In the daily grind to pick up groceries and drop kids to school, whip up a quick lunch and finish to-do lists at work, tracking your period can skip your mind. The menstrual cycle can tell you so much about your body; much more than just when your next period is due. That's why Period Pal seems like a godsend. While Bollywood celebrity ventures generally revolve around fashion and beauty, actress Taapsee Pannu took a different path when she co-founded LAIQA and launched the period tracker Period Pal. Also its Chief Innovation Officer, we at NDTV Swirlster had a chat with Taapsee Pannu on how important menstrual awareness is and what makes periods a teensy bit more comfortable.
NDTV Swirlster: Why do you think period tracking apps are a modern women's must-have?
Taapsee Pannu: Because in today's day and age with women busy doing so many things beyond house chores, it sometimes can skip our mind that the period date is around. Its like a reminder we have for all other appointments we have that we need to be reminded that our "best friend" is visiting us soon. Also, when it comes to an app like Period Pal, it does so much more than just reminding you about your period date, which I feel is a great friend to have.
(Also Read: Things You Didn't Know About Menstruation: 5 Reasons For Your Delayed Periods Other Than Pregnancy)
NDTV Swirlster: Your thoughts on why the stigma revolving around menstruation needs to be gotten rid of?
Taapsee Pannu: Because it's high time. Because there is enough of education and research around it to show how it's a mark of good health and not a taboo to be ashamed of. Its only when we treat it as a natural occurrence and not a disease that we can truly understand the problems and solutions associated with periods.
NDTV Swirlster: Why is awareness about menstrual hygiene such an important topic for men to know as well?
Taapsee Pannu: Most of the time women feel awkward about addressing their period concerns because of the men around. They feel that men might make them feel awkward about this. If men are educated and aware about it, the awkwardness around periods and conversations about it will become normalized faster.
NDTV Swirlster: What are your must-haves during your periods?
Taapsee Pannu: A good nature-friendly and body-friendly sanitary napkin, ingredients of my tea that I drink for cramps and a heat patch to use to ease the pain. Plus, vaginal wipes if I'm in public place.
NDTV Swirlster: What steps can we take towards period positivity?
Taapsee Pannu: Firstly to look at it as a mark of health and not a disease of any kind. Use products that are good for the body and skin, plus are nature-friendly. Read and be more aware about the problems you face during periods because that might help u detect any issues that you weren't aware of before.
NDTV Swirlster: Which is the feature you like best on Period Pal?
Taapsee Pannu: My favourite feature is to customize your pack and subscribe to it. Everyone has different kind of flow and napkin usage habits so this app helps customize the number of napkins of each kind in one pack and subscribe to it so you don't have to worry about remembering to buy it every month. It delivers the customized pack at your doorstep.
(Also Read: Know What Your Period Reveals About Your Health)
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