# Don't flush tampons you moron! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180 "2010-08-31T20:52:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/81 "2010-09-01T17:11:31Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I don’t buy pads period (see what I did there? ;)). But I think “fat crotch” comes from women who are wearing those big giant super mega pads for protection. Or maybe I’m wrong. It’s just something I’ve noticed from time to time. One of the modern marvels of science is pads (and diapers). When I was 15, pads were fat, puffy montrosities that allowed your period to sit on top and look back at ya. Nowadays, pads are whispy slips that literally _ **suck** _ up your period through a space age ‘dry weave’ and when you go to change your pad, it is dry to the touch and appears ‘clean’ on top!! Very thin and absorbent. I don’t know how they do it. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/82 "2010-09-01T17:13:47Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > > > I don’t buy pads period (see what I did there? ;)). But I think “fat crotch” comes from women who are wearing those big giant super mega pads for protection. Or maybe I’m wrong. It’s just something I’ve noticed from time to time. > > One of the modern marvels of science is pads (and diapers). When I was 15, pads were fat, puffy montrosities that allowed your period to sit on top and look back at ya. Nowadays, pads are whispy slips that literally _ **suck** _ up your period through a space age ‘dry weave’ and when you go to change your pad, it is dry to the touch and appears ‘clean’ on top!! Very thin and absorbent. I don’t know how they do it. Witch craft. Ok, maybe I’m just being judgmental and making assumptions about women who, in reality, really do just have fat crotches (ain’t nothing wrong with that). I suppose I just assumed if there was a fat square on their hoot, it was a pad. I still think that, of course, but I’ll be more open minded in the future :). ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/83 "2010-09-01T17:22:55Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Especially considering it starts to break down the minute you insert it into your vagina to do its job. What? Me? Angry at bad experiences with cardboard applicators? NEVER! 😛 Weird–I use cardboard applicators almost exclusively these days (though I used the plastic ones when I was younger), and I’ve never had them fall apart or buckle. > [@Broomstick](#): > > Actually, given my profession, it’s more like ugly grand_pa_ pants (I’ve yet to see Carhart in the women’s department), but when I’m not being a butch contractor I do sometimes wear skirts or dresses which, believe it or not, don’t show cameltoe or menstrual products through the fabric. Are you fucking retarded? A miniskirt that barely makes it past your crotch wouldn’t show a pad. We’re talking about \*pants \*and your bizarre attitudes about what kinds are appropriate, attractive, and fasionable. > [@torie](#): > > Seriously, modern pads are so thin and unobtrusive that I forget I’m wearing them most of the time? Where on earth are you guys buying pads? 1.) The kind they stock in ridiculously expensive dispensers–which is about the only time I’ll wear them anymore–are usually the old thick kind, IME. 2.) Women whose flow is heavy enough that they have to back up a tampon with a pad usually can’t get by with one of the ultrathin modern ones. > [@Broomstick](#): > > Uh, right - until a clog happens. There are a lot of words I’d used to describe a clogged or overflowing toilet. “Clean”, “hygienic”, and “efficient” are not among them. And a plumber charging hundreds of dollars to fix it isn’t trivial. Neither is the repair bill for any “collateral” damage caused by flooding from overflows, which can run into the _thousands_ of dollars. And what’s \*soooo haaaaaaaaaard \*about \*asking \*me not to flush a tampon (or posting a sign to that effect) at a location where that’s likely to happen because you have shitty plumbing? > [@](#): > > And of course, delicate YOU will not be the one doing all the fixing, right? Nope, because \*my \*plumbing isn’t so shit that it can’t handle a fucking tampon. > [@](#): > > Because if you can’t handle dealing with your own used tampon I sure as hell can’t see you plunging a toilet, cleaning up raw sewage, snaking a piper, or replacing a pipe. Can and have plunged toilets and cleaned up raw sewage, though not frequently on the former ‘cause I’m not a moron who flushes stupid things, and not since I moved out of my parents’ houses on the latter, since I know how to stop a toilet that looks like it’s about to overflow. I _also_, FWIW, \*have \*had a job that included cleaning a unisex bathroom (at a coffeeshop). Haven’t snaked or replaced a pipe because I rent, and one of the privileges that comes with the exorbitant price I pay every month is that someone else does that for me. Short of the time they had to come help me remove the disposable-but-not-flushable cleaning thing I stupidly flushed without checking that it could be flushed, the only time my building’s maintenance has had to come by was when I was having a problem that turned out to be something related to something being cracked and they replaced the whole damn thing. (I don’t remember the details 'cause I was sick as a dog and spent most of the repair half-passed-out in my bed praying I didn’t start puking again before they finished whatever they were doing.) I \*can \*deal with my own bodily wastes. Because you’re selectively illiterate, I’ll remind you \*yet again \*that I \*can and do \*dispose of my tampons in garbage cans when \*specifically \*requested to do so because \*that location \*can’t handle them. But, because I live in a civilized fucking country with modern fucking plumbing, I’m not going to \*wallow \*in them when I don’t \*have \*to. As far as I’m concerned, telling me that I should never flush tampons because \*some \*systems that are old, poorly designed, or in poor repair can’t handle them is rather like insisting that \*all \*drivers should maintain 10 seconds of distance from other cars because if your brakes suck, it’s going to take you longer to stop. