To hate showering when on period

I just stick a tampon in straight away immediately after showering. Works the same with a cup.

Or get some tissue or a flannel to tide you over whilst you get dry.

Get yourself some iron tablets too… if you are bleeding for 3 months you will end up deficient. Dr can test for this too, and prescribe extra strong iron tablets!

I have a shower and then place a folded up soft flannel between my legs as soon as I step out the shower as I dry everywhere else with a towel

Place flannel straight into wash basket and it’s as easy as that. Done it for years during a period

Okay, but the GP can still offer you that different option - the only issue is who fits it. The OP seemed to be suggesting that the only option discussed/offered to her was the BCP - which clearly isn't the case.

Given there is a BMI reason behind the limitation on pills the other thing the OP should be doing is figuring out was to shift the weight. Getting that under control will also help with period issues (not to mention more easily being able to use tampons/menstrual cup - much easier if you are are a "healthy" weight on the BMI scale, because it's easier to reach to get to the area and also there's less excess fat etc making it more difficult to insert said tampon/cup. Clearly there are reason why some people have difficulty controlling weight (endo for example) but assuming those aren't an issue in this case an aim here should be shifting some pounds: it may well also help with getting periods under control, and it's much easier of course to get oneself showered etc.

This - just leave a bit of toilet paper folded up on your towel and use it while you dry yourself. Surely not rocket science?

I see it’s been covered but wanted to suggest the flannel based system too! In addition to heavy periods, I occasionally have a slightly leaky bladder so use one after every shower - even if I don’t leak - it saves my constant ‘just in case’ towel washes! Popping it between my legs gives me a chance to dry properly without the panicked rush to avoid mess.

I just clean the bathroom floor afterwards, as we don’t have carpet and use a dark towel.

I tend to keep my tampon in so don’t have that, but if I’m tampon free I have a wedge of loo roll ready and once I get out I wedge the loo roll between my legs while I dry!

I just use a hand towel and put it between my legs until I’m dry - wash it them at 60 degrees and just use them for this purpose! I’ve had 4 kids and did this after my post birth shower, at least you can get dry before having to put underwear on!

I was going to write exactly this. I put a fresh tampon in before showering. But I hear you when you say they don’t agree with you. It’s probably because you aren’t inserting them far enough. Lately I’ve been using a bit of lube to help with this.
Maybe try the menstrual cup if that doesn’t work for you.
But really, it is only blood and there shouldn’t be this stigma about it. Maybe switch off the shower and get as dry as you can while still in there? If I’m not wearing a tampon I dry that area last, and after I’m done any blood can just be rinsed away from the shower tray.

Is it a mirena coil? I had one of those and bled every day with it!! Had a hysterectomy in the end and it's the best thing ever! No more bleeding for me and I feel great for it, like a new person

But does it matter of the tampon is uncomfy if you are only using it for a short time

Youd only be using the tampon for 20 minutes in the shower

I get out of the shower and before drying with my towel I put a tampon in. That means I used to as I now have vaginal itchiness and tampons are so uncomfortable .

Have you thought about a contraceptive implant? I had one for years pre-menopause and it was great apart from weight gain so if your BMI is a problem, it might not be for you. The best thing about it was no periods. Loved it.

The menstrual cup was horrendous for me, putting in needs to be done once dry, taking it out left the bathroom looking like there had been a mass murder. Period pants better as they will dry you off as you dry the rest of you then swap for a sry pair or pants and pad

I hate Tampons too but have been using a cup since my periods restarted after my second. Not going to lie, sometimes I don't get it in right and it can be uncomfortable but re-insert and it usually works that time. I also use period pants as my flow is quite heavy day 1-3, so like the extra security. Game changer for me.

Mine only does the pill now too! Sends you to the sexual health clinic for anything else.

I’m the same OP, it runs down my legs for my entire shower and then is a quick rush. Just a note to say if you do have the coil fitted later on, you can’t use a menstrual cup - I have endo, and my gynae has seen so many coils come out since the uptick in cup use. I personally use reusable sanitary towels so I wedge one of those between my legs whilst I dry everywhere else properly.

As for other contraception types, they are worth looking into. I loved having the coil - but if you have the mirena you may have the same issues. I had the copper coil mostly, but tried the mirena and bled for 6m! I don’t do well on hormones hence the copper ones.

My GP doesn’t fit the coil anymore, I had my coil removed three weeks ago and he told me now you have to go to the sexual health clinic at the hospital to have them fitted. Good job I didn’t want a new one but he fitted my last two!

Yeah I'm exactly the same. I stuff some tissue up there just quickly so I can get dry and prepare a new pad. Its so annoying

I have a pack of baby wipes to hand and use one whilst I’m getting out the shower, to stop it, wipe, new tampon and get dressed.

Suck it up.

I’ve seen this comment a lot but want to add a note of caution. If you are tall or long-bodied you might need the stalk. I certainly do. My removal method involves bearing down and trying to grab the tip of the stalk and then once I have that bearing down again so I can get the cup. I would have no hope of removing it without the stalk.

I'm peri menopausal so have incredibly heavy periods at the moment. I shower with a tampon in though so don't have this problem, have you tried a little bit of lube on the tampon to make it more comfortable (and make sure it's in far enough or it will be uncomfortable)?

Oh me too! It's much nicer now I use period pants - if you have a heavy flow I know it can be a bit daunting, some brands like Modibodi do a heavy range, but might be worth looking into? They might not be for everyone but I've found them so much more comfortable than any disposable product.