The Cuban TikToker @maryfra.21, based in Mexico, went viral after posting a video where she shares, with ease and charm, how it was to deal with menstruation in Cuba. Her account, which has already garnered over 6 million views, shocked thousands of users as she revealed that on the island, one only receives a package with five or six sanitary pads per month, and from a single brand: Mariposa.
“In Cuba, we call feminine towels 'intimas'… and it's not like here in Mexico where you can buy whatever you want,” explained Maryfra.
The video triggered a wave of reactions. Thousands of women from Mexico —and other countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Guatemala— couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “I use five a day,” “One single brand?”, “That lasts me a day and a half!” were some of the comments that flooded the post.
Several users suggested using menstrual cups, but others responded logically: "If there are barely any sanitary pads, do they really think there are cups in Cuba?" Maryfra herself confirmed in the comments that many women don’t even know that option exists. She also clarified that pads are not free: they are sold rationed through the supply booklet.
What seemed like a simple anecdote turned into a profound conversation about menstrual precariousness on the island and the lack of access to basic hygiene products. The story also served as a mirror for many women who confessed to not appreciating the privilege of being able to freely choose between brands, types, and quantities.
With a friendly tone and without playing the victim, @maryfra.21 brought to light a topic that is seldom addressed, and she did it in her own style: direct, sincere, and with a smile. Her testimony not only generated empathy but also prompted an important reflection: while some choose between options, others can only "manage" as best as they can.
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