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/84 "2010-09-01T17:23:16Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Witch craft. Have I ever told you that you just kills me. You crack me up. But, I don’t doubt that there are women out there rocking some fatty pads. I was just hippin’ you to the fact that there is some serious advances being made in the the slimmy pad area. [QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] women who, in reality, really do just have fat crotches (ain’t nothing wrong with that). [/QUOTE] Now see, if I were the type to have a sig… ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/85 "2010-09-01T17:30:10Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Weird–I use cardboard applicators almost exclusively these days (though I used the plastic ones when I was younger), and I’ve never had them fall apart or buckle. I have a very acidic vagina, it appears. > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > > > Witch craft. > > Have I ever told you that you just kills me. You crack me up. My acid vagina, too tight pants, and I are here to please, m’lady! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/86 "2010-09-01T17:45:51Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I have a very acidic vagina, it appears. And the sig-quotable lines _just keep coming_. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/87 "2010-09-01T18:07:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > > > Translation: I wear ugly grandma pants, and so should you, you filthy harlot. > > Actually, given my profession, it’s more like ugly grand_pa_ pants (I’ve yet to see Carhart in the women’s department), but when I’m not being a butch contractor I do sometimes wear skirts or dresses which, believe it or not, don’t show cameltoe or menstrual products through the fabric. Carhart does make women’s clothes. I have nothing to add to the tampon discussion, but I noticed that the last time I was in Sportsman’s Warehouse. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/88 "2010-09-01T18:36:19Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > How can people can claim that because their tampon package says go ahead and flush, it’s fine, and they can ignore everyone else who says it’s not so based on experience? I suppose they also believe that Frosted Flakes are part of a balanced diet and sugar gives you energy and BP is looking out for your best interests. Even if it doesn’t clog the pipes in the home, it will end up clogging the municipal works, which has been confirmed by an engineer. It’s not that. It’s more like, we should listen to the so-called experts, or a bunch of random people on the Internet? (Not that I am saying Tampax knows all, but you get my drift). I am still not fully convinced that flushing them is going to destroy non-septic systems but I am willing to error on the side of caution…but I don’t know, I don’t really listen to the Internet for advice on everything! I try and listen to every side and figure it out myself. In this case, it makes sense to err on the side of caution when I can. And I haven’t noticed that about pads, at all, Nzinga. Yes, I know they are supposed to do that, but the last time I used pads, which was about two years ago (it was on a whim) I found the exact same, disgusting thing - the blood just sits on top and stares at you and goes nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/89 "2010-09-01T18:47:26Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@Anaamika](#): > > > > I can’t believe this is Guns’ first posting. Hell, I got pitted for a throwaway comment in an IMHO thread, and Guns is way snarkier than I am. 😉 > > Guns serves up more snark before breakfast than you have in your entire life. I can’t imagine why you would be pitted, but congrats! > [@Anaamika](#): > > > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > > Guns serves up more snark before breakfast than you have in your entire life. I can’t imagine why you would be pitted, but congrats! > > I try not to be snarky on this website. 🙂 Really, I try to limit my snarkiness in general - it just isn’t my way. > > I was pitted for saying “organized religion is worse than organized crime”, in an IMO thread. And I didn’t see it for like three days - so by then the Pitting was just about over.\ > [@Bosstone](#): > > Man, I was all excited when I heard **Guns** had her first pitting. Then I discovered it was the thread whose title I’d been studiously avoiding the past several days. > > You suck, **gaffa**. I got pitted for being a big, fat racist. Beat that, bitches. ---
**Author:** ![heatmiserfl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@heatmiserfl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heatmiserfl)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/90 "2010-09-01T18:55:49Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > > [@Sateryn76](#): > > > > TMI! > > > > Here’s a question…on heavy days, your hands can get messy just changing and flushing the tampon. At home, I can lean over to the sink and rinse my fingers. In a public stall…??? > > > > I have wrapped my tampons, but thankfully it was at my sister’s house (septic system) and I could lean into the sink to rinse. I have no idea what I would do in a stall. > > > > I can wipe my fingers with the .5 micron-ply toilet paper, but blood stinks under the nails. How do I pull up my pants and go to the sink with a bunch of blood on my hands? Do you want that touching your stall doors? > > > > I always flush. Sorry guys, but my periods are too heavy to dick around with that kind of stress. > > Have you considered the zip-lock bag mentioned previously? Treat it like dog shit > [ol] > [li]open the bag [/li][li]grasp the bottom of the bag with one hand [/li][li]fold the rest back over your fingers[/li][li]pull tampon out with your nicely plastic-covered fingers[/li][li]pull bag closed [/li][li]zip bag shut[/li][li]throw bag in trash[/li][/ol] > > Seems easy enough. Yeah, why is this considered difficult? Instead of a bag, I use a little toilet paper. We have