To say "please don't flush tampons"?

[JugsAndSoap]

Today I have had to tell two friends that they can't flush tampons down the toilet. (In my case the subject came about because we have a septic tank, but two fully grown adults had no idea that they shouldn't flush them anyway).
AIBU to have thought that "everyone" knew that? I assumed it was common knowledge but maybe not as common as I thought...

People who don't suffer with heavy periods just don't get the scenes of utter carnage. When you're soaking through a super extra maxi ultra pad AND a tampon the size of a fence post in a couple of hours, or sleeping on a towel because you've ruined so many bedsheets, you'll know what it's like.*

I've been there, changing the maximum sized tampon every hour. I never sat down and let it slide into the toilet.

I'm so shocked at this thread. I really thought that it was common knowledge not to flush tampons.

Back in my school days (I'm in my early forties), there were signs up in the school toilet about not flushing tampons, so I have never flushed a tampon in my life.

These days, it's all about the 3Ps. Only flush pee, poo and toilet paper. Nothin else!

If there is no bin in the toilet, just wrap them in toilet paper and put them in a different bin.

Another one here who only found out a few months ago from a Mumsnet thread that you weren’t supposed to flush tampons. I was told to flush the tampon and bin the applicator and the wrapper. I’m sure, like other people have said, that it said this on the packaging back in the late 70s/early 80s.

otters spreading the message such a cute mental image of this!

I never knew as we were told at school to flush them. I also always thought the signs meant towels. Not a problem these days anyway as I use sanitary towels and a cup.

I was told to flush everything. Got told off by my mum for not flushing tampon applicators - flippin things would never go down so I did put those in the bin. Thank goodness for mooncups!

I didn't realise and always flush mine. I won't from now on! I'm now scared I'm going to have a tampon flooded bathroom.. anything I can do to reverse this?🙈

Only the 4 "P's" puke, pee, poo and (toilet) paper should go down the toilet.
I've worked for a sewerage company and have attended sewage treatment works and blockages on the sewer network.

I don’t use tampons so never knew they couldn’t be flushed down the loo but I use to use pads and I was told to pull them apart and flush them down the loo I now use pads that have to go in the bin.

Wow, I still remember my mum bollocking me in the early 90s for flushing tampons and blocking the toilet. I never did it. They realized that when they cleared the blockage and it must have been the previous owner. It was backed up for months. The school toilet in the early nighties had a sign up saying not to flush tampons. I’m sure the message has been around since then. This isn’t a new thing.

Turns out my neighbours use wipes (a LOT of them) and refuse to stop flushing so it will happen again.

Could you tell them if it does happen again, you will be directing the invoice to them?

I stopped using tampons about five years ago (post menopausal hurrah!) but I started my periods in the 70s when it said to flush them and as PP's have said, I never read the instructions again. So like others, I only found out on here a while back.

Another that was late to the 'don't flush' party. By late I mean 2008 ish.. still utterly shameful 🙈.... I also love otters even more now I know they're such advocates for the environment 🤣