People threaten to boycott Tampax after 'gross and offensive' social media post

Tampax customers have been left totally unimpressed with the tampon brand, after it shared a controversial tweet which people say is 'sexualising periods'.

The US Twitter account for the popular brand shared the tweet on Monday, but it didn't land well with fellow social media users and some people have been left shocked by the comment, while others have pledged to boycott the feminine hygiene brand.

The aforementioned tweet reads: "You're in their DMs. We're in them. We are not the same."

Tampax - which says it is "committed to making period conversation as normal as periods so we all can feel educated, empowered and limitless every day of the month" - followed it with another post, re-sharing the initial tweet and explaining they "refused to let twitter shut down before we shared this tweet".

The tweet referred to someone being asked out or approached online via their direct messages - or 'sliding into their DMs' - but compared that to the use of tampons during a monthly period.

While many were baffled by the tweet, finding it 'creepy' and 'gross', others felt it 'sexualised periods'.

Islandstock/Alamy Stock Photo

One person commented: "Real weird for a company that sells products made for woman’s natural bodily functions to make a tweet sexualizing woman for using their products."

While another said: "You. Are. Gross. It never ceases to amaze me how brands are so ready to alienate their core demographic. It's certainly an interesting business strategy."

And a third added: "Truly a very, very bad and disturbing take.

"I hope that @ProcterGamble reassess their ownership of the Tampax brand, and I hope anyone who used it now boycotts it."

Meanwhile a fourth commented: "This is more than in bad taste. Utterly tone deaf to all females including girls, who use this product."

Twitter

Others are calling for shoppers to boycott Tampax, with the hashtag #BoycottTampax trending on Twitter since the tweet was shared. Many have since said they will opt to use different brands from now on.

"Can women and girls ever get a break from the incessant perversion of our bodies and lives? #BoycottTampax," wrote one.

And another pledged in the comments: "I have two menstruating daughters. We will not be buying Tampax anymore."

"Tampons do not need to be advertised to men. They do not need to be sexualized. This is disgusting!" Added a third.

Tyla has contacted Tampax for comment.

Topics: Life, Health

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot.

@lucedevine