To think this isn't a very 'sanitary' towel?

[FluffleFloffle]

My friend revealed to me the other day that she uses toilet roll instead of a sanitary towel. She folds it up into a few layers and changes it a few times a day. She asked if I did the same, I said no and she said I should because it saves money.

Thoughts?

The talk of Moss being used as sanitary protection prompted me to link to an organisation I'm involved with here at home.

We get together every few weeks after asking people to volunteer and we're currently aiming to have 500 of the kits made to be distributed abroad later this year.

www.daysforgirls.org

I've done it before in an emergency it's not as good as a proper towel that sticks in place but generally ok for me as I don't have particularly heavy periods

On the pill, I have really light periods, and I think the shape I am down there means things don't really move much, so I've done this. I wouldn't bother if it were a pain and surely neither would she? I don't see what's gross about it, or unsanitary. But I never could get on with pads - they chafe, and lots of them are plasticy or scented, and not very nice.

I did this for years unfortunately. My mum went round and told everyone when I had my first period at 11, but they stopped after the first so I just didn't tell her when they started again 4-5 months later. I could only occasionally use her pads/tampons without her knowing so resorted to loo roll, kitchen roll, and scrubbing my underwear if I'd started while wearing non-black underwear.
She found blood in the toilet about 3 years later so I had to go 'oh look, yes, I've started again' and I believe she still doesn't know what went on.
Anyway, my point is it's managable, and I still would if caught without my mooncup, but certainly not preferable!

I've done it in an emergency. If you wrap the loo roll round the gusset it's less likely to move. Not pleasant but each to their own.

Chase - why weren't you able to tell her?

My mum had a similar tendency to broadcast things like my bra size. Frankly if they can't be discreet about personal things that might be embarrassing to a young girl, they don't need to know.

I managed with toilet paper for years in my teens and I had a heavy flow.

Not all of us had the sort of parents who thought we needed sanitary towels or money to buy them! I'd steal my mother's (she bought herself plenty of course) when I could get away with it, she kept them in the bottom of her drawer beside her bed, but mostly I used toilet paper. It was ridiculous, but it worked, most of the time. And it wasn't uncomfortable at all as far as I remember.

It's obviously not ideal or convenient, but if she doesn't mind then whatever really.

OP why do you care?

I have made a tampon out of toilet paper when pushed

Now that can't be good for you. Loads must get left behind.

Loo roll as a pad, yep I've done it. With the right underwear it was fine as I have quite light periods after the first day. The 'trick' is to fold it to the same width as the gusset of your underwear, elastic to elastic. Never once budged enough to leave me staining my underwear. The only reasons really that I wouldn't do it routinely is a preference for the cleaner clean up with tampons and the high chance of encountering really poor quality loo roll while out. That would definitely be uncomfortable.

What a very very very odd thing to join Mumsnet to talk about.

Like I said earlier, it's just something I've never thought about before and my friend was exactly the same; she'd never thought of using anything other than toilet roll because to her it's the norm. So I thought I'd ask and see. For me it would be unsanitary as it would just be a hideous mess within seconds, now realise that those with lighter periods could get away with it though.

Wrapping it around the gusset is interesting, wouldn't move then. The reason it come up was because she asked me to check if I could see the loo roll outline through her dress, I said no, the chat happened and I was left with lots of questions but felt silly asking because she thought I was odd not knowing it was a possibility. I just thought if I did it, within seconds I would have a soggy mess sliding down the side of my leg and dropping out the bottom of my trousers no doubt.

Would depend on her flow surely. A friend of a friend told me of a cousin's neighbour who uses socks if she can't be bothered to run to the shops to stock up supplies.

NC too by the way, not joined to talk about it.

Wouldnt work for me. Some women could do it if they had a light flow.

DameDiazepam I still can't fully explain to be honest. When I think about it now I'd rationalise it as being because I'm a bit strange socially, I don't really know how to start conversations, and also at the time I didn't feel very close to her (my dad was the one I told when I did get that first period, mostly because he was home at the time, but I was relieved because it meant he told her so I didn't have to) and I was also quite young and definitely emotionally immature so while I'd read countless books on periods, sex etc. I couldn't connect that to the real life experience. But at the time all I could think was "My dad told her the first time and she told most of my family, childminder (ok obviously she would've found out at some point but I could've told her myself when it was necessary) so why should I tell her now".
I know I'm probably digging myself into a hole of sounding unhinged or something but I just see it as I was only an 11yo, with the intellect and paranoia of an 14yo and the social skills and emotional processing of an 8yo :P

Oh and I did wrap around the gusset when I did this OP. Otherwise it just leaked or crumpled. My periods weren't actually that light but I used A LOT of layers, black knickers and they used to be really short so it was only a couple of days a month to deal with it

Actually I would assume the majority of women would do this if caught out without any sanpro?

If you have very light periods I suppose it would be OK but not that secure and certainly not wearing light coloured trousers

I used to do this a young teen, didn't need to as had money and mum had all too willing thrust a packet of Dr White's and a tiny bra at me when I turned 13 (it was the only attention she ever paid me, ironically). I was repulsed by the whole business of growing up, think I discovered tampons at about 16 which made life easier.

Yes I agree Gabilan, I can't get too mad at her now about it, especially as a lot of it was shock (she had her first period at 19) but yes she was and still can be very indiscrete, and I think this was when I realised it.

Chase- that sounds really tough. I think it was her responsibility as she knew though to provide san pro,you poor thing

Wholly depends on the nature of the woman's period. Horses for courses (as it were). Just don't worry about it, OP. I'm sure your friend wouldn't be doing it if it caused her discomfort.n

I was always told not to do this by doctors etc (I started very young and had lots of problems so had lots of doctors visits) as it promotes infections etc

How would it promote infection any more than a sanitary towel ?

Do people really discuss the use of tissue vs sanitary towels with their doctors? I also can't think how using tissue would promote infection more than towels or tampons.