I have completely forgotten about periods. I have had a Mirena coil for years – but I know the coil isn’t for everyone for a variety of reasons.
Like my friend Melissa, who simply cannot bear the thought of the procedure or, frankly, the idea that there is a twiggy bit of plastic poking around in there. She was raving the other day about her washable sanitary pads. They’re so great, she said, in every way.
She uses pads from Honour Your Flow, (I’d be very scathing about this name, but that would be horrible and 90s of me), which come in jazzy colours and are secured in the underwear with poppers. She says they are delightful and she is quite fussy. A bit of research also led me to these, which come very highly rated on Amazon but I don’t have a personal recommendation for them.
I did try a menstrual cup, back when I had periods, and it was absolutely the most terrible and painful thing ever. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I must be quite the wrong shape for one. I did, however, quite often use a pair of period pants from ModiBodi, just for the last few irritating days and thought they were great.
Just as an aside, if anyone is interesting in having a coil fitted but a bit wary about the procedure this was my experience: I had it fitted privately and I recommend Dr Thomas Ind. I also recommend taking painkiller before you go in – I took a maximum Ibuprofen dose ten minutes before going in and was broadly high for the entire thing. Everyone is different and although having a coil isn’t my favourite thing to do, I didn’t have a bad experience. Not having to think about periods ever again, except on behalf of other people, makes it totally worth it.
How about you? Are you on the washables yet?
p.s. a small housekeeping issue: a lot of readers tell me that they have stopped getting the Spike in their inbox. I would be super, SUPER grateful if you were able to take 2 secs to leave a note in the comments if you have STOPPED receiving the mail-out, when once you did. Or if you signed up and never even got one, or any other mail-out anomaly. Thank you most graciously in advance.
this is the first email ive had for ages….
I’ve stopped receiving the Spike emails 😢
Thanks Erika, did you receive this post as a mail-out?
This is the first Spike I have received for ages!
SO happy to see you are back as I haven’t had one of these in ages….
I stopped getting emails. I was a bit worried about you… Glad it’s back!
This is the first Spike I’ve seen for a LONG time and I didn’t opt out. Great to see you back in my inbox x
I haven’t had an email for ages, maybe six months? But I did get this one! I thought you’d just stopped posting.
First Spike today for months, I think! So thank you and I’ll look forward to reading more.
Angie
I use period pants and while they are 1000 times better than towels or tampons, I hate the smell they retain within an hour of putting them on. That being said, it’s the only thing I don’t like about them and I’m happy to keep on using them until I hit the menopause and never have to think about periods again! 😅
I got this to my email and have been getting it (I think) every time you post.
thanks Anna, that’s ALL very useful to know! which period pants are you using, just out of interest?
See – this is my worry about them – smell!! Also, having used reusable nappies for both of my babies I just associate the two with each other and for that reason, I’m out. The period pants are basically identical to reusable incontinence pants too – and I can’t get past that.
Also, my designer en-suite basin is unsuitable for use as a makeshift laundry, and what if I get blood splatter on the oiled American oak bench top? I’m very eco-conscious about everything else, so I’m afraid this is the hill I’m going to die on.
P.S I haven’t had an email for aaaaages. Glad you’re back!
Frances I want your bathroom
I’m not sure you do – It’s had no door since 2017…
Period pants really do smell like death from the get-go. They’re ok for at home and as backup for tampons (and really excellent overnight), but I’d never wear them to the office. (Apart from anything else, you might have to change the whole pair, and then where are you?)
I’ve stopped getting the emails! I did wonder what had happened.
Thanks Leona, did you get this post as a mail-out?
Hi, this is the first email I’ve received from you in ages! Glad you’re back.
I have stopped receiving your email and would like to be put back on your mailing list please
Thanks Lene – did you receive this post as a mail-out?
Hi, I wondered whether you’d stopped writing, I haven’t received any emails for months and I definitely signed up (and used to get them). Anyway, will be glad to receive them again! 🙂
Thanks Raphaela – did you receive this post as a mail-out?
This is the first mail ive had since April 🤷♀️
was that last one about the book How to Talk so Kids will Listen? sorry to interrogate you
very sporadic, this is first one in a while
I haven’t received an email from months and assumed it was part of your (much lamented) break from SM
Thanks Katie, did you receive this post as an email?
