A Finnish company, Vuokkoset, has recently been at the center of controversy for its introduction of a tampon designed for transgender men and nonbinary individuals who experience menstruation. Launched during Transgender Awareness Week, the product comes in a dark navy blue box with the words “For Menstruation” printed on it, cleverly splitting the phrase so that “For Men” appears on one side, while “struation” continues on another.
Vuokkoset acknowledges on its website that periods are not solely an issue for women, as trans men and nonbinary people may also have a uterus and experience menstruation. The company highlights that some trans men continue to experience menstrual cycles even while undergoing hormone replacement therapy, while others may choose not to undergo such therapy, allowing menstruation to occur naturally.
The product’s aim is to raise awareness about the gendered nature of menstrual hygiene products and address the anxiety experienced by trans men related to menstruation. Research cited by the company reveals that 93 percent of trans men have experienced menstrual-related gender dysphoria.
Dakota Robin, a DEI consultant who collaborated with Vuokkoset on the product and appeared in its ad campaign, shared personal insights, stating, “When I was young, menstruation felt not only strange but somehow wrong. Our culture does not really acknowledge the diversity of menstruating individuals.”
This isn’t the first time that a menstrual product company has acknowledged the diversity of those who menstruate. In 2020, British company Callaly launched its “Tell the Whole Bloody Truth” campaign, and Tampax tweeted, “Not all women have periods” and “Not all people with periods are women.”
However, Vuokkoset’s product appears to be the first tampon specifically marketed to trans men. While it is currently being sold as a limited edition in Finland, distribution is expected to widen early next year, with proceeds benefiting the Finnish trans and intersex rights organization Trasek.
Despite the company’s inclusive approach, it has faced backlash from anti-trans individuals on social media, with some expressing strong objections and perpetuating transphobic beliefs. Dakota Robin, addressing the backlash, emphasized the need for respectful conversations and asserted, “We can & should talk about things because we have freedom of speech, but the conversation must be respectful.” Robin concluded with a message of strength and resilience for the transgender community in the face of adversity.
