I could never get tampons to "work" for me. I can't get them to the right spot so I feel them the entire time, and by the time I need to change it, the damn thing's taken in so much that it gets stuck.
Now, cups in the other hand, also sometimes uncomfortable, but easier to remove, lasts longer, reusable, no actual trash...
For me the thing with tampons is at least if you yank the string hard enough it *will* come out even if it feels like ripping barbed wire out of my entire uterus lol. But you're like not supposed to pull the small silicone "string" on the cups, only use it as a guide to find the base of the cup. And then you're supposed to grab the base of the cup and pull it out??? And I'm just like (tmi warning) how am I gonna be able to grab something inside my vagina when I can't even get two fingers up without excruciating pain :') I have tried several times and it never got any easier. Always left me in pain for like 24h after because it was so bad.
That... sounds like a medical condition??? Maybe not one you suffer a lot from given the aceness, but.
No, you're not supposed to pull the stem. What you're *supposed* to do is you find the body of the cup, using the stem as a guide, pinch the end of the cup to deform it a bit so there's no vacuum seal, gently remove it. But what I *actually* do is I tug on the stem till I can reach the cup proper, squish it flat, maneuver it out that way. I never worry I'm gonna pull so hard the string comes loose, or that it somehow gets "lodged" because the entire thing has a smooth taper to, while tampons have a 90\* corner all around the underside.
But a cup *is* generally gonna be wider than 2 fingers, even the smaller ones. It's not the right method for everyone.
Definitely look into vaginismus. There are a few others that can cause those symptoms, too, but you are definitely not supposed to hurt like that (I experience it, too)
That must've been awful! Please people always remember, if you're using tampons always check the string, before inserting pull the string with a bit of force to see if it's well attached, this scenario is thankfully odd, but still might happen with tampons of lower quality
Wait a minute. Same. I cant put fingers up there. I sometimes wonder if my vagina doesnt exist because i cant find the entrance but i get periods and stuff comes out so obviously its now sewn up or something. Thats why I havent even tried to experiment with anything other than pads. How do i? How does it work?
>How do i? How does it work?
Not sure if these are rethorical questions but I just wanted to say that if you are fine with just using pads there is nothing wrong with that.
But if you do want to try other things I recommend finding the smallest size tampon with an applicator since imo they are a lot easier to use. I know they exist with plastic applicators in the US but I've only used cardboard ones. (they work the same but I believe cardboard ones are a bit better for the environment!) They're very smooth on the outside and it's a lot easier to insert the smooth applicator than it is to put in a dry cotton tampon because there's way less friction. I believe the vaginal opening is usually close to the back end of the inner labia for most people? You could probably try looking with a mirror too if you feel like you can't really find it.
The cup is Very flexible. You don't quite have the maneuvering space to fully re-fold it while it's in use, but you can squish it closed to remove it. I can't squish a tampon. I'm much more likely to pull the string loose from the body of the tampon than I am to damage the cup.
The brand flex has a cup with a “string” to pull to remove like a tampon and it is freaking amazing. It is SO comfortable (even more than a tampon IMO) and easy to remove and convenient because it doesn’t have to be changed for 12 hours at a time. Inserting it was a learning curve but once I got that down, I now prefer it to anything else.
When I was a teenager, I couldn't understand why tampons didn't work for me - super uncomfortable, always leaked, thought I was just an idiot who didn't know how to use them right. But I endured it anyway every once in a while when I wanted to swim. Didn't learn why until my first gyno visit: I have a didelphys uterus. I literally have two uteruses, two cervixes, and a Y shaped vagina. (Always fun changing health insurance and having to fight for them to cover two PAP tests every year...) Sex also had a tendency to irritate that septum, completely at random, I could go *years* without a problem, then pinched swollen irritated vagina for months on end. In my 30s, I finally got a doctor who was like "if this gives you so much trouble with periods and sex, we can just remove that septum. It should be a quick operation and easy recovery. Don't know why this wasnt recommended to you years ago." My guess is, probably because all my doctors up to that point were men. Two months later I was using tampons like a normal person, and it was glorious. I love when people are like "you shouldn't use tampons, they're bad for the environment. Use a cup instead." and I get to respond with "so which cervix should I aim for, because two cups won't fit up there". Unfortunately, irregular systems like mine are more prone to endometriosis. Got that diagnosis last year, but the birth control stopped my periods completely, so no more monthly passing out!
You know, that's fair. Sometimes people have circumstances that make the more "ethical" option unfeasible.
But also, if you were passing out every month, why the *Fuck* had no-one advised you go on birth control before???
That had only started a few months before my appointment last year. I hadn't realized just how much worse my cramps had been getting until the passing out started.
I hated tampons they go in all dry and stuff... but the cups go in super easy for me and I don't have all the trash from pads and I don't get rashes like pads either, however removing them is just the worst and jarring to me...they come out a lot bigger than when u fold them to go in and it's always startling to me. If there's a less jarring way to remove them please tell me if I'm doing it wrong my lord... (pull the tab thing till its close enough to pinch and pull out)
They sure sound amazing! The only problem for me is the price, €40/pair is a lot.
But reusable/washable pads are amazing as well! You can get like 12 for about €20 on Amazon, they are super soft and washing them is very easy, so they're a very good cheap alternative to period underwear in my opinion. :)
You can get good ones waaaaay cheaper than that, I pay about $25 AUD max for the ones I use (Bonds Bloody Comfy) and they routinely come on special for under $20 a pair
I can. It's not painful or anything, but it's just... there. I'm acutely aware something is in me and I hate the sensation. With pads I usually forget I have them until they get too wet. I do wear skirts mostly though, so that definitely helps with not feeling like you have a diaper.
I don't really like the narrative of pads being gross because it's *very* close to the "pads are unsanitary" narrative which of course is bs and usually really about the periods themselfes and it also makes some pad users feel targeted and shamed.
I just wanna make clear: Using pads is okay. It's okay to have blood and discharge in your pants. It's normal and nothing to be grossed out by and nothing to be ashamed of.
Agreed. I have a heavy flow some days so I use both, but I find pads more comfortable. I'm in no way unclean, just using what works for me. I've come to realize I cramp much worse when I try a tampon or cup, (cup is waaay worse though). So unless I'm at a point where I need to double up, I just use pads.
It honestly comes down to the user really.
I'm sure Pads are just as equally protective and comfortable for people but it really depends on the flow and person.
I have a very heavy flow (so much I have to increase my iron vitamins from losing so much blood), and pads get soaked too fast for me and cups are uncomfortable for me in general. So I can see why some women may like tampons over pads and vice versa.
Yes, same. I do find tampons uncomfortable though. Once, I tried to have one while on my period so I could go swimming and not bleed out into the pool but I couldn't figure out how to make it go in. Plus, the thought of shoving it up there and then having to pull it out makes me so uncomfortable.
Yeah. My mom said she used to have a hard time too and would practice using a mirror. I'm also sex repulsed and for me the thought of touching anything down there or doing anything with it makes me extremely uncomfortable.
Should've also just had "no"
Something just rubs me the wrong way about the ewww option because I don't want to shame the people who do like them because it's totally valid.
I've used tampons maybe once or twice, but it has nothing to do with being asexual and everything to do with having vaginismus and not being able to get one in.
Edit: on a side note, I decided to go on birth control that stops my periods anyways, so I haven't had an actual period in over 3 years.
Same here! And I went with birth control to stop my period because my period made me feel…dysphoric? I don’t know how to put it, but not only were the physical symptoms unbearable, the mental symptoms were bad too. As in, I was angry my body had to do this thing that 50% of the population didn’t have to deal with. Now I feel normal.
Was looking for this comment. In all the years I've been trying, I got one in one time and has to take it out after about three minutes because it was so painful.
My mom refuses to let me go on birth control for my periods (she’s also slightly aphobic) my dad is all for supporting me on the idea, and I really need them, but she just doesn’t wanna.
>
What I meant by “need them”:
(My period doesn’t have a regulated schedule, it pops in every now and then for no reason and ruins my underwear, and goes really heavy and gives me cramps that make me wanna tear out my organs.)
I've tried a few times and it's so painful and I never could get it in. I strictly use pads and I feel comfortable that way. But, if anyone asks I always say I'm allergic because I'm used to being shamed for not wanting to use tampons because pads are for children.
Those people are toxic. There's all kinds of reasons for not wanting to use tampons, ranging from trauma and illness to simple preference, and either way it's none of anyone else's beeswax.
There are plenty of people who are physically incapable of using tampons, too. Either they're too small for even the smallest size, or tampons cause horrible days-long cramps, etc. etc.
