Taboo or not Taboo: Tell FabLittleBag how you really feel about periods. £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

FabLittleBag is interested in finding out how you feel about your periods and have a few questions for you to answer on the topic.

Here’s what FabLittleBag have to say: “At FabLittleBag, we talk to lots of women about periods. We’re always surprised at the different attitudes and experiences. Not a frequently discussed topic, we often assume everyone feels and does the same as us. We're working with Anglian Water who are spreading the word about keeping unflushables out of the toilet and our pipes clear. So with your help, let’s lift the lid and shed some light on the subject…

FabLittleBag is on a mission to help women and girls feel more relaxed about periods and disposal in particular, as it is an ignored part of the process and one which sometimes feels awkward or embarrassing. We believe discussion is the way forward. With your help as experienced women in this area, some of you with daughters, you can make a HUGE difference to how periods are perceived for the future generations. It’s good to talk - so let the chat begin!”

Here are a few questions from FabLittleBag!

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
• Are you a flusher or a binner?
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Everyone who posts will be entered into a prize draw and one person will win a £300 voucher.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? No
Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Well I don't announce it to the world and his wife, and I try to be discrete at work etc, but I'm fairly open at home and with friends.
When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I'm aware of what a few friends do - but not all.
Are you a flusher or a binner? Both. Heavy periods are messy and there isn't always good bin or hand washing provision. At home I always bin.
Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes
Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? Absolutely. It's not called The Curse for nothing. There are 2 days a month when I have to plan everything around my period.
What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Resentful
Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

No, some men seem to think so which is a bit pathetic.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Yes, ish: when taking a tampon to the toilet I'll "palm" it and then put it in a pocket.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

No idea Are you a flusher or a binner? Flush tampons, bin liners. Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Blocking a toilet- no Beach pollution- honestly never occurred to me, I assumed that would be taken care of at the sewage plant.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

No

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Despise it

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

A bit yes, I don't mind talking about them but wouldn't really bring it up in conversation.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

I would put tampons/pad in my pocket before going to toilet, if I was out/at work.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or Binners?

Not sure, never asked.

-Are you a flusher or a binner?

Flush tampons, bin pads.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

I have never really thought about it until now. I wouldn't like to think I was contributing to beach pollution.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Cramps make me less likely to do things that need to be done e.g. Housework. Heavy flow makes you panic you're leaking!

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Inconvenient but necessary I suppose

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

Yup - people, even women rarely talk about them. Fine to say you have a headache eg. but not on your period.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Yes, ish: when taking a tampon to the toilet I'll "palm" it and then put it in a pocket.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

No idea Are you a flusher or a binner? Flush tampons, bin pads. Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No. Toilet never happened. Don't sewage plants sort the beaches out?

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

No

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Affirmation that I'm still fertile(ish)!

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No - not due to tampons. Toilets my dc use get blocked with too much loo paper though

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

No, not at all.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly).

No.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binner? I have never asked but I assume binners..

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Yes.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Very inconvenient.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? not a taboo subjec, but men in my office visiblly blanch if they are discussed.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) yes - onld tampon up the sleeve trick
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? not discusssed
• Are you a flusher or a binner? binner
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? no
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? it used to and I'm still can't bring myself to wear white trousers (will use a panty liner as a safety measure with light coluored trousers even if I'm not currenly on my period )
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? inevitable
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? yes

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

Yes, I think they are, it's something I rarely discuss.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Yes, I try and shove a tampon up my sleeve at work normally or in a pocket as it's totally obvious what's going on if you take your handbag to the washroom.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

Not a clue, not something we would discuss...

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Tampons get flushed apart from the tubes and wrapper which goes in the bin and liners go in the bin. However, just started to use a mooncup so not really using tampons at the moment.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Yes, I try and wear clothes I don't care about so much just in case. Also avoid going out and doing things where popping to the loo may be an issue.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

An evil thing; I think you should only get them for the nine months of pregnancy if you choose to have kids and not at any other time; it would be a much fairer system.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not taboo

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

No,

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

Don't know

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Bin every time.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No as I never flush them.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Yes I get really bad cramps

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Annoyed

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No never

To start off with I really don't understand the need for your product. Why not just wrap a tampon In loo roll?

But:
Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
No they are not. Doesn't affect me.
- Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
No. I use a moon cup but have carried tampons publicly in past.
- When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
I would hope all my friends are binners. Most I know are.
- Are you a flusher or a binner?
Binner if I wore them.
- Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
Yes. Of course.
- Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
No.
- What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
Fact of life.
- Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
No.

Bloody hell!

Quite literally-yes for me periods are taboo-I was brought up in a staunch Presbyterian home & my whole town is generally the same way. Never flush anything-seriously hoping no one does nowadays.

I don't openly carry sanpro to the toilet & unless at yoga or something (where certain positions are no good when menstruating), wouldn't discuss my periods generally

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? Nope, nothing is taboo for us

Never flush. Ever

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

They are for men!!! I find it embarrassing at work too as we have shared toilets so you have to take your bag with you and I always feel like it's obvious why, also my boss is male (and weird) so you could never just freely say you had a pain etc

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

I try, but see above

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

No but I hope binners

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

I would if I flushed

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Absolutely

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Hate it

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

Not for me personally, but I often hear people talking about "women's problems" in hushed tones so I would say talking about periods is still fairly taboo.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

I neither hide nor advertise the fact. If say a tampon fell out of my bag, I wouldn't be embarrassed but I also wouldn't go waving it about in someone's face! In the same way that I don't advertise that I'm going to the toilet etc. because actually who cares or wants to know.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

I don't know but I really hope they are binners!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner!

