The man wants to control an intimate aspect of his partner's life. Photo / 123RF
The man wants to control an intimate aspect of his partner's life. Photo / 123RF
A self-confessed "controlling" boyfriend has revealed he has banned his partner from using tampons — and been shamed for his bizarre rule as a result.
In a Reddit post, the man complained about how his girlfriend was "furious" with him after his demands that she not use certain sanitary products.
"I have no issue with women using tampons," he wrote.
"I have an issue with HER using tampons. I have a few reasons for this."
The poster claimed he was doing it for his girlfriend's sake, fearing that her "forgetful" nature and unhygienic habits would lead to health issues including toxic shock syndrome.
"She doesn't change them (tampons) regularly enough in my opinion," the poster continued. "I think it's a forgetfulness thing? She doesn't take risks seriously?
"This stresses me out because I'm worried she will get sick."
He said she'd had a "traumatic" experience during her last period, prompting him to "pretty much demand she no longer use tampons".
He even went a step further and said this was a relationship deal-breaker for him if she didn't follow his rules.
"I'm at a point where this is a hill I'm willing to die on and it may be a deal-breaker if she doesn't agree to this," he said.
Despite his stance, the man says he is a good boyfriend, and says he's "never made demands before recently".
However, the missus is not impressed.
"She is furious with me. Says I'm being controlling. Says a man should not be demanding to women what sanitary products to use."
Unfortunately for the poster, most Reddit users were unsympathetic to his plight.
"You do not need to micromanage her period," one said.
"Write that down and every time you get the urge to forbid her from tampons, read it and then sit back down."
Another person added: "It seems like you're well meaning, but 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'?"
Toxic shock syndrome is rare but can be serious. Photo / 123RF
"You can get toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from leaving tampons in too long," said one person. "You're right to be worried – she's putting herself at risk."
Toxic shock syndrome is a serious illness, caused by a Staphylococcus bacterial infection entering the bloodstream.
It is rare, but the Ministry of Health warns that it is "often associated with the incorrect use of tampons" because tampons may contain small amounts of bacteria that are normally in the air or on the skin.
"Honestly?" said another. "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."
