Embarassing question
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Topic: Embarassing question
Posted By: myfullhouse
Subject: Embarassing question
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:54am
 How do you safely and hygenically dispose of tampons at home?
I have never used them before. When I first got AF I wasn't comfortable using them, then I read an article about TSS which scared the living daylights out of me. Not long after I went on the pill and soon AF was so light a panty liner would do. DH and I have decided that I won't go back on the pill as we will TTC #2 early next year. I started weaning Jack a few months ago and have had AF twice since, the first time I thought I might need a blood transfusion! I am just worried about Jack getting into the bathroom rubbish bin although he hasn't yet and I usually keep the door closed. Oh and can anyone recommend a brand? I don't have the patience (or $$) for too much trial and error. TIA ------------- Lindsey 
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Replies:
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:56am
| I just flush them down the loo |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:57am
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I also flush them. And I use either Carefree or Libra. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:58am
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oh and as for brands. I prefer the libra ones as they are nice and little. I have used tampax and the applicator was an advantage when I was too scared to put fingers up there....but hey....thats nothing now so I prefer small and comfy.
Some mums on here use mooncups and I am sure someone will get on and tell you all about those. |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:00am
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you just flush them down the loo:) I'm not a big fan of them but they are certianly useful and convienent:) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Shorty
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:17am
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I flush mine down the loo.
We used to be on septic tank and I had to put them in the bin  so pleased those days have gone!
I use Libra mostly, I have never been a fan of Tampax, but they might be a good place to start as they have an applicator. 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:27am
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I'm a flusher too. I use Carefree. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:28am
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Also Carefree do an applicator one too. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:46am
Oh yeah - you guessed it! I use a mooncup which means you don't get left with rubbish. But it requires that you are sort of 'in touch' with your body (physically and emotionally) so it may not be your thing. Anyway - if you want, check out the website. http://www.moooncup.co.uk - www.mooncup.co.uk as I find it really great. Especially for the lighter days as a) you can see how much your body is outputting and b) it doesn't dry you out 
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nzpiper wrote:Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 10:55am
I have a bin next to the toilet and I wrap them securely and pop them in there.. I know this is gonna sounds like a rant but I cant believe you flush them  .. I wont say anymore cos I know its a personal choice..
I use carefree cos they are the ones that have the silk ease cover. I find that if use the others it like tryig to use sandpaper!!! ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6"> 
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:20am
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I hadnt even thought of not flushing them Since having iusla I havent used them anyway.
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Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:22am
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I don't use tampons... but don't most of them say they're flushable on the pack??? -------------  
 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:23am
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I use whatever's on special and I flush them.
Still keen to get a mooncup or similar. -------------  
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:33am
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they are definitely flushable.. i think she means a personal choice thing. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:36am
Lol yea thats what I meant Foxy  . I dont flush them cos I work for a water company and I know what happens to them after they are flushed.. thats my reason why I dont ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:37am
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They are not so good for our water systems and our environment as a whole.
Think sposie nappies and you're kinda on the right track, but not quite so detrimental..... |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:42am
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Almostthere: Why would you not flush them? I don't mean to be critical or inflammatory, I'm asking seriously.
I know sanitary pads shouldn't be flushed as the bung up your loo but tampons are designed to be flushable and break down like toilet paper, right? The packs advise that they're safe to flush, so why should you not? Once again (cos I know it's hard to read tone on message boards) I'm really genuinely asking, not having a go at you ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:44am
Lol, took too long typing. Thanks for enlightening me  ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 11:46am
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I flush them too - yeah I'm curious as to why they shouldn't be flushed?? ------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 12:05pm
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Really? When they are flushed they keep the same form they currently have. THey are designed to soak things up so I always assumed that that meant they were designed NOT to break down in fluids. I mean, what if they broke down inside you?
I also know that our water networks are designed to take faecal matter and sanitary items are treated as such within the network. THey are transferred to the plants, who then treat them and then they are relased into the environment... And thats why I dont flush them ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 12:57pm
| Do you work for Metrowater?? |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 1:34pm
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I used to flush mine until I met my FIL who is a plumber and one night he was telling us funny and gross stories and he told us about all of the toilets he has had to unblock due to a build up of tampons!!.
I starting imagining the embarrassment of a plumber having to come over and unblock that. Now I have a bin with a swing lid that the kids can't open next to the toilet, I wrap mine and put them in there. I'm the only one who empties it so it won't gross anyone out. ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 1:39pm
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Yes, Joshie I do work for MW
Nuttymama, thats what we have and i do the same thing!!! lol  ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 2:20pm
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when i was working, we were forever calling the plumber to unblock the toilet due to tampons.....which is why i never flush mine either.
