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Original poster

To think I ever wanted to start my period?!

105 replies

LondonLady1980 · 10/11/2025 09:12

I remember being a teenager when me and all my friends were so desperate to start our periods as it was such a milestone, the sure sign we were growing up and womanhood was beginning….

And now they’re the absolutely bane of my life.

  1. The cramps, the headaches, the exhaustion.
  2. The clots, the mess, the flooding.
  3. Being confined to the house for at least 2 days.
  4. Sitting on towels, clothes being ruined.
  5. The endless washing.
  6. The heating always being on to try and get all my period pants dry as I’m going through 5 pairs a day.
  7. Waking up constantly throughout the night due to leaks.
  8. The accompanying diarrhoea.
  9. The anaemia.
  10. Doctors really not caring how much it impacts your life.

The only good thing is that it gives me a valid excuse to cuddle a hot water bottle 24/7.

Mind you, another positive is that my two sons are going to be super sympathetic towards any future girlfriends as they witness every month the crap and misery I endure (and are very sweet about it).

I know the menopause is going to bring with it lots of negative experiences too (us women are so lucky aren’t we?!), but after 26 years of periods I am so done with them!

I know my experience of having periods isn’t the reality for all women, but it’s my reality and I wish they would fuck right off!

I feel better for the rant.

My heart goes out to all the women who have it worse than I do.

Currently sitting on a towel with my hot water bottle and feeling very sorry for myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
LondonLady1980 · 10/11/2025 11:07

Halfwaytheree · 10/11/2025 10:58

To be honest I feel like I can’t relate to much of this. One of my mates in school had horrendous periods that would lead to her crying in pain so I guess there’s a huge spectrum in how periods impact people.

Having said that, I don’t think you’re using the right products if you’re experiencing all this. It sounds like period pants aren’t quite working for you? Personally I use tampons for the first few days, then pads. I also track my periods and my phone accurately predicts when they start. I haven’t dealt with any mess in a while. I did buy some specialist cleaner from Ocado that cleans out blood, should mess occur though. It works well, nothing has been stained.

Tampons don’t stand a chance.

Clots and blood just fall out of me with no warning 😢
I used to see women talk about “flooding” when they talked about their periods and I never understood what they meant until I started experiencing it myself.

I do use an App so I know when my period is coming, but I don’t know how that it supposed to make a difference to how they present? Unless I have misunderstood a point you are trying to make?

The idea that a period can occur and be comfortably managed with tampons and pads, and you never have to deal with staining is absolutely baffling to me.

You are very lucky.

OP posts:
MyAmusedPearlSquid · 10/11/2025 11:07

LondonLady1980 · 10/11/2025 11:03

I can’t take it due to a chronic condition I have sadly.

I remember the first time it was suggested to me during a phone consult with a GP and I was so relieved that finally I might get some relief, but then I had a phone call a few hours later from the same GP to say that after reviewing my medical history and after discussion with the Pharmacist it wasn’t an option for me 😢

Show quote history

Oh no that's not good it's really horrible having periods like this I know it really does stop your life in it's tracks for several days

Original poster
LondonLady1980 · 10/11/2025 11:03

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 10/11/2025 10:53

Op I feel your pain I'm exactly the same need towels under me first 2 days are impossible cramps are hell and leaks are rife
I have tried something different this month which has stopped my leaks and helped me a little more evana it's tranexamic acid you can get it from boots over the counter and its been a massive help for the first time in years I urge you to try it bring on the menopause I say sick of periods

I can’t take it due to a chronic condition I have sadly.

I remember the first time it was suggested to me during a phone consult with a GP and I was so relieved that finally I might get some relief, but then I had a phone call a few hours later from the same GP to say that after reviewing my medical history and after discussion with the Pharmacist it wasn’t an option for me 😢

OP posts:
Halfwaytheree · 10/11/2025 10:58

To be honest I feel like I can’t relate to much of this. One of my mates in school had horrendous periods that would lead to her crying in pain so I guess there’s a huge spectrum in how periods impact people.

Having said that, I don’t think you’re using the right products if you’re experiencing all this. It sounds like period pants aren’t quite working for you? Personally I use tampons for the first few days, then pads. I also track my periods and my phone accurately predicts when they start. I haven’t dealt with any mess in a while. I did buy some specialist cleaner from Ocado that cleans out blood, should mess occur though. It works well, nothing has been stained.

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 10/11/2025 10:53

Op I feel your pain I'm exactly the same need towels under me first 2 days are impossible cramps are hell and leaks are rife
I have tried something different this month which has stopped my leaks and helped me a little more evana it's tranexamic acid you can get it from boots over the counter and its been a massive help for the first time in years I urge you to try it bring on the menopause I say sick of periods