Period poverty

[ChocolateAndMoreChocolate]

AIBU to remind you period poverty exists?

Came on this morning, did not have any sanitary items. Asked my DM to send me £5 until payday (Friday). She could only PayPal so I tried to withdraw the funds and I’m on a 72 hour wait!

So no view of having sanitary items for 3 days... and now I also hate pay pal

Do you have any points hanging around on club card (boots etc) that you might have forgotten about ?

Yes, find some please

Arf. As I said you do you.

You’re usually one of the more erudite posters on MN, are you quite well you seem like you’re struggling today.

Do you have loo roll? I just use that until I get home if I’m out and about and for some reason I don’t have my mooncup.I would also advise saving for a mooncup, it saves you money in the long run and you can have it with you at all times

Does nappy poverty happen? You hear so much about period poverty and red box schemes etc but does similar happen with nappies ? I’m always surprised there isn’t a thing in children’s centres for example like red box but where you can get nappies wipes and cream or maybe it’s not an issue ?

Does nappy poverty happen? You hear so much about period poverty and red box schemes etc but does similar happen with nappies ? I’m always surprised there isn’t a thing in children’s centres for example like red box but where you can get nappies wipes and cream or maybe it’s not an issue

For sure. We have a sister arm that runs just that type of scheme - different size nappies, wipes, creams etc.

The local foodbank often runs out of san pro and nappies quicker than anything else.

Can you visit someone for a cup of tea who stores their sanpro in a basket in the bathroom/toilet? I know plenty of people who store sanpro there, you could loot them (or pay them back in a few days). Or try fancy restaurants, just ask very nicely if you are allowed to use tgeir toilet, some have sanpro accesobly stored as well. Or ask a friend? I'd happily give my stash to a friend in need.

Babdoc

Are you going to buy those for the OP because she can't afford them.

Also rape in marriage was legal, women were legally paid less than men and 50% of of women in labour died.

OP

Do you have an independent corner shop? I know it is embarrassing to ask but it might be worth it.

Thankyou for answering my question I had often wondered if it was also an issue 😔

Where we are there just seem to be the red box supplies so I was unsure.

Another vote for using boots points.

Food bank

Library

Local authority office

Ask a friend

Get creative with home made emergency options. (some ideas listed above)

Am I the only MNetter who doesn't have a Boots card? Boots points are suggested on loads of threads like this. I can't abide Boots. They're so expensive and our local Boots always feels a bit grubby. I have a superdrug card that I use online as we have no superdrug and I'm a member of Beauty Bay's loyalty scheme but I've never considered getting a Boots card.

Look, I fully understand that the OP is short of cash. I support my local food bank and various charities quite willingly.
But I think it shows a pathetic lack of resourcefulness to be apparently unable to even fold up some rags of an old towel, and rinse them out in cold water after use.
As I said in my earlier post, my mother’s generation coped with far worse poverty than anything a modern U.K. citizen faces, but they had enough nous to manage their periods.
My mother in law was in a wartime concentration camp, ffs, and she also managed with rags until her periods stopped due to malnutrition.
Don’t try to tell me that modern women suffer anything comparable, because I’m not buying it.

Please consider reusables. You can make them yourself using stuff you likely already have at home - old T-shirt for the topper material, old towel for the core material, some fleece fabric on some old item of clothing for the backer material. You can attach the wings underneath with a safety pin.
Look at Precious Stars on YouTube. She has some cool ideas for diy and simple pattern ideas.
There are fancier ones to make but if you are on a tight budget, they are a good start.

You rinse off the "worst" of any menstrual blood collected under cold water. You wash as normal but don't use conditioner. I use a scoop of stain remover but if you don't have it, unlikely to be a problem, especially if you used a dark T-shirt. Air dry - hang on the line or wherever you hang washed clothes or put on a towel on the radiator in winter.

Savers do excellent pads for £1 a bag.

I’m sorry babdoc but what a load of utter bollocks.

Utter, utter tripe

are you quite well you seem like you’re struggling today

Heh, quite well thankyou.

There are people kind enough on here who would and have given their last pound to help some faceless username in seeming need. If you work with a charity then you'll know of other ways to help someone rather than giving money.

GP surgery? Pharmacy?

There are people kind enough on here who would and have given their last pound to help some faceless username in seeming need

I’ve said it enough times you should only give what you can. If you choose to give more, more fool you. That’s not my problem.

If you work with a charity then you'll know of other ways to help someone rather than giving money.

Indeed. And yet we deal with people face to face. (We do indeed slip people a fiver though at times if they’re desperate).

You don’t have any friends or family that can help out?

Why hasn’t OP come back.

I

Asda do packs for 50p

Where do you live OP @ChocolateAndMoreChocolate. If near me I am happy to give you some products.

While a foodbank maybe helpful (if supermarkets are looking for donations I often stick towels/tampons in there, as well as nappies) AFAIK you need a referral eg from the JobCentre, DWP or a professional such as a social worker.

Why hasn’t OP come back

I have no clue. This thread is sooo supportive and understanding. I can't for the life of me think why OP wouldn't stick around, can you?

Babdoc why are you being so harsh? I'm sure the OP is doing what she can already and not just bleeding all over the place, but reusable pads are just not enough for some women. Some need a tampon and a pad if we have to go out and do things and even then have to be conscious of leaks and keep close to a toilet etc. Its not exactly relaxing.

Women in the past have coped with all sorts of horrendous hardships but I am sure all of them would have jumped at the chance of better sanpro.

I don't give money on threads like this as even if I can afford £5 I don't want to risk it going to a scammer who doesn't really need it. Many people who are very poor would be the last to accept or ask for money over the internet. But I do put extra sanpro in the food bank box.

@JacquesHammer I wish there were more in the world like you.

Without it being TMI ladies would use cotton wads ( think rolled up old knickers!) and wash and reuse!
Try your local food bank or if you’d rather I could send you some! Tampons I mean , not rolled up old knickers!🤪
Let me know!
I have been where you are! So glad to help!