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, I don't believe they are taboo & we openly discuss them in our home.

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

Not at all, I often end up with a sanitary product in my back pocket.

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

Everyone I know uses the bin to dispose of, at work we use scented nappy sacks so the bin stays fresher inbetween the contractors emptying it.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

I am a binner

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

No as I do not flush.

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

Although very uncomfortable my daily life is not limited in any way.

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

HATRED

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Yes, when the children were small they blocked us by flushing baby wipes.

• 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

• 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? Both
• 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? Exhausted
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? No

embarassed. I'm in my 40s and it still annoys me. Always afraid I am going to leak and everyone will know

Her are my responses:

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not taboo but private. I LOATHE hearing other women's stories or menstrual motions -not interested! Just because so am also female, does not mean I want to hear it!!

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

Carry in my bag. Never in my hand.

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

No idea except one friend who shared her converaion to mooncup with me.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner NOW, for a long time I did flush, as advised on the packet in some cases!!! Cant believe people ever did this especially towels and liners.

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

Yes. Beach pollution is grim.

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

Not applicable to me though a few times I have had to pull over in the car as the pain has been almost like labour pains.

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

Nonplussed

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No

Ok, so I try to embrace the natural womanly cycle and be in awe at my fertility, amazing body and wonders of nature blah blah but actually, I'm grouchy, emotional, crampy, spotty, cranky and generally craving chocolate. So, yeah, not my favourite time of the month....

-Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
I want to say no, but the fact is it's nothing I openly talk about in general company. Certainly noticed this at work, when I was in a team of just females it was much more relaxed atmosphere but this did change when I worked alongside chaps (it wasn't them, but we all seemed to shield their delicate natures from the facts of menstruation- maybe we're to blame for making That time of the month seem so ~mysterious~)

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

I'm not ashamed of being on my period, but I don't dance around shouting about it and waving sanitary ware like a morris dancer. So 'discrete' I think is the word we'll go with.

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

No. It's not come up in conversation really, although colleagues have complained when the disposal bins in the bathrooms aren't fit for purpose so I'm guessing binners.

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

TEAM BINNER.

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

YES but as I bin and don't flush anything but loo roll and the results of my bodily functions I feel I'm minimising my impact.

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

Hot water bottles and chocolate are a must, although I tend to only experience heavy flow/cramps on alternating months.

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

Resigned.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No and I don't wish to!

I recently had to attend a Taekwondo grading and was so scared about leaking through into my white uniform! I doubled up with Two sanitary towels, and a tampon! I hadn't used a tampon in years but knew I had to do something! I wanted to hide the fact I was on my period - It worked and I passed my grading! I was more worried about Leaking through!

I am definitely a binner! Especially after flushing a sanitary towel when i was younger as I was embarrassed and my mum had to unblock the toilet!
This is now something I would worry about so I wouldnt do it again!

After having children my periods have always been regular however after having a m/c in April this year my periods are now heavier, and painful - I still am very regular!

No I don't think it's a taboo subject but I would only discuss it with those I need to e.g. My daughter or the doctor.

I wouldn't carry round tampons publicly as I wouldn't want others to know I was on my period, but if someone did find out it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I don't know if my close friends are flushers or binners.

Used tampons are flushed but packaging is binned. Pads are binned.

No I don't worry about this as most of what I use goes in the bin.

Luckily my periods aren't heavy now so I don't require certain regimes.

Inconvenience.

No I haven't experienced a toilet blockage.

• 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

• 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? Both
• 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? Exhausted
• 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 really - I don't talk about them to everyone. I have been known to moan about period pains to my male boss to get away from his boring chat though!
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) No not really, I quite often get really ill with them though so hide away because I get vomiting.
• 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 - I would never flush it for fear it would cause a blockage
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution? More about blocking the toilet - I'd be mortified if that happened at work
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? I feel terrible for the first day or so and can often be throwing up for the whole day - the cramps are fine
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Groggy
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage? Not from period related issues. I once did from puking after a heavy night out!!

• Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you? Not really amongst women/girls.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Yes, definitely
• 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 as I bin them.
• Does having a very heavy flow or very bad cramps limit your lifestyle or require certain ‘regimes' each month? No I just take paracetamol.
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? Fed up with them.
• 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) I do prefer to be discreet.
• 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? no, but it is getting worse in the last 3-4 years
• 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 see periods as a taboo subject. I can happily talk about periods and my periods but with females not males. I would talk about periods genera with men but not my own.

I do tend to hide that it's my period, but would mention it to female friends if relevant.

I have no idea if my friends are flushers or binners.

I am a flusher. Hate the idea of it sitting in a bin.

I do worry about blocking a loo and tear it up quite well. Hadn't thought about pollution

I have never had a heavy flow and never had cramps, but I guess I'd try to avoid swimming if I was on my heaviest day.

How I feel about my period is accepting. I'm lucky they've never caused me any problems so I don't mind. I have in the last two years gone through menopause (I'm now 49) and I'm not relieved or upset by loss of periods.

I have never caused a loo blockage or experienced one.

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

Quite taboo- rarely discuss with anyone! Very isolating not to discuss though

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

Yep- nobody else needs to know

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

Absolutely no idea, have Never discussed

• Are you a flusher or a binner? Bin
• Do you ever worry about blocking a toilet or adding to beach pollution?

No- I bin

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

Makes me feel uncomfortable but try to carry on as usual

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

Feel awful- like I'm bleeding to death!

• 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 think it's a taboo subject as such, but at the same time, it's not really something that people tend to talk about unless they have to.

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

I don't go out of my way to hide it, but I don't usually carry sanitary protection around openly.

