To think sanitary pads are the work of the devil?

[theimposter]

Just had an op and not allowed to use tampax for a while so for the first time ever having to use pads. The most uncomfortable thing ever if you actually want to move around and do outdoorsy stuff. Who actually chooses to use these?! Any tips on brands and what doesn't irritate your lady gardens gladly received. I don't wish to have to go totally bald down there to reduce irritation as re growth will be even more painful!

Can't bear tampons! Asda own brand night time ultra absorbent and big! Hope you heal soon.

Thank you; I think I'm fine but just to be on the safe side and avoid infection!

I am old enough to remember some sanpro horrors as well. There was one brand (can't remember the name) that came with special knickers that had kind of press-studs in, and the towels themselves had two little holes so you could clip them into the knickers. And the type that you wore with a belt and hook. Ergh...

I had to use pads after something, won't go into details. At the time I'd also decided to stop shaving. My god. Never ever ever again.

Have always preferred tampons! My mum would only buy me pads when I was living at home so when I moved out at 17 I very quickly switched to (non-applicator!) tampons. Ahhhh freedom!!!

Had to use pads after DS was born (lochia that soaked through two phone book maternity pads stacked on top of each other - GRIM), and for about 5 months afterwards as errr a tampon would've fallen out

Am current pregnant with DC2 but will be getting a mooncup afterwards when fanjo has shrunk back to non-mammoth proportions....

That ibuprofen tip is BRILLIANT - had such painful, heavy periods for the first 6 months after DS was born. Will be using this tip!!!

And washable pads eg to use on light days when not using mooncup - do you just chuck them in the normal wash?

I can only use always. Bodyform literally rub me raw until I am bleeding..fortunately I am now on the implant and don't have bleeding but my experience is to try a few and find your most comfortable

I bought a mooncup, but haven't managed to get it in properly yet :(
I thought I'd be able to to use it no problem.

Whoever said tampons leak down the string. Yes, some brands do even in light flow. I find lilets don't do this, they expand widthways and don't seem to leak down the string.

Precious we had a Bunnie incinerator in the girls loo at school!

God I live my mooncup. I accidentally left mine in the office over the weekend and period arrived on Saturday. Had to dig out some tampons. Ug. Mooncups rock. I change it max 3 times a day, mostly 2. Also I change it in the shower in the morning so I can rinse any blood off completely and am totes clean for the day. So nice. And so comfy. And no end of period squeaky vag feeling.

Don't even get me started on towels. They are barbaric. Obv if you like them fine but thank god for other options!

I totally forgot about the incinerators. Why don't we have them now?

CoteDAzure I don't think you're supposed to use tampons before you actually start your period, are you?

Please don't empty menstrual blood (or any other body fluid) down a disabled sink.

It is a health risk unless you clean the sink and sterilise it afterwards.

I've used everything in my time.

Mooncups are definitely the best of a not perfect bunch.

Can't use tampons. They leak and knickers end up ruined, regardless of the make or type I use.

Mooncup not for the faint of heart. Getting it in not the most straightforward operation and getting it out even harder.

Try maternity towels. These are unscented. You can get ultra thin ones or the more cushiony ones (which can be very comforting if you have just have surgery and are swollen). Boots own brand or Tesco's own brand are both good.

Hope you feel better soon. Gynae surgery sucks .

Mignonette I see your point, I think, but my hands invariably get some blood on them sometimes whichever type of protection I've ever used, and I still need to wash my hands at the sink. I have no means of sterilising the sink afterwards, nor would I expect a sink in a public place to be sterile before I used it.

a couple of people said you can leave tampons in overnight which you can. The difference with mooncup is you can put it in when you don't have your period, as a just in case, you can't do that with tampons.

You shouldn't ever pour blood down a public sink nor choose to use it to clean a mooncup. If the moon cup needs rinsing then carry a bottle of water and pour the water down the loo. Yes, this is a pain but I kind of think 'tough' lot's of public hygiene methods involve personal commitment.

There are an awful lot of people who carry Hep C and they do not know it. One of those people rinsing BBVs in a sink..... and then somebody else without patent skin on the hands uses that sink....Not saying you are one of them obviously but best to invoke a standard safe practice.

Not washing blood soiled hands is the lesser of two evils. But washing a Mooncup is not.

I use towels. I was caught off guard in arnica recently and had to go to their equivalent of Boots to stock up. They are all massive compared to ours. I also noticed a lack of sanitary bins?!

Arnica = America typo

Always with Wings are a good buy for me, they come in Night time, Heavy and Normal and I really don't notice wearing them.

Can't bear tampons. Any unscented STs, preferably with wings, are my preference.

Am of all the people who only need a tampon. I'm tampon and pads. Tis shite. Always for me.