To be astounded that women use reusable cloth pads when on their period

[jeremytampaxman]

I had no idea that people did this - found out courtesy of a thread on another forum.

Okay, I gather that it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than using tampons or sanitary towels (although surely there is energy involved in washing them)...but using & washing out pieces of rag in 2013? Seriously?!

I know it's an individual's choice, I get that. But AIBU to be just astounded by that choice?

One word...mooncup!

Sorry YANBU it's grim.

But why are you astounded? Where do you draw the line? We do have quite a throwaway culture and everybody has different lines.

And I figure, I don't have to wash it and it's none of my business so why would I be remotely concerned about how other people manage their reproductive cycle? In fact it seems far more sensible to me than using sanitary towels and tampons when I think about it. Which generally I don't. I spend my time thinking about David Mitchell naked on a cracker.

Not sure they're all that great for having to change them when out and about either! Doesn't really bear thinking about!

Do you feel the same about cloth nappies?

YABU - I don't do so myself but it's good to have a choice. How do you think people in countries that don't have access to disposable sanpro manage?

I've never been 'on' my period.

I've never used washable cloths either but not surprised that green types do though.

I think having blood soaked cotton mouldering in your bin for a week is pretty rank, but each to their own.

You're quite easily astounded if this shocks you, tbh.

I've considered using them and would if periods were heavier but they are actually pretty expensive (as they are more than just "pieces of rag") and wouldn't be worth it for me.

You sound very judgmental. I've never used re-useable towels but I don't find it at all astounding that other people do.

Shop bought towels give me minge itch so I use tampons. If I didn't want to use tampons then I'd probably use washable pads.

And have you heard, some people actually use pegs to attach wet washing onto string hung up in their garden to get it dry instead of using a dryer, in 2013????

And I know this one family who don't have a car? I mean I think it's bordering on reckless.

yabu. no different to cloth nappies.

Yanbu. I don't know how anyone uses any sort of sanitary towel.. I have only ever used them after birth of dc but they are disgusting. Why would you want to let blood leak out of you! Mooncup or tampons are the only reasonable way!

No lets not use mooncups or washable protection ... lets bung it all in landfill and leave the residue for our grandchildren in 2053? Seriously?!

Just because you've lobbed something away doesn't mean its gone. By all means make a rational choice for disposable or reusable but don't go down the "its a bit ick" route and then ignore how "ick" festering landfill is.

Show wouldn't the cracker break?

Get a life.

I think its a good idea, better than filling up landfill with pads and tampons. I considered using them at one stage, but went for the mooncup instead, which is brilliant.

YABU. I just let it run down my legs and get soaked up by my socks.

Of course I don't.

But it's only blood, you know. Not nuclear waste. Would you throw away a shirt that someone had had a nosebleed on? (OK, so I imagine plenty of today's hyper-squeamish generation probably would.)

Snort at David Mitchell on a cracker. How that man can inspire lustful thoughts is beyond me.

Now, let's imagine Jason Isaacs on a chunk of tiger bread...

Sorry OP, got sidetracked there. Reusable pads aren't my cup of tea but I do admire people who are that committed to the environmental cause.

YABVU, I use them, they're not a 'rag' in the slightest, actually do some research and see what they look like. The energy used to wash them is nowhere near what it takes to make and ship the sanitary pads/tampons you use monthly, I throw them in with my cloth nappies. I feel better that I'm not binning/flushing waste that's going to pollute the environment for decades, simply because it's more convenient for me.

If that astounds you, you need to get out more.

Reusable stuff is brilliant for me. Tampons make me ill (runs,fever etc) towels to a lesser extent plus they itch. It'll be a cold day in hell before i stick a sink plunger up myself (ouch). im not bothered by my blood so reuseable pads are perfect.

the only choice i dont understand is free bleeding. that must be messy and smelly

YABU. I use a mooncup. It's fab.

I am astounded that people concern themselves with other women's choice of sanitary protection.

I've mooncupped for the past 3 years now but would use washable pads in a heard beat over plastic wrapped cotton wool compressed and mixed in with those weird crystal gel things.

Well, it's not for me, but then lots of people do things that I wouldn't.

Festering landfill is very ick. Luckily my county goes for incineration (which lots of people have other problems with.. but I live near it and it's really not an issue)