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)

No

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

It never comes up in conversation if I'm honest!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

binner

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

No, I wouldn't flush

• 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?

A necessary evil

• 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, they are perfectly normal.

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

No, it's a necessity at certain times of the month. I'm a woman, I bleed!

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

Binners mostly, been asked for bags before.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner. I don't want blockages. I actually use fab little bags when I'm out as they are brilliant. Nappy sacks at home.

• 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?

Yes, my period is a pain in the arse. Mood swings, diarheah, pain and bleeding so heavily that I change a super plus every 45 minutes. I change what I wear (always trousers, never skirts. I also take a bigger bag to accommodate the pain killers, half a dozen tampons, wipes, bags and a change of knickers). I don't often organise days or nights out for the 4 days around my period mostly because I hate people at that time of the month and I bleed so heavily I just feel urgh and uncomfortable.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Sorry, hit post before I answered the last 2 questions.

I'd describe my period as inconvenient and no, I've never had a blockage.

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

Not really but it's not something I discuss in great detail (will usually moan to other female friends about cramps etc but that's it)

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

* Weirdly, I still get embarrassed buying pads in the supermarket. I used to find it really awkward as a child and still feel that way now. No idea why as I was never made to feel uncomfortable about it.*

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

Most women I know use pads so I'm assuming 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 sanitary products down the toilet*

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

* Yes, for two days I'm usually in bed with strong painkillers *

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

* Very 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? no but something that has a time and place to be discussed.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)

yes- as in i dont carry my pad as i carry my mobile lol

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? i think most are binners
• 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? yes-
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? meh!
• 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?
I don't, but some of the older generation in my family do and therefore a slightly taboo subject to mention.

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

No, I used to when younger but don't care now!

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

Hopefully binners! Don't know though.

• Are you a flusher or a binner? A binner

• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Definitely. Would not flush.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? Yes, usually inhibits exercising.

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? A relief ( I have terrible PMS and it is a relief when it arrives sometimes!)

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No.

I used to not talk about my periods to anyone - probably because of the way I was brought up which was not to discuss these matters as they were private and should be hidden.

A few years ago however I was diagnosed with a fibroid which caused my periods to become horrific and which made me quite ill and anaemic. I was so often back and forward to the GP for various tests and procedures that talking about it became second nature - and all my friends knew exactly what I was going through. Turns out lots of them had issues too. Now I've had a hysterectomy and don't have periods any more (yay!) but am encouraging my own daughter to talk more openly about these things.

- Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
I think that generally it was but it's getting better. It has never been taboo for me because it wasn't in the household growing up, with mum and 3 girls it would have been a struggle if it was! I had no problems asking dad to get sanpro, he just got on with it as he would us asking for a new toothbrush or some shower gel

- Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
I wouldn't highlight it but I wouldn't go to great lengths to hide it either

- 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?
It can limit me, I couldn't swim for example, I also might prefer to curl up in bed with a hot water bottle and a book rather than go out or watch a film

- What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
Pain, pissed off

- 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? No idea
• Are you a flusher or a binner? binner - they

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
No not really

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
It's not something I shout about but if a close friend asked I wouldn't lie.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
I wouldn'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?
No not really.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
I'm luck in that I don't suffer from these.
What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
It can be inconvenient but it's just part of life as a woman.
Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
No

(Sorry my post is a bit jumbled - it seems to have copied/ pasted someone else's answers too!?!)

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not really but I wouldn't shout from the roof tops about it

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

Yes, because who wants to know really ?

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

I don't know this

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Flusher, bins can smell disgusting of old blood and also I dont like to lift the lid on the bin and see old used products in the bin whether bagged or not.

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

Occasionally

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

Yes, cramps and flooding can be crippling and really inconvenient and make me feel really washed out.

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

Inconvenient

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No, thank goodness

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

No, will discuss them happily with anyone

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

No, don't really care who knows

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

I assume binners because who would flush?

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner 100%, had no idea anyone would flush sanpro

• 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?

Fucking annoying now I have had my kids and no longer need periods

• 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?
Not really, my friends and I share that with each other. Don't hide it especially from the kids.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) No, not at all.

• 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? Yes, if I have to flush because I'm at someone else's house with no bin.

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? I sometimes have to set an alarm in the night to change, otherwise I'd leak everywhere.

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

• 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 - but it isn't something that I tend to talk about with friends/colleagues.

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

No, I always have pads in a pocket in my bag.

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

No idea. Binners I would hope!

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

A binner - I have never flushed them and am a bit shocked that people do!

• 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?

Gosh, absolutely. I find it very limiting and take lots of steps to prevent public flooding.

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

It is horrendously heavy, but you find ways of coping with it.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

Periods aren't taboo in my age group as most women have had children, so pretty much everything gets discussed. Sanitary products are advertised at tea time!
I have the coil, but when I had periods I couldn't really hide them as they were heavy and I needed to change my pad every half hour.

