirely?
A lot of this newswell, it stinks.
But the fragrance thing is holding on, particularly with scented pads, she stresses.
Scranton suggests limiting your exposure to fragranced period products by simply not buying them.
The point is, your doctor can help you a lot more than some perfume-y pad.
Your period and its scent?
Your vagina doesnotsmell like flowersand its not meant to.
Especially not because of a tampon.
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