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, but as you age the conversation changes from having them, postponing them to missing them (😀or 😟) and dealing with them as they change with the peri menopause.

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

Don't shout it from the rooftops. As a moon cup user - wish I'd come across them years ago to save on the perceived embarrassment of rooting through my bag for tampons in front of make colleagues

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

I have no idea.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?binner if I have to use disposable San-pro

• 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?

It happens

• 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 but I don't talk about them really.

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

Not really but I don't advertise if.

• 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?

I use a mooncup so neither.

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

Not with the mooncup.

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

No. I'm lucky my periods are light and not painful.

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

Ambivalent

• 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?

Yes but only because society makes it so and we are made to feel it's taboo to discuss or mention it. I wish it wasn't as the affect is that it makes a perfectly normal function very awkward sometimes.

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

Not actively no

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

No

• Are you a flusher or a winner?

Binner

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

No because I bin them

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

It used to do, but not now as I saw my GP and sorted it out. I wasn't prepared to have my life disrupted by it and so I sought a solution.

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

I absolutely hate it, wish it didn't exist!

• 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 at all.

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

Not really.

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

No.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner.

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

No because I don't flush.

• 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?

Inconvenienced.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

o 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)

Well I don't actively advertise that I'm on my period but I wouldn't be bothered if someone saw me carrying a tampon to the toilet.

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

I have no idea!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner

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

Yes. I don't want a blocked toilet!

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

Yes. I suffer badly with both. It does affect my lifestyle for a few days.

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

Indifferent.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

FabLittleBag is on a mission to help women and girls feel more relaxed about

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? Not taboo but embarrassing
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) I don't advertise it
• 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? 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? Inconvenienced
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

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

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

Of course NOT! They're a sign that my body is heathy and happy, why should be ashamed of that.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly). Nope, but I don't generally announce it either unless it's necessary - having to make a loo trip for example, or borrowing sanitary products when caught by surprise...

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? Binners, it's an eco thing.

• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binner! See above...

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No because I dispose of sanitary products responsibly.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No, always had it easy on that front.

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

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Nope.

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
No now, but they were when I first started having periods (80s)

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

I no longer have periods, but comfortably carried tampons etc publicly.

• 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?

I was always a binner

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

I'm a gunner, so no.

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

Yes! I had endometriosis, so very heavy and painful periods. I avoided making plans for when my period was expected, didn't drink due to the medication I had to take, was often off school/work sick.

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

Something I had to put up with.

• 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?
Sadly yes, but other than feeling the need to be discreet about it, not much.

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
Yes, which I know is very stupid, yet still feel the need to be discreet.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
Don't know, assume everyone's a 'binner'!

Are you a flusher or a binner?
Binner, they aren't flushable!

Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
this is why I don't flush!

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
Heavy flow, so avoid anything more than the lightest exercise and can't drink when on my period, I get really bad hangovers compared to drinking the same amount at other times of the month.

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

Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
Not from my sanpro because I know you shouldn't flush, but shared drains and a neighbour who doesn't get it (even when presented with a several hundred quid bill!) has caused problems for us all.

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

Not with my generation, but certainly with my parents. As a teenager I was bought a book and a pack of really thick sanitary towels which appeared on my bed.

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

I always carry tampons in my handbag, I don't care if anyone sees.

• 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?

Binner, unless there is no bin!

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

Only when I am forced to flush because of no bin.

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

Very heavy flow combined with IBS symptoms. I always carry moist toilet tissues to keep clean.

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

Resigned!

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Only when I have had to use an excessive amount of toilet paper due to IBS symptoms.

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

No I don't believe it is a taboo subject.

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

I don't hide it no, I wouldn't admittedly wave a mooncup around everywhere but if I need to take tampons/a bag to the toilet then I'm not embarrassed

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

Flushers! I only learned recently that flushing was bad

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Now a binner but transitioning to cloth/cups

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

Yes, which is why I now bin and am making an effort to use reusable

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

If it's ridiculously heavy I tend to use disposables rather than reusables as I struggle to keep on top

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

Urgh

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Thankfully no, and I include my great big period poos in that 😂

I work in an all-female office, apart from one male who has had to get used to us all being VERY vocal about where exactly in the month we are. I'm sure he appreciates the PMT warnings though!

I was terribly embarrassed about it all as a teenager, but now at the pre-menopausal age of 46 I'm quite excited whenever I get my period :-)

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

Yes they are,I don't really talk about them.

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

Yes,especially difficult when on lunchbreak and men are too,having to try to hide tampons.

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

Not sure but at a guess binners.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner

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

No as I don't flush them.

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

It can do.

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

Fed up

• 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 I don't believe periods are taboo - at least not in this house!

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Not purposefully, but I don't walk into a room and announce it either. I talk about it with friends and family, in fact my 5 year old was asking me what my pads were just today and i explained why i used them, and the practicalities (clip them in your pants, wash, re-use)
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? Most are on re-useables - mooncups or re-useable pads
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Neither, I'm a washer!
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Not with period products
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No - I'm lucky
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Reassuring
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Yes but not due to flushed sanitary products!

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

A - No not at all!

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

A - No, why would I?

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

A - Yes, all binners!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

A - I am a binner.

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

A - No because I bin.

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

A - Yes, it ruins my week. I have terrible mood swings and have to adjust my time/plans.

