The world of period care has changed a lot since our mothers’—and even our grandmothers’ generations. Which recently made us think: how would our grandmas react to the next-gen of period products? And, while there are so many period options to choose from today, what did those options look like decades ago?
Period underwear, in particular, has revolutionized the period game by introducing unrivaled comfort. What once was bulky (we’re looking at you, pads) is now barely there (shout out to our new UltraThin Leakproof Underwear).
At the same time, advocacy and activism in the realm of period justice and equity have helped lessen stigma around menstruation. According to research by Plan International, there's been a significant shift in attitudes towards menstruation in recent years, with more and more people embracing it as a natural part of life that can be discussed openly.
In an attempt to fully understand the magnitude of change in the period space, we invited Helen Forbes (whom we affectionately refer to as Grandma Forbes), to chat about shifting attitudes towards menstruation and the period products she wishes were around when she was a teenager.
We also had the absolute privilege of introducing her to period underwear for the very first time.
Here's to bridging generations, breaking taboos, and embracing periods with pride. Below, we keep the conversation flowing in our interview with the lovable Grandma Forbes.
What’s your earliest memory of getting your period?
I was a late bloomer in that department. I was probably about 13-years-old, but I was small for my size at that stage. All my friends had already had their period, so I knew a lot of information from them, but my mother was very good to me too. She was able to explain a lot of things to me.
She told me that, one day I’ll probably just go to the washroom and there will be some blood—and not to worry. Nothing has happened, this is quite a normal sign of womanhood. She told me she would help me in that department when the time came.
Growing up, what was the perception of periods—was it talked about openly?
As far as periods were concerned, I knew what to expect because I’d been told by my friends already—plus my mother. I wasn’t worried about it, but I did have a lot of cramps when it did happen. And that happened regularly after that. So, I did suffer a lot with it.
When you were a teenager, what kind of period product options were there?
When I first started my period, I didn’t even know about those products. My mother used diapers, believe it or not, and cut them. I’d attach them with safety pins to my panties. Then, when it was time to change them, my mother had a bucket of water down by the laundry with bleach in them.
She would wash them and we would reuse them—and they were pure white every time. It’s funny because I happened to mention to my friend that I was coming here to Knix—and she’s eight years younger than me—she said, oh well we used rags.
That’s what we referred to them as, but that’s really what it was in some cases too. I didn’t really know about pads until I started working, and they had dispensers in the women’s washroom. I thought, oh what are those?
I remember you could buy an elastic band that went around your waistline, it had a piece of elastic in the front and a piece of metal so you could hook the rags on each end instead of using safety pins. That’s what they started off with.
It wasn’t until I started working and I saw there were dispensable type products—I thought, hm, I’m going to buy one and see how it works. After that, that’s when I started buying pads. And, of course, now there’s so many options.
How has your perspective and attitude towards period products evolved over time? How has the way you discuss periods with friends and family evolved?
In first year high school, in health class, we did see a film all about menstruation—but everybody kind of cringed. Everyone was sort of embarrassed to look up at the screen. A few people just had their heads down.
But a few of us had already been told, so we were lucky that way. But I remember that class very vividly, how it was sort of embarrassing for a lot of the girls.
I’ve learned more in my 70s and 80s from my daughter who teaches health and physical education. My friends and I have thought to ourselves, how did we get through all this without knowing all that stuff?
We didn’t refer to it as a period, most of the time it would be “I got my friend.” You never said menstruation or anything like that. You’d just say, I got my friend so I’m feeling miserable, or something. Things have changed.
Have you heard of period underwear before?
I hadn’t, until this collaboration with Knix came about. I was surprised, but of course it would be more comfortable to just pull on a pair of panties without worrying about safety pins and the bulkiness and everything else. I think it’s great.
There’s actually a pair of period underwear sitting right in front of you. What are your first impressions?
Oh, you’re kidding. Well, I have Knix underwear on now, but I guess they have a different liner than this, of course.
Oh my gosh, that’s amazing. What a relief it would be to wear these. Just wearing the Knix underwear itself, you don’t even know you have them on. These are so light and silky, they feel luxurious—and, of course, the pantyliner is obviously absorbent.
I would wear them in a heartbeat. I don’t need them anymore, but I guess I could use them for when you’re laughing and smiling and unexpectedly can’t hold your bladder.
There you go, they’re the answer to everything for us women.
Do you think having period underwear growing up would have been a game-changer?
Oh my, of course. There’s no doubt about it. Oh my gosh. Yes, that would have been amazing if we had those—never mind worrying about safety pins and belts. You just put them on like ordinary underpants.
I think it’s wonderful because it alleviates a lot of worrying about when your period starts. You’d be prepared right away, you wouldn't have that embarrassing moment that happens to some of us.
I think everyone would be pleased to try them. You wouldn’t know the difference between period underwear and regular underwear.