Chafing from STs, not getting better?

[SinkGirl]

Ugh, well this is an unpleasant topic but I’m sure others have experienced it!

I have really heavy periods due to gynae conditions - can’t wear anything internal due to pain, and sanitary towels usually aren’t absorbent enough, cause severe chafing by about day 2-3 and then I have 6-8 more days of damage. Managed to cut out most chafing using a different kind of pad which are so much better but generally it starts to happen by about day 6.

A few months ago I had a really bad period and quite bad chafing along where the outer edges of the pad sit. Not uncommon but it’s just not getting better. Was still there when I had my last period so obviously got worse and I’m shortly due again and it’s still there.

No signs of infection, thrush etc - the skin is just really sore.

I’ve tried nappy rash cream and emollients with no joy.

Anything else I can try or do I need the embarrassment of seeing the GP about adult nappy rash? FFS!

Why don't you try washable bamboo pads? Get a job lot and change frequently. They're comfortable!

However they can't cope with a really heavy flow so you'd find yourself changing rather frequently. Other than that, I also use the organic Yoni ones and they're comfortable

Corn flour. They use corn flour at nursery sometimes on Dd.

I’d also recommend washable ones.

what kind are you using?
scented can irritate skin.
plastic backed can lead to sweat and inhibit skin healing. it can also have rough edges.

the old fashioned maternity pads (cotex?) seem to good.
and keeping the area clean.

Would period pants be any good?

Washable ones were far worse. The surface fabric is constantly wet - by far the most skin damage I’ve had is from washable ones and I’ve tried several. Always Infinity are what I use now and they are by far the best (foam core, top stays really dry even when they are almost full, and they hold a lot more). Still get some issues though just due to the length and heaviness.

Is there anything you could take or have like the coil to help?

I assume I'm allergic to ST so don't use them but get the same with panty liners and it's not really chaffe more like an itch and soreness then the skin like burns away!

What about period pants?

Oh and yes, definitely not scented ones! They are horrendous.

I think the pads I have are as good as it’s going to get, and normally it’s fine just that this time it’s not healing well. I guess it’s a bit like runners getting nipple chafing and it just getting worse and worse.

Will try cornflour when I’m on my period - just wondering whether the fact it’s still so sore means there might be an issue.

@Ugzbugz

Is there anything you could take or have like the coil to help?

I assume I'm allergic to ST so don't use them but get the same with panty liners and it's not really chaffe more like an itch and soreness then the skin like burns away!

What about period pants?

I’ve been on everything over the last 20 odd years - not currently on anything as every option causes some issue or other. Gynae wants to do a hysterectomy and I’m about at the point where I agree.

Might sound mad, but with the cornflour, pop it in the foot of a pair of tights like a powder puff. Might make application easier?

Have you tried lanisoh nipple cream as a barrier cream? I have also heard of women using always pants after giving birth and they might be an option as they’re all in one?

is your normal underwear cotton and washed hot?
possibly a residue of laundry detergent that irritates?
can you go commando if not on your period wearing a long, airy skirt?

Nipple cream isn’t a bad idea - I use epaderm ointment now which is similar and waxy. I did have some bedsore spray for my twins when they had severe nappy rash due to allergies as babies so maybe I need some of that.

Maybe it’s become like fungal nappy rash and I need to try some thrush cream.

Bloody periods. I did try period pants and had worse issues again, but I only tried one brand. Most products are just not designed for extremely heavy periods - I used to wear Tena pants at night with a night time towel in, but have found the infinity pads better without the leaking so happy with those. Just the not healing skin I’m worried about with another period due soon.

Eczema of the vagina caused by extended contact with menstrual blood is a thing.
If you can’t keep on top of it with regular washing and emollients, do see your GP.
Using a steroid cream to help the area recover between periods might make a massive difference.

@purplesequins

is your normal underwear cotton and washed hot? possibly a residue of laundry detergent that irritates? can you go commando if not on your period wearing a long, airy skirt?

I don’t think it’s my pants as it’s definitely where the pad touches that gets sore (the pads have wings so no fabric in contact with the skin there). Will try commando for a few days and see if it helps!

