‘Controlling’ boyfriend is slammed for ‘banning’ his girlfriend from using tampons – but do you agree?
- A man has come under fire for ‘banning’ his girlfriend from using tampons
- He said he worries because she ‘doesn’t change them regularly enough’
- Tampons have been linked to toxic shock syndrome, a potentially fatal condition
- TSS is caused by bacteria thought to grow when tampons are left in for too long
- But many say the ‘controlling’ boyfriend shouldn’t meddle in women’s hygiene
A ‘controlling’ boyfriend has been slammed for ‘banning’ his girlfriend from using tampons.
In a lengthy post on Reddit, the unidentified man said he fears for his partner’s health because she is ‘forgetful’ and ‘doesn’t change them regularly enough’.
Tampons have been linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare and potentially life-threatening condition caused by bacteria that is thought to grow when tampons – particularly super absorbent varieties – are left in the vagina for too long.
‘I have no issue with women using tampons. I have an issue with HER using tampons,’ he wrote.
The man said he was even prepared to end the relationship if his girlfriend continued to use the common sanitary products because of the ‘risks’, despite the fact more than 300 million boxes are sold in Australia each year.
A ‘controlling’ boyfriend has been slammed for ‘banning’ his girlfriend from using tampons because of their link with the potentially life-threatening condition toxic shock syndrome (stock image)
His argument has been blasted since it was uploaded online, with readers appalled by the man’s apparent meddling in his partner’s personal hygiene.
‘She doesn’t change them regularly enough in my opinion. I think it’s a forgetfulness thing? She doesn’t take risks seriously?’ the man wrote.
‘This stresses me out because I’m worried she will get sick. However I have never made demands before recently.’
He said his concern was heightened after his girlfriend’s last period, which was ‘traumatic’ and resulted in a trip to the GP.
The incident, which he did not explain any further, prompted him to ‘pretty much demand’ she stop using tampons.
However his girlfriend didn’t share the same view.
‘She is furious with me. Says I’m being controlling. Says a man should not be demanding to women what sanitary products to use,’ he wrote.
‘I’m at a point where this is a hill I’m willing to die on and it may be a deal breaker is she doesn’t agree to this.’
Critics lashed out over his interference, with one woman writing: ‘You do not need to micromanage her period.’
She added: ‘Write that down and every time you get the urge to forbid her from tampons, read it and then sit back down.’
A second argued that while he may be well-intentioned, ‘this isn’t really your call to make’.
‘How would you feel if she asked you to stop using toilet paper because she thought you ‘used it wrong’?’ she asked.
But others defended the man, citing the health risks he had mentioned in his post.
‘You can get toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from leaving tampons in too long,’ one person said.
‘You’re right to be worried – she’s putting herself at risk.’
Another hit out at his girlfriend, accusing her of jeopardising her own well-being by using them.
‘Honestly? It sounds like this is less about tampons/bodily autonomy and more about your girlfriend willingly and repeatedly putting her health at risk and refusing to make any changes,’ the person wrote.
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