to be really annoyed about scented Always pads?

[MinesaBottle]

I?ve used Always since they first came out in the UK (waaaay back when) and always (sorry) been happy with them. They were a revelation after the inch-thick leaky horrors of my early teens. Anyway, I notice they are now only available scented ? at least the ones I use (Night ? for those heavy heavy times). WHY???? Not only do I really dislike the heavy implication that a) my fanjo smells terrible and b) I don?t know to wash myself and wear clean underwear, but the smell makes me heave - it?s like the worst elements of synthetic old-lady and teenager perfumes mixed together ? and I really don?t want to stick chemicals right on my most sensitive part. Bought some last month because I hadn?t realised they were scented, and while I can almost never smell my own period I can constantly smell the stupid scent.

Thanks a bunch Always I shall be switching to Boots? own brand from now on (until they become bloody scented as well)

[LordFlasheart]

Oh, I agree! Have also switched to Bodyform. We have acess to water for washing, why would we need perfume on our vagines? And it is an awful perfumey smell, I dont find the blood is bad smelling anyway provided you wash. V strange, not to offer the option of choosing unscented IMO.

[Mulsanne]

I don't mind the scented pads - in fact I buy the scented pant liners in favour of unscented ones. I've never tried using a mooncup but how on earth would go about changing, rinsing and re inserting in a public loo

[fuzzywuzzy]

I usually use a bottle of water to wash out my mooncup with when I use a public toilet. Or you can just wipe it clean using tissue.

[ravenAK]

Ugh, disgusting. Natural smells (eg. menstrual blood, baby shit) are made far worse once you mix them with stinky synthetic perfume (pongy disposable sanpro or nappybags). Gross. & then they hang around in the bin for days...

I use tampons for work & washable pads when pottering around at home. Well, I say 'washable pads' - I have a box of old tatty flannels. They get a quick soak in a bucket & then go in with the rest of the wash.

[highlandbird]

....hope the manufacturers are taking note, wonder if there will be a response

[Extrospektiv]

Absolutely YANBU- nice to see the consensus on this, let the makers of their competitor brands have a HAPPY PERIOD of sales increase as we swap...

Ultras in at least Silk & Simply Fits are unscented according to that site though, while some posters have said "all" Always Ultras are now scented.

[CouthyMow]

Nope, YANBU. If I wanted a flowery twat I would spray industrial strength air fresher up my fanjo. As I don't do that, I don't want scented sanitary protection.

[spoonsspoonsspoons]

It was a revelation to discover that period blood doesn't really smell, the 'smell' is actually the blood and disposable towels together. Using washable towels there's almost no smell

[eurochick]

Oooo, I have had a reply:

Thank you for your email to Always.


I am sorry to hear that you have been disappointed with the change in our Always and appreciate you taking the time to let us know.


Here at Always, we take our quality control very seriously. You can be assured that I have passed your comments on to our Quality Assurance Department.


You may have noticed a scent from the new Always Ultra pad. This is not intentionally added but comes from the odour neutralizing ActiPearl? technology. Our intensive consumer research among over 2000 women has shown that odour control is the second most important benefit for women after reliable protection. We designed Always Ultra ActiPearls? to be as absorbent and protective as the previous product but now with added benefit of odour control. ActiPearl? technology is not applied to the surface of the pad but contained inside the pad so there is no direct contact with the skin. All of our Always products are dermatologically tested for skin compatibility.


If you want to purchase a product without the ActiPearl? technology then Always Silk, Freshelle, Fresh, and Simply Fit are available. If you want a product without scent then we would recommend you using Always Simply Fit and Always Ultra with Freshelle.


I hope this helps. If I can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to call me on freephone (UK) 0800 0850367, (ROI) 1800 509301, or write to me via return email.


Kind regards,

Rachael

Consumer Relations

----

[LadySybildeChocolate]

But if they are changed regulary THEY SHOULDN'T SMELL!! Idiots! [rolls eyes]

[MinesaBottle]

Right, so the scent is just an accidental by-product . That's all right then! It's good to see some of their products are still unscented though, I just wish it was all of them. There's no need for a scent!!

Anyway I have switched to Boots for now because I generally use the Night pads (v heavy periods and terror of leakage) - couldn't get on with a Mooncup sadly

[LeandarBear]

I sent a note yesterday directing them to this thread. I have not heard from them yet.