Hey, yes I stopped receiving the emails. Except this one?
aha, so this one got through?
Yes I did – I did add a PS below as thought might be useful to you
So glad to see this as I hadn’t received anything for ages. Great to have you back!
Hi Esther
I have stopped receiving the Spike and miss you.
Hi. This is the first mail-out I’ve received from you for months. I thought perhaps you’d taken a sabbatical!
No periods.The only positive outcome of the menopause.
I haven’t had a Spike email for months. Assumed you’d stopped for whatever reason.
Thanks Liz, but this one came through as a mail-out?
This is the first email I have received from you for months!
PS I did receive your latest as an email katie
Thanks Katie x
Hi Esther, I stopped receiving it, went to check on line to see if you had gone silent, saw you were still posting and resubscribed and have got them since. I didn’t get this one twice though.
Thanks so much Caro that is very useful to know
Like Caro, I hadn’t heard from you and checked online and re-subscribed. Emails do come through now but go to spam whereas before they came straight to email?
This is the first email I have had for ages, I have been subscribed to The Spike for a while and haven’t received an email in quite some time.
Lovely to finally get one though, I had been missing them your posts are fabulous.
Eve x
Thank you Eve, the sudden stop of mail-outs has been a very puzzling tech-fail
Hi Esther, I’m not sure when the emails stopped but today’s is the first I’ve received for yonks.
Thanks Marley
Yes I stopped receiving these ages ago and missed them. Things must have changed since I used a coil years ago as my periods continued as normal.
Hi Esther – I used to receive emails from the Spike but this is the first one in ages. Haven’t tried washable pads yet (a bit scared). Laura
This is the first email I’ve had about the Spike for ages. I think my last one was back in April. I’m scared of both the coil and washable pads!
that is perfectly understandable
This is the first spike email i’ve had in aaaaaaages – nice to have you back 🙂
Hi Esther, I’ve been a subscriber since Recipe Rifle days and I got this post as an email but it’s the first I’ve received in several months.
Thank you Susie x
Hi Esther
This is the first Spike email I’ve had in months. I actually thought you must have stopped writing them. Now I will have to go through the archives and see what I’ve missed!
I’m afraid I am an evangelical cup user. It took a while to get used to, but I am now in that irritating smug camp of chucking it in and forgetting about it all day. Cloth pads from Imse Vimse are good too.
If it helps, I got this mail-out, but somehow haven’t had any others for a few months. Gremlins!
Stopped
Hi, this is the first article I’ve had come through to my inbox for ages. They stopped randomly a couple of months ago but hope it’s all now back on.
This is the first mail out I’ve received in what seems like months – glad the process is working again.
I stopped getting the emails a few months ago, so I followed the link in an old Spike email that said “manage subscriptions” and it took me to a page of all the threads I’d followed plus the page itself. I deleted everything on there then re-subscribed and it’s been fine for me since. Hope that helps rather than confuses the issue.
It’s all very helpful. It’s been a very strange technical issue that has been difficult to identify and buried very deep into random website code, I am so glad it’s working again, such a relief. I am so frightened of technology
Hi,
I haven’t had your email for a few months, most of summer? I thought you were having a loooong holiday!
I mean, I was certainly pretty lazy over the summer…
This was the first mail out I received in a while, glad to see you haven’t stopped writing!
This is my first notification since March, I always got them before that.
This came to my inbox, but it is the first one since April.
I’ve stopped getting the mailout for some reason, haven’t had it for months – I was really pleased to see it in my inbox again today!
Hi this is the first time in a few months I’ve received the Spike! Not sure why x
Ooh this is the first mail-out I’ve received since the Decree Teen skin one, I think that was in April…?
First email I’ve had in months! So glad! X
I’m still using Tampax- the ones with the plastic applicator- which I think is probably the worst thing possible and I will go to eco hell. On coils, I’ve had two fitted, one by a nurse which was completely fine and one by my gynaecologist who did it straight after removing a polyp and it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced, worse than having a baby with no drugs, and I screamed the place down which is very much not like me. No idea what the difference was except that perhaps doing the polyp and coil on the same day was a big mistake.
On emails, I realised recently ago that I hadn’t had one for ages so signed up again and now it’s working fine.
I had stopped receiving it, missed the last four, but did get a notification for today so the problem seems to have been fixed. Enjoying reading the posts again.