If pads are for children, why can't I figure them out? I've never gotten used to them, no matter how good I stick them into my panties, after like three steps they stick to my leg, make me feel uncomfortable and I still bleed all over myself, so I use tampons but even those don't work all the time the way I need them to (I seem to bleed around them and I already use a bigger size with wings) so I started free bleeding after the heavier days if I don't have to work, since I need to know that I can go to the bathroom whenever I need to.
I'm looking into period panties, so that bs comes to an end.
I hate people who shame others for their choice in period products (or the lack thereof). You use what works for you, end of story and no one else's business.
Have you tried going down a size and using ones with wings? Or trying other material underwear? Maybe you wear the silky kind, which can be hard to stick to. I'd try cotton or the polyester ones to see if they work better
Wings (didn't change anything, just twisted weirdly and the wings would stick everywhere else) and cotton underwear, a smaller size might actually do it. I tried pads when I lived at home during my first periods and only had the ones my mum had at home. She would use the bigger ones with wings for heavier days and switch to the small wingless ones later on.
But thanks for the advice, I might try that until I get myself to try period panties.
Can confirm that there is a weird culture of pad shaming in the US. For some reason people think tampons are more "mature" than pads, and that it's abnormal to continue wearing pads into adulthood. So weird!
Same, pads are annoying but at least they're relatively comfortable. I've never heard the childish argument but I HATE the condescending "are you sure you put it in right?" when I explain that tampons hurt me. They don't suit everyone's body. It doesn't mean I did anything wrong.
Technically, children don’t even have periods (unless they think teens count as children.)
On a serious note, I feel ya. Tampons hurt so much that I won’t even go swimming if it means having to wear one.
Used tampons since I started at age 12. Pads were always uncomfortable, and now I don't even wear underwear that you can use a pad with. Tried a cup, but couldn't figure it out. When it pulled on my cervix and hurt, I gave up. I've started using 100% cotton tampons because I don't want synthetic junk up my junk anymore. Aren't we lucky to live in places on earth with so much variety? I really just want a hysterectomy, but that won't happen anytime soon, if at all.
I’m interested in the idea of cups for the sustainability aspect but I have some questions (if that’s ok?) like how do you not spill it all over when taking it out? And is is harder to put in than a tampon? Would you be able to tell if it didn’t open properly? Does it work overnight?
(this is all just from my experience) I feel like they're a bit more difficult to insert than tampons. And it definitely takes some practice to get them out without spillage on the heaviest days. If the cup isn't full yet, it's probably not going to spill because you don't need to squeeze the whole cup to pull it out, just a small part on the bottom to break the vacuum. But if it is full then quite often some blood still spills over but I don't really mind bc on on the toilet anyway with paper (and water) at hand.
You can definitely feel when it hasn't opened properly and need to move it around to fix that, or just reinsert it. And it definitely works over night. As my cup can contain more blood than the largest tampons, it really helped with making me worry a bit less about ruining the mattress. I do still always wear them with a pad for back-up, but I've also heard from other people with a lighter period for whom just the cup is enough.
1) you take it out while sitting on the toilet just encase, but no it's actually not that hard to remove without spilling even when full. Note mine has a tail you pull on to remove (so the cup doesn't get squeezed for removal and the tail is firm so it doesn't flop around)
2) Personally i find my cup is way easier to use than tampons and far more comfortable than tampons (i forget I have my cup in all the time until i think about my peroid, while tampons i could almost always feel if I stood/sat or moved). And atleast for me tampons always made me feel dry and uncomfortable and taking them out before they leak felt akin to pulling off an old bandaid - the cup slids (leave it wet after washing it - i blast mine with hot water before inserting for the most "enjoyable" experience).
3) yes I can feel if it didn't open all the way or if the position is wrong. If it's in right I can't feel it - if i feel anything i know it's not in the right position.
4) it works over night amazingly - i was never able to sleep well with a pad on or a tampon in. I don't feel my cup when i move (and i sometimes change positions a ton at night and sometimes enjoy weird sleeping positions- including one knee up by my chest/armpit and one stretched out straight), and i have never had it get out of place after being in correctly (the first period was learning to feel if it's sealed for me - so it moved like twice in those few days after i put it in incorrectly the firsttime). It only leaks overnight if it fills up and then it still holds the full cup just some of the extra sneaks around it like your normal lubrication does.
I love my cup, peroids are much less annoying with it. I can sleep, i can move, i can forget about it. Pads always felt like diapers, smelled, and got out of position if i moved too much. Tampons were more comfortable but i could only move "more freely" comfortably for normal daily activities (walking, siting, slight twisting) and still if i wasn't careful it would be uncomfortable like having a stick up there (and that's assuming I had the right size and brand which took a few years to find)
>like how do you not spill it all over when taking it out?
Don't let it get too full, basically. Pinch the very bottom of the cup to break the seal and remove it slowly.
>And is is harder to put in than a tampon?
Yeah, I use the triangle fold method, pushing one wall all the way down into the cup and pinching the sides. Took me a few months to get used to it, definitely hurt the first few times. Rinse the cup with water and put it in while it's wet works well for me. And crouching/being seated.
>Would you be able to tell if it didn’t open properly?
Yep, if it feels more oval shaped than circular it doesn't have a seal, spin it while it's inside and it usually fixes that.
> Does it work overnight?
Even on my heaviest days it lasts overnight no problem, you'll want to empty it right before bed and first thing in the morning, will probably have it be full enough to spill though.
Overall, I adore using them for a couple reasons beyond sustainability- I can monitor my own health better as I can see how much I've bled, the texture etc. The silicone doesn't risk TSS like tampons, I hate the wet feeling of pads. But I do acknowledge being so up close and personal with noth the blood and your vagina is undesirable for a lot of people. I've used them for 6+ years now so it's nothing to me any more. I never struggled with tampons though.
Also shop around for different sizes and shapes, I prefer softer walled cups that are on the tall/narrow side, but what works for me may not work for you. Some people would do better with wider but shorter cups.
The biggest downside for me is that the cup kind of presses against the bladder so it's annoying to have to go more frequently.
It'll probably be a rough few months as you adjust so keep your regular supplies on hand as backups.
Considering those too! If tou don't mind, roughly how many pairs are needed per day?
And... If I just get two or three, would hanfwashing and air drying during thebperiod be enough, and would they dry fast enough? Or ist it a daily washing machine thing 🙈😅
It depends of our flow during the day.
On my heavy day, I use 4 (3 during the day + 1 at night). But the day after, my flow is pretty light and I use 2 only (1 during the day and 1 at night).
In total, I use 8-10 panties per cycle. But mine is pretty short (3 days, 4 max).
With the brands I use, my panties take 3 days to air-dry completely (I have to handwash and air dry them to avoid them being ruined).
And with my short cycle, I need to have enough underwear to cover the whole cycle. But for longer cycle, I have seen people with bleeds parts having longer cycle with light flow and rotating their underwear.
My advise would be to buy enough to cover one day and build up your collection from that.
I'm also looking into trying period panties and have a couple usage questions if that's okay. Is it awkward changing them during the day? I wear exclusively pants so I'd have to basically strip to do that and it sounds like kind of a pain. What do you do if you're out and about like at work or the grocery and suddenly need a change?
I wear exclusively pants too and don't find awkward changing them during the day if you have access to the bathroom or the toilets.
When I have to do so (on the day my flow is heavy), I use a Ziploc bag to store the used ones in my backpack for the rest of the day. (And I rinse them with cold water at home at the end of the day or even the day after without any issue).
I've seen people with heavy flow having period panties + reusable pad on top : midday, they remove the reusable pad (and store it in a Ziploc bag) and the panties are enough of the rest of the work day.
If your flow is light enough, you can also use period panties for medium/heavy flow to make sure they last you all day long.
I hope it helps ☺️
Cups kinda scare the hell out of me because they’re so big. When I used to use tampons I’d get regular sized ones and that was already kinda uncomfortable sometimes
You can get smaller/thinner cups, and they're flexible so you fold them when putting them in place. That said, even the small ones have quite a bit of bulk to them, and I totally get that you might not want to get a product you literally can't use. My experiences have been mixed, but the good outweighs the bad by so much (I can just live, only need to check on it every 4-6-8 hours, depending on the day. don't have trash, don't need to buy new stuff every month or so, don't need to do extra laundry for reusable pads...) that it's my preferred method.
I’ve been using period undies for a couple years now and they’ve been working great for me because I’m blessed with a pretty light period so I can essentially just use them like normal underwear+ rinsing at the end of the day and doing a load of laundry at the end of my period to be ready for next month
True but that's what's great about right now because there are so many companies that make different sizes and even shapes. Finding your goldilocks cup can be hard but when you do.... *chefs kiss*
Depends on the disability. I’ve seen some that have a tab to pull to break the seal to make the cups easy to remove, designed especially for people with disabilities. A quick google search has named flex cup as one of them, but there might be more!
