Women bleed. Sometimes every month, sometimes with more unpredictability; but the menstrual cycle is a fact of most our lives for at least 35-40 years. So, why can’t we talk about it? Popular laundry detergent brand OMO is on a mission to change the narrative around the menstrual cycle by opening up the conversation, and we are SO here for it.
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: why does talking about periods make us squirm so much?
Growing up in the 1980s, 1990s and even the 2000s, we didn’t talk about ‘the monthly visitor’ or ‘aunt flow’ (insert your own cringey, boomer terms here) because it was, quite frankly, really embarrassing. It was something we kept hidden at all costs.
Education was lacking, the conversation was taboo, and most of our mothers and older female figures had inherited a sense of shame around their periods from their own upbringing and cultural references. You only have to watch films and read books such as Are you there, God? It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume, for a reflection of how girls growing up in the 1970s were encouraged not to talk about the changes that were going on in their bodies during adolescence.
Today, as women, we seem to be more willing than ever to share our stories of menopause, motherhood and mental health, but when it comes to menstruation…not so much. It’s still a topic we shy away from.
// How the discussion around periods has evolved
There is no doubt that the conversation around certain aspects of the monthly cycle has improved in the last few years.
Period pants, PMDD, PCOS, hormonal imbalances and menstrual leave are all topics which most of us are aware of and feel relatively comfortable talking to our friends about.
Cycle syncing has been on the rise thanks to Period Power the groundbreaking book by Maisie Hill which helps women to navigate each phase of their cycle and get it working for them, rather than against them.
But have you ever discussed how heavy your flow is? If you “leak” during your time of the month? Or what you do to remove the stains on your clothes? And how you stay clean and hygienic during your bleed? Probably not. The conversation is not yet that deep.
A new campaign just launched by popular washing detergent brand OMO is calling for an end to the embarrassment and shame that still lingers around period chat.
So, ladies, it’s time to find your safe space and get open and honest about your monthly cycle.
// Creating a safe haven in the beauty and henna salons of Saudi Arabia
Not in all societies and not in most workplaces – but if you look really hard, there are some safe spaces for women to open up about their experiences of menstruation, and OMO has found the perfect place in Saudi Arabia to start the conversation: the ever popular and much-loved Henna and beauty salons.
OMO has equipped beauty salons and Henna design artists in Saudi Arabia with kits which feature designs to reflect the three-step process for effectively removing period stains: soften with cold water, wash with OMO, rinse in cold water.
Henna in particular is a storytelling tradition that has existed for generations. It is a way for women to express themselves, not just through artistry but through meaningful connection and communication – so what better arena to get honest about menstruation?
OMO’s strong formulation enriched with enzymes targets tough stains like blood and removes them effectively. The three henna designs follow the three-step process for effectively removing period stains: soften with cold water, wash with OMO, rinse in cold water.
So, can we change the narrative about period stains?
If this question makes you wince or want to run for the hills, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Recent research shows that while 63% of women believe the attitude towards menstruation has positively changed across generations, 72% believe period care and stains can still not be openly discussed. It’s time to change the narrative and here’s how OMO is leading the charge.
If you’ve ever had to throw out an item of clothing or a bed sheet because of a blood stain, you’re not alone and you don’t need to be embarrassed anymore. OMO offers a strong formulation enriched with enzymes to target tough stains like blood and remove them effectively.
With washing instructions and stain-removal techniques skillfully embedded into traditional henna artwork to transform women’s hands into a creative canvas for communication, OMO is turning tradition into a powerful vehicle for education and empowerment and here at Raemona, we can’t wait to see the results.
// Tell us about your experience
We are here to listen if you want to share your experiences. Let’s start the conversation! Follow #OMOArabia on tiktok and Snap and read more about this study here.
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