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

SSCRASE
Took me a minute. :)

Its not a taboo topic it’s a bodily function. Though really draining and painful.

I wish periods were shorter and that i didn't get a bad back and other side effects but I do like that its a phew moment each month that i am not pregnant again.

I used to have terrible problems with my periods as I suffer from endomitriosis but after having a Mirena coil fitted in my 30s I never had a period since & all my problems stopped. I used to haemorrhage badly, it was very embarrassing as it could happen anywhere & at any time & I even bled out into my stomach so I looked like I'd been trampled on by a herd of elephants as my stomach was so badly bruised.

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not between close friends but wouldn't discuss it with acquaintances nor work colleagues

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

I do hide the fact and never mention it except to my mother

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

No idea, we don't discuss it

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

a binner - I don't want to run the risk of blocking a toilet

• 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, it makes me feel I don't want to go anywhere and find it hard to think of anything else

• 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, I don't put them in the toilet

This is an itchy subject.
Nature could have been kinder and not make it "so totally crazy" that you want to kill and feel is the right thing to do.
I will never overcome the absolute times of complete bleakness, pain and acrimony.
UNFAIR !

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not taboo - but only discuss with close friends

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

No, but I don't wave them around either!

• 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.

• 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?

Yes - always worried I will leak and yes, sometimes feel a bit fragile and crampy.

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

pure loathing

• 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 wouldn't just talk to strangers int he street about it!

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

Not really, I have a little black bag with me constantly with period supplies in.

• 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 everything else.

• 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, but it doesnt happen very often these days.

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

resigned- nothing I can do about it so just get on with 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, apart from discussions with my Mum right at the beginning it hasn't been talked about, but only because there hasn't been anything to say! I would talk about it with anyone if I wanted to.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) They would have been in my handbag along with tissues and make up, no problem.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I don't know, never talked about it!
• Are you a flusher or a binner? Always been a binner! Brought up in the country with a septic tank and so always been aware of the implications!
• 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 before I started taking the pill with no break, something I've done for years now.
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? It used to be a nightmare, I'm glad its over!
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

Heavy - thats the word, not the actual period but how i feel.... my legs feel heavy, my arms feel heavy, everything i lift up feels heavier.... i always wonder if its in my head or it actually happens due to water retention for the time.

I am no way a flusher - everything gets binned and nothing should be flushed apart from toilet roll and what comes out of your body - everything else should go in the bin. (even if the manufacturer LIES and says its flushable)

I dont hide the fact im on period i just dont go talking about it much thats unless the OH suggests camping overnight at the weekend when it clashes. Is it taboo? i think it used to be but with facebook it seems nothing is taboo these days - i think it just depends on who you are talking to, but i tend to keep to myself, i mean who wants gory details? far too many other things to talk about.

As for beach pollution i find it really annoying when there are sanitary products and wipes on the beach - please people dont flush these things they all go in the bin - i think the manufacturers should be sued for saying some things are flushable - when clearly they just block up the lot which in the end costs us all in our water bills.

Toilet blockage - yep but to DS when younger having a poop and using almost half a roll to wipe his bum! not nice to unblock!

cramps etc - I do sometimes get heavy days, they usually just one or two days during period where i just like to take it easy, its not nice but its not painful so i have to be thankful for that.

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

I think these days people talk about them more. I have had conversations will work friends, even males speak of it.

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

No, I don't go out of my way to tell the world but I don't hide it either.

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

I'm not sure, I think most people bin them.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Definitely a binner

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

No because I always bin

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

I have a stomach condition which is made worse by periods, so I tend to suffer stomach problems a lot more. It can limit me for a few days, but I don't ever have time off work because of it.

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

Something that's part of life that you learn to deal 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?

No, I think the majority of people are quite comfortable with the topic these days, but I don't bang on about it every day.

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

I think I'm discreet. I keep pads and tampons in a makeup bag in my handbag, but just to keep them clean. I wouldn't bother if someone saw them. That said, I wouldn't dance around the office waving them over my head either!

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

Never asked but I think I could guess who flushes and who bins.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I'm a 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, I don't like the idea of being on painkillers for days each month so I make sure I get more exercise which helps and just grit my teeth and get through.

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

A pain!

• 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's a hard thing to talk about & I always try to hide it when I'm on my period.

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

Yes always, I carry my products in a small purse so they are hidden.

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

As far as I know we are all binners

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner always

• 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 never plan anything for my heavy few days of a period, this can be very annoying but I can't stand to be out of the house all day during these times.

