To wonder why I haven't powdered my lady parts before!!

I understand that and have known of the link for 40-odd years. I've never used it between my legs and certainly haven't tried puffing it into my vagina.

However, talc - Johnson's or other brands - has been a godsend for me. It's meant I've been comfortable and have avoided irritation and fungal infections that friends and relatives with heavy breasts, folds or deep belly buttons have suffered with for decades.

I started using more when I was peri-meno. It was extremely uncomfortable for me. I was overheated, itchy and developed the sweaty smell of an unwashed teenage boy that no amount of showering would make go away. Talc just made it easier until I finally managed to get HRT which helped symptoms enormously.

I'm menopausal now and (sigh) have even bigger breasts. I'll keep using talc until my stash runs out then make the switch to Johnson's with cornstarch. I'm already using a cornstarch "talc" between my legs when needed as I'd had some in the house for decades. I'd bought it on a trip to see family in the US where women were already concerned and where several brands were selling cornstarch powder, including Johnson's.

To be fair, the cornstarch powders aren't the devil's work. I just prefer talc. Unless I need to use some between my legs. Johnson's Baby with cornstarch is quite pleasant. Finer and not as gritty as Femfresh powder. Vagisil is similar to Johnson's but is extremely fine to the point of almost being dust. Way overpriced, too. I will use Femfresh if I have any irritation from knicker elastic as it seems to be more soothing/healing than Johnson's. And, shockingly, I've never had a "claggy fanny with glue" as some PPs have mentioned.

I hope this helps anyone reading the thread.

I also hope that it clarifies that there may be a link between talc and ovarian cancer and also with mesothelioma.

But to be clear, Johnson's Baby powder sold in this country (and most others) is now made from cornstarch, not talc. As is both Femfresh and Vagisil. All are safe for use by women like me who need/want to use between our legs, whether to help with irritation from knicker elastic or to help keep our vulvas feeling free of friction in order to help us feel more comfortable.

Probably because Johnson’s baby power is linked to cancer 🤷‍♀️

Just returned to the thread to ask what the physio has been doing to help. I was using a Tenscare pelvic exerciser but I recently started seeing a pelvic physio and was told that my pelvic floor is overactive and to stop using it.

I've now stopped using it but my urge incontinence hasn't totally gone away. A few years ago and after a lifetime of UTIs I was told to double-void urinate which has been life-changing especially as I'd developed an allergy to trimethoprim.

That's helped the urge incontinence a bit but the physio told me it's important to not ignore my bladder (which I had been doing). Now I go for a pee when I know I've been drinking yet haven't had that full bladder signal. Ask your physio about bladder training.

"Latchkey" urge incontinence was a big one for me (that was either getting to the front door or if I'm at home actually seeing the toilet). I don't go out very often but when I do I now try to use the toilet before I leave so I'm not desperate when I get home. That's helped loads as I hate using pads.

You asked one PP about pants. I use the incredibly lightweight microfibre no VPL high legs from M&S (pack of 5 for £12). I've used cotton for decades as they're supposed to be breathable and the better choice but the microfibres ones are better IMO. They dry quickly (on the line and on me if I'm sweaty), are incredibly comfortable and pads still stick if you need to use them. They come in different styles and are true to size but I sized up when I ordered last (as they were out of my normal size) and found them even more comfortable.

Back to powder. I find Femfresh quite hard to find sometimes so started using Johnson's baby as it's now cornstarch. It's a softer, lighter, less gritty powder that's quite nice to use - and much cheaper and easier to find. Vagisil is very similar but so overpriced it's a joke.

Talking of Femfresh, their Active shower gel is lovely. I'm NOT active but still use it. I do feel fresher for longer after using this or the Superdrug knockoff. They have to be the "Active" versions, though. The ingredients are different to the others.