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No because I always bin sanitary products.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Yes a heavy flow does, I really need to see the doctor about it. I just have to pad up more a few days a month.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Inconvenient.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

I would talk to my sister and mum about it but no one else

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Yes I do try and be discreet about it

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

Not sure, maybe a binder

-Are you a flusher or a binner?
Binned

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No because I bin it not flush it down the toilet

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Sometimes it does, when I am heavy or have bad cramps I just want to curl up with a hot water bottle and a duvet

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Yucky and gross, not my best self

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No never

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

Don't think they're taboo, would discuss with friends

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

I suppose I do, I wouldn't advertise the fact!

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

I know one is a flusher, have asked her to bin at my house and provide bags/ bin with a lid. I have talked to her about not flushing so hope the message has got home!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Mainly a mooncup user, on the rare occasions I don't use this I bin waste

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

Absolutely, hence why I don't bin and encourage others not to

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

I have very bad cramps and need to stick to a regimented painkiller regime to keep functioning

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

It's a complete nuisance, unpredictable and painful

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Yes, not my fault but unpleasant and expensive to sort out

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

No

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Again, no, don't really care who knows

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

Binner

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

Nope, I don't flush

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

Yes sometimes causes stomach upset. Have to plan my time round toilet stops. Have been off ill from work with cramps / fainting.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Inconvenient.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? I don't feel it is a taboo topic. Women seem a lot more comfortable talking about it but still men find it difficult to hear about them. I was a lot more embarrassed about it when I was younger
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) no I don't hide it
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? It's not something we talk about in regards to periods
• Are you a flusher or a binner? binner
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? no I don't worry about it
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? doesn't change things as I can take pain relief if I have cramps
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? inevitable
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? yes

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? I was brought up to believe they were taboo.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Yes
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? No idea
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Flusher
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Always worried
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? Yes very limiting
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Angry
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Yes

I have answered the above for the majority of my life when I lived in Southern England. If I had answered the questions for my life after moving to N.Ireland, the answers are the complete opposite. I firmly believe that different communities/cultures have an affect on how the subject of periods is perceived.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

No, when I was just starting I did, as I was the first of anyone I knew to start, but once others were in the same boat I was relieved to have someone to talk to.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Well I wouldn't flash them about in public in the same way as I wouldn't wave condoms or contraceptive pills about.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

I wouldn't have a clue about the habits of anyone else.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

These days I'm a binner although I flushed as a teenager as I never knew not to.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

Not really. If I ever needed to flush it would be occasional- eg no bin, no handbag to put it in (not sure that would happen as would always have handbag if needing to carry sanitary items anyway.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

My teenage years were dodgy with cramps and flow but it all got better when I first went on the pill and even when not on the pill it all seemed to lessen a bit as I got older. My 16 year old suffers terribly though. She went on the pill at 14 as she kept passing out at school but the pill has only taken the edge off things- she still suffers terribly.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

Resigned. It is something you get used to and put up with. I never really dreaded it, just got on with it.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, - No! absolutely not, the fact 50% of the population will experience them at some point means that I am quite matter of fact about it, I dont shout it from the roof tops but I certainly arent embarrased about them either, as I have tred my best to pass onto my teenage daughter

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? - Generally I am discrete

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? - I think 50/50

• Are you a flusher or a binner? - Mainly Binner, occasional flusher!

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? - Yes . we have had toilets blocked thanks to wet wipes in the past and it's not pleasant

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
• Not anymore

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? - 'Just one of those Things!'

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? - Yes thanks to wet wipes, the whole toilet overlowed into the hall and we had to have a new hallway carpet

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? I believe they are but this makes me more determined to normalise them and speak freely about them, as I would any other subject.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) No, in fact, I bought a FlowBag to carry my Mooncup in that says "How Do I Not Die?" on it.

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? They are binners.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Neither, I use a Mooncup 95% of the time, which I suppose means I'm a flusher, but a harmless one. When I use sanitary products I bin.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes, absolutely.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? Yes, often find I have to stay close to a toilet, carry spare underwear and wear dark clothes due to very heavy and prolonged periods. I also avoid sitting on certain surfaces, as I have leaked onto furniture before now.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Unnecessary, painful and messy.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No.

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Not really but would not advertise on purpose either.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? No idea. Who flushes?
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binner!
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No.
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? bloated
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?

Hmm depends who I am talking to. With close friends and colleagues, I am open about it, as are they, but I can be a little shy if the topic comes up around strangers or when shopping for products. I’m not sure why.

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

Not really. I try and be subtle but I won’t go out of my way to hide the fact.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?

I don’t know.

Are you a flusher or a binner?

A binner over the last 10 years but when I first started using tampons I used to flush them as I thought that was what you could do! I used sanitary towels for the first few years of my periods so would bin them.

Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

Not now I don’t flush.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

The bad cramps on the first couple of days can make day to day routine difficult and I can suffer on those days. I particularly hate participating in sport when I am menstruating. (I play a weekly team sport)

What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?

I see it as “one of those things” we have to go through.

Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.