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?

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

Ones at Aldi are very good and very affordable compared with other own brands iirc.

Should definitely be free from VAT.

I flew through the things when I was on warfarin. I even moved into the super plus category. Plus added towels.

[SnoogyWoo]

The government is already putting about £90 billion on its credit card a year so I dont think they will be able to afford it!

[milktraylady]

Just signed the e-petition & put a link on my Facebook page.

Can't believe razors have no vat & sanitary does. Hairy face, who cares; blood everywhere, think that's an issue!

[mumnosbest]

VAT free definately. Is it right mens razors are VAT free and women's aren't as they are a luxury? I've bought mens since I was told this as a teen and they do seem to be cheaper.

[MrsHoarder]

InLoveWithDavidTennant your GP is pretty poor to not help you with that, especially if you've been having trouble TTC. No scans or blood tests to check for the underlying cause? I had a GP who was a bit dismissive of "women's problems", but fortunately saw another one who helped.

Have you read this NHS page and gone in to ask for a referral?

[LahleeMooloo]

Yes cause handing out free stuff has worked out really well so far for our government...

[MsBella]

Lahleemoo for fuck sake are you refering to benefits

[hugoagogo]

catch I used this pantyliner pattern 'tis easy and you can use old tshirts/sheets/towels so need to buy a lot of stuff, just a few snaps and some thread. You can also adapt the pattern, putting in more layers or making them longer for night or heavy days.

I made mine when dd was first at nursery I think & she starts secondary in september.

[babyfirefly1980]

I think they should be VAT free definately, they are not a luxury item and can't really understand why they are classed as such.

[Emo76]

I agree - they should be free. and if not, VAT free. Having periods is not a luxury or a choice. It is an utter disgrace that these items are taxed - why haven't any of the mainstream parties picked this as an "issue" - surely a potential vote winner with oooh say half the population?

[MrsAceRimmer]

Have signed the petition and shared it on Facebook.
I use a mooncup, but night pads overnight.
Bloody ridiculous sanpro has VAT on it!

[Snugglepiggy]

VAT free for sure.Was only lamenting earlier today how expensive it is to be a woman.Going through peri- menopause and some periods lasting three weeks and very heavy.I am sick to death of buying/ using sanitary products and dread to think over 40 years what the cost had been.

[marjproops]

and in public loos the machines on the wall for you to buy a pad/tampon if you're caught short...the price just for ONE.

[meditrina]

It's urban myth BTW that razors etc are free of VAT. So don't use it in serious argument.

[meditrina]

VAT on sanprois already at a discounted rate of 5%, so again, be careful how you word what's being asked for.

[Blankiefan]

Can you imagine how horrible they'd be if there wans no/less profit in them for the industry? That motivates constant product development and means we're not all using those huge thick "bricks" of pads you got when I was young... Or the ones with loops on the end and the garter belt thing my mum had to use...

[IntheFrame]

Mens blades are really expensive.

Periods are only for women between 12 -50 and tampons are £1.20 for 20 in Tesco. People also tend to use their own, unlike...

..bog roll! Is used by everyone so costs me a fortune when people stay over.Twice the amount if they have a period too. Should be subsidised.

[lottieandmia]

I think YABU, but then I've always had light infequent periods so maybe I wouldn't get it.

[LynetteScavo]

We all need to eat. Basic food should be free.

I was genuinely as a child when I found out you had to pay for water.

And we all need warmth. Blankets should be free.

[PotteringAlong]

free sample of a moon cup type thingy here

[skrumle]

i use a femmecup - had less period pains as soon as i started using it, and over the year my periods have got lighter as well. no idea how that works but i LOVE it. seriously, finally get those tampon adverts featuring women rollerblading...

[LahleeMooloo]

What I mean is that the government is in ££££ of debt and on the verge of bankruptcy, because of overspending, so we really shouldn't be looking to increase the burden on the state to provide more.

[pumpkinsweetie]

I agree, but sadly with this government that or anything else isn't going to be happening.
They are making so many cuts, some poor women may not be able to afford them the way things are heading

[Heinz55]

Well I reckon that OP Marj - and probably most of you, live in the UK where a visit to the doctor does not equal most of your weekly grocery bill and medicine is only free once you have spent ?110 per month (each month - so you'd have to spend ?120 monthly to get a ?10 reduction!!); I have lived in Ireland for the past few years (moved from the UK) and have learned the hard way how WONDERFUL the NHS is. Free tampons???!!! that's so funny!
PS The government here is also ????????????'s in debt but not from trying to keep us alive and healthy unfortunately...maybe they'd consider free tampons though