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?
Yes.

• 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? I don't know it's not something that is talked about.
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binner
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes and I hate it.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? I don't leave the house the first two days of my period
• 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?
No

• 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? I don't know
• Are you a flusher or a binner? 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? No
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Just part of life
• 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 I do think they are a taboo topic they are portrayed as being unclean/dirty and they are not they are a natural bodily function with a real purpose. I hate that people snigger about women who menstruate for being unclean I hate the fact that the government taxes sanitary products and that they are viewed as a luxury but if we dont use them we are dirty so we cannot win. Periods should be spoken more openly about and not in a man safe way like in sanitary product advertisement way. I am not dirty when I am on my period, grumpy and irritable maybe but not unclean.

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

No why should I, but equally I dont walk round shouting about it whilst rollerskating with my friends down the sea front.

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

I would think due to most of them having bins in their bathrooms that they are binners.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I am definitely a binner.

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

No as i bin my sanitary waste.

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

Yes of course some months I have severe cramps that dont shift with painkillers, And its horrible when you can feel the heavy flow, its not nice sat in dampness waiting to be able to change your sanitary towel if you are stuck somewhere without a loo. It can be utterly grim some months and thats my normal someone elses can be far worse.

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

I fucking hate it. I dread it with a passion.

• 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.

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

I use a mooncup so nothing to hide.

• 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?

Neither; use a mooncup so nothing to dispose of.

• 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?

I am maybe a bit more aware of what I'm doing and where I'm going (eg. no wilderness walks) for a day or 2 a month but no limits as such. Just have to deal with it.

• 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?
Well I don't just randomly talk to people about them but then I'm not very close to people. Can openly talk to doctor or nurse though.
Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
Yes I do, as it's not anything to do with anyone else.
When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
I know my friend at work uses the bin, the other ladies are after the age of menstruation.
Are you a flusher or a binner?
Bin - wouldn't even occur to me to put in the toilet!
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?
I do the same things but just feel crap doing them
What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
Had enough of them to be honest
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 think it's taboo, at my age.

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

I don't hide it particularly, there are always sanitary items tumbling out of my bag, but I don't go around making a big show of things on purpose.

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

I know my closest friend is a flusher but other than that, it's not something I've bought to bring up.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I'm mostly a binner nowadays, but flushed for ages.

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

Yes, it's this thought that makes me bin.

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

Absolutely. Very heavy flow makes me anxious at work and I get headaches which make me dread the world.

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

Unwelcome familiar irritant.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not through sanitary products but my husband did once flush a baby wipe in a holiday cottage , for no known reason. Was awful. He wouldn't normally do that kind of thing, and he had to sort it 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) No
• 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 - they go into the same bathroom bin as the nappies
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? why would I?
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No, but loose ligaments, neck related headaches, muscle weakness and hot flushes tend to be quite debilitating for a good few days before my period starts
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? I'll be glad when they're finally gone. They're too busy fannying about with randomly long or short cycles, still
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Several. DS1 had a habit of flushing strange things down the loo when he was little. Putting my arm in shitty water up the U bend to pull out a body sponge wasn't the most fun way to spend a Friday night.

Am I the only person slightly disappointed that this isn't a thread about Tom Hardy?

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

When I was younger yes. It was something you didn't really talk about. Post children I really don't care.

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

It's easier now as older and have handbag or baby bag attached.

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

Bin now. Flushed when younger and naive

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

Not now.

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

My last periods were horrific. I couldn't leave the house. I'm not looking forward I them returning.

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

Unpredictable

• 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?
No. I have four children- two boys and two girls and I speak about periods equally to them all.

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
I have a mooncup so I do not need tampons. If I have a period I would openly say "I have period cramps" so I wouldn't hide them.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
I don't know, but I have a small bin in my bathroom and scented nappy bags for disposal of sanitary products and my teen dd tells her friends where the bags are and what they're for.
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?
See above. Eco friendly mooncup.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
Yes it can make things more difficult to have bad cramps or a hormonal migraine. I try to get on as usual though.
What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
It happens and it's just part of life as a woman.
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
- Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
Yes, as in I wouldn't walk down the corridor at work holiday a tampon in my hand. Equally I wouldn't walk around saying I was desparate for a poo though.
- 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?
Yes, that's why I'm a binner.
- 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?
Tedious
- 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, so it doesn't affect me.

- Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) yes, I suppose so. I carry tampons in a small bag, to keep them together and easy to carry to the loo. The side effect is also to disguise what they are.

• 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? Bin!

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No because I don't flush tampons.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No. I have a heavy flow for the first 2 days but it is thankfully manageable with super tampons changed about 2 hourly. I think that's not unusual?