I actually got this one, but haven’t received a notification for ages (so a job lot of posts was a nice surprise as I have a 5 yr old off with what could be covid but is probably a cold and the almost two year old is going mental at being stuck in doors)
I stopped getting email updates, not sure how long ago. Pleased to see I have a ton of posts to catch up on though, good stuff.
Good to hear from you. Yes, until today I haven’t received an ‘on the spike’ email for a while.
Got this one, but haven’t had one in ages.
(A mail out, that is, not a period. Ba dum-tish!)
I did stop receiving them! Only realised now that I got this one…
I stopped receiving them in my inbox ages ago, I thought you’d just gone quiet. You do make me laugh so was overjoyed to see you there again just now!
This is my first Spike in AGES, just suddenly appeared and I’m thrilled. I assumed you’d stopped it x
Well, I was pretty lazy over the summer but no not stopped, though I was a bit bummed out by the rock-bottom traffic and then discovers that the mail-outs have stopped working! it’s been a very emotional few months
Oh esther 🙁 As associated issue is I can’t see posts until 24 hours later. Don’t know if this affects others
This is the first I have had for a few months. Nice to get it back again.
Yes this is the first Spike mail in a looong time. I’m sorry, I cannot trace back when the one before this one was. (But you’re allowed a break of course!)
Ede
the Netherlands
I stopped recieving by e-mail for last couple of months I think. But this one came through fine.
Used to get your newsletter regularly and this is the first one I’ve seen in months and months. Do I need to re-subscribe?
Maureen
Hi Maureen, no I don’t think so, it ought to be fine from now on – it was some internal website switch that I think was accidentally flicked off or something. I really honestly don’t understand
I stopped receiving the email.
Thanks Chris, but this post came through on email?
This is the first Spike I’ve seen in ages! Xx
Stopped
Thanks Anna, did you receive this post as a mail-out?
I think I might be one of those people who were signed up for ‘On the Spike’ and haven’t received anything from you lately – apart from the above article. I just thought you were taking a break! Will be looking at your site now to catch up and see what I might have missed!
Hi Esther – did stop receiving any direct to inbox. Pre summer I think. Details again below.
Hi Esther
I was only thinking about you the other day as Ive stopped receiving your emails. Lovely to get this one x
I haven’t received anything from you for ages! Glad I got this one.
Hm, until today, I last received The Spike on April 1st…..make of that what you will
Hi Esther, I stopped receiving emails for a while but have received this one! Thanks for the eco period insight. Re-usable pads have worked for me in the past. Don’t get periods either due to the mini-pill, which is the best thing ever, for me!
Hi Esther – lovely to receive your Spike email today – I am one of those people who stopped receiving them months ago, having been signed up from the start – and having missed you, had to resort to keep checking to see if you had posted anything … Just tried to click on the icon to log in and it advised me that I am an “unknown or deleted user”. Hope that helps. x
I use a Mooncup- it’s taken about 4 cycles to get the hang of it but now I think it’s amazing, especially as now I have the copper coil my periods are much heavier. I know some have tried a variety of brands before finding the best one for them.
I am in my first month of trying out the EcoLily pads you have linked. They are a little bulky but as comfortable as sanitary pads can be (much better than the disposable ones). I plan on wearing mostly at night. I’ve just bought a little laundry bag to wash them in so they all stay together and so I don’t find one randomly stuck up a trouser leg.
As an aside- I found the coil insertion ok- it was a little uncomfortable but not as bad as I had worked myself up to think it would be. I took 2 painkillers beforehand which I think combined with a very experienced GP helped massively.
This is the first one I’ve received in ages.
Hello! I stopped receiving the mails in late 2020 and recently re-signed up and now getting them again.
On the Mirena, I had a terrible experience on the mini-pill and nearly lost my mind so now am very averse to any progesterone-only options, especially one I can’t stop using without a medical procedure. Would be interested to know how Mirena affects mood. Drs (we know how they love to enthuse about the mirena) have told me it’s low dose so I’d probably be fine, but I’m doubtful. Mooncup for me – I’ve used one since about 2004 (not the same one!) and love it!
