Long haul flight - disposable pants?

[Deliberatenamechange1]

Hi - I have a (very) long haul flight tomorrow night and am in the middle of my period. Also tend to have quite heavy periods. I really can’t face having to change multiple tampons or pads in some awful airplane loo. Has anyone tried wearing disposable pants in a similar situation and, if so, how long did you go without changing them?

In particular, Always now have Tenalady-style disposable pants specifically for periods (www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Overnight-Disposable-Underwear-Leakproof/dp/B08VCJS1MX) but just need some reassurance they won’t leak and I’m not being gross!

Honestly, try a pack of tena pants as an experiment.
No leaks.

You don’t want anything Tena based as I believe these are incontinence based for water absorbable (like a nappy) which isn’t effective for periods.

I would use maternity pads as these are very thick and I would take some good quality baby wet wipes so you can freshen up between each pad change.

I wouldn’t use disposable knickers either as they will be a complete faff to change (taking pants/tights off).

I was not aware of this. The research from the NHS states it no longer considered unsafe.
nowpatient.com/blog/is-talcum-powder-safe-nhs#
Do you know what can be used instead? As sudocem is not a drying agent.

How long is your long haul? A PP mentioned 5 hours with 5 pads but 5 hours isn’t long haul. I regularly fly 12-14 hours to Asia and used to do 24 hours to New Zealand. I would say use tampon, pads and period pants all together. I can sleep on planes but I sleep light. There should be plenty of time to get up and go to the loo and change tampons. I don’t think mooncup is a good idea unless you are also combining it with pads and period pants. You will need to empty the cup just like changing tampons.

I'm not quite sure what purpose it is fulfilling for you?

If it's because like me you have thick thighs, I use cycling shorts under skirts and dresses. Or you can buy a product in a tube - lancare, I think? Lanacane?

If it's period related... can you explain what it does?

Possibly cornstarch/cornflour from the supermarket. It's got the same absorbent and friction reducing properties, and scrap home made "recipes" for things like deodorant use it for these reasons.

They do work. I'm waiting for tests for fibriods and lost 100ml in one hour before being medicated. They are great after giving birth too. It's the same gel as in towels, just more

I'd do the pants with pad inside.

Mooncups require relaxation to insert and remove, I've had mine for years and can only get mine out by squatting, using a finger to pull to one side and breaking the seal. I only use mine when light & going swimming. Not something to try casually.

I remember reading that advice and the studies in detail, and it didn't particularly convince me! (I'm a biologist)

Many "talc" products no longer contain talc. I'm not 100% sure but J&J baby powder might be one of them.

How long is your flight?

You shouldn't have an issue with the loos on a large plane, there's always one larger loo which is easy to use. People will be up and down using the loos all the time.

Bear in mind that if the disposable knickers become full or uncomfortable unless you're wearing a skirt then everything has to come off to replace them - that will be a pain.

If you do decide to go for the pants then the Always discreet boutique are excellent. I used them after birth both times. Much less bulky than Tena.

I use it to sooth my skin, rubbing with a towel can cause irritation due to issues I have with my blood vessels, unfortunately this contributes to my issues with my vulva and vagina being more sensitive due to the blood vessels. The plastic used in pads causes irritation and dampness. Which then makes me feel uncomfortable and more irritated.

I do use shorts, tights under skirts and dresses. I have considered the period pants, although not sure which brand to try and do not want to waste money.

For very heavy periods you 100% do want incontinence not period products.

TMI but if with your heavy bleeds you pass a lot of large clots, they sit on top of the tena pants fabric and are very easily removed from tena pants with a bit of loo roll. The moisture is wicked away so there's very little mess in doing so. The regular period blood is absorbed into the incontinence knickers just the same way as sanitary towels - but incintinence knickers do a better job of keeping the moisture away from your skin than sanitary towels do.

Thank you, your response as a biologist is helpful to me. J&J say they do not use talc any longer. I say talc as it the generic term I remember from the 80’s. I do not want to cause myself more issues, than I already have. Hoping to not be having my period on my first long haul flight either.

Oh this makes sense, it’s the clots that freaked me out when I used my mums Tena pad when I ran out of sanctuary products. I get a lot of clots and didn’t realise so after a few hours there was a lot sitting there that hadn’t been absorbed. The same thing happened after my C-section and the Tena pull up pants. I swapped to maternity pads and it worked much better for me for the clots!

I think there's a drug you can take to reduce flow.

I'm not sure why anyone would struggle changing a pad or tampon in a plane loo. I just don't see the issue. I hold the clean one in my teeth. Put a paper hand towel on the side. Remove the old pad, place on paper towel. Put new towel on. Pull up clothes. When you are finished, wrap pad in the towel and throw away.

Norethisterone. There's tranexamic acid too, but most women find that pretty shit.

The pill could also be an option to delay the period (but IMO if you have bad periods you don't start messing around with hormones!)

That's so weird, and funny, I found the opposite and the maternity pads i tried were much worse for everything sitting on top!

Period pants are brilliant- primark do 3 pairs for £10. I too have very heavy periods and have never leaked using these

The best tampons for heavy flo imo are lillets (oranges box) airport loo’s are fine, pop one in before you flight then a couple of the most absorbing pads, pair of disposable pant things then your normal knickers!

My periods used to be horrific - needed a blood transfusion once as I lost so much blood in that few days. I couldn’t leave the house for days.

I feel your pain, it’s awful and can be deliberating for some women.

Good luck.

My sis who was in the midst of horrendous menopausal/HRT flooding used overnight period pants, thick pad and super duper tampon. She didn't restrict using the loo though, it was just as insurance. She still wanted to feel comfortable so changed pad and tampon as normal.

(she came off that HRT)

Bear in mind that if the disposable knickers become full or uncomfortable unless you're wearing a skirt then everything has to come off to replace them - that will be a pain.

Don't they tear down the sides?

Oh, doesn't solve putting a fresh pair on though....

This blows my mind. I would love if that’s the case but I have a large one and it’s completely full after 2hrs. Fortunately that’s only for around 14hrs then it lasts a bit longer!

They are also so easy to empty and reinsert though that I could easily do that on a plane with no issues.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. Went to our local supermarket and invested in what I thought were their thickest incontinence pants. Turns out I’ve accidentally bought the proper adult nappies with side tapes so if you see anyone waddling around Heathrow shortly, it could well be me. 😂Still, they’re so massive I think the risk of leaks is absolutely zero!

For me they are not- after two hours they are full to the brim and I need space to insert correctly, I could not do it in a plane toilet.