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

• 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've never really thought about it. Maybe ladies just don't want to talk about it. I don't unless it's absolutely necessary.

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

I don't wish to make such a thing public knowledge. I don't have 'actual periods' as I'm on the pill, instead I have 'withdrawal bleeds'. But regardless, I would never carry tampons in public. I have them in my bag, and take my bag with me to the ladies if I'm out.

• 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 put my tampons and liners in the bin, always.

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

No, as I do not flush anything.

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

No, the pill makes it much more manageable.

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

I hate my pill free week, when I have my withdrawal bleed. It's annoying and I can't wait for it to be over.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No I have not.

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

Not really, although I suppose it's not something I'd really bring up.

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

Not particularly.

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

Can't say it's ever come up.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I use cloth pads and a mooncup

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

Nope

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

The first day of my period I wouldn't go swimming, and I'd prefer not to stay at someone else's house.

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

Meh

• 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 not really, I wouldn't discuss them with my dad or another guy except from DP though.

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

Not really, I shouldn't need to.

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

No idea, I hope they're not flushers though.

• Are you a flusher or a banner- a binner of course.

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No because I dont flush.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

After having my 2nd child it did a bit. I've since had a coil fitted and my periods have improved although I still don't like having the coil all that much.

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

It's a bit of a pain at times but I like experiencing the changes in my cycle, women's bodies are amazing really.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not because of San pro no.

1 - Becoming less so. Doesn't really affect me- it's something I talk openly about but I know some women my age who are not comfortable doing that.

2 - No.
3 - No.
4 - I use a mooncup. When it's a heavy one I occasionally use pads, which I bin.
5 - No because I don't do anything that would cause this.
6 - Sometimes. My periods vary greatly and are irregular.
7 - Relief! I get bad pmt. when my period arrives the pmt ends.
8 - Only when dc flush toys down the loo!

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? No, doesn't affect me apart from in the obvious way!!!
• 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? No idea
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binner.
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes and take efforts not to.
• 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? Painful nuisance
• 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 think it's important to be open and normal about periods.
- Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) I don't broadcast it, I don't wear a placard anouncing that I'm on my period. And I use a mooncup so not likely to be carrying it around 'publicly' as such, but I don't hide it like a big secret either.
- When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I don't know anyone who flushes sanitary products, I've always been brought up to bin.
- Are you a flusher or a binner? As a mooncup user I tip contents into toilet and flush. I've taught my DD's to wrap and bin used sanpro.
- Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No because I don't flush sanpro 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, but I've learned to manage it over the years and since using a mooncup, periods have become lighter and less painful.
- What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? 'philosophical' they're a part of life.
- 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 not really, I'm open about them and so are friends.

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

I don't brandish my tampon around the work place like some light sabre, but if I have no pockets I'm happy to just carry it in my hand.

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

No idea, not sure how this would come up.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner if they have sanitary bins. Flusher at home/other people's homes.

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

No blocking, never has happened in my 20 years of usage. Never considered beach pollution though.

• 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?

Accepting.

• 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?
Amongst certain parts of society, yes. Affects me by, for example, not wanting to upset my mother by talking periods in public.

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
Yes. Don't make a big secretive thing of it, but don't exactly swing my tampons around either.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
Don't know - never asked.

Are you a flusher or a binner?
Binned. Though years ago, before the flushing issues were made more public I was a flusher

Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
Not these days because I bin.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
It used to when I was younger. I had dreadful cramps and sickness each month.

What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
Pain in the neck. Unfair. Expensive, Inconvenient.

Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
Yes, in the days when I flushed.

Mooncup user here, because it gets round the whole 'flush or bin' issue, i know I'm not causing beach pollution, and it's much cheaper.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? No they aren't but a lot of people are less open than me.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) No and I make comments about having my period.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? Think they are binners.
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Bonner
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No, binner
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? Yes, very heavy flow (largest absorbency tampon lasts about an hour for a few days, use drugs to try & reduce bleeding.
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Bleurgh
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

It depend on the situation if talk about periods is a taboo subject!!!
Again it depends on who I am with and the situation
I bin every time as flushing anything would not be good for the system
No as I do not put anything but toilet paper into the toilet
Yes heavy periods really does restrict my lifestyle, especially when I am flooding every hour and using the super plus tampon along with a sanitary towel
Painful describes my period
No toilet blockage experienced!!!

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

Not taboo with my family or friends no so not affected by this.

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

Use a mooncup so don't have anything to carry around. I don't announce when I'm on my period, my DH knows.

• 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?

Use a mooncup so no waste to dispose of.

• 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?

Just part of my life

• 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 don't discuss in office-like any other bodily function!

• 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?

Bin

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Bin

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

Yes that's why I bin

• 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?

Not bothered

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

As a teen which is why I bin