Whoops, pressed the wrong button.
Some of my friends don't have periods anymore, but the ones that do, I don't know how they dispose of their pads.
I was a binner. I didn't want the towels blocking the toilet and going to the sewage works. The plastic in them bothered me. I wouldn't use a mooncup because of the large clots and quality of blood.
Yes it limited what I could do. The flow was so heavy I would leak all over my clothes and seat or bed. I'd have to stay near a toilet and wear black clothes. The pain was like early labour. I was very anaemic and had to take iron tablets. I wouldn't sleep as the floods would wake me up and I'd have to get changed, and change the bath towel I was sleeping on.
Gushing.
Yes, the giant towels in the 80s! My mum made me flush them.

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Taboo or not Taboo: Tell FabLittleBag how you really feel about periods. £300 voucher to be won!67

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? No, they are a normal body function for women.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) No I don't.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? Binners
• Are you a flusher or a binner? I use cloth pads but otherwise am a Binner.
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Pollution yes, blocking 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? Lucky to have the potential to give 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?

A bit yes. It still seems it's something that's whispered about between the women I k ow and not mentioned around the men folk

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

Yes (again more around men than women though)

• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? Not a clue! It's not something we have ever discussed
• Are you a flusher or a binner? a binner
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? I did when I was younger and my mum told me to flush but as I have gotten older and wiser I don't flush.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? I get quite bad period pain and that can just making getting on with normal life a bit more uncomfortable for a few days
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? A nuisance!
• 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?
Not really. Why should they be?

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

Tampons are always in the inner pocket of my handbag (always been very irregular, so need them at hand at all times.) if you don't like it why are you going through my bag in the first place???

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

Guessing binners, most people I know are save the environment types.

• Are you a flusher or a binner? Binned unless the bins are so disgusting that I can't bring myself to touch it. (Looking at you certain pub loos)
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? Yes which is why I try to bin
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?

I have a handy kit- super plus tanpons, strong painkillers and one of those clicky handwarmer things in my bag at all times. The pains are strong with this one.

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

Irritated, it's a nuisance

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not personally.

Do you feel periods are a taboo topic?
No, not now, and with 3 teenage daughters in the house it's a very open topic! However, when a teenager myself in the 70's I was self conscious about the subject in a way my own daughters don't seem to be.

Do you hide the fact you're on your period?
I don't advertise it and am fairly discrete, but am also not embarrassed if it comes up (eg period pain).

Are close friends flushers or binners?
Not sure about all but mainly binners. My 3 daughters' friends are all binners so I think todays teenagers are probably much more eco-savvy.

Am I a flusher or binner?
I am very much a binner, but years ago when young I admit I flushed tampons as thought it was ok.

Do I worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
No, not myself but worry about others causing a problem.

Do I have heavy flow or cramps?
No, I've always been very lucky.

Words or phrase to describe how I feel about my period.
Annoying hassle but familiar routine.

Have I experienced a toilet blockage?
No, not personally but I know a friend who did. It was only when a plumber was called out that she appreciated the problem was of her own making.

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

Not taboo, just not a preferred topic of conversation.

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

I'm discreet but don't go out of my way to hide it

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

I would expect everyone to bin nowadays for environmental reasons

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Bin

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

No because I bin not 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?

Unwanted and massive pain in the butt

• 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?

Sometime, such as when in the company of a group that includes men, be that family or friends. Also not to be mentioned in the workplace to a male supervisor/boss (you might have period pain for example but not be able to mention)

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

I'd usually take handbag into toilet if out. I wouldn't make a show of 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? Not particularly, though if having bad cramps I wouldn't be up for doing much

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

natural

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Yes but not because of tampon

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

I used to think so, but I've gotten better about it as I've gotten older (and had a child). It made me feel uncomfortable about my body in the past, but I've gotten better about it.

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

I usually keep a pad stashed in my bag just in case, but I don't broadcast it. And I have a menstrual cup that I use, so it isn't obvious usually.

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

No idea, not something we talk about. But I assume they flush used tampons (not the casing or wrapper) and bin pads.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner, when I use pads.

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

Not really, but I do try to be careful with what I put into the toilet.

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

Not usually. I sometimes get bad cramps right before my period, but I tend to just soldier on.

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

It's an inconvenience.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not at a house I've owned, but I have been at houses that have them. It's not fun to plunge or call a plumber.

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? No I don't I feel we should be free to discuss without assigning ridiculous code words
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) not at all - my pad is constantly in my bag albeit in a fancy tin
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? BINNERS!
• Are you a flusher or a binner? binner - can't afford toilet clogging
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? No, I always wrap and bin
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? N/A
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? It differs - sometimes nauseous other times I'm fine
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Not at all!

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, but I don't advertise it either.

• 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 - would never occur to me to flush!!

• 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?

Pre-children it used to.

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

A bit irritated but mostly indifferent.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.