To be annoyed that Sainsbury's will no longer sell plastic applicator tampons?

[caddywally]

It's not a massive issue at the moment because I can buy them elsewhere, but if other shops follow suit I'm going to be condemned to a life of using pads because I don't get on with non-applicator or cardboard applicator tampons. I can't use menstrual cups, either.

I understand the problem with plastic but don't see why women who rely on plastic applicator tampons should suffer when there is excess plastic everywhere. I already live a fairly eco-friendly life - no car, 1 holiday in the past 10 years, rarely eat meat, most of the stuff I own is second hand (mainly for financial reasons than anything else, admittedly) - and I don't see why I should have miserable periods when there are people whose lifestyles are much worse for the environment than mine. I also don't flush sanitary products down the toilet, which I assumed was common sense. I probably am being unreasonable and should just suck it up for the sake of environment!

I’ve seen more empathy off men than some women tbh. I’ve had female acquaintances say that period pains are in the mind. One stated she wasn’t told to expect them so therefore she doesn’t have them.

I had a fibroid but weirdly it shrunk after I had DC. I’m hoping that’s it now. I couldn’t leave the house on day one and was so anaemic I was eating non food items! Rubber cravings. I don’t think there was/is a contraption in existence which would hold that blood but I hadn’t heard of CSP then. My male boss was pretty good about it actually. I think there should be more research into such things.

Im not sure why people think that because im in favour of reducing single use plastics, despite it being inconvenient, that ive never suffered painful periods. I used to faint and occasionally vomit with my periods and have pain radiating from ribs to thighs. Im well aware its horrid.
I just dont believe that the ONLY solution to this is single use plastic applicators.

@Branleuse I can only imagine it is because you have been very dismissive of other people's issues. No one said it was the only solution but it is a solution for some.

@ReapersHowler I bought my menstrual cup for 89p on amazon. I've had it 2 years. So actually your save money

@Whyhaveidonethis 😢 I've probably spent £100+ trying to find one that works for me

It’s probably because you keep using the word inconvenience when talking about debilitating medical issues affecting the women posting here. If you’ve had very heavy and painful periods you should have some empathy.

Are you honestly telling me I should opt for sanitary products that cause me either excruciating pain or debilitating open sores, because they’re more eco friendly? I can’t think of any other medical issue where someone would be expected to do this, especially with the amount of unnecessary plastic use and other people’s whopping carbon footprint.

@Crybabyghoul buy one of these, they are great. Gone up in price since then VWH Feminine Hygiene Period Cup Medical Silicone Menstrual Cup(L, pink) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LY3MMRB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KgVwDbWJBN249?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

What about that cup would make it better for someone with rectovaginal endometriosis than the cups she’s already bought?

@Whyhaveidonethis thank you but like @SinkGirl said, I doubt that one would be any different than the ones I've tried (tried a lot) may help others though?

A bit of practise with non applicator tampons wouldn't go amiss. It is after all your own body you are dealing with. Plastic applicators haven't been around for ever what did folk do then.

FFS read even a bit of the thread. I used non-applicator tampons every month for 17 or so years with no issue. I now have a prolapse that makes inserting a tampon high enough difficult. An applicator helps.

Never used an applicator until I moved to the UK - and that was because I sent my husband to get tampons for me and that’s all there was. Could not BELIEVE how hard it was to find normal tampons and can’t understand why sooo many women need to use them.

Where are you shopping? Boots, Superdrug, all the big supermarkets sell non-applicator Lil-lets for a start.

Keep a small tube of sexual lubricant around and you won’t have any trouble with the cardboard applicator- just a bit on the end is all you need.

Hmmm I understand why you are annoyed and I'd maybe think similar thoughts for a few minutes before giving my head a big wobble. Time for you to do this too and find a way around it like we all did back in the day!

For heaven’s sake, who are these people who keep coming on to the thread, and reading literally NOTHING said by the multiple women who have explained their issues with injury and medical conditions related to menstrual product use, then repeat the rubbish already disputed about “use lube” or “give your head a wobble” or “what did those silly women do before plastic applicators!”

@Elision @Barbie222

Make some effort to at least read a few posts, and then check your privilege.

I’m just gonna keep repeating the words I have already repeated on this thread:

Well, if this thread proves anything, it is that the pain of women will be continued to be dismissed, including by other women themselves.

Until you have a true gynaecological issue, it is clear that there is no understanding of how under-diagnosed and under-funded female medical issues are.

@SinkGirl I have endo, this cup is 100 times softer than the others. I don't get on with mooncup as they are too hard and hurt.

@SachaStark lube would probably solve the OPs problem of cardboard feeling a ‘bit bitey’ or whatever she said. It might not. It’s just another option she can take or leave as it suits her. Unlike you I think the other women in this thread have the mental capacity and emotional resilience to sort through advice without having a vagina-related breakdown.

Are you honestly telling me I should opt for sanitary products that cause me either excruciating pain or debilitating open sores, because they’re more eco friendly

Or that cause constant leaks? Apart from the embarrassment of that, it's hardly eco-friendly to keep having to wash things either.

Could not BELIEVE how hard it was to find normal tampons and can’t understand why sooo many women need to use them

Everywhere sells normal tampons - and their own make in most cases so not only do you get the brands, but you have the choice of each store's own make too. I have no problem finding non-applicator tampons on the rare occasions that I buy them.

all this shitty single use plastic needs to stop being sold, and people need to stop making excuses

The far easier lifestyle change would be if people stopped flushing things they shouldn't down the loo.

@Whyhaveidonethis I buy a lot of stuff from china but I have a rule that it's nothing that goes into your body or is absorbed by your body. The regulations there are far less tight than they are here and I don't trust them.

I've got a brilliant reusable applicator for my tampons.

It's called a finger.

Suck it up flower, YABVU and precious. I never used to be able to use non applicatior ones, but I taught myself. The planet is dying and you are bitching about tampons? Get a grip.

"The regulations there are far less tight than they are here and I don't trust them."

But they still insist on only having cosmetics and toiletries that are tested on animals and

For the record I could never get used to applicator tampons as I started with Lillets and have never got on with anything else. Maybe I just have long fingers or short plumbing? It's all irrelevant now as I am too old for this malarkey.

Sorry if someone hs suggested this before, but why not use a little KY Jelly to help.

I cannot use the cardboard ones, either - believe me, I've tried! Without going into too much gory detail, they don't go up easily and then drag the tampon out when I extract the applicator.
I will look into the reusable applicator, but really don't fancy walking out of the cubicle & having to wash anything, especially as - start of menopause - my periods are brutally heavy. That, and a tilted uterus, is why I won't use Mooncups, either.
Is it really so difficult for the manufacturers to use a biodegradable plastic substitute? There are loads in existence now.

SachaStark Totally agree with everything you're saying.
So many women on here attacking others; there's enough men in the world doing that, no need for them to join in.
How fortunate they are to just be able to whack a non-applicator tampon up there, or use another 'easy' method. No empathy for others.
I have multiple gynae problems & wish that I could just get a hysterectomy after 41 years of horrendous periods that show no signs of letting up yet.