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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask whether anyone likes scented sanitory towels?

172 replies

Shente · 13/12/2013 19:34

Periods just returned after a long time pregnant then breast feeding and I now find my old failsafes stink. I have bought a new pack of "simply fits" which don't seem to be as obnoxious as I was convinced the smell was so vile that someone would comment on it! Where has this idea come from and does anyone think it's a good one?

OP posts:
realfatherchristmas · 13/12/2013 21:12

i like them in the same way i like my perfume, that's not to say that i find my wrists and neck have a natural odour i don't like.

ExcuseTypos · 13/12/2013 21:14

They smell vile. I don't want that anywhere near my fanjo.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:15

Does no-one else's period blood smell then? I stink during a period, despite careful frequent washing.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:16

I think I'd rather smell of cheap perfume than womb contents, personally.

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 13/12/2013 21:18

I don't think anyone else smells me when i'm 'on'. Urgh. I'd rather smell of womb contents than have a rash on my arse!

EdithWeston · 13/12/2013 21:19

I'd rather change towel frequently, and use the scent of my choice.

forthview · 13/12/2013 21:20

I like them. Lots of people in real life (not on mumsnet) obviously do otherwise they wouldn't be so many on the market.

There's plenty of unscented ones to choose from too so I can never understand why there's so many threads complaining about them.

merrymouse · 13/12/2013 21:20

I am sure that I have a normal sense of smell, but in 42 years of being alive I have never been able to smell whether a woman has her period.

Anyway scented towels don't take away smell, they just add the scent of air freshener to the existing smell.

Methe · 13/12/2013 21:24

Womb contents! My children were womb contents and they smell wonderful.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:24

bollocks periods don't smell. That's like saying farts don't smell. Some do, some don't.

Methe · 13/12/2013 21:25

But are you a real woman merrymouse? You are on mumsnet after all..

Gluezilla · 13/12/2013 21:25

I use a Mooncup - bought 5 years ago .
Always /have a happy periodHmm /scented pads - companies who make these - FUCK OFF ! Grin

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:26

I'm not sure how comparing a child to a sweaty blood clot is relevant?

phantomnamechanger · 13/12/2013 21:28

they are rank!
Had to buy DD some pantliners yesterday and they did not have her usual brand so I looked very carefully for a non scented one but they still smell from being surrounded by all the others on the shelf. That horrid warm sickly floral smell, bleurgh! I also hate the towels that have a plasticky feel to the top surface - really sweaty and uncomfy why do they do it??

merrymouse · 13/12/2013 21:28

Unless you have a different kind of blood, there is no reason why your period should smell worse than anybody else's.

LimitedEditionLady · 13/12/2013 21:30

No theyre horrid,what is that smell meant to be?

AngryDrib · 13/12/2013 21:30

Since having dc3 I'm still bleeding slightly and have gone back to using the purple Always packs and have found that its started to sting when I wee. It didn't sting the weeks I was using maternity pads and it didn't sting right after birth either, so it must be these pads. It feels like the perfume has had some kind of aftershave effect on my skin. But I'm still too scared to try other brands because I'm not sure which other brands make long thin pads with wings. Can anyone recommend one?

Methe · 13/12/2013 21:31

Periods don't smell, unless you don't wash. Blood can smell metallic but not offensive.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:35

I'm not ashamed of my arsehole, or of taking a shit, but I'd sooner not smell of shit. Why does shame have to come into it. Not all women are ashamed of being stinky at times. It's just a fact of life.

merrymouse · 13/12/2013 21:43

The point is shit has a strong, offensive smell, blood doesn't. If you feel that yours does you should probably see a doctor (or switch to unscented pads to avoid skin irritation).

Again, air freshener does not mask the smell of somebody having taken a toxic dump, it just adds the smell of air freshener to the mix.

forthview · 13/12/2013 21:48

The main thing is that there's a choice.

Andro · 13/12/2013 21:48

They bring me out in a rash - yeugh!

Bodyform are excellent though.

ZombiePenguin · 13/12/2013 21:52

I use them. Because on my period I get an infection. And it always happens. (Never any other time and it is internal, not connected to washing/showering which I d regularly) and it masks the smell caused by that, but because there's a bad smell, it kind of makes it more neutral rather than stink of flowery shit.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 21:56

Ah I was waiting for the 'see a doctor' comment. I'm not infected ta, and have just had a clear pelvic exam. Perhaps no-one gets smelly periods on the internet. Friends I've chatted to in RL have always agreed that periods often make you whiffy. Hey ho.

Methe · 13/12/2013 21:56

Choice is good but not if women have been persuaded to make their choice because they're been convinced that colleagues and friends are pointing their fingers every 3 weeks or so going 'ugh she's on her period and she STINKS'

It's manipulative nasty money driven bollocks. Periods don't smell. Having chemicals next to mucus membranes is not healthy and mostly.. No-one gives a toss if a person is on their period or not!