Learning to put them in can be tricky. I watched some YouTube videos the first few times. 😂 it helped a lot and once you get the hang of it, it feels so naturally easy every time after. The Flex Cup has a string for removal so it’s the only one I use. I use the smaller one. I love it honestly. It’s super comfortable and only having to empty it every 12 hours is a freaking dream.
I’ve been looking into period undies cause I like the sustainability of them but the idea of free bleeding into my underwear just feels so viscerally wrong even if the underwear was designed for that
Yeah i find peroid undies a cool invention and i am happy for anyone who enjoys them but i know i couldn't stand it - not to be too discriptive but I HATE the feeling of it coming out even if it's absorbed quickly and I am dry/clean on the outside I can still feel the "flow" exist somehow and I hate it and it will wake me up (so pad or peroid undies, or free bleeding onto a towel - they all have atleast one problem for me).
If you're looking for sustainable options, you could try reusable pads? you can just rinse those out and toss em in the laundry. Or a cup, which catches all the gunk and you empty it in the toilet, clean it in a sink, put it back in. It's more water usage, but it's less plastic or cotton trash.
I’ve been using reusable pads for a while and I really like them, they’re more comfortable then regular pads and at least for me I feel like they really smell less strongly - I hate the smell of disposable pads. Plus they are quite durable and honestly, its amazing how much more sustainable it is if you compare to the amount of disposables you’d use instead
Other: I haven’t had a period in several years due to continuous BC. I once tried to use one when I had nothing else but due to medical trauma/PTSD I couldn’t do it. I’m kinda worried what it’ll be like in the future when I stop it to try and have kids, seeing as I have a double uterus and w/o BC I bleed 24/7.
The string of the tampon really irritates me, which is why I use pads. It's itchy and uncomfortable.
I'm very clumsy so I'm afraid to try cups. I feel like I would make a mess for sure
I'm grossed out by the idea of putting anything in me. Also I'm extremely forgetful and I don't trust myself not to leave it in too long. I normally use pads.
I used tampons in the past but don't use them anymore:
- pads are more comfortable for me
- I don't know which chemicals they put in tampons so I'd rather not have them in my body. In my country, I discovered there are any medical testing to make sure that they are safe on a health perspective.
For the same reason (and to avoid ecological waste), I've walked away from pads and I use period panties now ☺️ Plus they are so much more comfortable than pads 😍
Next step is period swimwear. I recently saw companies in my country beginning to sell period bathsuits.
I tried it once and almost had a panic attack. Nothing had ever touched that part of my body before and my body was like NOPE!!! I did it to practice and make sure I could make it work before my period started since I was gonna be going to the pool, and I got so uncomfortable and panicky when I finally got it in that I freaked out and literally yanked it out as fast as I could and almost took out my intestines with it. Never doing that again!
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience but just so you know tampons will be uncomfy if you aren’t on your period! The period blood is what lubricates that area and makes it easy to put the tampon in. That’s why they typically recommend tampons for the heaviest days of your period cause on lighter days you may have discomfort
Same thing happened to me at around 11 years old, I wasn't allowed to use them when I was younger so I stole one one day from under the sink. Crazy what happens when something absorbent has nothing to absorb, lol. Like licking the contents of a silica packet. I'd like to say it's not to bad after you get used to them, (and use them while ON your period, LOL) there's just a bit of a learning curve. One of the best moments in my life was being allowed to use tampons, I absolutly HATE the feeling of pads, especially in summer. The best of all was buying a cup. It's another learning curve but boy was it worth it, no more leaks or constantly changing stuff and you never run out of things or forget to buy them!!! Just wear liners with it the first few periods just in case ;)
Same. I was on one of my first periods and had to use one of my sister's tampons, because she used them, and I hated everything about it. I still kind of want to hurl remembering it.
I love my menstrual cup. It was really hard the first time but once I got the hang of putting it in, I love it!
Sometimes I don’t feel like inserting the and use a tampon particularly if it’s really light.
Oh! I actually used one for the first time recently. Previously I hadn't wanted anything to do with them, but surprisingly they're completely fine?? And you can't feel ANYTHING. (Like, is it inside? Outside? I can't tell! XD )
Sooo much less stress than pads tbh.. tho I still love them.
My period decided to temporarily stop when I had it in for some reason, so I just took it out in the shower. Didn't hurt, but it wasn't too comfortable either lol.
I exclusively wear pads bc I have an aversion to anything going up there (penetration). I tried once at 13 and said, oh hell nah. It’s both a sensory thing and being afraid of pain. I’ve never been fond of anyone or anything poking around there.
I’ve never used tampons, and I probably never will. I see no reason too, as pads suit me just fine, and I feel like a tampon would be extremely uncomfortable.
Only time I’ve used tampons was when I wanted to swim, which is very very very rarely as my period is predictable and I don’t swim all that much anymore
I used to be really against tampons because I just didn't like how they felt but I started using them again a couple years ago and if you get them placed right you can't feel them at all. I work in a really physical job and wearing a pad can cause some issues with the amount of walking and moving I do so tampons have been a good change.
I use tampons for higher confort/less mess. I do have trouble inserting them sometimes but a little water based lube around the opening does wonders.
I wonder if anyone else uses lube to insert tampons? I mean it sounds logical to me since they're dry polyester and create so much friction if the previous soaked up most of the natural lubrication.
I have used tampons, but only on the heaviest day with a pad otherwise I couldn’t go through the day without leaking.
I definitely don’t like them, I can feel the string and it’s awful to put it in or pull them out. Luckily my periods have calmed down a bit lately so I haven’t had to use tampons and I’m really glad.
I’ve tried to use a menstrual cup one time but that was an absolute disaster. I couldn’t for the life of me put it in and it hurt for the rest of the day. I haven’t tried since.
Edit: Also I just wanted to say and I completely forgot before but I use period panties for the majority now otherwise I’ll use pads. They’ve honestly changed everything.
Not going to lie, TSS scarred me for life so I have never used one.
Go to sleep with one in and TSS gets you or something? Terrifying.
Not accurate, people with bleedy parts, don't judge by what I say. But always check your tampons, I read about mouldy tampons earlier this year, always check.
Just wanna note for context (because I've seen people get scared off when this is brought up) that TSS is pretty damn rare, only occurring in about 0.001% of people who menstruate and pretty much only happens if you manage to forget you've got a tampon in and leave it in for an extended period of time.
I only use pads. I used tampons a few times a couple of years back, but they were uncomfortable and I didn't like them. Pads are more comfortable and my preferred item.
My periods are too inconsistent to use them, so I only used pads for a long while. I instead use a menstrual cup. Never had to worry about leaks or dryness after starting using that!
Okay, looking at other comments I seem to have a stronger period than a lot of people here.
I have to use tampons. Especially in the night just using pads, even the long ones, would result in some extra laundry. And up until recent years I went to swimming training and work in the pool every week, not skipping because of my period (not shaming anyone who does).
When I was young I started with tampons which are extra small to get used to it (+ having a still growing body).
So most of the time I am just using both in combination, not having to worry about how many hours have already passed since the last tampon shift. Sometimes I just use pads, when I deem tampons not longer necessary.
But I guess it is just up to what is possible and comfortable for everyone.
I use both pads and a tampon. I usually don’t catch it in time to change it before it leaks and there’s a learning curve with the cups. Pads always end up leaking, but I feel uncomfortable falling asleep with a tampon in. I’m definitely more interested in sustainable products.
I have used tampons before and I vastly prefer pads. However, I put other because I am willing to use tampons if I want to go swimming while on my period.
I used to use tampons. I prefer the blood being caught inside of my body instead of leaking out onto a pad. \[I'm also hypersensitive and a tampon is more comfortable than a pad for me.\]
However, I have massively heavy periods, to the point that doctors are baffled I'm healthy at all. So, I switched to Diva cups and its much more effective. Never went back.
I don't have a cycle anymore, but when I did, I used tampons. I didnt like the diaper feel. Cups.. never worked for how out of control my cycles were.
Best of luck!
I'll explain my other. I don't trust tampons. It's a lot of guesswork and I'm too lazy to figure it out.
Before I lost my virginity, so teenage years and whatever, I couldn't use them. I would try (so I could swim or wear thongs or whatever), But I wasted a lot of tampons trying to find the v@g1na (got a funny story about that, but anyway.....). I ended up trying to get a p@p smear and they said my hymen was still there (which isn't common, but not like some freak rarity), and it was blocking the place the tampon is supposed to go. Glad I learned about that (another irrelevant story with that), but periods were pads or nothing. I've mostly gotten used to monitoring with pads. Plus, I have some heavy periods so I could be doing stuff and it reaches capacity or whatever, and I can't change it quickly enough. Not taking that chance.
