These Terms Are Now Banned In New York State Law

One of life’s great mysteries is why something that’s experienced regularly by half of the world’s population is still commonly referenced in such a weird way. 

For lots of us, the moment we learned about menstruation, it was treated as something to hide. 

Instead of talking openly about it, phrases like “Aunt Flo coming to town” or “that time of the month” are constantly used to talk about periods. 

Experienced by billions around the world, this natural biological process has been talked about with shame and secrecy for so long that even the Smithsonian Institute admits that their collection doesn’t contain many menstrual products from the past, reflecting society’s general embarrassment of the topic.

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However, that idea is starting to change - at least when it comes to New York State law. 

New York State Law Has Officially Eliminated These Terms

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a law that now bans terms like “sanitary napkin” and “feminine hygiene products” in both current and future New York State legislation. Instead, the outdated phrases are being replaced with “menstrual products.”

Menstrual products are currently referenced in laws that require them to be available for free in public schools and correctional facilities throughout New York State, required ingredient labeling on their packaging, and the abolishment of state sales tax when purchasing them. 

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Even though the new law doesn’t affect most people (it really only pertains to lawmakers), it’s still a step in the right direction. New York State getting rid of those outdated (and frankly cringy) terms in their laws is a small way to work on getting rid of the idea that periods are unsanitary and dirty, and that’s a relief to the 50% of people who experience them.