• 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. Nothing other than bodily waste and toilet paper should be put down toilets.

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

Not because of periods, because I don't flush sanitary protection.

• 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?

Mildly inconvenienced.

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

No.

I'm a binner, I would never flush them as I know they could cause a blocakage and I would be mortified if the plumber pulled used sanitary products out! I always used towels until I went on holiday and needed to use tampons. I was in Hong Kong at the time and going to the shop was a shock as they only stock one or two types as no one uses tampons, they all use towels.

I tolerate periods, but when I was pregnant and just after when they hadn't returned was a great time!

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

Not taboo, exactly, but not openly discussed either - more whispers and euphemisms

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

Not overly so, I would carry sanitary supplies concealed in my hand rather than making it particularly obvious, but I wouldn't carry my handbag to the loo to conceal like some do

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

No! How/when/why would that have come up in conversation?

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Bin if there's one of those sanitary ones or one with a lid. Flush if no suitable bin or I forget

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

I've got bigger things to worry about, to be honest

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

Saying words like regimes doesn't help in the context IMO. IF I'm sick /tired then that's going to limit what I decide to do. More trips to the loo, have to wear darker things, make sure I've stocked up on sanitary items etc

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

Inconvenienced

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Not for that reason

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

I don't any more but as a young women I did and felt embarrassed. As a middle aged women I now think that they are a normal biological reality for a large percentage of the population that enables the continuation of the species and therefore shouldn't be viewed as a taboo topic

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

I neither hide nor publicize the fact, although I wouldn't feel embarrassed to mention it if it was relevant in a conversation. I don't try and hide sanpro when buying it (although public tampon carrying is a new phenomenon on me, is this like free bleeding ).

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

I don't know - I would hope they are binners, but I suppose you can't tell by looking.

- Are you a flusher or a binner?

Binner.

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

Yes, used sanpro should never go down the loo, nobody wants to be confronted with a floating tampon when you're snorkeling off the Dorset coast - yuck. But seriously, we really need to conserve our sea and beaches and the wildlife that live there.

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

Occasionally. I didn't take the kids swimming this week on the first couple of days of my period, I just didn't feel up to it however, I'm lucky to not suffer too badly and can function normally 90% of the time.

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

A blessing - It allowed it me to have four children.

- 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 totally taboo but not a subject that is easily talked about.
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly)* I now use a moon cup so there's nothing to take with me.*
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? I've talked to all friends to encourage binning. Flushing is so 1980s.
• Are you a flusher or a binner?* Neither. Moon cup*
• 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. Using the moon cup has helped the need to change frequently and as I've aged I've found the cramps are easier...when I was younger I'd be doubled over in the corner with tears in my eyes.*
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period?* Uncertain. But that's because I'm going through the change*
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?* Lots. Rubbish, too much altered old system. Nothing I've done, not tampons or pads.*

Do you believe that periods are a taboo topic, and if so, how does this affect you?
Not taboo exactly, especially among women but not openly discussed.

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

I don't carry them round in my hand, 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?

No because I don't flush anything but toilet paper

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

Heavy flow just means I have to be aware of changing my pad every 2 hours.

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

Inconvenient

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

Yes, but not due to flushing tampons/towels

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

I think this is a yes and no question. Some people prefer not to talk abou tthem but others go on and on. I belive theres a time and a place for conversations about periods and also depends on the actual people too

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

I do hide the fact because i dont feel comfortable carrying sanitry profucts in public. Why does everyone need to know if im on my period?! They are safely tucked away in my bag

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

I dont have a close circle of friends to ask that

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

im a flusher. Sorry to say. I really didnt think anything of this but since i got asked this question i have looked into it further and in future i will be a binner

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

As above, i never thought about this before and now im concerned. It has definately opened my eyes to where these products end up

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

My periods are so heavy and it does stop me from doing things that i want to do. i know that they start around the 23rd and then i limit what i plan for that week or so

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

i depise it! I hate it with every ounce of hate i have in me

• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage?

I hate to say this but yes. When its so heavy it takes so much loo roll and i have blocked the toilet

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

• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) Yea it's no-one else's business
• 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
• 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? 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?

No not really, dont feel embarassed talking about it if i need to.

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

Well i dont really flaunt it, i carry pads in my bag and change when i go to the toilet. I dont wave them about in my hand!

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

No idea but didnt even know you could flush?

• Are you a flusher or a binner?

Definitely bin

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

No as i use the bin

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

No, I do get cramps and heavy flow but doesnt limit me.

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

Frustrating

• 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?

I do find discussing periods with anyone outside close female friends awkward. Even with my teen DD's. I'd rather not discuss periods with anyone to be honest.

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

Definitely. I'd feel really embarrassed if it was obvious to others that I was on my period.

• 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?

Yes.

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

Yes, the first couple of heavy days are very restrictive. The PMT is the worst bit though.

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

Inconvenienced.

• 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? NO, IVE ALWAYS SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT IT, ITS A FACT OF LIFE
• Do you hide the fact that you're on your period? (e.g. not carrying tampons publicly) NO BUT I DONT OPENING GO ROUND TELLING FOLK
• When it comes to disposal, do you know if your close friends are flushers or binners? NO IDEA , SHOULD HOPE THEY ARE ALL BINNERS
• Are you a flusher or a binner? BAG AND BIN
• 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 IVE ALWAYS SUFFERED REALLY BADLY AND HAVE A COUPLE OF DAYS PER MONTH WHEN I FEEL VERY ILL
• What word or phrase would you use to describe how you feel about your period? NORMAL, FACT OF LIFE
• Have you ever experienced a toilet blockage ? NO

To be honest I'm pretty relaxed - just nature in play!