Haven’t had an email from you for ages so it’s nice to get one again
First Spike I have received in months. Good to hear you again
I got this post as a mail but the last one I had before this was back in April! I’ve missed you! I didn’t unsubscribe so it’s a mystery why they stopped coming through.
Hi Esther, I stopped getting the emails (haven’t had any for a few months) until this one popped up today. Off now to see what I’ve missed xx
Hello and actually now you come to mention it I have not received a Spike email since April, although I got the one you sent today. I thought you might be taking a break but maybe there is a far more sinister reason! Please re-subscribe me as I love getting your emails!
I started using Modibodi period underwear during the first lockdown, and now that things have started getting a bit erratic in that department (I’m 47) they’re a godsend. Super-convenient, hardly any night leakage and only slightly gross when I rinse them before chucking them in a wash with towels.
Hi Esther. Have never posted before but I absolutely love your writing and have really missed reading your posts whenever you’ve had a little hiatus. I used to get the mailout but stopped receiving them some time ago, possibly back in April? Think the last one I received may have been about “Sentimental Garbage” (binged it on your recommendation and am sure it’s the only thing that got me through the longest summer of all time). The glitch hasn’t stopped me reading your Spike posts though – I’ve just resorted to religiously checking for updates!
L x
STOPPED
Hurray, I got the email! I haven’t been getting your alerts so thought you had stopped writing spike posts.
Keep meaning to buy those period pants. I have awful periods but am a worse person if I take birth control hormones, plus husband has had the snip (also, does anyone really have sex anymore after this effing pandamic?!), so I persevere whilst getting cross at the waste and the amount of plastic one period can somehow generate. Must buy those pants..
This is the first one I’ve had in several months.
Hi. I wondered where you had gone! I’d stopped receiving emails until today. Thanks for this.
Commenting as requested, albeit with something revolting. I tend to use washable pads in conjunction with a mooncup which mostly work pretty well. The pads probably need replacing after a while. Period pants also excellent for nighttime or the last day or two.
These things do… put you in touch with your periods in what feels like a slightly retrospective way. You’re more aware of… quantity, for example. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – there is some pride in regarding the contents of one’s mooncup. And it’s made my husband more aware of how boring and relentless the whole thing is, which is character building for him.
However, I do keep an emergency box of tampons in the cupboard for a treat. My attitude is: if I use two instead of 15 any given month, that’s a win.
This is the first email I’ve had from you in yonks- just assumed you had stopped the spike, but very pleased to find this email in my inbox today x
I got this one into my inbox but now I come to think of it I haven’t seen anything else for ages.
I had just assumed that you’d gone quiet! I’ve missed your missives.
I did receive today’s in my email inbox, but none before that for ages. When I still needed it, I found Mooncup suited me very well. Thrilled to be postmenopausal now, as I hated all that!
I have stopped receiving your mail-out for quite some time. It used to arrive in my inbox with welcoming regularity.
I have definitely stopped receiving the Spike in my inbox and I’ve missed it! I just assumed life was getting in the way but, thanks to your Instagram post, have now caught up on the many posts I had no idea about. So lovely to have your voice back. x
I haven’t been receiving them recently, how strange!
I have stopped getting the emails. But I got this one!
I haven’t had one for a long time (months) but assumed you were busy doing other things
Delighted you’re back, thought you’d gone off us, not had any spike-fox for months!
Well the feeling was mutual! I was very bummed out by the zero traffic, I thought everyone hated me. it was rather a long road to discovering what the problem was. it’s been emotional!
This is the first one I’ve received in ages…….
Hi Esther I seem to have stopped receiving them.
I haven’t received the mailout since April
Hi-so glad you are back, first email in ages. X
Yes stopped getting it xx
First time to receive a newsletter in a very long time. Thanks!
I have also had a mirena for years and had mine fitted and changed with my gp. Best thing I ever did. I had horrendously heavy periods and it was like being handed my life back. My career has moved on leaps and bounds because I’m not scared to apply for jobs because I’m worried about having to leave meetings to change sanitary towels or tampons, let alone travelling on trains.
Haven’t received the email in ages! Was a pleasant surprise to get it today 😊
Esther, my regular mailer from you disappeared so I re-registered.
Hello – this is the first email I’ve received from you in months – did wonder if you’d stopped
I just thought a few days ago that I hadn’t seen anything from you in months and thought I should go to the website to see what was up. I don’t know how many months but I want to say at least three.