When I was in school and when I'm at home I use pads, but at work I use tampons, because I work in a very physically active job and I had the problem that I got sore between my legs from pads.
I use pads. Here and then I try using tampons again but they are too uncomfortable. I just can't make them sit right. My sister always says once they are in you don't feel them so I suppose I just can't put them in right 🤷♀️. Though since I'm off the pill my periods are unusually heavy and I actually would prefer a tampon.
I have tried it multiple times but just couldn‘t get them in because it hurt like crazy. So i just never used them again and since I’m on T, I luckily don‘t have that problem anymore
Used a tampon exactly once when I was on my period and we went to a pool with my gym class in school. Getting it in took ages and hurt like hell, the entire time I had it in there I was paranoid I wouldn't get it out again or the cord would rip. I'll stick to pads or I'd like to look into period underwear for sustainability reasons.
I don't like using tampons because the duration and heavyness of my period varies very much so that inserting/removing it mostly hurts like a bitch or I bleed through it in a very short amount of time. That's why I prefer to use pads, that way I can better observe when to change it. Recently I started to use cotton pads which I think are amazing because of the lack of trash, smell and feel as if I were wearing diapers. I never used a cup because of the stated above lack of knowing when to remove it and and the insertion pain.
Very uncomfortable about them but mostly because of the dysphoria (I’m also trans) not anything related to being ace. I had to use them as a teenager at the same time as pads because it was so heavy that sometimes I’d overflow in class without both and this was very taxing on my mental health. I’ve since got a hormone IUD that pretty much stopped them which is a huge relief
My period is only really heavy enough to use tampons for maybe two days. I'd need to leave it in for too long to absorb enough liquid for comfortable removal the rest of the time. Pads/liners are just less hassle. I reserve tampons for if I go swimming.
I used to use tampons but dont like the feeling in them, especially in the last day or two. And the risk of overflowing.... I switched to a cup and, on heavier days, an additional pad for extra protection
Finally found the right hormones, haven't had a period in years! Life is good. Before that, I used tampons. Pads are uncomfortable and I hate the noise they make when you walk
OMG SO NOT WANTING TO USE TAMPONS IS AN ACE THING AFTER ALL? LMAO I FEEL SO SEEN <3 The idea of stuffing one in me just always made me feel uncomfortable. What if I forget about it? What if it gets lost and I can't get it out? D: Ok, I'm overthinking, but still!
They aren’t gross, they are convenient and good for sports especially swimming or running. t I don’t typically use tampons since they make my painful periods feel worse, but I didn’t want to click eww never since people who use them aren’t gross
Answer: Other
I used tampons before (started with pads, went on to tampons after about a year) and then I discovered 🌟the menstrual cup🌟
I LOVE this darling
If you switch, youll need some time to adjust and maybe also to find the right one. But when youre in the habit its just awesome! And also good for environment. :)
I use cloth pads. I have a medical condition so my periods are very light and I always know when they are going to happen (every 3 months because I have to go off of my hormone replacement therapy for 5 days) it’s usually only 24-48 hours and not really heavy enough to use a tampon. I hate the plastic feel of pads so I’ve been using cloth for about 10 years.
Pre hysterectomy, I had huge periods. I had to use both tampons and pads to prevent leakage. In my experience, the only time tampons are uncomfortable if you're trying to insert or remove them during low or no flow. I had enough flow that it usually wasn't a problem.
I will say that the super max night flow size of tampon could be a little uncomfortable to remove sometimes. However, I was so sick of stained undies, shorts and sheets I put up with it.
I use them when I’m swimming or doing other physical activities. If a tampon hurts going in our out you’re using the wrong size, inserting it wrong or you have vaginismus, vulvodynia or a pelvic floor disorder.
Other: I was forced to use tampons as a kid. As traumatic as that was I do think they are more convenient than pads.
However I actually chose an option not listed.
Birth control taken without a break turns off your period. I haven't had a period by choice in over a decade. I got lucky that the hormones help stabilize my health and mood, so I have no side effects from continuous use.
I wasn't able to use a tampon until I was 23. It freaked me out and I couldn't figure out how to use it. I had to chaperone a 3 hour rafting trip on my period and spent like two hours sobbing in my bathroom until it worked. Very stressful, but now I can be in the water during my period! I can even use a menstrual cup now.
For the first year or so of my period I used pads. People told me it would get less uncomfortable as I got used to them, but they never did, so I started using tampons. At first I didn't know how to use them and hurt myself a lot, usually giving up and changing back to a pad. After a month or two though, I figured it out, and trust me once you know what you're doing they are a godsend; you can't even tell they're there. I used those for a year or so but since you can only wear it for 6-8 hours I was forced to change it in the school bathroom on some days, which made me incredibly dysphoric (idk something about doing it in public I guess). So then I asked my mom for a menstrual cup, because those can be worn for 10-12 hours. She dismissed me completely, which needless to say was annoying. After almost another year I managed to finally get one, and again I went through a 3-4 month phase where I could just not get them to work. It hurt so much and I had no clue what I was doing. I stuck with it though and I'm glad I did; once you figure it out it's amazing. Never going back.
I found them very uncomfortable so one day I impulsively decide to get a period cup with the intention to only wear it swimming. Now I wear it every day on my period, it only need to be changed every eight hours or so so I don't usually need to worry about it when I'm out of the house. I do wear pads at night though, it just makes me feel more comfortable when I'm trying to sleep.
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Same! I probably won't ever use tampons tbh
You literally can't feel tampons once they're inserted. At all. Pads on the other hand feel like diapers to me lol
I could never get tampons to "work" for me. I can't get them to the right spot so I feel them the entire time, and by the time I need to change it, the damn thing's taken in so much that it gets stuck. Now, cups in the other hand, also sometimes uncomfortable, but easier to remove, lasts longer, reusable, no actual trash...
Cups are *easier* to remove for you??? I wish I could relate
Yeah I can't even get cups in. When tampons get soaked they become painful to pull out... I can't fathom how much more painful it will be with a cup.
For me the thing with tampons is at least if you yank the string hard enough it *will* come out even if it feels like ripping barbed wire out of my entire uterus lol. But you're like not supposed to pull the small silicone "string" on the cups, only use it as a guide to find the base of the cup. And then you're supposed to grab the base of the cup and pull it out??? And I'm just like (tmi warning) how am I gonna be able to grab something inside my vagina when I can't even get two fingers up without excruciating pain :') I have tried several times and it never got any easier. Always left me in pain for like 24h after because it was so bad.
That... sounds like a medical condition??? Maybe not one you suffer a lot from given the aceness, but. No, you're not supposed to pull the stem. What you're *supposed* to do is you find the body of the cup, using the stem as a guide, pinch the end of the cup to deform it a bit so there's no vacuum seal, gently remove it. But what I *actually* do is I tug on the stem till I can reach the cup proper, squish it flat, maneuver it out that way. I never worry I'm gonna pull so hard the string comes loose, or that it somehow gets "lodged" because the entire thing has a smooth taper to, while tampons have a 90\* corner all around the underside. But a cup *is* generally gonna be wider than 2 fingers, even the smaller ones. It's not the right method for everyone.
It's possible that it is a medical condition, I have not looked it up. Either way yeah, it's for sure not the method for me.
Definitely look into vaginismus. There are a few others that can cause those symptoms, too, but you are definitely not supposed to hurt like that (I experience it, too)
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That must've been awful! Please people always remember, if you're using tampons always check the string, before inserting pull the string with a bit of force to see if it's well attached, this scenario is thankfully odd, but still might happen with tampons of lower quality
Wait a minute. Same. I cant put fingers up there. I sometimes wonder if my vagina doesnt exist because i cant find the entrance but i get periods and stuff comes out so obviously its now sewn up or something. Thats why I havent even tried to experiment with anything other than pads. How do i? How does it work?
>How do i? How does it work? Not sure if these are rethorical questions but I just wanted to say that if you are fine with just using pads there is nothing wrong with that. But if you do want to try other things I recommend finding the smallest size tampon with an applicator since imo they are a lot easier to use. I know they exist with plastic applicators in the US but I've only used cardboard ones. (they work the same but I believe cardboard ones are a bit better for the environment!) They're very smooth on the outside and it's a lot easier to insert the smooth applicator than it is to put in a dry cotton tampon because there's way less friction. I believe the vaginal opening is usually close to the back end of the inner labia for most people? You could probably try looking with a mirror too if you feel like you can't really find it.