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

Miserable

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

Periods should not be taboo, but I believe they still are.

Regarding the enviromental effect, I have a clear conscience as I use a Moon Cup, so create no waste at all.

Since I discovered the Moon Cup maybe 8 years ago, my periods have been so very much easy to handle, since after giving birth, I could not find a tampon that did not allow leakage. With my Moon Cup, I could happily wear a white skirt on day 1 of my period, something I would never do before.

Bad cramps do make me feel miserable & lethargig

Ugh periods! I've never really thought about binning instead of flushing, unless i'm in a public toilet and there's a special disposal bin there. Maybe we shouldn't flush them? I would hate for them to end up on a beach somewhere! I don't discuss it with friends, although I'm not worried about them seeing me carrying tampons or anything like that.

God I hate periods! Every month I see the bloomin' Bodyform advert and I could cry. Then throw the TV out the window. Seriously, going skydiving whilst on your period is fine, IF you don't happen to feel like a beached whale, waiting for Greenpeace to come and rescue you. Yes, I feel huge, bloated, pained and to top it all, I feel like I am haemorrhaging. It's awful. Anyway, I have learnt I have to have double protection (towels and tampons) and for the heaviest flow, which I try not to flush when disposing of them wherever possible. I've never experienced a toilet blockage, but know of a couple of friends who have. I also worry about beach pollution in general, though plastic seems to be the focus for beach pollution at the moment.
So, in one word, how would I describe periods? Loathsome!

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
No not at all, can discuss with female friends/family but not men friends!

Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)
No not at all useally keep them in a compartment in my handbag.

When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners?
No idea on this one.

Are you a flusher or a binner?
A binner, I use nappy sacks for disposal.

Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?
Not an issue as I dispose of correctly in the waste bin.

Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month?
Not affected anymore, but was a problem when I was at school as I had several days off as I had very bad stomach cramps and a heavy flow.

What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?
It's part of being a woman.

Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?
No, not an issue as mentioned before.

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

They might be for some people, but they're just a fact of life to me and I'm quite open about talking about periods.

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

Nope.

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

Erm, no idea.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner! OMG, people flush? Naughty.

• 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, it makes it hard to do normal activities due to the cramping.

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

Relief.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not from anything period-related!

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? ANSWER: No, not as much as it used to be thanks to good knowledge and education and not feeling embarrassed about the subject - both girls and boys alike.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) ANSWER- I don't broadcast the fact, but do like to be discrete when I go to the loo.
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? ANSWER: We are binners at work and flushers at home - but only tampons we bag and bin sanitary towels.
• Are you a flusher or a binner? : ANSWER: both - bag and bin everything and work and at home flush tampons and bag and bin towels.
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? : ANSWER: Yes I think I should get into the habit of bagging and binning everything.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? ANSWER: Yes, on the first day of my period, I regularly food even when wearing super plus and a towel, I have to get up in the night to change my tampon which leaves me irritable when I know what is to come for me each month.
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? ANSWER: dread.
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? ANSWER: Yes with a towel, had to get my rubber gloves out and pull if from the U-Bend - from that day onwards I am a bagger and binner.

thanks

I would still say they are taboo, there is a slight feeling of embarrassment, I'm badly affected for one of the days in the month, it drives me mad, huge stomach cramps like birth contractions!! And bin if possible but if I have to flush will tear the pads so not to block, and yes I do worry about blocking the toilet but sometimes have no alternatives, can't carry a used pad round with me until convenient to place in a bin.

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

Not at all - they're a fact of nature :)

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

I don't make it obvious that I'm carrying tampons - but I don't go to massive lengths to hide it, though...

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

I've never asked! I'd hope binners...

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I'm a binner - flushing doesn't seem right!

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

Just like general rubbish, I always worry about where things end up and how long they'll take to break down...

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

I have a heavy flow - the main thing it affects is what I choose to wear!

• 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? I'm not sure i'd go as far as to say its taboo but its a topic that I wouldn't just talk about with anyone, only close friends or other people in my close circle.

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) wouldn't say that I hide it as such but i'm always discreet e.g. have a tin with pads in in my bag instead of having them just floating around

• 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? no, never thought about it

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No im lucky there I think

• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? It's an inconvenience, wish you could be fertile without having one!

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? no

I find them completely irritating and unnecessary since i have given up wanting to have children. i wish there was something i could take to make them go away without having the very intrusive operation

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? Not really, 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? I used to be a flusher, but worry about blocking the toilet, so a binner.

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

• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No, not too bad really.

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

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Yes.