What? We Can't Say "Vagina?"

Tell me it isn’t true. Rumor on the street has it that TV networks have banned a tampon company for making an ad that uses the word “vagina.” Um, how exactly are we supposed to talk about tampons without using the word vagina? And what’s wrong with that? Vagina vagina vagina! (Okay, did I just sound like a defiant little kid? Good.)

Apparently, after this infamous tampon ad was banned from three networks, they reshot the ad and replaced “vagina” with “down there.” Even with this change, two networks still wouldn’t run the ad. Which means they made a tampon ad without ever once referencing the female genitalia. I mean…duh, people. That’s like making a beer ad without ever referencing the mouth, lips, or tongue. Vaginas are where tampons GO.

Two Steps Back

Perhaps to no one’s surprise, the company ended up killing the ad. Back to the drawing board where feminine hygiene commercials are made about women in running on the beach with billowing white scarves, with no references to any part of the female anatomy.

Once I cooled down after reading about this, I started thinking. Why are we so freakin’ afraid to talk about what makes us uniquely female? I mean, seriously. Every single human being on this planet came out of one of those things we’re not allowed to name on network television. The vagina is the source of all life, the portal of pleasure, the living, breathing heart of the world. But oh no. Don’t even think about saying the word out loud. What gives?

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Read more: Do Good, Family, Health, Love, Sex, vagina, women's health

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sheri P.

12:02AM PDT on Jun 28, 2011

VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA! It's a part of my anatomy, NOT a dirty word...what's the big deal? I don't get it. I think people (Americans mostly) are too conservative in general...they should get over it already!!!

send a green star

Lora H.

3:38PM PDT on Sep 25, 2010

Guys scream PENIS in school aaaaaalllll the time and as annoying as it may be, everyone just gets used to hearing the word penis. Girls are too mature to run around yelling VAGINA so I guess we don't hear it as much and people aren't as open when hearing it. Especially guys. Like c'mon it's a tampon. Chill out.

william r.

12:21PM PDT on Sep 22, 2010

It's my understanding that in Chinese-- Mandarin, I believe-- a single character denotes the standard Vagina, the vernacular C***, and the precious Gates of Paradise. (In the book TRACE ELEMENTS FROM A RECURRING KINGDOM is a poem about this titled "Fleshflower.")

Past Member .

8:10PM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

buill kane has one

Celie G.

7:58PM PDT on Aug 17, 2010

does it really matter what people are allowed to say and not say. its freedom of speech so anyone can say vagina. i think the reason parents don't allow their children to say vagina, or in some cases adults are afraid to say the almighty word is because they think that will result in creating a messed up mind. look people as long as men can say " oranges with a banana." (if you don't understand that it means penis and nutsacks.) then women are allowed to stand out in front of fricking Build-a-Bear workshop and scream" VAGINA!!!"

Carri K.

11:31AM PDT on Aug 14, 2010

They say worse things in adverts!

Denise P.

8:55AM PDT on Aug 14, 2010

I have never understood why people cannot call a vagina by its correct name. We have no problem saying the words face, legs, arms, toes, hair, etc. but we cannot say the words penis and vagina. How silly!

lorraine c.

10:39PM PDT on Aug 12, 2010

It's ridiculous. Vagina is the proper medical term for that part of our bodies. How and when did it become a curse word? I will not mimic Oprah's cutesy va-jay-jay or some other awful word, that part of my body is my vagina. Bleep.

Joys L.

8:44PM PDT on Aug 12, 2010

Love your post. We should be proud of it and not the other way round. =)

Emily C.

12:28PM PDT on Aug 12, 2010

The world of ads is not normal so we cannot expect normal decisions. These are the people who show couples getting ideas of passion while folding laundry and tell men not to worry until after 4 hrs of an uncontrollable erection. We cannot expect them to make logical or normal decisions about words to use in ads.