Which brand of sanitary towels don’t cause the burning pain of a thousand suns?

[CaptainBrickbeard]

I switched to washable pads when all brands started impregnating their pads with scent, causing immediate itchy agony whenever I used them. Now I have to go away for a weekend when I will be on my period with no access to laundry facilities. I have neither the time to order nor inclination to use a menstrual cup. As a one-off I will use disposables but which ones are scent-free nowadays?? I used to find that it wasn’t always labelled on the pack as it had become so ubiquitous and I really don’t want to end up inadvertently stuck with the pain (or the horrible synthetic floral smell, come to that!). Can anyone recommend a scent-free brand?

I use washable pads, and when I go away for the weekend I Rinse them in cold water and pop them in a wet bag or wee box. Just wash them when I get home. Never had a problem that way. Sorry can't advise on disposable pads.

With the supermarket own brand, they seem to suck up neighbouring scents if they are too close on the shelf.

Another vote for Sainsburys own brand.

The cheapest ones in the supermarket like Asda's own brand, Tesco's own.

All the supermarket own brands, also Wilkos own brand.
None are scented, and all cost pence and work really well.

I usually use cloth pads but my emergency back ups are Aldi’s pads or maternity ones.

Why can't you just 'rinse through' your washable ones and then bag them up to take home? Surely you have more than enough to last you a weekend? Popping the rinsed ones into a ziplock bag and stashing them at the bottom of your suitcase would be fine!

(My money is on a menstrual cup though, honestly! Game changer 🤷‍♀️)

In an emergency I will use most supermarket's own brand towels as they tend to me unscented but they can also be a bit "cardboardy". Whenever possible I use Always Sensitive they are very soft and comfortable and don't irritate at all. Can't get them everywhere though - I always stock up when I'm in the Pound Shop. I have a pathogical hatred of wings though so can only buy towels without. Will buy another brand if they only have Always Sensitive with wings!!

I think a lot of it depends how heavy you are as well - I could not use thin small pads, or wingless pads.

That plasticky top layer on most pads in combination with heavy bleeding which means the pad surface is always damp and it doesn’t absorb fast enough takes my skin right off.

This is why Infinity are so amazing - they have an under layer and somehow all the blood is drawn through to there first. So when you go to the loo the pad looks and feels almost empty but when you look at the back it’s completely full.

Whatever material they use on the top also doesn’t irritate at all. I wonder if Always Sensitive uses the same, will have to try it if they have high absorbency ones

I know op doesn’t want to try one, but for anyone else reading this...menstrual cups really are a game changer.

Always sensitive, not scented.

I tried a cup but just didn't get on with it and could feel it. Was I doing it wrong?

I’ve always used bodyform or supermarkets own brand. I avoid always. Think those are the stinky ones. Who decided we needed a fresh smell down there anyway?

I've started using organic ranges like Natracare or TOTM. As PPs have mentioned it's the plastic on the top which irritates as well as the scent.
These feel the most 'cottony' to me.
I order mine from Ocado so don't know which shops stock them.
It really annoys me that the default seems to be scented, and that they are selling the non-scented ones as a 'sensitive ' product. There'd be no need if they didn't add the scent in the first place!

Kotex. Can get them in Superdrug 2 for £2.

I can't stand all these thin pads with that horrid plastic sticky top.

The best I’ve tried are the Gift Wellness range from Holland and Barrett.

@Misty9. There’s some good threads on here with advice on mooncups. Different ones and sizes suit different people, or you might not have placed it right. And cut the stem off,....

Thanks all. I think I am going to go to Holland & Barrett or Boots and look for something like Natracare - if I can find plastic-free and unscented it will be much, much better.

There are a couple of reasons that a menstrual cup is just not suitable, though I do understand they are life changing for lots of women.

I could take my washables and store them in a ziplock bag of course but I’d just really rather not come home with a weekend’s worth as I get through an awful lot and wash a load pretty much every day for the first three days.

Finally, does anyone with heavy periods manage to go swimming successfully? I swim four times a week and hate taking a week off every month but I just don’t dare attempt it.

Kind organic or natracare are good.

Can you take a wetbag and wash your pads when you get home? That's what I do when I go away.

Ooh sorry just read your update.

Maternity pads would solve your problem. The thin ones, much softer and no plastic coating.

"I think I am going to go to Holland & Barrett or Boots and look for something like Natracare"

Boots don't sell Natracare or anything similar, they used to sell a brand called Cottons I think but I found them irritating.

Natracare is sold in Waitrose and in my local (independent) health food shops but I don't think I've seen it in Holland and Barratt.

Swimming is fine with a menstrual cup but as you've said you don't want to use one I don't know what else to suggest I'm afraid.

www.natracare.com/where-to-buy/united-kingdom/