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 presume as an adult you have a better understanding of the very different impact pregnancy has in comparison with a period?"

You can choose whether or not to have sex, you can't choose not to have periods (except with a doctor's intervention). And condoms are not just for avoiding pregnancy.

I totally get the ‘nipping’ with the cardboard applicators. What is that? I used to prefer the tampax pearl ones but blimey, they’re expensive. I switched to period pants combined with reusable pads at the beginning of the year and they’ve been great. The period pants in particular have been a revelation. I wish they’d been around when I was at school. The ones I have aren’t the modibodi ones, just random ones off amazon. I really recommend them:

INNERSY Women Underwear Postpartum Menstrual Period Briefs Leakproof Protective Organic Cotton Knickers(UK18(Waist:35''-37'';Hips:45''-46''),Color3) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CNVM47S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SljwDbY715C3W?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You can choose whether or not to have sex, you can't choose not to have periods (except with a doctor's intervention). And condoms are not just for avoiding pregnancy.

I wasn't suggesting they were both choices. Simply that they are not comparable.

I'm not carrying around a tube of bloody lube to insert tampons so everyone can feel better about themselves while they jet off on foreign holidays multiple times a year, drive daily, buy food shipped in from half way across the world, and buy loads of unnecessary tat wrapped in loads of plastic and then throw it away a year later! Can we also have a ban on any of the above, or would it affect the wrong people?

Why not? I used to before I went more environmentally friendly. I'm not sure blaming others or pointing out their faults is helpful. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions.

Cherrysoup

I do take responsibility for my own actions, and as I've mentioned previously, I generally do my bit in terms of eco-friendliness. I think it's fair to point out how others can do more if other people are pointing out how I can do more, and not just that, trying to ban the sale of products that I find helpful. Why should I be expected to make aspects of my life harder if other people aren't doing the same, and then refrain from criticising those who do more harm to the environment than I do?

Never understood the need for applicators, so much easier without them, just pop the thing up and no need for a pinching mucky applicator to dispose of!

"Better still is a fully reusable product (menstrual cup or cloth pads)"

No, it's not better still as not everyone wants to or can use a cup or pads. I can't get on with the cup at all and no way am I wearing nappies for a few days a month.

"Never understood the need for applicators, so much easier without them, just pop the thing up and no need for a pinching mucky applicator to dispose of!"

You do you. I need an applicator.

Namby, there are loads of explanations on this thread explaining why plenty of women can’t simply “pop” a non-applicator tampon anywhere. Read the thread and check your privilege.

I've tried to decrease and eliminate my single use plastic consumption but when it comes to Tampax Pearl, I won't change. A man had a go at me in Superdrug for buying them as as far as I'm concerned: no womb, no opinion.

Non applicator tampons are easy... I've used them since I was 12. Sometimes I use lube if I'm a little dry.

Have you tried properly or just prefer the convenience

@LemonPrism

Condescending much?

@SachaStark "Read the thread and check your privilege" check my privilege? Do you think I have a dick or something?

Have you tried a sanpro sponge op? That might work for you?

I've switched to a mooncup and reusable pads, but I might get some of the knickers. My sister got some and said they were good.

I don't think you are unreasonable op, you need to have sanitary products you're comfortable with. froufroufoxes says you can now buy reusable applicators so please do look in to that for the future. In the meantime can you not buy your things from somewhere other than Sainsbury's?

I found this on googling:

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/dame-reusable-tampon-applicator/872075-684469-684470?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9eDKoZeL5AIVQ53VCh0qogNkEAQYAiABEgK-vvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Might not be a bad idea to look at ebay too, they sell that type of thing.

Good luck!

I don't know if they sold this brand in the UK, but I used OB tampons. They never had an applicator, and were very easy to insert. They were designed by a woman gynaecologist.

www.ob-tampons.com/

I had extremely heavy periods, and this brand was by far, the best for me. Menstruation is one of the few things about being menopausal that I don't miss.

Have you tried properly or just prefer the convenience

Fuck me - some people struggle to get a smear or internal examination done by doctors or nurses due to physical issues - are you really that thick 🤬

"I wasn't suggesting they were both choices. Simply that they are not comparable."

You were saying it was fine to expect free condoms, but not free sanitary protection.

Oops- sorry for above typos. Autocorrect.

"Non applicator tampons are easy... I've used them since I was 12. Sometimes I use lube if I'm a little dry.

Have you tried properly or just prefer the convenience"

Fuck off Lemon. Really, do.
Just because they're easy for you doesn't mean they are for everyone.

You were saying it was fine to expect free condoms, but not free sanitary protection.

I absolutely did not say that.

Bouncing you defended condoms being free and sanpro not free, or at least that's how your comment reads.

Bouncing you defended condoms being free and sanpro not free, or at least that's how your comment reads.

No I didn't.

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

I believe the word is tokenism. A rather disturbing tactic that is being used quite a lot in recent years by quite a few organisations.

I think it's great. We don't need plastic applicators.

What you mean is you don’t need plastic applicators.

I am sick to death of women being told that their experience of what does and doesn’t work for them is wrong.

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. I have very long and very heavy periods. I can’t wear anything internal at all - even the smallest size of tampon causes me severe pain during a period, and wouldn’t last two seconds. A cup? Not a bloody chance.

With most pads, the surface doesn’t wick moisture away quickly enough and my skin disintegrates and is worn away, like sandpaper. This is even more of an issue with reusable pads which stay wet on the surface. Tried some pants but they cause the same issue.

I’ve found one type of disposable pad (Always infinity) that doesn’t cause my skin to deteriorate by day 3 of my period - I get maybe 7 or 8 days in before the damage starts. Even with all this, my skin is barely healed by the time my next period starts.

And yet every bloody time sanitary products are discussed I’m told I’m wrong, moon cups would totally work for me, reusables would work for me... they don’t. Full stop.

I agree that it will be women bearing the brunt of this push, as bloody always.