Stolen from MM: Do you flush tampons?

[Deleted]

I've always lived in old houses with sketchy plumbing so I learned quickly not to flush them because they can wreak havoc even on modern plumbing.

Our roommate's gf always flushes hers and I swear to god she is ALWAYS on her period when she comes over because the toilet always has problems when she's there.

One time they were leaving for ComiCon on a weekday while J and I were at work. I get a forwarded text in the afternoon from J that roommatehad sent him saying the toilet had overflowed but it wasn't "poo water" (read: tampon catastrophe) and they tried to clean it up with towels which were still in the machine but they just had to leave so could we pretty please clean it up.

Seeing as I get home from work first, *I* got to clean it up. And the floor was still all wet and the outside of the toilet bowl was covered in gross water reside. I still get angry just thinking about it.

Thank god he is moving out soon and we won't have to deal with her tampon shenanigans anymore.

[papie]

I used to. Then we bought this old house, and I had to stop. I couldn't stand putting bloody tampons in the garbage, so I switched to the diva cup.

[hisno1girl]

Yes. The size of a tampon is comparable to the amount of toilet paper one would use so what's the difference?

[pantsparty]

Yes. But if a bathroom looks older, I will wrap and throw them away.

That is so revolting. I also can't believe the balls on anyone to leave their own bathroom mess for someone else to clean up.

[fuckyourcouch]

yep. i've never had a problem.

[Deleted]

Wrap them up and throw them in the trash.

[Deleted]

um...yes. I do.

[wannabe]

i was just coming here to post about this! one poster over there was super condescending, and i was really irritated.

yes, i've always flushed them. if there's a sign somewhere that says not to, i'll follow instructions. but otherwise, flushy flushy mothafucka.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2013 12:01:43 GMT -5 hisno1girl said:

Yes. The size of a tampon is comparable to the amount of toilet paper one would use so what's the difference?

Tampons are much denser than just toilet paper, plus they absorb a shit ton of liquid and swell up which can cause them to block the pipes.

[circa1978]

At my house, yes. At other people's houses no. Because I have been the girl in FuckStick's story and it was awful.

ETA: Wait, except I was not all OMG breezy, can you clean this up for me? We did everything humanly possible to get the toilet to work again. But yeah, we couldn't get it fixed. It was at my H's godmother's house and he was all "It's no big deal! The toilet breaks all the time! Judi doesn't hate you!" 

But she does. 

[Deleted]

No. 

Our septic tank plugged a few times last year, and every time it was because of tampons. I stopped flushing them after the 3rd call to the guy. 

[papie]

Jan 29, 2013 12:01:43 GMT -5 hisno1girl said:

Yes. The size of a tampon is comparable to the amount of toilet paper one would use so what's the difference?

It just doesn't break down the same way.  I know our toilet kept clogging.  The fucking toilet even clogs if our turds are too big.  I've had plumbers check it and it is fine, I think it is a pipe issue. 

[iheartvino]

Ewwww. I can't believe she made you clean it up!

We don't flush in our house. It was built in the 50s and we need a serious upgrade in the plumbing department. We don't want to pay for it, since we plan on moving in a few years anyway, so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[revolution]

i always have and always will. I have never had an issue.

I don't know where I would put them if I didn't. Between the 1 year old and a dog - gross.

[loveday]

Newp. I have a septic system and an old house though. I'm switching to the Mooncup/ Diva Cup though so it won't be an issue any longer

[Deleted]

TBH I have zero issue with people doing it in their own house or public.. but our house is obviously old and obviously has plumbing issues; she's over often enough to know that. If you KNOW its going to be a problem, ESPECIALLY IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE, don't fucking flush it!


I have anger about this obv.

[jane6672]

No.

I ain't gonna clog up the plumbings.

[kellykapowski]

I do now because our townhouse (we're such losers!) is only 5 years old and I'm crossing my fingers nothing backs up.

But I rented an older house in college. With 3 other girls. Once, there was a tampon dam created in our sewer line because it was cracked and roots had grown in. Watching the plummer clear out that line was the most horrific experience of my life.

[bananapancakes]

I always have and have never had a problem. The only time I don't is when I am in a public place and there is a sign specifically asking me not to, otherwise, down it goes!

[iheartvino]

I also work in an old apartment/brothel turned into an office. We have a small staff and old plumbing, so we're asked not to flush. We have a lot of clients who come in for workforce assistance, and we have found weaves, fake fingernails, paper towels, wigs, etc clogging the toilet, so I'm not sure my tampon would really be much of an issue, but I'd rather not risk it.

[pantsparty]

Jan 29, 2013 12:06:27 GMT -5 mofongo said:

OMG, the last thing I want is somebody else's bloody tampon in my trash, ew

I always wrap mine really well and then put some additional TP on top. You should be so LUCKY to get my tampons in your trash!

[poppyseed]

I always have. I thought you were supposed to?

[demofea01]

Nope. I lived in fear of it fucking up my plumbing. Then I switched a cup so I don't have to deal with it anymore.

[poppyseed]

Oh, this also reminds me how badly I do not want a period ever again. It's been nice not having one over a year.

[Deleted]

I actually have hellacious Niagara style periods, but I've managed to work out a system so I don't end up looking like Carrie after changing my tampon. It involves a decent amount of toilet paper + the wrapper, patience, and quick reflexes.

[pinkflats]

I don't at our house because it is freaking old (we rent). The plumber was just out today dealing with a clog that has been building from tampons since before we lived there. I will flush them other places though.

[hisno1girl]

I have never in all my life even thought about not flushing a tampon. I'll add this to the list of things I've learned from TN/GBCN.

[EloiseWeenie]

I grew up in a 200 year old house, so I always wrapped them up, and threw them in the trash.

I still throw tampons out, out of habit. Plus, it's not worth any plumbing issues. Taking the trash out is easy, fixing plumbing/septic isn't.

[loveablesarah]

My H is a drain cleaner, so no. This is something he deals with on a daily basis at work. Toilet paper is designed to brake down so it doesn't clog the drains. Tampons do not brake down. They would be useless if they did.

But you all keep flushing them so my H keeps his busy at work. Obviously I'm kidding, there are others reasons for clogged drains - but he does spend a good amount of time on this issue.

[iamgrace]

We have a septic, so no. I hate the wrap and trash, though. I like flushing.