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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Gluezilla · 13/12/2013 21:58

If I ever use tampons - only if desperate ( sudden unexpected period) love the menopause ! I find it makes my menstrual blood stink - really fishy.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:00

'periods don't smell' Ah, so you've sniffed everyone's menstrual blood and are now an expert on the body chemistry of every woman in the uk?

BabyDubsEverywhere · 13/12/2013 22:06

I like them, and I use them - on the rare occasion I am not pregnant these days Hmm !

I don't like the smell of blood. I never have, turns my stomach. Fine with the sight of it though - very odd! I didn't even realise that the sanitary towels were fragranced until I had used one - yes I really do take that little notice of my Tesco delivery Grin I was ready to boak at the smell of blood (and no its not a heavy smell - metallic, I don't like it!) but there was none! there was a new odd fragrance, but not blood like! happy days! :D

Gluezilla · 13/12/2013 22:06

They really don't Mad unless you use disposable products that reinforce the message that periods are disgusting buy our discreet, scented product so you don't smell

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:09

I hear what you're saying glue but I really, really think I can work out for myself if my periods smell or not. I am not a hapless victim of the advertising patriarchy.

ZombieMojaveWonderer · 13/12/2013 22:10

I don't use towels but my liners are scented and I really like the perfume smell.

Gluezilla · 13/12/2013 22:15

Im a Midwife Mad
I have never encountered a woman whos blood loss or post partum loss smelt unpleasant unless they had an infection.

Methe · 13/12/2013 22:15

Well I've not sniffed everyone obviously but neither have I ever thought 'ohh I can smell her period'

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:17

Well I must be alone with my smelly periods then. Never mind.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 13/12/2013 22:21

I don't like unscented towels, they smell horrible, of cheap perfume. I buy any unscented ones because for me, it's the tampons that are important. I absolutely swear by Tampax 'Pearl'; I hate the advert but they truly are the most easy to use.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 13/12/2013 22:22

Has anyone ever realised another woman was menstruating from her smell? Confused

merrymouse · 13/12/2013 22:23

'periods don't smell' Ah, so you've sniffed everyone's menstrual blood and are now an expert on the body chemistry of every woman in the uk?

No, but I walk past many men and women every day. Generally I don't smell anything, but if I do it's washing powder, deodorant, body lotion, toothpaste, soap, sweat, scent, aftershave, cigarettes, alcohol, bad breath, coffee, chewing gum and many other things but never, ever blood.

merrymouse · 13/12/2013 22:25

Has anyone ever realised another woman was menstruating from her smell?

To be fair, sharks probably can.

Tuhlulah · 13/12/2013 22:26

I don't like them and won't buy them. I am offended by the message that my period offend people.

But what really gets me are the ads, when to show absorbency they throw a load of BLUE water on the towel. Oh come on you spineless bastards, what kind of message is that? What does that say about menstruation -that people would be offended if anything approximately BLOOD would be seen on TV/ads. What people? Probably the same ones who get offended by the sight os women breastfeeding their babies.

Methe · 13/12/2013 22:29

And 1:4 adult women will be menstruating at any one time. Theoretically it should be a full on nasal assault. Except it isn't.

It is advertising manipulation.

Bastards they are.

Gluezilla · 13/12/2013 22:30

Methe YES!

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 13/12/2013 22:31

merry that's an excellent point. Must never go surfing whilst on period!

FryOneFatChristmasGoose · 13/12/2013 22:31

Has anyone ever realised another woman was menstruating from her smell?

Only when I've smelt that horrible floral sickly smell of scented pads. I know I've got a good sense of smell, but this is a time when I'd rather not.

Binkyridesagain · 13/12/2013 22:33

Has anyone ever realised another woman was menstruating from her smell?

Only when my dog has paid too much attention in that area.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:33

Well I've had a (admittedly very weird) woman stand next to me and declare that she can always tell by smell when a woman has her period. And I shower twice a day and change pads every couple of hours.

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:37

To be fair I'm always being told that I do have a very sensitive sense of smell so maybe that's part of it. I do find that I can smell some rather unsavoury things that others seem not to notice.

Methe · 13/12/2013 22:43

That would indicate that you don't smell at all :)

madmomma · 13/12/2013 22:47

I give up. Come and smell my fanny I beg you. Let's get an mn panel together and have a vote.

farrowandbawlbauls · 13/12/2013 22:48

No thank you.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 13/12/2013 22:50

Can you smell other women's periods madmomma?