Quote from the email received by eurochick
Our intensive consumer research among over 2000 women has shown that odour control is the second most important benefit for women after reliable protection

I think they missed the point, I am sure if they asked the 2000 women if they wanted a pad that smells of toilet cleaner then, I would imagine, the response would not be so enthusiastic. They smell revolting.

I have heavy periods and I have tried lots of brands and I really prefer always ultra but I won't buy these ones again.

Hope everyone else drops them a line to let them know what they think.

[LeandarBear]

Always Can be contacted on [email protected]

Or if you visit their site, here, you can complete the feedback form

[Krumbum]

Things I want from a pad: very sticky, don't scrunch up, hold a lot.
Things I don't want: patterns, scents, 'discrete' packaging, euphemistic advertising.

[EauRouge]

"Our intensive consumer research among over 2000 women has shown that odour control is the second most important benefit for women after reliable protection."

I'd be interested to see the survey that told them that, specifically how the question was worded because until these scented pads came out I hadn't heard any woman complain about menstruation smells. I think Always are trying to make women worry that they smell bad to sell this new product.

[wanttomakeadifference]

Adding my voice to those who think it is riduculous to have a scented pad.

I was lucky enough to have tickets for the Olympics last weekend. I got my period and not knowing what the toilet situation would be like, I bought some Always pads to wear as a back up to tampons (sorry if TMI).

I was really suprised by the strong, synthetic smell. I find my bits get irritated by the smallest amount of bio powder, fabric conditioner or anything scented so there was no way I was going to use them.

They weren't just scented, they smelled very strongly.

I think Always have got their wires crossed- I can appreciate that a proportion of women if questioned would feel that the issue of 'odour' is a concern. Even though I know that if I change pads regularly there should be nothing to worry about, it does cross my mind. However, that doesn't mean that I want them to offer a solution to my unfounded paranoia via a scented product.

I will never buy a scented pad, not ever (well only by mistake like this week, and they are in the bin).

Rant over

[Krumbum]

You will smell if you don't change pads often whether they are scented or not. It's when the blood and sweat goes 'off' ie has been sitting around for a very long time that it begins to smell. And this wouldn't cover that anyway. Similarly a little squirt of perfume on your pants wouldn't mean you don't need to wash.

[LadySybildeChocolate]

I remember the thread about the disposable nappies which split and burnt a child's legs last week. I really do think that we need to be aware of what is inside towels, it can't be a good thing to have perfumed items/Actipearl so close to your fanjo. Has anyone actually done any tests into all of the crap they put into these things? I know they have done some previously, but is there anything more recent? They seem to be adding more and more.

[Splinters]

"You may have noticed a scent from the new Always Ultra pad. This is not intentionally added..."

No, but you did make it, and it smells.

[wanttomakeadifference]

I don't remember which Awalys ones I bought (green packet), but the smell was so strong that I find it hard to believe it was not intentionally added.

The concept of it being 'unintentional' worries me even more in terms of whether they have actually tested this stuff!!

[Longdistance]

Oh ffs. I'm coming back to the UK next week for a holiday, and one of the things Imiss are Always Ultra with wings.

The pads here in Oz are rubbish.

I'd personally tell them that they are being talked about on mumsnet!

[cantspel]

I like a scented towel as we dont all have lives where we can pop to the loo to change a pad at regular intervals.
I dont see a scented pad any different than using scented soaps or sprays and maybe i have the skin of a rhino but i have never had any reation to scented products.

If you dont like always then there are plenty of other products available so just buy one of them.

[theodorakis]

Can i also add something about waxing or IPL. i have laser IPL monthly and last month used a scented pad just after and have had a serious irritation and yeast infection since. it has been very hard to shift and i am convinced it was the chemical on my vulnerable skin. I have had to have a steroid cream, anti biotics, Diflucan weekly and have been so down about it. TMI sorry but don't want anyone else to ever suffer this.

[MarianForrester]

YADNBU.

The smell is vile. I do not want any scent in sanitary towels; bloody weird notion.

I use a Mooncup and towels as shocking periods and did use Always. Not any more.

I really hope they react to this and get rid if the scent. And htf is it added accidentally?!

I will not buy their products at all now, nor will I get them for dd when she starts.

[NarkedRaspberry]

If you don't change towels regularly enough there will be a smell. Scented towels don't cover that. They just add a sickly floral scent over the top of the smell.