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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have my tampons on display?

447 replies

ElleGrace · 20/05/2015 13:45

Hi there,
This is actually my first post on here (despite me being an avid mumsnetter for the past 5+ years!) so bare with!
Basically, OH and I have recently moved in to a new place together and are having a ridiculous rather silly debate over whether or not it is socially acceptable to have (unused) tampons on display in the bathroom.
To my way of thinking, anyone who enters our home will be perfectly aware that I, a woman, have a menstrual cycle and therefore use some form of feminine product in my bathroom. The only hidden storage we have in the bathroom is on the opposite side of the room to the toilet, which is an inconvenience to get to. Therefore, I have a glass jar of tampons on the shelf right next to the toilet, alongside many other glass jars filled with cotton buds, cotton pads, candles etc. IMO, there is no difference in seeing a tampon in the bathroom than seeing something like a cotton bud.
On the other hand, my OH argues that although people are aware I use tampons, they don't really need to see proof of it. He compared it to having a jar of condoms in the bathroom.
I understand this is a really ridiculous argument, but it really got me thinking as to whether I should really have to hide my feminine products in my own home, or as to whether I'm simply being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.
I'd love to hear your opinions on this trivial matter, and I'd also like to know whether your products are hidden from view too.

OP posts:
propelusagain · 21/05/2015 20:46

It is something every female goes through and isn't anything to be ashamed of.

No one is ashamed. They are just not what I want to be looking at when I have my candle lit bath. Neither do I want to be looking at bottles of bleach, rubber gloves or multi packs of toilet rolls.

RachelWatts · 21/05/2015 20:52

Propelusagain - you would hate my bathroom. I just bought an 18 pack of loo roll and have nowhere to put it.

inmyshoos · 21/05/2015 20:56

I use a mooncup which i often leave to air dry on the bathroom shelf and then forget it is there until i come on again! Menstruation is natural, I am not going to hide my mooncup just like I don't hide other bathroom items - loo roll, toothpaste etc.
If my df or dh felt embarrassed by it I'd be most surprised.

Notso · 21/05/2015 20:58

I didn't know anyone actually did have candlelit baths in real life. I hate baths, I always need a shower afterwards to get clean. Maybe that's why I'm not bothered about leaving stuff out though. I'm not in there long enough to care.

propelusagain · 21/05/2015 21:03

I love my bathroom, it's a sanctuary. And yes I lie there with candles, sometimes a lass of iced Morgan's spiced or wine and listen to the radio. Bliss.

propelusagain · 21/05/2015 21:05

Rachel I am sure your bathroom is lovely. I don't have any storage in my downstairs toilet, so I only have one roll on the go in there and a spare on a low shelf beside the toilet. The rest I keep in the garage.

derxa · 21/05/2015 21:10

2rebecca Has anyone mentioned the war yet?
I pmsl WWIII has started

Notso · 21/05/2015 21:37

We all need a sanctuary propelusagain Smile

Alidoll · 21/05/2015 21:55

Have my tampons in their boxes at the side of the toilet on the floor as I don't have a cupboard or drawer. DH isnt grossed out in the slightest and will even happy purchase them for me if asked (he does the shop if I'm taking DD to ballet).

My Mum however stayed at our house while we were on holiday dog sitting and when I came back they had gone. I asked where they were and she said "oh, I moved them to your bottom drawer at the side of your bed..you don't want to leave them out in case DH sees them!" Told her he couldn't care less and that I wouldn't be changing them at the side of the bed so why the hell would I want them there? I need them in the toilet so that's where they are kept. She was not amused but my house, my rules! Honestly, they sooner folk realise that PERIODS ARE NATURAL AND NORMAL (annoying yes) the better. My 5 yr old daughter has asked what they are and I've told her they are for older girls and ladies. She's fine with that explanation at this age but will not hide them from her either. I had horrendous periods as a teenager and has to wear those bloody awful Dr White duvet covers with the belt and loops as my mum wouldn't let me use tampons in case I died from toxi shock syndrome! The first opportunity I got to nip into Boots and buy the tampons, I just never told her! I won't have my daughter in a similar position when she's old enough.