A- it would be sooo embarrassing B- can't afford a plumber C- this house is doomed and that's the sort of thing that WOULD go wrong if i did flush them
as for brands, i use pams or libra ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 2:22pm
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Okey dokey, you've convinced me. I don't know where I'd got my information from but I'm really grossed out by the idea of them all floating around in the environment.
------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 2:41pm
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Man i wish I knew where your info came from!!! Ive never heard of it thats all..
Glad to be have helped.. Somewhat! even if it is a totally gross subject lol------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 3:17pm
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Must confess I flush mine too (but then I am bad for the environment - I flush my nappy liners too ), and I use Libra altho I have no idea why, I've never actually tried any of the other brands.
I've never really been a big tampon user since I had kids tho, they just don't seem as comfy as they used to? I use them when I have to, but prefer pads. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 5:26pm
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I dont use tampons hate them
My ex is a plumber and he used to tell me all the time about how mnay drains he has had to unblock cos of tampons, they dont actually break down as they are designed to absorb, ya wouldnt want them breaking down inside you
So yeah I would be more inclined to wrap them up like a pad... Plumbers call them "White Mice" lol ------------- |
Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 5:42pm
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EW thats so gross!!!! white mice....
Yea, thats just what i was saying.. They ARE designed to absorb ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 6:01pm
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I don't use tampons either, I love my mooncup too much!!! I would second Nikki and check them out!!
When I used tampons I flushed them if at home though not when out, used the disposal unit in public loos. After these posts though, if I ever have to use a tampon again I will not be flusing them...that is so gross!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 6:13pm
| Ok, so I'm a heartless bitch... I'm a tampon flusher, and a sposie user and don't feel guilty about either of those things. |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 6:54pm
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Our work loo was recently unblocked from pad(s) We blame the clients!
I flush tampons too, that's basically why I use them. I was using tampax until I got my confidence up and now I use carefree, they are nice and little. Haven't tried the libra ones yet. If I'm going to be out for a long day (e.g. travelling out of town) I will put in a pad and a tampon so that I can just dispose of the tampon when it's full and have the pad for the next few hours (or however long) ------------- |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 7:48pm
| Is it scary that I can remember the last time I used tampons? end of october 2006! Have only had one AF since then. |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 8:27pm
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Thanks ladies, I felt a bit naive asking. I just assumed you couldn't flush them as in all the public toilets it says don't flush. Not sure if I am really that fussed on using them but Jack has just started swimming lessons and as it is mid-week and no one else can take him I just might have to. Not sure if I like the idea of a moon cup, will mull that one over. ------------- Lindsey
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:16pm
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I third the mooncup love. Got caught out at work the other day though and "borrowed" a tampon and have to say it wasn't nearly as comfortable! Didn't flush it though when I used to use them regularly I did, oops. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 08 May 2008 at 9:48pm
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If I am out and there is not bin I would flush them, but at home, wrap them up with toilie paper and put them in bin. Should get one of those moon cups one day.
I use libra, I like the organic ones as well but they are even more expensive. I just read on the instructions that they shouldn't be flushed. |
Posted By: NeoshasMummy
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 8:25am
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whoops didnt know u werent supposed to flush them No one ever told me and it never crossed my mind! ------------- https://secure.fertilityfriend.com/home/30c4ec/" rel="nofollow">  Mrs Te Kani ❤️ Neosha 26/5/2007 |
Posted By: lucky3rdtime
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 2:38pm
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I use tampons and flush them, I usually use libra as I find they are cheaper than carefree.
Okay so if you wrap them and dispose of them then where do you think they go? They don't just disappear whatever you do to them. If you bin them they go to landfill, so I don't really see the difference between flushing and binning, plus when you put them in those special bins in public toilets where do they go then? I was wondering if they break down over time, yes they are designed to soak up stuff but they have a limit of soaking up and aren't they made of cotton? I would have thought eventually they would breakdown, but I don't know. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: almostthere
Date Posted: 09 May 2008 at 2:58pm
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Well the only difference i see is this: WOuld you let your child play in a landfill? My guess is not. But you might take your child swimming in an ocean or in a river. THAT is where the treated producsts from the treatment plants go. Straight out into the environment. SO if your flushing them down the loo and they dont break down, your child may come accross this while swimming one day.,. Not a pretty thought.
Not that im trying to say that you're choice to flush them is wrong, but Im just trying to let you know what will happen if you do it.There is an affect of this behaviour thats all ------------- http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6">
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2128f6 - chart |