I have modibodi period pants and these aren't constantly damp. I have absolutely no idea how they manage to create a product so ingenious but they stay dry and smell free even on heaviest days. Might be worth trying in your case, they have a try for free promise too.

@ContessaVerde

Eczema of the vagina caused by extended contact with menstrual blood is a thing. If you can’t keep on top of it with regular washing and emollients, do see your GP. Using a steroid cream to help the area recover between periods might make a massive difference.

I hadn’t considered eczema but that’s very possible - I do have some low dose hydrocortisone cream as my boys still have eczema flare ups when exposed to dairy, so I will try that and if no improvement will see the GP.

People on here have recommended acupuncture for heavy bleeding. Since you have exhausted what the gp can offer, other than quite a drastic procedure, it might be worth a try?

I agree, mist products just can’t cope with really heavy bleeding.

@TheVeryHungryTortoise

I have modibodi period pants and these aren't constantly damp. I have absolutely no idea how they manage to create a product so ingenious but they stay dry and smell free even on heaviest days. Might be worth trying in your case, they have a try for free promise too.

Pretty sure that was the brand I tried- can’t remember now. Maybe it’s just the extent of the heaviness - are yours very heavy (if you don’t mind saying obviously!)? Infinity pads hold a huge amount of blood (probably 5x as much as a typical night time towel) but on the first three days I still get through at least 10 pads a day. Just feel like I would about 20 pairs of pants!

Have you tried weleda calendula nappy cream. Works miracles and all natural too so no chemicals. I've used it for a similar issue and found it really helps! About £7 a tube but often on offer in boots or superdrug.

@ContessaVerde

People on here have recommended acupuncture for heavy bleeding. Since you have exhausted what the gp can offer, other than quite a drastic procedure, it might be worth a try?

I agree, mist products just can’t cope with really heavy bleeding.

Tried it. You name it, I’ve tried it. In fact years I ago I was referred to the national homeopathic hospital in London where I had acupuncture and homeopathic treatment. I’ve had six surgeries, every hormone treatment going, etc etc. As well as endometriosis I have adenomyosis which is in the wall of the uterus - I have severe pain every day (I’m on morphine daily) and horrific periods, and although endometriosis can be cut out, adenomyosis can’t be removed without just removing the uterus. So I’m not thrilled about the idea of a hysterectomy and it’s not a cure for the endometriosis but I think it’s probably worth it at this point. I’ve suffered badly since I was 12, I’m 38 so probably have a while to go before menopause and hormone treatments are all hellish for me now. It’s probably the right time but I’m not keen still.

@Baker90

Have you tried weleda calendula nappy cream. Works miracles and all natural too so no chemicals. I've used it for a similar issue and found it really helps! About £7 a tube but often on offer in boots or superdrug.

I haven’t (we use metanium for the boys and it seems to work really well for them) but I will get some!

It sounds like the skin needs some time to heal and the possibly barrier creams may have more of a chance of working. Have you spoken to your GP at all? When I had similar issues, I looked on my surgery website and the special interests of the GPs were listed, one of which was women's health. I wonder if taking the pill for a few months back to back to give your skin time to heal may be an option?

I would rather not go back on the pill if I can help it - last time I only took it for 4 months but it took nearly a year for my hormone levels and associated side effects to sort themselves out (spent my life from 13-33 on some hormone or other including some very powerful hormone blockers and my body reacts horribly to hormone changes now). I’ll take the sore skin over all that to be honest!

It doesn’t help there were only 21 days between my last two periods and my period was 10 days so less than two weeks break. My body is shit, basically 😬

I've had extreme periods for years and the only way I could control it was with a moon cup and washable pads. I tried all the other hormonal contraception and medication methods, could not try the coil due to another condition I have. The moon cup doesn't have the same risks of TSS that tampons have and I genuinely found it more comfortable than tampons.

I've recently had ablation to stop the bleeding, as I've been having iron transfusions for years to treat the anaemia cause by my periods. I've had to wait until I'm over 40 for a man to agree to a procedure that would effectively sterilise me, even though I'm infertile anyway, have a 9 yr old via IVF and carrying a child left my disabled. Still not able to decide for myself not to have another child...need a mans permission.