I haven’t had a Spike email since January. V happy to hear from you again 🙂 I also think period pants are a revelation …
I haven’t had an email from the spike since April
Weirdly, this is the first update I have received in ages – perhaps it has fixed itself? I was beginning to think you had retired The Spike – now I see I have lots of catching up to do (yay!).
Hi, I used to always receive The Spike but this is the first posting I’ve had for absolutely ages. Always enjoy reading it, Catherine
Hello Esther, SO glad to be finally receiving your email alerts again. Today was the first time in months I received one – I don’t know whether this is because yesterday I re-subscribed, having been alerted by a recent Insta story you did about said dodgy email alerting system?? Anyhow, so happy to be back reading the Spike again. Can very much confirm the life changing nature of reusable period pads. My periods became unpredictable due to peri menopause so I was forever getting caught out with no pads on hand – never have to worry about this now. I’ve used Moominz and Mama Designs (both rather skin-pricklingly twee names, but brilliantly functional products) and now would never go back.
the branding on almost all of these eco friendly things is very very bad
I stopped getting the mail outs! Glad to see you haven’t stopped writing the posts though.
Yep, the last mail-out I received before this was the Daydream one.
I was going to say welcome back until I read to the end!
The last Spike email I received was April 6th….just put it down to crappy life stuff taking hold, I do check spam occasionally and no sign of your emails hiding away
Have now realised I missed out on a load of great bits and laughs (must go to website more often!)
Anyway welcome back to me, hope email situ will sort itself x
Also thanks for the period info, been threatening to do something more eco friendly for months now…..but we’ll crappy life stuff and all that!
First e.mail since perhaps June ,I’d assumed you were having a summer break so great posts are functioning/resumed , so enjoy reading and tips ,
Vanita
Hi Esther, I thought you were just being quiet & dealing with life but now have FOMO on all the emails I’ve missed out on! Last email I had from The Spike was in April ‘How to listen so kids talk’ don’t you love it when tech goes wrong? Eye roll. Great to have you back, even though you’ve never been away, apparently! H x
I haven’t received one of these emails in a long while! Lovely to have you back. Emma
Hello….
Just to answer your question re emails….this is the first one I have had for a long time.
Thanks
Sue
I haven’t received an email from you in ages but got this via email just like I used to! How can we see all the ones we missed?!
I haven’t gotten the Spike for many months! Today’s was the first since… June??? May??
I haven’t received Spike for months. I thought you had stopped writing for the summer.
Stopped
I haven’t had an email from you in months – possibly not even 1 this year?! Time is weird for me now and as I delete emails once read I can’t be a 100% sure, but it’s definitely been ages. I thought you’d disappeared as there’s usually something from you about school starting or useful Things for the summer hols.
I haven’t made the leap to eco period products but with a tween in the house, who could be starting ANY DAY now and who is fiercely eco-conscious, I will be doing some investigating. Maybe a post about good products for tweens and what the hell do they do when they have swimming lessons??!?! I can’t find anything on google and I just know it will become a Thing if I don’t have a ready answer for Miss 11 (as of tomorrow!) and the enthusiasm towards swimming in general is pretty neutral as it is. TIA x
Yes they seem to have stopped coming…..thought you were taking a break over the UK summer
I haven’t received onthespike for ages, so a lovely surprise when this one popped into my inbox
I haven’t received one in months. I thought you’d stopped them. Glad to hear it was a technical glitch, so now I can now go in and read the backlog.
Hi Esther, This is the first time I get an email from you since I signed up back in April. Cheers, Lola
Hi, I have stopped getting your very enjoyable posts but great to see this one.
Collette
Yes, I had wondered where you’d gone. I haven’t had an email for months. Happy to see this today!
I was surprised to see an email today with your latest blog post. I haven’t received them in almost a year!
Hello! It was lovely to get this in my inbox this morning, as it has been many months since I have! I went to the website and see that I have catching up to do!
Stopped hitting the inbox in June. Thought you were on hols!
Hello! I stopped getting emails – strangely I received one for this post but not for the previous ones for months now.
I’m on a cup and washables and it’s good to be able to feel smug about at least something about having a period. Of course I’m also on tranexamic acid to slow the bleeding down as post-children things are WAY out of control.