signs not to flush tampons. I would definitely clog the pipes in my house. Even too much toilet paper clogs but it rips up much easier than a tampon. I’ve never flushed a tampon. I thought no one did for obvious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/91 "2010-09-01T19:14:47Z")
> [@heatmiserfl](#): > > > [@gaffa](#): > > > > Have you considered the zip-lock bag mentioned previously? Treat it like dog shit > > [ol] > > [li]open the bag [/li][li]grasp the bottom of the bag with one hand [/li][li]fold the rest back over your fingers[/li][li]pull tampon out with your nicely plastic-covered fingers[/li][li]pull bag closed [/li][li]zip bag shut[/li][li]throw bag in trash[/li][/ol] > > > > Seems easy enough. > > Yeah, why is this considered difficult? Instead of a bag, I use a little toilet paper. We have signs not to flush tampons. I would definitely clog the pipes in my house. Even too much toilet paper clogs but it rips up much easier than a tampon. I’ve never flushed a tampon. I thought no one did for obvious reasons. It’s not hard, its messy and sometimes smelly, and sometimes you get a stall/bathroom that doesn’t have the needed materials, like a garbage can or toilet paper that is able to stand up to Day 2 of my period. It’s like a slaughterhouse in there, sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/92 "2010-09-01T19:36:32Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > > [@needscoffee](#): > > > > How can people can claim that because their tampon package says go ahead and flush, it’s fine, and they can ignore everyone else who says it’s not so based on experience? I suppose they also believe that Frosted Flakes are part of a balanced diet and sugar gives you energy and BP is looking out for your best interests. Even if it doesn’t clog the pipes in the home, it will end up clogging the municipal works, which has been confirmed by an engineer. > > It’s not that. It’s more like, we should listen to the so-called experts, or a bunch of random people on the Internet? (Not that I am saying Tampax knows all, but you get my drift). I am still not fully convinced that flushing them is going to destroy non-septic systems but I am willing to error on the side of caution…but I don’t know, I don’t really listen to the Internet for advice on everything! I try and listen to every side and figure it out myself. In this case, it makes sense to err on the side of caution when I can. > > And I haven’t noticed that about pads, at all, Nzinga. Yes, I know they are supposed to do that, but the last time I used pads, which was about two years ago (it was on a whim) I found the exact same, disgusting thing - the blood just sits on top and stares at you and goes nowhere. If your blood is \*staring \*at you, you may have bigger problems than flushing vs. not flushing. Please see a doctor about your eyeballfull blood. That just can’t be normal, and may be a symptom of something. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/93 "2010-09-01T19:38:03Z")
Perhaps I can suggest a [compromise.](http://www.phototravels.net/japan/sumo/japan-sumo-p-68.3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/94 "2010-09-01T19:41:10Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Perhaps I can suggest a [compromise.](http://www.phototravels.net/japan/sumo/japan-sumo-p-68.3.jpg) I am _mortified._ Where did you get that picture of me in my tight pants? **Broomstick** took it when she saw me, didn’t she? :mad: :dubious: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/95 "2010-09-01T19:51:07Z")
Oh great, now we’re gonna have to have another waxing thread, aren’t we? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/96 "2010-09-01T21:16:19Z")
We do once your leg hair starts staring back at you. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/97 "2010-09-01T21:21:36Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > We do once your leg hair starts staring back at you. Don’t judge me!!! ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/98 "2010-09-01T22:28:01Z")
> [@](#): > > 1.) The kind they stock in ridiculously expensive dispensers–which is about the only time I’ll wear them anymore–are usually the old thick kind, IME. > > 2.) Women whose flow is heavy enough that they have to back up a tampon with a pad usually can’t get by with one of the ultrathin modern ones. 1. Oh no, those suck. They usually don’t even have the wings. I go to Big Lots or another one of the discount stores near me and get the new modern fancy super ultra mega suck uppy weave ones on the cheap. 2. I have no frame of reference for how heavy my period is compared to others, but I think mine is pretty hardcore and I do ok with a pad. Granted, I’m changing it every 3 hours on the first couple of days, but they work ok for me. On the latter days, I can use the small tampons and I’m comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/99 "2010-09-01T22:34:18Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > And I haven’t noticed that about pads, at all, Nzinga. Yes, I know they are supposed to do that, but the last time I used pads, which was about two years ago (it was on a whim) I found the exact same, disgusting thing - the blood just sits on top and stares at you and goes nowhere. Some brands do it better than others. I’m using Stayfree Super Long Ultra Dry Weave somethingorother and it sucks everything up so fast. Keeps it away from my skin, which is nice. The Kotex ones in the fancy packages and fun colors SUCK for that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180/100 "2010-09-01T22:51:52Z")
> [@torie](#): > > Some brands do it better than others. I’m using Stayfree Super Long Ultra Dry Weave somethingorother and it sucks everything up so fast. Keeps it away from my skin, which is nice. The Kotex ones in the fancy packages and fun colors SUCK for that, though. Right. You mentioned lack of wings, but Always ultra thin with wings has the patented dry weave technology (yes I did just say that) and they are awesome. They also have the superlong overnight ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-flush-tampons-you-moron/552180.md?page=6)