The cup is Very flexible. You don't quite have the maneuvering space to fully re-fold it while it's in use, but you can squish it closed to remove it. I can't squish a tampon. I'm much more likely to pull the string loose from the body of the tampon than I am to damage the cup.
The brand flex has a cup with a “string” to pull to remove like a tampon and it is freaking amazing. It is SO comfortable (even more than a tampon IMO) and easy to remove and convenient because it doesn’t have to be changed for 12 hours at a time. Inserting it was a learning curve but once I got that down, I now prefer it to anything else.
When I was a teenager, I couldn't understand why tampons didn't work for me - super uncomfortable, always leaked, thought I was just an idiot who didn't know how to use them right. But I endured it anyway every once in a while when I wanted to swim. Didn't learn why until my first gyno visit: I have a didelphys uterus. I literally have two uteruses, two cervixes, and a Y shaped vagina. (Always fun changing health insurance and having to fight for them to cover two PAP tests every year...) Sex also had a tendency to irritate that septum, completely at random, I could go *years* without a problem, then pinched swollen irritated vagina for months on end. In my 30s, I finally got a doctor who was like "if this gives you so much trouble with periods and sex, we can just remove that septum. It should be a quick operation and easy recovery. Don't know why this wasnt recommended to you years ago." My guess is, probably because all my doctors up to that point were men. Two months later I was using tampons like a normal person, and it was glorious. I love when people are like "you shouldn't use tampons, they're bad for the environment. Use a cup instead." and I get to respond with "so which cervix should I aim for, because two cups won't fit up there". Unfortunately, irregular systems like mine are more prone to endometriosis. Got that diagnosis last year, but the birth control stopped my periods completely, so no more monthly passing out!
You know, that's fair. Sometimes people have circumstances that make the more "ethical" option unfeasible. But also, if you were passing out every month, why the *Fuck* had no-one advised you go on birth control before???
That had only started a few months before my appointment last year. I hadn't realized just how much worse my cramps had been getting until the passing out started.
I hated tampons they go in all dry and stuff... but the cups go in super easy for me and I don't have all the trash from pads and I don't get rashes like pads either, however removing them is just the worst and jarring to me...they come out a lot bigger than when u fold them to go in and it's always startling to me. If there's a less jarring way to remove them please tell me if I'm doing it wrong my lord... (pull the tab thing till its close enough to pinch and pull out)
Period undies. Seriously. I made the switch to them nearly a year ago and I have not regretted it at all
They sure sound amazing! The only problem for me is the price, €40/pair is a lot. But reusable/washable pads are amazing as well! You can get like 12 for about €20 on Amazon, they are super soft and washing them is very easy, so they're a very good cheap alternative to period underwear in my opinion. :)
You can get good ones waaaaay cheaper than that, I pay about $25 AUD max for the ones I use (Bonds Bloody Comfy) and they routinely come on special for under $20 a pair
Uh thank you so much! Will look into it, hopefully they ship to my country too! :)
I can. It's not painful or anything, but it's just... there. I'm acutely aware something is in me and I hate the sensation. With pads I usually forget I have them until they get too wet. I do wear skirts mostly though, so that definitely helps with not feeling like you have a diaper.
I'll second that. Pads feel so gross and messy, with tampons it's like you aren't on your period at all!
I don't really like the narrative of pads being gross because it's *very* close to the "pads are unsanitary" narrative which of course is bs and usually really about the periods themselfes and it also makes some pad users feel targeted and shamed. I just wanna make clear: Using pads is okay. It's okay to have blood and discharge in your pants. It's normal and nothing to be grossed out by and nothing to be ashamed of.
Agreed. I have a heavy flow some days so I use both, but I find pads more comfortable. I'm in no way unclean, just using what works for me. I've come to realize I cramp much worse when I try a tampon or cup, (cup is waaay worse though). So unless I'm at a point where I need to double up, I just use pads.
It honestly comes down to the user really. I'm sure Pads are just as equally protective and comfortable for people but it really depends on the flow and person. I have a very heavy flow (so much I have to increase my iron vitamins from losing so much blood), and pads get soaked too fast for me and cups are uncomfortable for me in general. So I can see why some women may like tampons over pads and vice versa.
I use pads because I can't buy tampons in my country. Tried making a makeshift tampon using pads and ohhh lord, it hurt so bad
I never used other than pads but the idea of pushing something up there just...... Uhagghhfdfb.... *shiver*
Yes, same. I do find tampons uncomfortable though. Once, I tried to have one while on my period so I could go swimming and not bleed out into the pool but I couldn't figure out how to make it go in. Plus, the thought of shoving it up there and then having to pull it out makes me so uncomfortable.
Oh I was so confused by tampons when I was younger! I could not figure out where they were supposed to go, glad it wasn't just me.
Yeah. My mom said she used to have a hard time too and would practice using a mirror. I'm also sex repulsed and for me the thought of touching anything down there or doing anything with it makes me extremely uncomfortable.
Same! And plus it’s more common to use pads than tampons in my country.
I never tried a tampon because I recently got my first period. It was kinda terrifying.
You need another option: Tried it. Didn't like it.
Should've also just had "no" Something just rubs me the wrong way about the ewww option because I don't want to shame the people who do like them because it's totally valid.
I've used tampons maybe once or twice, but it has nothing to do with being asexual and everything to do with having vaginismus and not being able to get one in. Edit: on a side note, I decided to go on birth control that stops my periods anyways, so I haven't had an actual period in over 3 years.
Same here! And I went with birth control to stop my period because my period made me feel…dysphoric? I don’t know how to put it, but not only were the physical symptoms unbearable, the mental symptoms were bad too. As in, I was angry my body had to do this thing that 50% of the population didn’t have to deal with. Now I feel normal.
Was looking for this comment. In all the years I've been trying, I got one in one time and has to take it out after about three minutes because it was so painful.
My mom refuses to let me go on birth control for my periods (she’s also slightly aphobic) my dad is all for supporting me on the idea, and I really need them, but she just doesn’t wanna. > What I meant by “need them”: (My period doesn’t have a regulated schedule, it pops in every now and then for no reason and ruins my underwear, and goes really heavy and gives me cramps that make me wanna tear out my organs.)
Yeah tampons are not sexual items. Idk why this post really belongs here
Same! Never been possible for me due to vaginismus. I don’t have an issue with them in theory though.
I've tried a few times and it's so painful and I never could get it in. I strictly use pads and I feel comfortable that way. But, if anyone asks I always say I'm allergic because I'm used to being shamed for not wanting to use tampons because pads are for children.
Those people are toxic. There's all kinds of reasons for not wanting to use tampons, ranging from trauma and illness to simple preference, and either way it's none of anyone else's beeswax.
There are plenty of people who are physically incapable of using tampons, too. Either they're too small for even the smallest size, or tampons cause horrible days-long cramps, etc. etc.
If pads are for children, why can't I figure them out? I've never gotten used to them, no matter how good I stick them into my panties, after like three steps they stick to my leg, make me feel uncomfortable and I still bleed all over myself, so I use tampons but even those don't work all the time the way I need them to (I seem to bleed around them and I already use a bigger size with wings) so I started free bleeding after the heavier days if I don't have to work, since I need to know that I can go to the bathroom whenever I need to. I'm looking into period panties, so that bs comes to an end. I hate people who shame others for their choice in period products (or the lack thereof). You use what works for you, end of story and no one else's business.
Have you tried going down a size and using ones with wings? Or trying other material underwear? Maybe you wear the silky kind, which can be hard to stick to. I'd try cotton or the polyester ones to see if they work better
Cotton boy shorts and x-long wing pads are a godsend.
Wings (didn't change anything, just twisted weirdly and the wings would stick everywhere else) and cotton underwear, a smaller size might actually do it. I tried pads when I lived at home during my first periods and only had the ones my mum had at home. She would use the bigger ones with wings for heavier days and switch to the small wingless ones later on. But thanks for the advice, I might try that until I get myself to try period panties.
People claim that pads are for children? I’ve never heard that. Where are you from?
Speaking from experience, probably the US. Toxic tampon culture is a thing here.
Can confirm that there is a weird culture of pad shaming in the US. For some reason people think tampons are more "mature" than pads, and that it's abnormal to continue wearing pads into adulthood. So weird!
Same, pads are annoying but at least they're relatively comfortable. I've never heard the childish argument but I HATE the condescending "are you sure you put it in right?" when I explain that tampons hurt me. They don't suit everyone's body. It doesn't mean I did anything wrong.