Speaking of anomalies, at around the same time that the email stopped working, your latest post stopped showing on your webpage. So currently I can only get to this post through the link in the email, but if I go to the web address it shows the latest post as Social Media. No idea why.
Yes same for me. And it didn’t show any comments even though there were tons via email.
Your other recent new posts, I only saw because you posted about them on instagram, and ordinarily I would have received an email but for THIS post I did get the email.
I didn’t get emails for Knitted Vest or Back to Work 1 and 2 but am now getting them once more. Hurray!
I’ve not had any mail outs for ages (about 6 months) – I thought you’d stopped blogging!
I subscribe and haven’t received a mail out for months, I assumed you were taking a break! Nice to hear from you again :).
On the subject of washable pads, there are many many charities involved in the making and distributing of “period kits” to girls and young women in developing countries and in the UK- overseas crucially so the girls can continue their education rather than take the whole week off school. Period poverty is a huge issue all over the world and it makes me so sad, it’s such a basic thing that is hardly ever even thought of.
Anyone who’s ever had a cup, how do you deal with the washing of it in public places and the workplace?? I’d love to try one but that’s the issue that worries me
Re cup washing in public places, it rarely needs changing between first thing in the morning – bedtime so not really an issue.
Mine does need emptying during the day and I am usually at work / in a public place. I tend to either go to the disabled loos (where there is a sink in the loo) or if that’s not possible then I wipe it out with loo roll and just wash it next time.
Hi, I got email notifications before but now don’t! I saw your post link on Instagram. Strange, I thought you hadn’t been posting for a while!
I stopped getting the email on 6th April
This is the first Spike I’ve received for ages
I have been using
Yes I have not been getting emails from you
I’ve been using reusable pads and a Diva Cup for years and years now – I know what you mean about the cup being painful and horrid, it can occasionally feel a bit bruising if you use it all day, day after day, but I now try to have breaks and have got the hang of getting it in and out without feeling all battered. There are loads around, some much softer than others, so you should definitely be able to find one to suit you. My favourite pads are from Bloom & Nora – https://www.bloomandnora.com/ – they are fab and you can also get them in Holland and Barrett.
Yes this is the first one I have received for ages.
A big thumbs up for the coil from me. Haven’t looked back since got it 3 years ago and no more periods which is a complete godsend
Hi Esther. I got the mail out for this post but it was the first one I’d got in months. Think the last one was maybe April.
I tried the Mirena but had to get it taken out because not only did I bleed 25 days of each month for over a year on it, every time I sneezed I had to go to the gp as I was so paranoid it had dislodged out of place (heard so many horror stories of babies being born clutching their mother’s mirenas) – hayfever season was a nightmare. Can’t do mooncup either so I’m very environmentally unfriendly with my tampax and will try these eco pads.
Hi Esther, the last post I received before this one was Tues 6 April.
STOPPED
My subscription email doesn’t come, very sadly
Stopped not sure when but so good I know have a backlog of Spikes to read. I also have the coil and also find painkillers and swearing help enormously
Me too – no email for months 🙁
I haven’t received an email for ages, just thought you were on a break. Would like to receive again please!
I stopped getting your emails in April and I thought you’d stopped writing them!
Not received an email for ages – didn’t get the July or Sept ones for certain
I haven’t had a Spike in my inbox for ages! This is the first I’ve had in months so I’m very glad to see you’re still around and that I’m not the only one who had been missing out!
Hi Esther! I don’t receive your emails or see you on Instagram. I thought you were maybe just taking a break. I checked my junk folder and they are not in there either. I have missed your posts so much!
My top tips are WUKA period underwear (high waisted if you’ve ever had a c section) and getting your husband to have a vasectomy.
I just realised I haven’t had an email with your posts for AGES. I saw this link in your Instagram and have just spent 30 minutes ignoring the noise in the house and catching up with your posts. Hope you get it sorted asap.
I resubscribed yesterday and received your eco post in to my inbox. Hopefully that’s it sorted! That must have felt awful wondering what had happened to all the Spikers. I’m happy to see everybody has been missing your posts.
This is the first one I have gotten this year.
Stopped getting the spike ages ago but wasn’t sure why – this is the first I’ve received in months, sorry for rubbish lack of date specificity! I have been keeping up with all things Spikopathic via your Instagram posts instead, but v happy to receive this in my inbox today!
