Off to buy tampons - please educate me!!

[Thewayimfeeling]

Sorry if this is too much info for 6am on a Sunday morning but I’ve just come on and with a long day of entertaining 3 young children ahead of me, I can’t think of anything worse than lining some old pair of bridget jones style underwear with a huge ass pad.

So, I’m off to Asda this morning and for the first time, I shall buy and try tampons. I have had 3 children (c section). Which brand & size do I go for?!

I found that Tampax expand lengthways and Lillets width ways.
I always had a preference because one leaked and the other didn't. I guess it's down to your anatomy and it may be trial and error.

Surprised you've never tried them before.
Why is today different?

Forgive me for being dense, but if you’ve never used tampons before, surely you’ve used pads for your entire life without being this melodramatic?

Tampons are pretty personal, IMO — depends on flow, whether you prefer applicator/non-applicator etc.

And yes to @QuirkyHorse ’s point about anatomy.

I use the orange ones with applicator, but I’ve got quite a heavy flow.

What's the issue after all these years of using a " huge ass pad". It's personal preference, most women find one and stick with it.

If it's your first time I suggest you buy a variety and see what you get on with.

These are the ones that work best for me but there wouldn't be such a range of choices if there was an obvious "best"

@QuirkyHorse Never tried them - despite each and every month telling myself ‘I must try them’!

& @ScallopShelled I DREAD this day each month. I bloody hate pads. It’s a typical case of moaning all the time about them but failing to do anything about it and try something new. Also been worried about the risk of TSS but I have to get over that and just be sure to change them regularly.

I preferred Lilets but agree you should probably buy a selection. I could never get on with the applicator ones but I am dyspraxic. DD much prefers them.

Careful, people get kicks out of reading stuff like this

I discovered moon cup about 10 years ago, which is discovered it sooner. I use that with a pair of period pants as a back up

Have you tried period pants?

I wish they’d existed when I was a teenager. I add a medium pad on my first two days but after that the pants are enough.

I don’t know a single person who only uses pads.

It's not based on size it's based on flow, so you go by how heavy you are.

I have no idea what a period troll is meant to be and I assumed it was perfectly normal to ask for brand recommendations and sizing advice considering I have never used tampons and have had 3 c sections…….. I’m not going into graphic weird details ?!

& @Abracadeborah I don’t know a single person who uses a mooncup or period pads. Funny isn’t it.

Yeah it's impossible for anyone to tell you which will fit best. I like lilets just because less packaging. The ones in the pink packet. But I've not given birth or had a c section.

They're much cleaner feeling than wearing a pad though.

Me too.

I love period pants but my flow is light.
Can’t really use tampons anymore. I find them painful as my flow is so light.
When I did use them, I liked the Tampax Pearl. Make sure you get tampons with an applicator if it’s your first time.

I used to just get the regular ones from Home Bargains, 2 packs for a quid or something. The applicator ones are a bit pointless and don’t fit in your pocket as easily but just try some and see what works for you.

I’m sure there used to be a brand that had several sizes in one box, which you’d find helpful.
Alternatively get a supermarket own brand in a couple of different sizes.
Or skip straight to a mooncup.

Wear a liner as well until you know you’ve got the right absorbency for you.

Be careful of the applicator ones, I got the plastic stuck and a nurse had to remove it.

i prefer lillets as I going Tampax always leaked as didn’t expand width ways enough. I’m sure if you’re old enough to have had 3 children you’ll cope fine without needing an applicator which is just more papery/plastic rubbish.

Sizing advice? Wtf
Do you want someone to come round and measure your vag?