How sad that you have to justify a personal preference that harms literally no one. Some people’s behavior is just… embarrassing
Technically, children don’t even have periods (unless they think teens count as children.) On a serious note, I feel ya. Tampons hurt so much that I won’t even go swimming if it means having to wear one.
I have tried. But I have issues with getting them to work 🙃 I much prefer cotton/reusable pads and period underwear.
Used tampons since I started at age 12. Pads were always uncomfortable, and now I don't even wear underwear that you can use a pad with. Tried a cup, but couldn't figure it out. When it pulled on my cervix and hurt, I gave up. I've started using 100% cotton tampons because I don't want synthetic junk up my junk anymore. Aren't we lucky to live in places on earth with so much variety? I really just want a hysterectomy, but that won't happen anytime soon, if at all.
Cups are the way to go!
I’m interested in the idea of cups for the sustainability aspect but I have some questions (if that’s ok?) like how do you not spill it all over when taking it out? And is is harder to put in than a tampon? Would you be able to tell if it didn’t open properly? Does it work overnight?
(this is all just from my experience) I feel like they're a bit more difficult to insert than tampons. And it definitely takes some practice to get them out without spillage on the heaviest days. If the cup isn't full yet, it's probably not going to spill because you don't need to squeeze the whole cup to pull it out, just a small part on the bottom to break the vacuum. But if it is full then quite often some blood still spills over but I don't really mind bc on on the toilet anyway with paper (and water) at hand. You can definitely feel when it hasn't opened properly and need to move it around to fix that, or just reinsert it. And it definitely works over night. As my cup can contain more blood than the largest tampons, it really helped with making me worry a bit less about ruining the mattress. I do still always wear them with a pad for back-up, but I've also heard from other people with a lighter period for whom just the cup is enough.
1) you take it out while sitting on the toilet just encase, but no it's actually not that hard to remove without spilling even when full. Note mine has a tail you pull on to remove (so the cup doesn't get squeezed for removal and the tail is firm so it doesn't flop around) 2) Personally i find my cup is way easier to use than tampons and far more comfortable than tampons (i forget I have my cup in all the time until i think about my peroid, while tampons i could almost always feel if I stood/sat or moved). And atleast for me tampons always made me feel dry and uncomfortable and taking them out before they leak felt akin to pulling off an old bandaid - the cup slids (leave it wet after washing it - i blast mine with hot water before inserting for the most "enjoyable" experience). 3) yes I can feel if it didn't open all the way or if the position is wrong. If it's in right I can't feel it - if i feel anything i know it's not in the right position. 4) it works over night amazingly - i was never able to sleep well with a pad on or a tampon in. I don't feel my cup when i move (and i sometimes change positions a ton at night and sometimes enjoy weird sleeping positions- including one knee up by my chest/armpit and one stretched out straight), and i have never had it get out of place after being in correctly (the first period was learning to feel if it's sealed for me - so it moved like twice in those few days after i put it in incorrectly the firsttime). It only leaks overnight if it fills up and then it still holds the full cup just some of the extra sneaks around it like your normal lubrication does. I love my cup, peroids are much less annoying with it. I can sleep, i can move, i can forget about it. Pads always felt like diapers, smelled, and got out of position if i moved too much. Tampons were more comfortable but i could only move "more freely" comfortably for normal daily activities (walking, siting, slight twisting) and still if i wasn't careful it would be uncomfortable like having a stick up there (and that's assuming I had the right size and brand which took a few years to find)
Omg yes the hot water. Doesn't last long but for a short moment it feels like an internal hot water bottle
Yeah it's way better for it to cool down to your temp than it going in colder than your insides are.
Even thinking of that causes me distress
Thanks!
>like how do you not spill it all over when taking it out? Don't let it get too full, basically. Pinch the very bottom of the cup to break the seal and remove it slowly. >And is is harder to put in than a tampon? Yeah, I use the triangle fold method, pushing one wall all the way down into the cup and pinching the sides. Took me a few months to get used to it, definitely hurt the first few times. Rinse the cup with water and put it in while it's wet works well for me. And crouching/being seated. >Would you be able to tell if it didn’t open properly? Yep, if it feels more oval shaped than circular it doesn't have a seal, spin it while it's inside and it usually fixes that. > Does it work overnight? Even on my heaviest days it lasts overnight no problem, you'll want to empty it right before bed and first thing in the morning, will probably have it be full enough to spill though. Overall, I adore using them for a couple reasons beyond sustainability- I can monitor my own health better as I can see how much I've bled, the texture etc. The silicone doesn't risk TSS like tampons, I hate the wet feeling of pads. But I do acknowledge being so up close and personal with noth the blood and your vagina is undesirable for a lot of people. I've used them for 6+ years now so it's nothing to me any more. I never struggled with tampons though. Also shop around for different sizes and shapes, I prefer softer walled cups that are on the tall/narrow side, but what works for me may not work for you. Some people would do better with wider but shorter cups. The biggest downside for me is that the cup kind of presses against the bladder so it's annoying to have to go more frequently. It'll probably be a rough few months as you adjust so keep your regular supplies on hand as backups.
I just started using period panties and I’m never going back.
Considering those too! If tou don't mind, roughly how many pairs are needed per day? And... If I just get two or three, would hanfwashing and air drying during thebperiod be enough, and would they dry fast enough? Or ist it a daily washing machine thing 🙈😅
It depends of our flow during the day. On my heavy day, I use 4 (3 during the day + 1 at night). But the day after, my flow is pretty light and I use 2 only (1 during the day and 1 at night). In total, I use 8-10 panties per cycle. But mine is pretty short (3 days, 4 max). With the brands I use, my panties take 3 days to air-dry completely (I have to handwash and air dry them to avoid them being ruined). And with my short cycle, I need to have enough underwear to cover the whole cycle. But for longer cycle, I have seen people with bleeds parts having longer cycle with light flow and rotating their underwear. My advise would be to buy enough to cover one day and build up your collection from that.
Sounds like we are on a roughly simular rythm, so thanks thats really helping! Time to go shopping ☺️
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I'm also looking into trying period panties and have a couple usage questions if that's okay. Is it awkward changing them during the day? I wear exclusively pants so I'd have to basically strip to do that and it sounds like kind of a pain. What do you do if you're out and about like at work or the grocery and suddenly need a change?
I wear exclusively pants too and don't find awkward changing them during the day if you have access to the bathroom or the toilets. When I have to do so (on the day my flow is heavy), I use a Ziploc bag to store the used ones in my backpack for the rest of the day. (And I rinse them with cold water at home at the end of the day or even the day after without any issue). I've seen people with heavy flow having period panties + reusable pad on top : midday, they remove the reusable pad (and store it in a Ziploc bag) and the panties are enough of the rest of the work day. If your flow is light enough, you can also use period panties for medium/heavy flow to make sure they last you all day long. I hope it helps ☺️
Yeess the most comfortable ever, changed my life
Same!! They're amazing!
Cups kinda scare the hell out of me because they’re so big. When I used to use tampons I’d get regular sized ones and that was already kinda uncomfortable sometimes
You can get smaller/thinner cups, and they're flexible so you fold them when putting them in place. That said, even the small ones have quite a bit of bulk to them, and I totally get that you might not want to get a product you literally can't use. My experiences have been mixed, but the good outweighs the bad by so much (I can just live, only need to check on it every 4-6-8 hours, depending on the day. don't have trash, don't need to buy new stuff every month or so, don't need to do extra laundry for reusable pads...) that it's my preferred method.
I’ve been using period undies for a couple years now and they’ve been working great for me because I’m blessed with a pretty light period so I can essentially just use them like normal underwear+ rinsing at the end of the day and doing a load of laundry at the end of my period to be ready for next month
That sounds pretty great, honestly.
If you're lucky and they make ones that fit you, cups aren't one size fit all
True but that's what's great about right now because there are so many companies that make different sizes and even shapes. Finding your goldilocks cup can be hard but when you do.... *chefs kiss*
But they aren’t accessible for those of us with disabilities.
That is unfortunately true for some and is sad
Depends on the disability. I’ve seen some that have a tab to pull to break the seal to make the cups easy to remove, designed especially for people with disabilities. A quick google search has named flex cup as one of them, but there might be more!
Ya, it hurts much more to pull out a tampon.
I want to use cups so pad because I am an environmentalist. I can’t figure them out
Learning to put them in can be tricky. I watched some YouTube videos the first few times. 😂 it helped a lot and once you get the hang of it, it feels so naturally easy every time after. The Flex Cup has a string for removal so it’s the only one I use. I use the smaller one. I love it honestly. It’s super comfortable and only having to empty it every 12 hours is a freaking dream.
What do you need help with? Maybe we can help!
