Am I imagining this? Sanpro/nappy question.

[FlyMeToTheMooncup]

Thought this would be a good chance to try out my namechange :o

I've been thinking about switching to reusable sanpro for a while, and have been amazed at many people's reactions. 9 out of 10 (ish) people are and "euwwww", even those who have (a) heard of it already and/or (b) are perfectly open and unphased by periods. Same with washable breastpads, which I used with both my DCs as they were so comfy.

However, washable nappies are pretty mainstream now, fashionable even. Even when people I've spoken to would prefer to use disposables (which we do now, washables just didn't work with DC2) they've not been phased by the idea of them. Most aren't weirded out by the idea of second hand nappies either.

Now I'm not saying poo and menstrual blood/breastmilk are the same exactly, but they are all natural healthy bodily products. So why (IME at least) is there this difference? Is it just a matter of time? Washable nappies in their fancy modern form have been around a while and have gained status thanks to environmental reasons, their use is seen as positive and Doing Your Bit to save the planet. Maybe it's just that washable pads/mooncups etc haven't been available in mainstream shops until relatively recently, so they just have to catch up to become accepted?

Or is there more to it than that? I'm very new to feminism but this has bugged me for a while. Would appreciate your thoughts. :)

I do agree that disposable products are great for those who get on with them though. I would never suggest everyone should use reusable stuff. And I have a pack of the "cottons" ones which have a lot less chemical stuff than Always etc, for emergencies. Disposable san pro definitely has its place.

(Worth trying the cottons ones, BTW. You can get them in Boots and I find them so much more comfy than Always et al.)

Oh gawd yes, there's a market.

A penis should not taste like feta that has been left in the sun for a month.

Im genuinely shocked at some of the things on this thread. I honestly didnt think that in 2011 anyone was stopped from wearing or doing what they wanted because of their period! Surely that is very rare and could be relieved by some means?

And if towels make you sweaty then use tampons?

And to think the pill was designed in a way because they thought that we all wanted to have periods.

I once bought menthol pads, by mistake when I was travelling in Asia. Ow. Hateful things. I stuffed them in the back of the cupboard when I got home and then kept forgetting what they were and using them again.

As for washable bum wipes that seems like a step too far. Surely on environmental grounds it's better to go for the Indian 'watering can' approach and do away with wiping with material altogether?

Menthol ones!?! Good grief.

Indian watering can approach makes my bum sore.

I agree with you, rainbow. my periods never stopped me doing anything. Maybe we're just lucky?

Actually it's not periods that are disgusting, it's everything smelly, wet or dirty. We don't shout about wet arse wipes any more than tampax, perhaps period embarrassment stems from puberty, just like broken voices and 'bum fluff' it's all rather changing and embarrassing.

Deodorant fine, extra strong medicinal = embarrassing.

There's a huge taboo element, and what people personally think of as unclean/inappropriate (which presumably stems from their upbringing).

I was on a journey with a friend once when her period came on unexpectedly. She asked if I had a tampon and I gave her one of my lilets. She just looked at me and gave it back saying there was no way she could bring herself to use a non-applicator tampon. So she made do with a wad of toilet paper. Her personal preference, but I liked lilets better because my taboo was being seen carrying a tampon and I liked that lilets were smaller and more discreet (influenced by advertising much? ).

Now I use a mooncup but I can see that if you found the idea of getting blood on your hands abhorent then you wouldn't consider them, and I think there are a lot of women who fall into that camp.

Reusable towels I'm not so sold on - I suspect it's about my visibility-of-the-object hang up.

"there's an entire industry based around the fact that periods are "disgusting"! And have you ever seen a single product aimed at men specifically to clean their genitals?"

There's an industry based around the fact that periods involve bleeding, not something male genitals tend to do, unless they'be been sticking it in the blender. Why on earth would there need to be a specific product for cleaning willies?

I haven't missed the point of the single post I was commenting on, and haven't addressed the wider issue... But I will come to your point, if I may: you're saying that blood and urine are comparable on the infection front are you?

No idea. I wasn't talking about that... I pretty certain that blood is worse than urine, however, and vaginal bleeding far more symbolic than taking a leak.

Still no idea, still not very interested.

Men aren't frowned upon for not washing their hands? Where on earth are you from?

Urine is sterile until it gets to air. Blood is not, plus vaginal blood is 'open' to air. Therefore, scientifically speaking, it is more likely to harbour bacteria. However, I think the dirty and vile stuff is more to do with men controlling women than any hygiene worries.

Blood's a damn sight more hygenic and pleasant than smegma.