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

A - Evil

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

A - NO!

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
No I don't feel they're a taboo topic, not any more. I feel ok talking about it with friends, etc - but it's not something we routinely discuss. I wouldn't talk about periods with just anyone though - that would be a bit weird!

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
Yes - I often hide a sanitary towel in my back pocket when in the office - I am always very aware of the tell-tale rustle as I try to discreetly take it out my bag!

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
I would hope they are all binners!

Are you a flusher or a binner?
Defo a binner - flushing is awful & so horrible for whoever had to unblock the drains :(

Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
N/A as I bin, not flush.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
Yes - I do tend to take it easy & often just want t curl up. I know sugar consumption directly affects PMS & period pains - so I'm trying to limit sugar intake because of this.

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

Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
Yep & it's rank!

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Yes, around men. I avoid discussing them around male colleagues as they get uncomfortable and seem to think it's unprofessional.

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

Yes. I always carry sanitary products in my handbag in public so colleagues/strangers don't see them.

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

I'd like to think they are binners.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner

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

Yes, so I never flush sanitary products

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

Not really, but more likely to go to bed early with a nice heated wheat-bag

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

Annoying

• 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?

Not taboo, but I feel more comfortable talking to females than males about it.

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

No, but I wouldn't make it obvious either

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

Interestly I don’t know.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Definitely a binner

• 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?

Yes

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

Ball and chain

• 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?

Not taboo to me.

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

no, I'm not embarrassed

• 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?

Binner

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

No because I don't flush.

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

Yes - I am useless for a couple of days each month because of having to hange tampons every hour or two and the pain I'm in (endometriosis)

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

Annoyed

• 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 dont believe that periods are a taboo topic but it doesn depend who and where you are. I wouldn't discuss at a work meeting on a Monday morning say.

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

No, I am an open book. People I am close to can normally tell as I am a hormonal mess and I am always carrying tampons in my bag - you never know.

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

I think they may all be binners - will have to ask.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I am a binner.

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

I do and have considered the mooncup but dont think I am quite ready for this step yet

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

I dont particularly have the above, I tend to just feel puffy and so dont wear anything tight

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

A necessary evil

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

I have when I was younger, the panic I felt made me a binner from that day on

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Yes they are taboo for a lot of people. Not for me personally.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period?

I do 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?

Binner.

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

No because i never flush.

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

No I am lucky to have a very light flow and rarely suffer from cramps.

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

Irritating.

• 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? Yes - it doesn't affect me as I'm capable of deciding whether I want to speak about it or not but I have two daughters who will be affected by this when they are teenagers and that bothers me.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) I use a mooncup and have mentioned this to other women in appropriate conversations so no I don't hide it but i have nothing to carry around in public either.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I believe they use bins for towels but I'm not sure about tampons
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Neither. I use reusable products.
• 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? Used to but not anymore
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? It's fine.
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Nope.

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? Yes, depending on who you're with. Mostly I think with other women it isn't taboo, and I discuss openly with my partner, but I wouldn't eg feel comfortable if a male colleague asked me a question related to my periods.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) yes, at work I am discreet and carry my sanitary products in a makeup bag, but not at home
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I don't know, I've never asked them that question
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binner, although very occasionally I have been caught without a bin handy (e.g. At my parents house) and have flushed, but only ever tampons as towels are easier to hide in the kitchen bin
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes, and this is why I don't routinely flush.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? I have been lucky enough not to suffer with either
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? A necessary evil
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Yes, although it was not caused by sanitary products

1. Not as taboo as say 25 years ago when other girls my age would tell me off for asking a male flatmate to buy tampons when at the shop (I felt much more guilty asking for 4 pints of milk - thats heavy!). Still taboo to show any weakness in the office, though.

1. I don't hide it at home or from friends and my children know, though I try to hide the really bad symptoms from my daughter as I have particularly bad period-related symptoms and don't want to worry her unduly. I would put my towels etc in my bag if going to the loo at work but would do the same with my toothbrush - it's private rather than taboo.

Friends would definitely bin or claim to, given I've worked in environmental stuff and they tend to be right-on types. Apart from a couple escaping tampons that fell down the toilet I've always wrapped in loo roll and binned.

Worrying about blockages and sewage overflow is why I don't flush.

I used to get cramps bad enough that I'd pass out and definitely restrict my life; now they are fairly painless but I get faint and my joints all fall apart and are extra painful for a week or to.

How do I feel about it - pissed off! Never turned up for 12 years when I wanted to get pregnant, then after 2 kids I get regular periods for the first time ever in my 40s!

Have I ever experienced a toilet blockage?
Not a bad one, but my dad is still fuming 20+ years on about when my aunt must have put a tampon down the Saniflo toilet and he had to spend hours taking it all apart and scraping off nylon fluff...

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
I don't think it's a taboo topic but I still think it's not something that women discuss as openly as other topics. For instance if a woman had a headache every month she would discuss that more openly

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

I don't hide it as such, but if I was carrying a tampon into a public toilet I would 'hide' it in my hand - it doesn't come up often

• 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?

Definitely binner!! Can't imagine the blockages you'd get from flushing them, not to mention the damage to the environment

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

cutting down on pollution/blocking a toilet is the reason I would never flush!

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

OTC painkillers are usually enough to manage the cramps, I don't have a very heavy flow which I am grateful for.

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

resigned

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

not from tampons