A Woman on Reddit Asks If It’s Normal to Leave Her Menstrual Pads in a Visible Place, and Men Chimed In

Menstruation is a natural and normal process that affects half of the world’s population, yet it is still considered a taboo topic in many cultures and contexts. A woman on Reddit recently posted a story asking if it was normal to leave her menstrual pads in a visible place in a bathroom. The question sparked a lively discussion among both women and men, who shared their opinions, experiences, and advice on this sensitive issue.

So here is what she wrote, “My husband, his friend, and I are currently on vacation, sharing a rented apartment with just one bathroom. Yesterday, I got my period and bought some pads. I left them on the bathroom counter in a semi-sheer bag, where they weren’t even visible.”

“However, my husband thought this was inappropriate and could make his friend uncomfortable, knowing that someone in the apartment is bleeding. I argued that menstruation is a natural process and should not be considered gross or dirty. Women shouldn’t be shamed or stigmatized because of it, as this has historically caused women to suffer.

My husband didn’t respond, but I’m still wondering if I was in the wrong for leaving the pads this way.”

Later the woman asked men to provide their comments too as all of the responses were from women and her husband believed it was unfair.

Men were not shy and chimed in with their opinions:

• A 30-year-old man should be able to see feminine products without batting an eye. Nearly every guy grew up with a mom. She bled. That’s life. I have a 13-year-old son and couldn’t imagine him freaking out over seeing my wife’s or his sister’s pads/tampons. kev92685 / Reddit
• Guy here. Had a wife. Now have a husband. We have a teen daughter. Your hubby needs to grow up. Menstruation is normal, natural, and we work hard to make sure our daughter understands that. No one needs your hubby’s overwrought and outdated attitude. Curious-One4595 / Reddit
• Another man here. Sanitary products aren’t any different than a toothbrush or shaving cream. michael_entechsite / Reddit
• Man checking in. What this guy says. If you’re that...I don’t even know the word. Sensitive? Pathetic?...that you can’t handle seeing a normal sanitary product, you’re really not ready to be in a normal human relationship. TheDisapprovingBrit / Reddit

Menstruation is a totally normal process and this runner who decided to freely bleed during a marathon proved it.