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!

@jennymanara so what's the solution? As a carer you can get maybe 20 mins. That's to make a meal, drink, change a pad, clean up, wash up, give medication and fill in your notes. There is no way we would have time to deal with anything that isn't disposable and families wouldn't either

Tampons with plastic applicators are the only ones I can use .

@SachaStark

I don't think these people have any idea to be honest... I am so lucky that my pain only affects me really around my period but when it's bad it REALLY is bad, walking up stairs, sitting down, standing etc all cause me problems so if I can ease some of that by using a tampon that feels comfortable then until I find a better solution I will!

TBH I desperately wish I could use a mooncup because it's a one off cost with no ongoing costs which would save a huge amount of money over time. I don't think people are struggling with things or not having all options available to them for a laugh. It just makes things harder.

£25!!!!!!

Sorry but that is RIDICULOUS and makes giving up plastic an option for the wealthy!!

Agree with everything PuffHuffle5 said. It’s a gimmick and a diversionary tactic.

To everyone saying just use non-applicator or the cardboard applicator ones instead I have a prolapse and find the Pearl mean I can actually position these ones properly. The cardboard applicators aren’t as good. I can use non-applicator ones on my heaviest days but can’t always position them properly.

I’ve heard good things about Mooncups but I’m not sure how they would work with a prolapse.

I can’t use cardboard applicators either, only the plastic ones work for me. I don’t use tampons anymore though because I feel so awful wasting so much plastic. I use reusable pads just like I use reusable nappies and wipes for my baby.

Only read last page- will go back and read properly. Have not heard of the reusable applicator before. Thought I was onto a dragons den appearance!!

You're saying you should be in discomfort or pain for five days a month? Really?

@NameChangerOfTheNorth I am totally obsessed with cloth nappies. They’re about a billion times better than disposables. They leak less - the ones I use are bomb proof. They cause my daughter less dry skin and nappy rash. They don’t have the very weird smell of disposables. I have about 20 of them rather than 5000 or whatever the number of disposables that would go to landfill is. Ditto cheeky wipes - they’re just a far better product.

And washing them is basically zero effort because I have a washing machine which does it for me.

And because this thread has gone a bit weird, I will caveat this with a disclaimer stating it’s only my opinion and experiences and I’m sure some people hate cloth for v valid reasons.

Chip, it's not always a matter of discomfort. In my case, it's a matter of the sodding things falling out because I don't have the muscles to keep them in. Weirdly, non-applicator tampons are the only things that stay put (and sex is fantastic). So I'd be advocating whatever worked for me - and, by extrapolation, I'm advocating whatever works for any individual woman, which may be completely different from what works for me. IYSWIM.

Did you not read my post, Chip? When I decide I’m willing to have penetrative sex with my husband, I require prescribed local anaesthetic cream to make that happen. It’s not “a bit of discomfort” for many, many women.

Excuse me if I’m not willing to send myself to the floor in agony trying to insert a moon cup.

Chip is using a mooncup uncomfortable for you all the time or just when you take it in and out? Does it work for you as it should once it's in there? If I had the wrong type of tampon I would either leak, I couldn't get it up far enough so I could feel it all the time and then it would fall out as it got full, or it would pinch and give me thrush. For 10 days a month? No thanks. I've had a hysterectomy now so luckily it's not a problem I have to think about anymore.

"I suppose I'm of the mind that if you're willing to have sex"

So options for Lesbians and Asexual people who don't have sex?

YANBU OP.

I can use one brand of tampons that give me anywhere near a “normal” life on the first few days of my periods.

I’m currently over stocking them, as I’m not prepared to stop using them.

I saw a great quote along the lines of not needing everyone to be perfect, but for each person to do what they can. This is what I refuse to change.

@ChipOffTheOldCock

That attitude is more than bizarre... So we should all be martyrs and have uncomfortable periods just because we also want to have sex? How are the two even related?

I am very confused.

I feel like there's a lot of internalised misogyny in this thread

I actually like the sound of reusable pads but they sound like a lot of work.

Question; why don't they just stop wrapping them in individual plastic packaging? Could they not use recycled paper?

Also, to the "you can fit a penis up there" yes because of arousal....natural lubricant and expansion.....

I can only use Tampax, all others leave me in agonising pain. For upto ten days afterwards.

I'm lucky and can use none applicator ones, so I buy the cardboard and remove that before using because otherwise the cardboard literally rips me inside.

Mooncups, of any brand, also don't work with me. I nearly passed out with pain last time.....

Why can't we target other plastics?

In any thread about sanitary products, cups are always deemed the answer. I have several cups in the bathroom cupboard (different brands) and they don’t work for me. They don’t work for everyone, otherwise I am sure most of us would use them.

I was just thinking that Crybaby - obviously it's not enough that we pay tax on these luxury items, some people suffer with period poverty and attitudes towards periods are still fairly backwards in some parts (see the schoolgirl not being allowed to access the toilet when on her period) - we now get lambasted as women for damaging the environment for daring to choose options that are pain free.

I get where you're coming from OP as the plastic ones are more comfortable for me (not used them for decades however) but there are alternatives and I think we'll see more and more innovation in sanpro. I've just invested in washable cloth pads after about a year of feeling quite dubious about them and am amazed how comfy and effective they are. Now want to get some period pants.

In any thread about sanitary products, cups are always deemed the answer. I have several cups in the bathroom cupboard (different brands) and they don’t work for me. They don’t work for everyone, otherwise I am sure most of us would use them.

Same. Since DC2 they just won't open for me.