Is it unreasonable to change from mooncup back to tampons? (tmi)

[namesnamesnamesnames]

I can't cope with backlash from AIBU so posting in women's health instead.

I've been using a mooncup for many, many years and really do get on with it. Apart from one major factor: when removing and flushing, often I'll need to flush between 2-3 times to actually clear the bowl as the contents just well...hang around. This is not a problem at home so much but when at work with a shared m/f toilet I become very conscious, especially of the time I sometimes spend in there.

I feel bad returning to tampons because of environmental concerns but I feel like on days outside the home it would help me. I can't deal with pads, never could, even reusable. My periods are very heavy, I can't afford period pant outlay at the moment but I'm not ruling it out for the future.

I don't know why I'm posting really, other than to ask how other people get on I suppose.

You need to do what works for you. In terms of environmental impact the extra flushing of the loo that’s needed for your moon cup isn’t fab but can’t be helped. What about eco non applicator tampons for days out?

Periods are a pain in the backside- literally! You have my sympathies.

Pour the blood into a wad of tissue then ball that up and flush, or bin in sanitary towel bin?

If that doesn’t work/you’ve already tried it, then of course it’s ok to use tampons. There are a few companies doing organic unbleached ones and you can avoid plastic applicators for environmental reasons.

Might be worth a go with modibodis. Their overnight ones hold a lot and are now my option of choice after birth injuries meant my moon cup no longer fit comfortably. I find them way better than pads.

Have you tried putting some loo roll in the loo first so the blood lands on that? That seems to "catch" it so it flushes away with the loo roll rather than gathering at the bottom of the loo...

Oh arses, sorry, just seen about period pants being too costly at the mo. I’ve seen M&S and some other supermarkets are now doing some for cheaper, but haven’t tried them so can’t comment on absorbency. Floweret have fairly cheap ones which are ok and very slim, but wouldn’t last all day.

@Bananabell

Have you tried putting some loo roll in the loo first so the blood lands on that? That seems to "catch" it so it flushes away with the loo roll rather than gathering at the bottom of the loo...

This^^

You could always wear tampons out the house and then mooncups overnight/days spent in the house.
From what you have said that seems like the best compromise between your own comfort/helping the planet :)

Hmm, I am thinking about returning to tampons, but for a different reason. My mooncup always, always 100% leaks on day 1, and I don’t understand why. It is leak proof on all subsequent days. It drives me mad, and I have to use pads as a back-up on Day 1. I feel like tampons are at least preferable to pads, environmentally. I’ve tried two different brands - same thing.

I think do what you need to do. Every month I hope peri/menopause hits, and every month I’m disappointed.

Just put a couple of pieces of toilet paper in the loo first before emptying your mooncup.

I tip the blood down the sink, because otherwise it pools in the bottom of the loo. This works for me because at home and at work the sink and loo are right next to each other. If I'm trying to do it in a toilet with no sink next to it such as in a public loo, it's harder to get rid of the blood.

Third on putting some toilet roll down first. If that doesn't work then do whatever does work for you.

You do whatever you need to do. No guilt.

Down the sink, easy peasy. Never a trace.

I can't use the mooncup - tried a couple of brands and neither worked for me so I use non applicator tampons. It doesn't cost me a thought to have to use them. I use reusable pads as back up for heavy days and for night time so I'm doing my small bit for the environment.

Op do what works for you.
When you consider the amount of other junk that gets created and sent to landfill (toys, pool floats, polyester anything) tampons made from cotton that will break down, are nothing in the big scale of things.

@Bananabell

Have you tried putting some loo roll in the loo first so the blood lands on that? That seems to "catch" it so it flushes away with the loo roll rather than gathering at the bottom of the loo...

Yes, I do this every time and flush straight away (1st flush). It just tends to go round and round and not disappear! I don't think it's just the work toilet, it happens elsewhere too.

@Orchidflower1

You need to do what works for you. In terms of environmental impact the extra flushing of the loo that’s needed for your moon cup isn’t fab but can’t be helped. What about eco non applicator tampons for days out?

Periods are a pain in the backside- literally! You have my sympathies.

That's a good idea. I haven't used them in so many years that I didn't know that type existed!

www.boots.com/kind-organic-non-applicator-tampons-regular-18s-10236093

www.theplasticfreeshop.co.uk/super-non-applicator-organic-cotton-tampons