Do you use wipes when you're out? They're handy but the winner for me is Nilaqua anti-bacterial rinse-free wash. They used this on dementia patients on the EMI ward I worked in so I know it's skin-safe. This stuff is great if you feel you need to freshen up or have had a small accident as it eradicates/prevents odour. I usually buy the larger bottle then decant to a small foam pump bottle.

Lastly, can you get a referral either from your GP or physio to get your veins sorted? My BIL had treatment on the NHS just before Covid for his as it was "mildly aggravating" him enough that he was bothered to visit the GP. It annoys the hell out of me that a man gets bumped to the top of the list for symptoms that are nowhere near as bad as yours sound.

He had this procedure: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-website-2019/Patientinformation/Scansandx-rays/Pelvic-vein-embolisation-3610-PIL.pdf

Lucky for some those things obviously work, but I suffer urge incontinence and all the above mentioned side effects in my original post my comfort on a day to day basis is horrendous. It feels like I have testicles at times, my vulval is so swollen (no joke!). I don't smell down there nor feel dirty, but I do feel uncomfortable and the corn starch powder is a miracle worker!!

@CableCar have you taken medical advice about any of this?
Urge incontinence can be treated with drugs and physio.
Is it actually 'urge' or overactive bladder? Whichever, it can be treated - see your GP?
If you're swollen someone needs to take a look! It could be thrush or some other type of mild infection. Or if you're in peri it could be lack of estrogen and you need a prescribed cream for that.

I had terrible itching and soreness down there two years ago. Tried prescribed and recommended soaps and creams, to no avail. Then I tried just washing with cold water, as often as needed. Problem disappeared in just 2 days.
Ok to use soap for back passage .
If you dont have a bidet, use jug in toilet.
If away from home, use water soaked toilet paper or kleenex.

I didn’t think you were supposed to use anything but water down there…

It's everywhere in UK supermarkets, own brands and others. Also medicated talc. Good for armpits as well. Xx

I have the BeChill range by Knotty. The knickers are nice but the boy shorts and boxers are the comfiest, I thought boxers would be really sweaty and chafey but the fabric they use is great

Thanks for posting OP, I'm off to buy some Femfresh powder tomorrow. Hope it works for me!

Ok... So I lost a parent due to cancer caused by talc and powder. I'm sorry you think that's hilarious

You really don't need things like this. And I lost a parent to powdering private parts (cancer). Please don't risk it.

I don't wear knickers as I hate them
I wash every below waist item once worn
I love a fresh Fanny powder

Very well put. Personally I find 'lady parts' cute; it's usually used in a slightly tongue in cheek way anyway, so it's mildly funny in a gentle way, and who doesn't need extra humour in their lives?

I hate pads but I assume the idea is that when one gets less than fresh it can be chucked and a fresh one stuck in, whereas you’re not going to carry around several pairs of pants a day?

I don’t think they have it for babies anymore? Never seen or used it.

Slightly off topic but I never understand why pads/liners are supposed to keep you fresh? Surely the ‘problem”is your bits being next to a material, whether its a pad or knickers ..you are still going to get sweaty etc?

This is genius

I don't think it counts as embarassing when it's only people like you who are cringing.

I actually looked for the femfresh powder in boots today and they didn’t have it. I don’t need it all the time, but there is a point in my peri-menopausal cycle where I think it would really help me. I need something more.
Washing, wearing cotton pants doesnt not cure the damp feeling. Sometimes less than an hour after a shower I feel like another.
I have bought some wipes which I did use before and did help slightly getting though the day.

Instead of mocking and showing your obvious ignorance, try googling “Johnson and Johnson talc and cancer,” you might learn something and love having knowledge.

Vagisil is very expensive and no different to Johnson's baby powder now that it's cornstarch. Johnson's is slightly less messy with the powder dust everywhere.

Yeh, that talc cancer is a bitch 🙄

Baby powder is cornstarch now. There's enough to worry about with chemicals in makeup, and plastics leeching into every corner of our lives without inventing reasons to be freaked out over nothing.

Get some "talc" on your bum. You'll love it.