To say 'flowing free' isn't a feminist issue, it's a hygiene one?

[daydrinker]

I have attached screen shots of the conversation from one of my breastfeeding Facebook groups.

The genera opinion seems to be that periods are beautiful and not uncomfortable or gross at all.

Just like any other bodily fluid, I don't think it's nice.

AIBU to say it's a hygiene issue and not a feminist one?

I take it to mean that she prefers to use pads over tampons
You would think that, and yet...I certainly saw a thread on here a few months back where posters were saying that they saw the expectation that women would take measures not to shed menstrual blood in a swimming pool, or the changing room, as a sort of male oppression (it was likened to the fact that men could have semen on the outside of their penis in the pool, but they aren't expected to prevent it coming off?).

I know that sounds pretty odd, but that really did seem to be how some people felt.
I personally don't like messy fluids generally, and don't want to experience anyone else's first hand ( accepting that bringing up small children will involve some of this..) however natural they are. I'd go further and say that for me it seems really disrespectful of everyone else, for someone to knowingly leave a messy trail or puddle of anything.

Why are being rude about a woman who does things differently to us?

Like everything @Joanna57, whihc is disgusting. What's wrong with not shaving?? And "mentally challenged?" What the fuck??

I have very heavy periods. They last exactly 6 days. on days 5 & 6 I don't need protection as nothing makes it to my underwear, there is only blood when I wipe. It has been this way for as long as I can remember now. Obviously, if I am away form home for an extended time, I may use a liner, but it's very rare that it gets blood on it.

I often free bleed. It completely removes the faff of a period and makes a massive psychological difference to that part of the month.

BUT. My periods are usually super light. One day that requires tampons, and that’s it. Only since having children. Before childbirth my periods were insanely heavy. So I’m seeing this as a rebalance. I’ve done my days of tampon + maxi pad.

Maybe the militant free bleeders are all like me, but have never had the mattress soaking heavy periods to understand that what they’re preaching doesn’t work for the majority of women.

I’m looking into getting some Thinx pants so I can remove all need for sanitary products. It’s a very first world problem though and I think it’s insanely privileged to promote free bleeding when many teenagers can’t go to school during their period because of no access to sanitary problems.

Products. Not problems.

Haven't RTFT so apologies if someone else has made this point already. To me this 'free-flowing' idea seems so backward, so anti-feminist. In societies where women flow freely they're locked in huts for the duration, or not allowed touch food, or interact with men, or all sorts of bullshit. It's a stick that's used to beat us. It's shit enough having to put up with the cramps, without having your friends dread your approach when you have your period

How to isolate yourself from society.

I would never free bleed and er...wouldn't react positively to someone else doing it. But as a kick back against periods being such a taboo is it not good? Wouldn't it be nice if it wasn't considered so utterly disgusting to see period blood that if you cake through your trousers it wasn't a big deal? I had to go swimming on my period for the first time recently and it was awful, I spent the whole time worrying that I was going to leak and there would be a little bloody cloud around me that I was unaware of.

In some ways it would be nice if we could just shit everywhere, would make my IBS almost a non-issue. Would be a bit smelly though.

Breast milk definitely doesn't fall into the same category as faeces and blood surely? It's intended for human consumption after all. And if you don't think a mother providing her baby with nourishment is 'nice' then you've got issues.

And if you don't think a mother providing her baby with nourishment is 'nice' then you've got issues

Not so nice when you stink of sour milk though.

I love my period. I'm not sure what I like more - the bloating, the tiredness, the mood swings, the heavy bleeding and constant pad changing, or the cramps that feel like labour.

The last thing I want is to be exposed to other people's bleeding. Mine's bad enough.

My period got a lot better after having dc. Then I had a miscarriage and it's been a bastard ever since. For those that use a moon cup, what happens when you have a heavy period? Does it become uncomfortable? I can't use tampons so am stuck with pads and period undies.

"Everyone I've made try [a moon cup] has never looked back"

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss!

Also just putting it out there, I hated breastfeeding! No matter what breast pads I used I would wake up drenched. I'd rather not have fluid coming out of my nipples and vagina if I could help it

And if you don't think a mother providing her baby with nourishment is 'nice' then you've got issues

Yes but nobody provides nourishment for their babies by sitting there dribbling all over places where people come in to contact with leaked breast milk.

I don’t think a woman shedding her uterine lining is vile but I would think it was vile to sit in a strangers period blood.

I hated breastfeeding!

I was called nasty for having that opinion.

Did you have 'beautiful' bleeding nipples and a 'miraculous' sense of failure if your child didn't latch (despite an incredibly supportive partner and family)?

@southernNights sorry I name changed. (Master of None)

I had outrageously sore boobs, troubles with latching, a baby who used me to sleep on more than feed, a bed constantly wet with milk. And the feeling of failure any time he got a cold as a toddler that I hadn't done enough for his immune system. Good times. I was a single mum from day one.
I had friends tell me they loved breastfeeding and the feelings they got from it. I never had that, not long once.

My comment about breastfeeding was in response to a PP who said that just because it's natural it doesn't mean it's nice. Obviously dripping/squirting milk everywhere isn't ideal 🙈

I soaked through super tampon, industrial pad, clothesand the thick lab coat I had on. Why he'll would anyone not use sanitary stuff

"My comment about breastfeeding was in response to a PP who said that just because it's natural it doesn't mean it's nice."

Yes. That was me and I stand by it.

Natural can mean painful and demeaning and really saddening - probably depressing but not in my case.

It can mean disgusting.

It can simply mean a bit gross.

My point is simply that 'it's natural' does not mean it's automatically acceptable or pleasant or something that should be inflicted on others.

When I more successfully breastfed DC2, I didn't flaunt it. I didn't skulk off but I'd try to be inconspicuous.

What else shall we leave free flowing then? Dribble snot poo urine plus lots of other things
They’re all just as natural
And equally a health hazard

I've got the pads with the owls on and I'm sure they weren't blessed by Tibetan monks either.

Do you think my local vicar would do it instead? I would wash them first and everything...

Thefunbegins I use a mooncup. I don't have terribly heavy periods but I do tend to have nothing for a while and then suddenly flood. I've never had a mooncup leak because even though I can't feel it at all when it's in, I get a sort of "heavy" feeling when it's full and needs changing. It's hard to explain. I imagine if you had heavy periods you'd get the same feeling, just more often.

*Moon cups are the way forward ladies.

Everyone I've made try one has never looked back*

God I hated it. I had to use a menstrual cup because of gynaecological treatment to monitor my flow (or lack thereof, issue was with my thin womb lining). Mooncup shredded my vulva. Meluna comes in smaller sizes so got on better with it, but still find menstrual cups thoroughly grim.

Where does one get these owly blood pads? They sound fun, I want some.

Owls are on the way out now though so I guess it might be easier to find flamingo blood pads. Or unicorn ones.

Owls are on the way out now though so I guess it might be easier to find flamingo blood pads. Or unicorn ones.

Unicorn pads might not fit though - unicorns generally have bigger bums than humans...also they might not be very absorbent, what with being mythical and all that :-P.

Don't fancy unicorn pads - think of the horn for goodness sake!!!

Would be the biggest thrill I've had in years, mind you...

I'm disappointed in you ladies.

Yes, owl are out of fashion. But so are unicorns.

Didn't you know? The new 'thing' is Lamas!

Link to the owl pads again...

www.weenotions.co.uk/fairy-hammocks.html

I tried a mooncup. Hated it. Eventually gave up after going into shock with the pain of getting it in (I have no trouble with industrial-strength tampons). Am sticking to owl pads plus tampax for heavy days.