to ask if you use period products in other people's bathrooms?

[YayChristmas2019]

Just that, really.

I am torn about whether I should continue the long-lived tradition of having some tampons and pads visible and accessible in the bathroom so guests can grab one if needed or if I just shouldn't bother.

Last box was gifted away prior to us moving and I have not used disposable period products in ages, so no urgent need to buy any.

I know people do grab them occasionally but the last box lasted ~5 years and was still half full.

I wonder whether it would make a difference if I put it in a pretty box with a lid and a sign with something like "Period stuff, grab what you need :)" so it is less noticable for other guests if someone took something?

We are hosting people quite frequently, it makes a difference.

YANBU - Put a box of stuff in the bathroom again
YABU - Don't bother

(I know, I know, first world problems - mostly asking out of curiosity!)

It's a nice idea, but I'd assume most women would have their own.
I'd think it was a thoughtful idea though (from a guest's point of view).

@isthismylifenow on the shelf above the toilet. We have (limited) open shelving just no cabinets

I am surprised at the number of people who seem to take their handbags to the bathroom, though

I am in my late 20s, so no teenage children just yet. We are talking about women ranging from mid-20s to mid-40s - I have no doubt that they can manage their periods but that doesn't mean they never get surprised by them or stay out longer than planned. Or so I assume.

I'm not sure I understand the issue? Is it that you're now using re-usables, but you're wondering if it's expected that you provide disposables for visitors? I'd say nobody expects this, but I guess it can be useful occasionally. Why not just leave a box in the cupboard? If I was stuck without a pad/tampon I'd either ask or rummage in the bathroom cupboard.

Just stick some in a basket where it's visible. That's what we did at uni also had a fruit bowl of condoms

If you have younger women staying or visiting often (e.g. teenage friends of your DD) then I think putting some pads and tampons in a little wicker basket - on the windowsill or something - with a little unobtrusive sign or post it saying "Help yourself!" would be a very kind thing to do.

I am going back 30 odd years year but at home we were never allowed to mention periods or leave any wrappers or anything in the bathroom. Sanpro had to be to kept in our knicker drawers and we had to flush pads and tampons down the loo in case my dad caught sight of one and beat the shit out of us was traumatised by this reminder of women being humans designed to birth babies.

As with most teenage girls my periods were very erratic and in my first couple of years I would never have thought to take my schoolbag/handbag to someone else's bathroom. I was also far too embarassed to buy sanpro for myself as I had got the impression it was shameful and disgusting and that "nice" girls didn't have periods. (Thanks dad!)

As a teenager if I'd seen a little basket like that in a friend's mum's bathroom, I'd have got down on my knees and thanked her.

A note declaring the period products would be very weird. Bit creepy and somehow over familiar.

Actually if you have room to put a little swing bin in the bathroom, some nappy sacks and a wee post it on the bin that says "for sanpro" I am equally sure lots of young women would be grateful as fuck.

I leave period protection in the loo in case anyone is caught out, and I'd equally take some if some were left out in someone else's home - in fact I did the other day, though it's the first time in 30 years I've been caught out!). No sign needed though - I'd bloody hope all my friends would know they can help themselves. Who on earth would begrudge a friend a tampon or sanitary pad?! The comment upthread saying 'Cannot see any reason why you think it's your responsibility to cater for other women's menstrual needs' is really up there in the cold-hearted miserliness stakes. Um, because it's a kind and helpful thing to do? It's a downstairs loo in a house, not Paddington Station.

It would never have occurred to me to provide them for my guests. I assume people bring their own. Since I started using a menstrual cup several years ago, there has been a half-empty box of tampax on display (not that obvious, but on the shelf over the sink, so you don't have to root through cupboards to find it, or anything), and as far as I can tell, it's never been used.

Mine are out in a basket but it's a separate toilet so there is no room for a cupboard or anywhere discreet so they are "on display" I dont think I should hide them away

I'd expect anyone using my toilet to be able to ask me. But also a query rummage through my bathroom cabinet would sort them out. After I stop using them I don't plan to stock for guests. In the same way, if I'm caught sorry at work I know my post menopausal friends won't have supplies on them.

EvenMoreFuriousVexation, my mum is apparently still of this opinion, she actually took the pack of pads that I leave out and hid them behind the spare loo rolls the other day! I took great delight in silently putting them back in full view.

Tampons go off after 5 years, so it seems a bit wasteful if they aren't getting used. I don't think it's necessary to leave these things out for guests unless you live in the middle of nowhere with no shops.

I am surprised at the number of people who seem to take their handbags to the bathroom, though

Me too. It wouldn't occur to me and, in a friend's house, would make me a bi self-conscious.

No need to do a sign, if there's plenty there no one will worry that they shouldn't have taken one.

I've not had a period in years but I have teenagers, who invite other teenagers into the house. There's pads and tampons in both the bathroom and downstairs loo.

I have been on here a long time and I remember (one of ) the last time this was asked. A MNer who shall remain nameless (I remember her tho) suggested, in all seriousness, that if you want to be thought a Good Host, you should provide 'Sanpro'.

Yes, even your Batchelor, Middle Aged Uncle should have tampons in his bathroom for women who are caught-short. If he wants to be thought of as a Good Host.

Personally I'd use (and have, in the past) wadded up toilet tissue, and made a quick get-away. A middle aged batchelor Uncle with sanpro in his bathroom would freak me out.

A middle aged batchelor Uncle with sanpro in his bathroom would freak me out

A MNer who shall remain nameless (I remember her tho) suggested, in all seriousness, that if you want to be thought a Good Host, you should provide 'Sanpro'.

And yet a toilet brush is considered an abomination. I use towels, so there are some out in the bathroom. I don't use tampons, so have none in the house.

@churchandstate I dont think a sign is necessary but it probably wouldn't freak me out

I wouldn't put a sign but I would have them visible if you have regular guests just incase.

I use a menstrual cup, but in the last couple of months i've started a new pill and I had a 2 week 'sneeze' bleed (aka: not enough for full bells and whistles but enough to need something) after my period finished. I didn't want to constantly wear my cup for a month but I also didn't want to be marking clothes/bedding/chairs etc so bought a few very light thin packs of sanitary towels (I don't get on with panty liners, never have) and anyone who needs them can see them if they need to and be able to use them. Fingers crossed they won't be needed this time but they're in for me/others just incase.

We have a spare room with a sink, and next to the sink I have a wicker basket with sanpro, paracetomol, little soaps and shampoos, indigestion tablets, plastic razors etc etc. I would hope it was obvious to any guest that it was for them to use as needed. Although my mum puts the whole basket away in the cupboard under the sink every time she stays

In the days when I had periods, I never left the house without my own supplies - it isn't something I'd expect to find put out as a guest.

Since my hysterectomy, I do still have half a packet of towels somewhere that were left over, but I'd expect a guest to ask if they needed any.

I take my own. If I needed a tampon, I’d just ask.

I’d think a display basket of tampons etc a bit ott, tbh. And a sign!! No. Too try hard.

I'd add it to a basket of things that are obviously for guests, I'd fight shy of a sign but maybe add some hotel toiletries to make it obvious, with toothbrushes, toothpaste etc.

I had no idea that tampons expired after five years! Why?