I also object to paying tax on them as they are NOT a luxury item but a necessity. Maybe if the female politicians were NOT to wear anything and bleed all over the parliament seats this government would see that too.

Off soapbox..rant over...and no, it's not PMS lol!

propelusagain · 21/05/2015 22:02

I keep mine in my bedside drawer and a box in the bathroom cabinet. I find it quite handy to keep a supply in the bedroom.

millymae · 21/05/2015 22:32

My mum would agree with you about the tax Alidoll. Several years ago she caused my sister and I much embarrasment at our school summer fair when she took the local MP to task about this very issue!. I happen to agree with her now, but at the time I was mortified that she could discuss this with a man.

propelusagain · 21/05/2015 22:42

Nicola Sturgeon (SNP) is campaigning to have tax removed from sanitary products "We are determined to ensure a fairer deal for women, not only in the work place. That’s why we’ll address a longstanding failure in our tax system by demanding that VAT on sanitary products is removed. Sanitary products are a necessity, not a luxury, and should not be taxed"

EBearhug · 21/05/2015 23:05

I didn't know anyone actually did have candlelit baths in real life.

I do if the lightbulb goes. Changing the bulb is a right faff, involving a stepladder, so it's been known to take at least a month before I get round to it. I last had to do it last week, and that only took me 6 days.

minesapintofwine · 21/05/2015 23:07

I actually keep my loo roll in a cupboard by the loo. The only reason for that is because the holder broke I shoved it in the cupboard and keep forgetting to buy a new holder. Its not inconvenient for us but it may be for guests. Every single time one uses the toilet I think after...o crap (!) forgot to tell them where the loo roll is.

They never ask, all seem content to root through the cupboard where they can also see tampons, bikini wax and pantyliners.

I change tampons in front of 3 year old as, it's hard not to as he is such an avid fan of me, watching my every move. If I shut him out of the bathroom the neighbours would complain about him howling-and I'd be posting on mum

Stinchcombebabycafe · 21/05/2015 23:10

I have a little basket with a small box of tampons and some individually wrapped towels on a shelf in the downstairs loo. There are more in the cupboard in the bathroom. I started doing this many years ago, partly for me, partly for my daughter and partly for any of her friends who might be in need when they called round. I don't need them any more, but the little basket stays there, and always will. Hubby made no comment.

minesapintofwine · 21/05/2015 23:10

Mumsnet. phone fail

almondcakes · 21/05/2015 23:16

I don't leave tampons by the loo because our loo is giant spider central.

There has been a packet of liners (that DH bought by mistake thinking they were towels) on top of the piano in the sitting room for three months though.

Luisanna · 21/05/2015 23:17

Position them across the windowsill to spell out his name, that'll learn him Wink

Footle · 21/05/2015 23:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

motherinferior · 22/05/2015 08:57

Noah's Ark. Lovely novel. Standalone so not much read.

AryaUnderfoot · 22/05/2015 09:02

Does anyone remember that episode of the Young Ones?

Floggingmolly · 22/05/2015 09:06

Good old Rik. RIP Smile

janestheone · 22/05/2015 09:30

a jar is a good idea, I never thought of that, would look nicer than a box, and is thoughtful for any visitors. I don't use them now, I'm past the age, but had the tampon box visible on the days I needed it.

Alidoll · 22/05/2015 09:42

ah Scotland, progress forward looking country (slightly biased as born and bred here!). George Osborne has said its a "Euro issue" so nothing he can do as its "never been done before" - all the more reason to challenge the viewpoint not just for ladies in the UK but across Europe!! Men can get condoms for free, the pill for ladies free to stop unplanned pregnancies yet we still get taxed on the aftermath of NOT getting pregnant. Go figure...

CarbeDiem · 22/05/2015 09:49

I'd be tempted to suspend them individually from the bathroom ceiling by string in some kind of dodge the tampax fashion - just to teach him.

Personally mine are stored in my room when not having my period but when it arrives I throw some on the ledge in the toilet and there they stay until I'm done.
I'm currently living with my mum and my step dad (a caveman and professionally offended in most other ways) saw my tampax in the loo and his only comment was '' I've not seen any of those for a while'' not sure why he had to comment but was referring to the fact mum no longer needs to use them.