I got this one but realised I have missed lots —- just thought you were taking a break
I got this one but realised I’ve missed loads –
I got the alert for this blog via email but didn’t get for the last few
Gotta say I’m really puzzled and slightly irritated by the whole eco period thing.
I mean, when it comes to mine, think Niagara. I can’t get my head round the logistics. What would I do during the day in the office- change my underwear or bag up & carry home used fabric pads? Gross. And then- more bloody laundry! (Ha- just typed that & then only realised my own joke;)
I’m suspicious of this because so much eco lifestyle/ personal action stuff Is aimed at women. We’re not the ones who made all the corporate decisions that led to the whole eco disaster. And now we’re encouraged to a) spend ridic sums on b) often sub par products “because they’re eco” and c) that create yet more personal/ life admin like laundry.
I go to quite a bit of inconvenience to avoid plastic packaging in our groceries. But creating yet more laundry- that needs specialist handling- because it’s beyond the capacities of designers to create non plastic, hygienic NECESSARY products… nope. I draw the line.
The fact I have such a strong opinion might suggest I may need these products in a few days :-/
I am 100% with you. It’s much easier to make women feel guilty and buy stuff than actually target the real problem. However, period underwear such as WUKA are a really good back up so you don’t have to worry about leaks or double up, and I think they will be amazing for teenagers when you’re not sure if your period is due. Use them for your own comfort but not to appease “the man”
I don’t get it in my inbox 😕
Mirena coil – life changing. Christ the PMT before I had it fitted, and the hideous cramps post children. My first as painful for a couple of weeks, am now on my second and didn’t give it a second thought after having it fitted.
Also a tan of modi bodi- although M&S also do a good range now, esp for young teens.
Last email I had was18th March until today. So pleased to have you back!
Hi, I have stopped receiving your Spike emails. And really miss them.
Hello. Just a quick comment on the mailout… I randomly dropped off the list (and am delighted to be re-spiked again now). Also, I couldn’t abide a mooncup.
I signed up and used to get emails but haven’t for ages. I must admit I’d forgotten about you but was so happy to see this in my inbox today 😀
I stopped getting it for a while, but it has reappeared again now. And I love modibodi knickers. So much better than tampons or sanitary pads, which apart from the eco issues always give me thrush.
I stopped receiving the emails about 2 months ago…
This is the first mail I have had from the Spike in months
Hi Esther, I received the mail out for this post, but looking at my emails prior to this I hadn’t had one since April this year. I had got into the habit of checking your site every so often and then bingeing which worked fine, but nice to have the notifications again. Your recent posts on the school gate, social media etc seem to have been lifted from my own internal musings, how do you do it? Glad you are back.
This was the first email I received in a while so maybe they have stopped coming through. I miss them!
Stopped receiving the mail out and was very sad
I’ve had no emails since April? I thought you’d gone into hiding.
I haven’t had an email since April until this one arrived but I’ve just spent some time catching up on all the excellent things I’ve missed.
I haven’t received the mail out for a long time, so I just assumed you had taken a break from The Spike. Glad to see I was wrong!
I have stopped getting mail outs. I thought it was because you had limited your output with your Instagram hiatus! Glad you are back
Hi Esther, signed up at least twice in the last 3 years and never had an alert. I do check as part of my online morning routine so never missed anything though! Thank you.
I have not received The Spike in my inbox for several months. I thought you had stopped doing it!
Fab to have you back in my inbox, hoorah! The last one I have from you is How to Talk so Kids will Listen. I was worried about you, I’m very glad you are ok.
I’m on my third Mirena, such a life changer as my periods were heavy and painful and I havn’t had to think about them for 15 years now (I’m 55). Having them put in is definitely not my favourite thing, but nurofen helps plus the thought that it will all be over in five mins and then another five years of no periods. And last time my GP made me laugh, commenting on how ‘spongy’ my cervix is. I think if I still had periods though I would resent the pressure to deal with them in an eco way with pads that create more laundry and hassle. I’m pretty eco and green in as many areas of life that I can manage, but I suspect washable pads are just a gimmick to make women feel bad (and we know we are good at this) about wanting something convenient. Most women I know have enough on their plates without adding another bit of laundry and guilt!
Wonderful post and exquisite writing as always.