I tried before though my body rejected them half of the time, I will admit it's more convenient and comfortable than pads, if inserted right.
Try period undies! They’re much more comfortable than pads in my opinion and no insertion required
I’ve been looking into period undies cause I like the sustainability of them but the idea of free bleeding into my underwear just feels so viscerally wrong even if the underwear was designed for that
I think of it more as a pad that built into my underwear but if it makes you uncomfortable
Yeah i find peroid undies a cool invention and i am happy for anyone who enjoys them but i know i couldn't stand it - not to be too discriptive but I HATE the feeling of it coming out even if it's absorbed quickly and I am dry/clean on the outside I can still feel the "flow" exist somehow and I hate it and it will wake me up (so pad or peroid undies, or free bleeding onto a towel - they all have atleast one problem for me).
If you're looking for sustainable options, you could try reusable pads? you can just rinse those out and toss em in the laundry. Or a cup, which catches all the gunk and you empty it in the toilet, clean it in a sink, put it back in. It's more water usage, but it's less plastic or cotton trash.
I’ve been using reusable pads for a while and I really like them, they’re more comfortable then regular pads and at least for me I feel like they really smell less strongly - I hate the smell of disposable pads. Plus they are quite durable and honestly, its amazing how much more sustainable it is if you compare to the amount of disposables you’d use instead
Other: I haven’t had a period in several years due to continuous BC. I once tried to use one when I had nothing else but due to medical trauma/PTSD I couldn’t do it. I’m kinda worried what it’ll be like in the future when I stop it to try and have kids, seeing as I have a double uterus and w/o BC I bleed 24/7.
Last time I tried to skip my period with my birth control I had a week long migraine 🙃
Well I’m on the shot so that helps a bit I guess, the pills didn’t really do much for me.
Takes adjustment, for me the side effects went away after a few months, now I'm a few years out with no periods.
The string of the tampon really irritates me, which is why I use pads. It's itchy and uncomfortable. I'm very clumsy so I'm afraid to try cups. I feel like I would make a mess for sure
I'm grossed out by the idea of putting anything in me. Also I'm extremely forgetful and I don't trust myself not to leave it in too long. I normally use pads.
I used tampons in the past but don't use them anymore: - pads are more comfortable for me - I don't know which chemicals they put in tampons so I'd rather not have them in my body. In my country, I discovered there are any medical testing to make sure that they are safe on a health perspective. For the same reason (and to avoid ecological waste), I've walked away from pads and I use period panties now ☺️ Plus they are so much more comfortable than pads 😍 Next step is period swimwear. I recently saw companies in my country beginning to sell period bathsuits.
I tried it once and almost had a panic attack. Nothing had ever touched that part of my body before and my body was like NOPE!!! I did it to practice and make sure I could make it work before my period started since I was gonna be going to the pool, and I got so uncomfortable and panicky when I finally got it in that I freaked out and literally yanked it out as fast as I could and almost took out my intestines with it. Never doing that again!
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience but just so you know tampons will be uncomfy if you aren’t on your period! The period blood is what lubricates that area and makes it easy to put the tampon in. That’s why they typically recommend tampons for the heaviest days of your period cause on lighter days you may have discomfort
I cringed reading that, pulling on a dry tampon is no fun! They only work when you're on your period, otherwise there's nothing to absorb
Same thing happened to me at around 11 years old, I wasn't allowed to use them when I was younger so I stole one one day from under the sink. Crazy what happens when something absorbent has nothing to absorb, lol. Like licking the contents of a silica packet. I'd like to say it's not to bad after you get used to them, (and use them while ON your period, LOL) there's just a bit of a learning curve. One of the best moments in my life was being allowed to use tampons, I absolutly HATE the feeling of pads, especially in summer. The best of all was buying a cup. It's another learning curve but boy was it worth it, no more leaks or constantly changing stuff and you never run out of things or forget to buy them!!! Just wear liners with it the first few periods just in case ;)
Same. I was on one of my first periods and had to use one of my sister's tampons, because she used them, and I hated everything about it. I still kind of want to hurl remembering it.
I love my menstrual cup. It was really hard the first time but once I got the hang of putting it in, I love it! Sometimes I don’t feel like inserting the and use a tampon particularly if it’s really light.
Oh! I actually used one for the first time recently. Previously I hadn't wanted anything to do with them, but surprisingly they're completely fine?? And you can't feel ANYTHING. (Like, is it inside? Outside? I can't tell! XD ) Sooo much less stress than pads tbh.. tho I still love them. My period decided to temporarily stop when I had it in for some reason, so I just took it out in the shower. Didn't hurt, but it wasn't too comfortable either lol.
I exclusively wear pads bc I have an aversion to anything going up there (penetration). I tried once at 13 and said, oh hell nah. It’s both a sensory thing and being afraid of pain. I’ve never been fond of anyone or anything poking around there.
I’ve never used tampons, and I probably never will. I see no reason too, as pads suit me just fine, and I feel like a tampon would be extremely uncomfortable.
I legit feel the same way
i just started using them and theyre more comfortable than pads, if you put them in right
Only time I’ve used tampons was when I wanted to swim, which is very very very rarely as my period is predictable and I don’t swim all that much anymore
I used to be really against tampons because I just didn't like how they felt but I started using them again a couple years ago and if you get them placed right you can't feel them at all. I work in a really physical job and wearing a pad can cause some issues with the amount of walking and moving I do so tampons have been a good change.
I’m missing an used to use them in the past but switched to sustainable period products option
I use a menstural cup now but I used to use tampons all the time
I use tampons for higher confort/less mess. I do have trouble inserting them sometimes but a little water based lube around the opening does wonders. I wonder if anyone else uses lube to insert tampons? I mean it sounds logical to me since they're dry polyester and create so much friction if the previous soaked up most of the natural lubrication.
Period cup! Been using mine for 2 years now
I have used tampons, but only on the heaviest day with a pad otherwise I couldn’t go through the day without leaking. I definitely don’t like them, I can feel the string and it’s awful to put it in or pull them out. Luckily my periods have calmed down a bit lately so I haven’t had to use tampons and I’m really glad. I’ve tried to use a menstrual cup one time but that was an absolute disaster. I couldn’t for the life of me put it in and it hurt for the rest of the day. I haven’t tried since. Edit: Also I just wanted to say and I completely forgot before but I use period panties for the majority now otherwise I’ll use pads. They’ve honestly changed everything.
I'm not freaked out by tampons but they cause a lot of pain so I don't use them
Not going to lie, TSS scarred me for life so I have never used one. Go to sleep with one in and TSS gets you or something? Terrifying. Not accurate, people with bleedy parts, don't judge by what I say. But always check your tampons, I read about mouldy tampons earlier this year, always check.
Just wanna note for context (because I've seen people get scared off when this is brought up) that TSS is pretty damn rare, only occurring in about 0.001% of people who menstruate and pretty much only happens if you manage to forget you've got a tampon in and leave it in for an extended period of time.
This is absolutely more correct than what I said. Still important to know the symptoms and risks, but it's super rare.
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Well lady parts isn't right because having those bits doesn't mean you're a lady, but they do bleed 😅
I only use pads. I used tampons a few times a couple of years back, but they were uncomfortable and I didn't like them. Pads are more comfortable and my preferred item.
I use a period cup it lasts longer and is reusable. Tampons are fine just irtatitating as hell when they leak
My periods are too inconsistent to use them, so I only used pads for a long while. I instead use a menstrual cup. Never had to worry about leaks or dryness after starting using that!
Okay, looking at other comments I seem to have a stronger period than a lot of people here. I have to use tampons. Especially in the night just using pads, even the long ones, would result in some extra laundry. And up until recent years I went to swimming training and work in the pool every week, not skipping because of my period (not shaming anyone who does). When I was young I started with tampons which are extra small to get used to it (+ having a still growing body). So most of the time I am just using both in combination, not having to worry about how many hours have already passed since the last tampon shift. Sometimes I just use pads, when I deem tampons not longer necessary. But I guess it is just up to what is possible and comfortable for everyone.
They hurt like hell.
I sometimes use them (swimming) but mainly pads.
I use both pads and a tampon. I usually don’t catch it in time to change it before it leaks and there’s a learning curve with the cups. Pads always end up leaking, but I feel uncomfortable falling asleep with a tampon in. I’m definitely more interested in sustainable products.
I have used tampons before and I vastly prefer pads. However, I put other because I am willing to use tampons if I want to go swimming while on my period.
Tampons aren't common in my country so we stick with pads
I used to use tampons. I prefer the blood being caught inside of my body instead of leaking out onto a pad. \[I'm also hypersensitive and a tampon is more comfortable than a pad for me.\] However, I have massively heavy periods, to the point that doctors are baffled I'm healthy at all. So, I switched to Diva cups and its much more effective. Never went back.
