Box of 40 Tampax deodorant tampons, flushable applicator, Original Regular

Box of 40 Tampax deodorant tampons, flushable applicator, Original Regular, Tambrands, USA, 1993-1994

Scented tampons were first introduced in the mid-1940s, playing on fears that even wearing ‘internal protection’ wouldn’t prevent unpleasant odours revealing you were menstruating. When Playtex launched ‘deodorant’ tampons in 1971, rival brand Tampax quickly followed suit, even though menstrual fluid has no smell until it is exposed to air.

Deodorant powders, designed for use with menstrual pads, had existed since the 1930s. Advertisements emphasised these products’ role in maintaining “personal daintiness”; a euphemism for concealing bodily functions deemed socially unacceptable for women.

Fragrances added to menstrual products contain chemicals that can disrupt the vagina’s natural pH balance, potentially leading to irritation or infection. In 2021, Tampax announced it was withdrawing scented tampons from the US market.