I have stopped receiving my regular emails
I have not received The Spike in my email for many months. I was really happy to receive this one – I enjoy your writing so much and have missed it!
I haven’t received anything for a long while x
also last got an update for How to Talk….
First email I’ve received in ages. Last one was indeed how to talk so kids will listen. I’m glad you’re back!
This is the first email I’ve received since April
Haven’t received an email in months!
Hi Esther, I’ve not received you emails for several months now, thanks Sarah
I’ve missed you are well, but didn’t want to pry.
This is the first post I’ve received since April – I’ve missed you!
I stopped receiving the emails months ago. I’d assumed you weren’t sending them any more but I’m very glad to see that’s not the case!
I wondered where you’d gone! Thought I’d unsubscribed but couldn’t think why I would have! I had a Mirena coil fitted a couple of years ago at The Whitt and it was worse than giving birth so when it comes out, that is IT for me on the coil front!
Another one who hasn’t received a notification for months before this one! The only way I’ve seen your posts is when I’ve suddenly wondered “where’s Esther?!” and come here looking.
YAY! YOU’RE BACK! I received the email for this post but there was a big gap when I wasn’t and I wondered where you’d gone (needy much?). Glad it’s sorted. Tech stuff is mind boggling and infuriating. X
I got this as a mail out. My first in forever. I had thought it was going to my junk folder or that you’d stopped posting. It cheered me up to get this. I’m hoping for an update on capsule wardrobe. I need help after lockdown. Living in a shitty pair of jeans I hate and about two t shirts.
Tell me what jeans they are and why you hate them
Oh Hello! Yes, this is the first Spike I’ve received in the long while – thought you’d been run ragged over the summer holidays tbh, so I’m sorry to hear it was tech keeping you at bay.
It’s been a while – lovely to hear from you again x
So happy to receive this post by email – haven’t had any since March (?). Thought you’d stopped posting. Very happy to have you back in my inbox.
Same as lots of others, I hadn’t had an email since the How To Talk So Kids Will Listen, and I’d assumed you were taking an understandable break from all this but was also a bit sad if that was the case.
From the days when Recipe Rifle was my favourite among a heap of blogs that I’d read, I now only really follow this one!
First email in months! Presumed summer hols, but delighted to have so many posts to go back and read.
I haven’t received any for ages. Thought you were taking a break as you haven’t been on Instagram either.
Hey Esther, this is the first email I have received in MONTHS! So happy you’ve fixed the problem. Tbh I might not have had one for a year or so. Weird. But, the good news is that this one and the Emotions one have happily arrived back in my inbox. Alex x
I had stopped getting emails a while ago but realised you were still posting so re-signed up (with same email) and very pleased to get notifications again as it’s always a treat to know there’s a new post to read.
You stopped arriving in my inbox. Why ? No idea. Anyhow, have registered once more. And you are back. Missed you
i dont think i ever registered for email lol although i do remember in the past new comments on blogs ive posted on, The Spike is one of the bookmarks on my bookmark bar, i try to check weekly for new posts on various podcasts and blogs
Received this notification by email but yes, prior to this the last one was the April one on how to talk to kids. Assumed your columns and podcasts were keeping you busy so am excited I have more recent posts to go back and read!
I haven’t been receiving any emails either and have missed your blogs
I swear you READ MY MIND. I have been down so many Google rabbit holes recently, thinking about switching to period pants. It’s such a huge outlay to buy these things if they’re not going to work; the ‘Thinx for all’ “affordable” option via Boots are still £15 per pair even on offer, and I would not trust the £6 Primark version even if I could lay my hands on some. I feel bad about making sanitary waste but like Emily above I am also pretty angry about feeling guilty and having EVEN MORE to do. I made the decision to use disposable nappies with my two precisely because I knew that my sanity was worth more than the planet for those few years…
And thank you re office wear – I was one of the people who contacted you on Instagram about going back into a more senior job post lockdown and babies .
I see your posts via RSS feed on Feedly like it’s 2011. It’s all been working fine there – I did wonder why all the commenters had gone quiet. I like reusable pads (I have a few brands and they’re all much the same) and a cup (Bettercup which is much softer and more comfortable than the one I had before). Good to read all this about period pants. Also been enjoying the book “Period Power” by Maisie Hill if anyone’s looking for menstrual reading.