to think that sanitary towels/tampons should be free?

[marjproops]

I mean, we cant help having periods, it happens, nothing we can do about it. 9apart from the pill or a couple of other methods to restrict/stop them, but generally.....

its like with babies theres the choice of pampers (still expensive) or the old fashioned terrys, (and they eventually grow and dont need them any more)but periods cant be helped.

i know there are the cheap supermarket normal flow ones but for heavier the cheapest i could find today was a pack of 10 for £1.99.(and this was in asda) and I get a lot of periods, every few days.

if not entirely free then what?

[marjproops]

Theyre not so naice! tesco value or always ultra are the only ones i can use but tesco value (okay 15p a pack not bad but as i have to have them everyday it adds up). but always ultra are the dearer ones.

ill try docs again definitely about something on prescription.

meanwhile niagara falls continues.........

[Gingersnap88]

They should certainly be VAT free! Moon cups should be free

[midastouch]

It is unfair than men dont have the expenses that we do!

[sweetiepie1979]

When I was young I worked in boots and I saw a girl stealing sanitary towels, I stopped, looked then looked away because I felt so sorry for her she really looked like she couldn't afford them. It was all caught on camera and I was sacked and they made me empty my pockets before I left just in case I had been stealing.

[yaimee]

Aww no sweetiepie I'd have dime the same as you, poor girl!
Can't believe you got sacked, your boss must have had no compassion at all!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

OMG you were sacked?

[montage]

If men had periods sanitary protection would undoubtedly be far cheaper.

[KayHunt]

I have ordered some lovely cloth sanpro, its worth looking in to.

Sanpro should be VAT free. I really don't know why it isn't.

[StuntGirl]

Should be VAT free for definite.

[5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs]

Washable sanitary towels? I can't imagine them being comfy and I don't fancy washing blood soaked towels, tbh with five kids I have enough washing anyway without adding to it!

I have thought about moon cup but sometimes even tampons are uncomfortable, I get very 'bruised' feeling when on my period, along with theusual heavy, uncomfortableness and the only tampons I can use comfortably are the tampax pearl ones, any others hurt and I go running and swimming etc so washable sanitary pads just a non starter.

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

I agree that there should be no tax on them.

I use reuseable pads and they are very comfy.

otoh, I find the idea of shoving a mini plastic sink plunger right up myself really offputting. I would rather rinse out a bit of blood than suction cup my cervix

[ihearsounds]

You cannot get sanitary stuff on prescription. You used to be able to years ago, but they stopped it.

It should be VAT free. Not entirely free though.

[Voodika]

They must make a fortune on the VAT on sanitary products. Never thought about it before but I wonder how much it is?

If you go on a pill and take it back to back then that would be the free option I guess.

[UniqueAndAmazing]

Yes, you should pay for sanitary products, but they should be VAT-free.
It's insane that you have to pay VAT on something that you really can't do without. I'd like to see how well it would go down if we walked around with blood dripping down our legs.

I've made a shedload recently - I bought a couple for a template and have made loads more. They're not really that difficult if you have an overlocker. And most of them I've used old fabric I already had, so have worked out quite cheap.

[ProudAS]

Mooncups are highly recommended.

[Feminine]

Umm, but sanitary towels are really cheap

Tampons a bit more.

[Scrubber]

Mooncups are uncomfortable, I despaired until I tried a Me Luna. They're fab!

[HoHoHoNoYouDont]

They'd be free if men had periods. I couldn't see IDS forking out for them out of his £53 budget

[Catchingmockingbirds]

hugo you make your own sanitary pads? How?

[UniqueAndAmazing]

they're not really cheap.
they cost about £2 for 14. you need two packs per period (i usually need a bit more) which is £4 a month.
there are 15 period months in a year.
that's £60 a year just on catching blood.

it's not as expensive as a lot of things, but it's still money to spend.

[Feminine]

Well I do have very light periods unique perhaps that is where I make my savings?

[midastouch]

I use 2 double packs per period sine having DCs. They're 3.85 each not on offer, that's a lot of money 13 times a year! I didn't know they were taxed that's really disgusting!

[InLoveWithDavidTennant]

it is very costly. my periods have been irregular since 2000. in 2008 i spent 8 months bleeding nonstop... and since then they can last 3-4 weeks at a time, with a few days/1week free in between, and can be so heavy that i need to change my towel AND my clothes after 30 mins

no doctor that i see will do anything about it as dh and i have been ttc since early 2009. yeah... try getting fucking pregnant when you only have on average, a week free to have sex every month

im 31... i dont think i have much time left