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Original poster

I am having a terrible time with my period and work

59 replies

Whengcame · 20/09/2022 19:16

Basically I only have a small window of opportunity to go to the toilet and change my pad and I don't get that, that's it. I will often be wearing the same pad from morning time til night time. Often my work keeps me late too so it can be 8 or 9 or 10 at night by the time I am free instead of a 6 finish time. So often it's the one pad from the time I get up in the morning to nighttime. I have to wear maternity pads.

I am trying so hard with trying to change to a menstrual cup. I know gener3tgey can be 12 hours but if I wear one with a pad, I should get maybe 14 or 15 or 16 hours from the set up. I understand the folds but it's just not going in for me.

I'm having a bad time. I got ready this morning. I went to the toilet at 2 but there was some bit h banging on the door so I wasn't even allowed a few minto do my business and change. By the time I went to the toilet again at 7pm the pad was soaked through.

I hate my fucking life and now. Why is it so hard to allow someone a few minutes in a day. This is happening so many times.

OP posts:
limitededitionbarbie · 23/09/2022 18:20

Are you in a union op? That's the first thing I'd be thinking.

limitededitionbarbie · 23/09/2022 18:21

If not join one then take it up with them

Original poster
Whengcame · 23/09/2022 18:22

MrsMontyD · 23/09/2022 18:02

How can you physically go 12 hours without a toilet break?

I only have a small window of opportunity to go to the toilet in the middle of my day but it has to be quick, if I don't get it, that's it. I will be allowed to go to the toilet, but likely I will have a crackpot hanging off my arm and no peace or privacy to do my business.

OP posts:

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Original poster
Whengcame · 23/09/2022 18:28

I'm trying hard to get used to a cup but I am finding it impossible to insert. I understand the folds. It's not solid enough to insert. I really need to get a hold of this and do it again or get signed out of work.

OP posts:
tonightelmowillrise · 23/09/2022 18:56

Again, what happens if you need to pee?

MiseryWIthAStent · 23/09/2022 19:02

Have you tried a bit of lube with the mooncup? You shouldn't be going that long without a toilet break but I did years in care and completely understand.

Original poster
Whengcame · 23/09/2022 19:15

tonightelmowillrise · 23/09/2022 18:56

Again, what happens if you need to pee?

A pee is fine. You go to the toilet, drop your pants and go. It's over within a minute.

With a period, you have to walk to the locker room and get a pad from your bag, and fuck me if that's allowed. That's far too much time. Never mind if you are a dripper and you drip period blood onto the toilet seat and floor, fuck me if I'm allowed time to wipe up the stall.

A pee is fine, anything more than a pee and it's literally go fuck yourself.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whengcame · 23/09/2022 19:16

MiseryWIthAStent · 23/09/2022 19:02

Have you tried a bit of lube with the mooncup? You shouldn't be going that long without a toilet break but I did years in care and completely understand.

I have lube but its not working for me. I can fold it but its not going in.

OP posts:
HappyHamsters · 23/09/2022 19:20

Can you keep a pad in your pocket, why do you need to go to a locker. Do they have female toilets, I would being this up with the manager and ask that they keep a supply of pads and freshen up wipes in the loo cupbaird.

JustAJokeLikeOnTopGear · 23/09/2022 19:23

Aside from the bigger problem of terrible working practices, period pants would help. You wear the same pair all day so no need to visit your locker for supplies or do any changes at all.

Modi body are apparently the best but my cheeky wipes ones work great for me.

MrsMontyD · 23/09/2022 19:25

If you don't have a union and don't feel able to complain directly about your working conditions your options are to hand in your notice or call CQC and whistleblow anonymous.

Can you have a pad in your pocket or tucked into the back of your knickers (old clubbing trick) ?? I would personally let them bang (residents presumably) until I was done.

WaveyHair · 23/09/2022 19:32

Whengcame · 23/09/2022 18:28

I'm trying hard to get used to a cup but I am finding it impossible to insert. I understand the folds. It's not solid enough to insert. I really need to get a hold of this and do it again or get signed out of work.

Try different folds but choose a time when you are not under pressure. I got the hang of it and love mine but there is a learning curve! I rinse mine in water to help it slide in.

