Anyone who has ever had to buy feminine hygiene and period products can attest to how ridiculously expensive they are.
But when a person is sensitive to certain materials, and they have to get speciality products to use during their cycle, their products are exceedingly more expensive, pointed out the members of the "Am I Overreacting?" (AIO) subReddit.
Redditor PunkRockPopStar had multiple allergies and health issues, leading her to need specific products. She generally didn't mind sharing, even though they were more expensive, but like anything else, there should be a limit.
When her brother and his girlfriend kept visiting, and the girlfriend always seemed to need period products, the Original Poster (OP) was reluctant to continue to share her expensive products with her.
She asked the sub:
"Am I overreacting by being upset with my brother's girlfriend (soon fiancée) for not bringing her own sanitary supplies every time she visits?"
The OP had to use special feminine products due to health problems.
"I (22 Female) use a specific pad due to sensory issues, flow weight, and allergies."
"They are relatively hard to get in my area, and can get pricey very quickly."
"I don't mind sharing, usually, because you know, that's what's nice and kind to do, but I've got an odd situation, and I wanna make sure I'm not overreacting."
The OP was never very happy to see one of her brothers.
"I live with one of my siblings. I actually dislike one of my brothers (24 Male) who comes around, but my sibling likes them, and because the brother used to live with us, he just randomly drops by like he never left in the first place."
"I never actually invite him over... and he never warns us he's coming, either, much less that he's bringing his girlfriend (24 Female) with him."
"My brother brings his girlfriend over relatively often. EVERY TIME she is here, she somehow forgets to bring her own sanitary supplies and uses mine."
"And it sounds like a dumb problem to most people... but she'll stay at a hotel over the weekend, conveniently forget hers, and ask to borrow mine."
"Again, I'd be fine if it were only one weekend or she was only borrowing a few. But it isn't only one weekend, and she isn't borrowing just a few."
"Again, keep in mind my particular type of pad is relatively hard to get and on the more pricey side."
The OP felt conflicted about the situation.
"Am I overreacting? She has a regular period, so it's not like it springs up on her, and even though I've sort of tried to point out the issue going the roundabout way (like asking what type of pads she uses, etc), she somehow still 'forgets'. Every. Single. Time."
"And again, I wouldn't be upset if it were a few... but she's gone through three boxes now, and she goes through them extremely quickly."
"She also doesn't tell me when she uses all of them, so I get caught unprepared, and because of the issues of getting more of them, I can't tolerate using other brands even in a pinch, which puts me in a lot of trouble."
"I'm scared that if I get upset or challenge her on it, my family will be upset and say I'm overreacting, especially since she will likely be family soon (it sounds like they plan to get engaged in the spring), so am I wrong about this?"
"AIO?"
Fellow Redditors weighed in:
- NOR: Not Overreacting
- YOR: You're Overreacting
Some were suspicious about how much the brother's girlfriend was taking advantage of the OP.
"You said she does this every single time she comes over? What, does her period never end?? Simple solution: when she asks, just say you're out. Every single time!" - CompanyAdmirable7811
"She's clearly only marrying the brother to get free tampons. What a gold-digging b***h! Thank god we put the pieces together before the wedding. This kind of thing really shakes your faith in humanity." - reddituserperson1122
"I think she's packing them to take home for when she actually gets her period." - tulip0523
"It just sounds like she's stealing them from OP so she doesn't have to buy any. NOR." - holiestcannoly
"The thing is that the girlfriend is not OP's guest."
"She shouldn't have to worry about whether her brother is comfortable or not with it. His girlfriend, his problem."
"Also, any guy who has issues with buying feminine products for their partner is a f**king loser, and she probably shouldn't marry him anyway. And it certainly makes it clearer why the OP doesn't like him." - eggsaladactyl
"Any chance she's hoarding them because they're a premium product that she doesn't want to pay for? How can she NEVER be prepared? That's wild."
"I agree with everyone else who said to hide yours and stock the bathroom with regular products. But it should be a household expense, like toilet paper. You're not using them, so you shouldn't have to be the one paying for them." - Fweenci
"NOR. I would hide them and then claim to be out next time she asks, maybe even alluding to someone ('SOMEONE') using them all last time if I was feeling like drawing a hard line in the sand that day." - squidvicious_69
"All the people saying to buy cheap pads for her but I, in all my grace, could not fathom buying something for a capable grown woman who'd just gone months taking my s**t. OP should just say she switched to using the cup because restocking pads was too expensive, and then actually just hide her stuff." - Baffa99
Others gave the OP advice about what to do during the brother's unexpected visits.
"OP could purchase a box of the cheap kind from the discount store. Then when the princess doesn't know how to prepare for her monthly body function, she'll have something available to her, and OP doesn't have to worry about looking stingy, even though it is her right to say no without explanation."
"OP, lock up your products. If your brother's girlfriend starts getting cheap substitutes, she may stop asking for your expensive resource."
"Not sure if she is too cheap and inept to take care of herself properly, if this is some weird power move on her part, or if she is just clueless as to the cost of the brand that you use. Doesn't matter. You have every right to stop subsidizing her monthly bodily functions."
"NOR." - Scorp128
"I feel like she's stocking up her home on your dime. Maybe leave some inexpensive lightweight pads in the bathroom and secure your good ones in your bedroom?" - WildBlue2525Potato
"I'd just tell her that you're out when she demands them. Hide them so she can't find them on her own in your cabinets. Or say you switched to reusables. Or actually switch to reusables."
"I personally still keep disposable stuff around to use alongside the reusables, but boneheaded girlfriend wouldn't need to know that about OP." - ManiacalShen
"Can you keep your pads in a bedroom drawer during the rest of the month? Buy some inexpensive pads for any guests and leave them in a basket in the bathroom." - Suspicious-Web-4970
"Look, I keep pads and tampons in my bathroom for guests. I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, so as a woman, I understand the need to keep them on hand."
"Nothing wrong with being prepped for guests. This particular guest seems to love to take advantage. A box of Great Value pads may make her get her own gear." - 50_hour_weeks
"Hide your pads and tell her that you are out, and she will have to buy her own. If she is in need, I doubt you will have to do this more than two or three times."
"She can use toilet paper until she gets to the store, or she can send your brother to buy some."
"I'm sure the second time she asks him to buy them, he will make a big deal about it and tell her to remember to pack her own. NOR." - Fubar_As_Usual
"NOR, but in your shoes, I would do as the other posters suggest. Buy a pack of 'regular' pads for five dollars and keep yours in your bedroom."
"Do you have to do that? No, of course not. But five dollars will solve this issue if you don't want a whole big dramatic confrontation, you know?" - RedDress999
The OP was relieved by the feedback she received.
"Thank you, everyone! Somehow, the idea to keep them hidden in my room didn't occur to me. I appreciate everyone's help and advice!"
The subReddit was frustrated on the OP's behalf, not understanding how her future sister-in-law could possibly show up at her house, consistently, on her period without products in hand.
Since she and her future husband had a funny habit of showing up unannounced, she should probably get in the habit of bringing her own products, just in case the OP decided not to have them in stock for her anymore.