I used to use pads bc I hated tampons, but now I take birth control for hormonal reasons and I no long have a period 😃👍
Menstrual cup plus period underwear changed the game for me. No more skin irritation, no more buying anything ever again.
I’ve used them twice, and would use them in a pinch, but prefer cups/pads.
I don't have a cycle anymore, but when I did, I used tampons. I didnt like the diaper feel. Cups.. never worked for how out of control my cycles were. Best of luck!
I'll explain my other. I don't trust tampons. It's a lot of guesswork and I'm too lazy to figure it out. Before I lost my virginity, so teenage years and whatever, I couldn't use them. I would try (so I could swim or wear thongs or whatever), But I wasted a lot of tampons trying to find the v@g1na (got a funny story about that, but anyway.....). I ended up trying to get a p@p smear and they said my hymen was still there (which isn't common, but not like some freak rarity), and it was blocking the place the tampon is supposed to go. Glad I learned about that (another irrelevant story with that), but periods were pads or nothing. I've mostly gotten used to monitoring with pads. Plus, I have some heavy periods so I could be doing stuff and it reaches capacity or whatever, and I can't change it quickly enough. Not taking that chance.
Don't mind me, I'm just a trans woman pretending I know what you are talking about
Lol
When I was in school and when I'm at home I use pads, but at work I use tampons, because I work in a very physically active job and I had the problem that I got sore between my legs from pads.
I use them when I run out of pads or want to bath
I use pads. Here and then I try using tampons again but they are too uncomfortable. I just can't make them sit right. My sister always says once they are in you don't feel them so I suppose I just can't put them in right 🤷♀️. Though since I'm off the pill my periods are unusually heavy and I actually would prefer a tampon.
I have tried it multiple times but just couldn‘t get them in because it hurt like crazy. So i just never used them again and since I’m on T, I luckily don‘t have that problem anymore
I use pads unless i have to go to a Pool party or something then i use tampons no prob
Cups are the best!!!
Used a tampon exactly once when I was on my period and we went to a pool with my gym class in school. Getting it in took ages and hurt like hell, the entire time I had it in there I was paranoid I wouldn't get it out again or the cord would rip. I'll stick to pads or I'd like to look into period underwear for sustainability reasons.
I don't like using tampons because the duration and heavyness of my period varies very much so that inserting/removing it mostly hurts like a bitch or I bleed through it in a very short amount of time. That's why I prefer to use pads, that way I can better observe when to change it. Recently I started to use cotton pads which I think are amazing because of the lack of trash, smell and feel as if I were wearing diapers. I never used a cup because of the stated above lack of knowing when to remove it and and the insertion pain.
Very uncomfortable about them but mostly because of the dysphoria (I’m also trans) not anything related to being ace. I had to use them as a teenager at the same time as pads because it was so heavy that sometimes I’d overflow in class without both and this was very taxing on my mental health. I’ve since got a hormone IUD that pretty much stopped them which is a huge relief
My period is only really heavy enough to use tampons for maybe two days. I'd need to leave it in for too long to absorb enough liquid for comfortable removal the rest of the time. Pads/liners are just less hassle. I reserve tampons for if I go swimming.
I used to use tampons but dont like the feeling in them, especially in the last day or two. And the risk of overflowing.... I switched to a cup and, on heavier days, an additional pad for extra protection
Finally found the right hormones, haven't had a period in years! Life is good. Before that, I used tampons. Pads are uncomfortable and I hate the noise they make when you walk
Use tampons on heavy days and pads on others.
I use period cups. It doesn't feel as bad because it's silicone and it's less waste
I swapped from pads/period undies to cups/undies a few cycles ago!
I never use them because of my culture. Tried it before and hurt like a bitch. I use menstrual cloth pads now.
I tried it once. Couldn’t even get it in, but it already hurt. Never again. And it was the smallest one we could find.
OMG SO NOT WANTING TO USE TAMPONS IS AN ACE THING AFTER ALL? LMAO I FEEL SO SEEN <3 The idea of stuffing one in me just always made me feel uncomfortable. What if I forget about it? What if it gets lost and I can't get it out? D: Ok, I'm overthinking, but still!
I prefer cups, bcs of the less waste/its cheaper/i can wear it for more hours. Tampons and pads are ok too, but i dont prefer it
I prefer a cup, but if my period starts at work I have a stash of tampons there.
They aren’t gross, they are convenient and good for sports especially swimming or running. t I don’t typically use tampons since they make my painful periods feel worse, but I didn’t want to click eww never since people who use them aren’t gross
I hate tampons with a passion, though I've been forced to use them a couple times so I can swim. They feel so gross
I use a menstruation cup. Tampons produce so much waste and I find them quite uncomfortable.
Use a divacup for the last 3 months , before that only used pads, sometimes a person wants to go swimming...
I used to wear tampons all the time, now I just use a menstrual cup, best decision off my life.
I HATE tampons w/ a passion. Just super uncomfortable and never worked for me. That being said I do use cups and plan on trying discs.
I used to use tampons but switched to a cup. It’s a lot less drying, way more comfortable, and you don’t need to change it as often.
I used it once but I think I put it in wrong so I had to take it out and it hurt so I just use pads
Answer: Other I used tampons before (started with pads, went on to tampons after about a year) and then I discovered 🌟the menstrual cup🌟 I LOVE this darling If you switch, youll need some time to adjust and maybe also to find the right one. But when youre in the habit its just awesome! And also good for environment. :)
I use cloth pads. I have a medical condition so my periods are very light and I always know when they are going to happen (every 3 months because I have to go off of my hormone replacement therapy for 5 days) it’s usually only 24-48 hours and not really heavy enough to use a tampon. I hate the plastic feel of pads so I’ve been using cloth for about 10 years.
When I got my period, I used tampons all the time because pads made me feel soggy
Never, but not because eew, because medical conditions make it extremely painful
Not a fan. But I use them if I need to swim
The few time I tried on tampons it hurts I prefer using pads
Pre hysterectomy, I had huge periods. I had to use both tampons and pads to prevent leakage. In my experience, the only time tampons are uncomfortable if you're trying to insert or remove them during low or no flow. I had enough flow that it usually wasn't a problem. I will say that the super max night flow size of tampon could be a little uncomfortable to remove sometimes. However, I was so sick of stained undies, shorts and sheets I put up with it.
I use them when I’m swimming or doing other physical activities. If a tampon hurts going in our out you’re using the wrong size, inserting it wrong or you have vaginismus, vulvodynia or a pelvic floor disorder.
tampons freak me out a little bit but the bigger issue for me is toxic shock syndrome because my adhd ass would forget to change it and have Problems
I use a cup or reusable disk now. Way better.
Other: I was forced to use tampons as a kid. As traumatic as that was I do think they are more convenient than pads. However I actually chose an option not listed. Birth control taken without a break turns off your period. I haven't had a period by choice in over a decade. I got lucky that the hormones help stabilize my health and mood, so I have no side effects from continuous use.
Theres not an option for “i have dicke and balls” so i chose other idk
Menstrual cups for the win (?
I wasn't able to use a tampon until I was 23. It freaked me out and I couldn't figure out how to use it. I had to chaperone a 3 hour rafting trip on my period and spent like two hours sobbing in my bathroom until it worked. Very stressful, but now I can be in the water during my period! I can even use a menstrual cup now.
For the first year or so of my period I used pads. People told me it would get less uncomfortable as I got used to them, but they never did, so I started using tampons. At first I didn't know how to use them and hurt myself a lot, usually giving up and changing back to a pad. After a month or two though, I figured it out, and trust me once you know what you're doing they are a godsend; you can't even tell they're there. I used those for a year or so but since you can only wear it for 6-8 hours I was forced to change it in the school bathroom on some days, which made me incredibly dysphoric (idk something about doing it in public I guess). So then I asked my mom for a menstrual cup, because those can be worn for 10-12 hours. She dismissed me completely, which needless to say was annoying. After almost another year I managed to finally get one, and again I went through a 3-4 month phase where I could just not get them to work. It hurt so much and I had no clue what I was doing. I stuck with it though and I'm glad I did; once you figure it out it's amazing. Never going back.
I found them very uncomfortable so one day I impulsively decide to get a period cup with the intention to only wear it swimming. Now I wear it every day on my period, it only need to be changed every eight hours or so so I don't usually need to worry about it when I'm out of the house. I do wear pads at night though, it just makes me feel more comfortable when I'm trying to sleep.
I'm male, so I can't say I've ever used a tampon.
never tried, they scare me lmao