Another tip is that you can practice without been on your period if that helps.

putacupinit.com/ has tips and ideas

GrowOneStrawberry · 23/09/2022 19:32

I wouldn't give a toss. Someone could bang the door all they want. Id not be staying in a wet pad, probably smelling for no one!

ShaneTwane · 23/09/2022 19:32

Who is banging on the door?!

If its staff threaten to throw your mooncup in their face if they ever do it again.

If its a resident ignore them until you are done.

Report it, keep a document of it every time it happens. Contact cqc.

I used to do 12 hour shifts in a care home, under staffed busy af and i was still in fairness allowed to use the toilet for as long as necessary.

chopc · 23/09/2022 19:36

No way should you put up with this. Take this to management and if you don't get anywhere take it even higher (depending on if there is a higher) and if necessary to the press. This is AWFUL.

You should not tolerate this

erikbloodaxe · 23/09/2022 19:42

Put spare pads in the front of your pants or in your bra and wear period pants for extra protection.
Don't come out of the toilet until you have sorted yourself out. Ignore the banging on the door.

FranklySonImTheGaffer · 23/09/2022 19:45

OP can you clarify the kind of setting you work in? Care home?
Why can't you leave at the end of your shift? What would happen if you literally got to 6pm, said bye and went home?
Also, who is knocking on the door if you take more than a minute?

You know it's not ok that you aren't able to change your pad. If a cup isn't working for you, that's fine. Your workplace shouldn't be making that your only option.

If I were you, I would look at the options of talking to the boss / HR and clearly stating the issue as a first step.
If that fails, if you can get yourself signed off, do that and raise the issue when you come back. And look for another job!

naomi81 · 23/09/2022 19:46

Urm I would be talking to my manager about this, surely in this day and age this shouldn't be happening 🤨 they should be ashamed of themselves!

AsterixInEngland · 23/09/2022 19:47

I’d say period pants are the answer there.

And changing job :(:(

rosael56 · 23/09/2022 19:49

Whengcame · 23/09/2022 18:22

I only have a small window of opportunity to go to the toilet in the middle of my day but it has to be quick, if I don't get it, that's it. I will be allowed to go to the toilet, but likely I will have a crackpot hanging off my arm and no peace or privacy to do my business.

Show quote history

I'm trying really hard to figure out where you work that you have a "crackpot" hanging off your arm?!!

Can you use tampons? Put in a tampon and a pad at beginning of day, halfway through the day whip the tampon out and use the pad for the rest of the day. That's what I would do. Or as someone else said, put a spare pad in your pocket.

Chloefairydust · 23/09/2022 19:51

I work in the care sector, and this is not normal or acceptable. You need to speak to your manager ASAP, you are legally entitled to a break on your shift. Probably 2 breaks if it’s 12 hour shifts. If your not even allowed to use the toilet on your break, look for another job. I assure you this is not the norm, even in the care sector.

Plus it’s really bad for your health, you could get UTI’s from not being allowed to use the toilet during your shift. Please do not accept this! I actually feel angry for you.

Munchyseeds2 · 23/09/2022 19:53

I'm assuming that you are not uk based??
Sorry if I'm wrong
I would just take the time I need to do what I have to do to be honest

LondonLovie · 23/09/2022 19:56

I'm probably being naive to your situation - but i would shout out "I'm on my period and I'm changing my sanitary towel, give me a minute". However, would that literally get your fired?

Otherwise when I have needed extra long protection for things in the passed, I wear a nighttime towel, with a super tampon. If you had the towel on with period pants you'd get: tampon 4 hours, then towel 4 hours and then period pants underneath 4 hours. So you'd get you 12 hours of protection.

But seriously it's in humane you can't just change your towel when you need!

Mol1628 · 23/09/2022 19:58

I think it’s in your hands to get this sorted. Don’t just let it happen to you. Advocate for your needs.

I’d persevere with the cup anyway, but there are different brands to try. I like the saalt cup.

cansu · 23/09/2022 19:59

My son has had carers taking care of him for years. They have plenty of time to go to the loo and have breaks. There are loads of care jobs. You need to find a new one.