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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that sanitary towels should not be scented!

245 replies

bumbleymummy · 02/07/2015 20:51

What were Always thinking? They were the only brand in the shop and they smell vile! Why? Why would anyone choose this? Confused

OP posts:
lemonade30 · 02/07/2015 21:18

no I don't think I've ever come across a peer/colleague or friend who is an out and proud San pad devotee.

admittedly it's not exactly a hotly debated topic but I'd always just considered them for teenagers.

I've obviously been proven wrong which is fine.

why would you get at all defensive about my musings?

Loraline · 02/07/2015 21:18

I use them at night it they really are vile smelling now. Often irritates me, bordering on thrush.

kali110 · 02/07/2015 21:19

Ms- i like them too, you're not in the minority!

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 02/07/2015 21:20

I honestly believed them to be the preserve of teenage virgins so this thread is an education even sans the olfactory/irritant issues.

I wish my mother hadn't believed that rubbish about virginity and tampons - if I'd known that tampons would allow me to actually have a clue when I was leaking due to my very heavy periods (sweaty towel = constantly thinking you're leaking or always trusting you're just sweaty when you do actually end up leaking) I would have started using them at age 13.

She went with me to get the pill at age 16 and years later it turns out she thought I was getting it for sex, despite the whole conversation with both her and the doctor being about my heavy periods... I first had sex aged 20. Stupid woman.

ILoveMyMonkey · 02/07/2015 21:20

Used to only use Always till they introduce the minging smell! Lil-lets are the best towels I've found (can get online or in boots) no dodgy smells or gels and still soft and absorbent.

kali110 · 02/07/2015 21:22

What lemonade? I used tampons and towels when i was a virgin and istill use both now, i always use a towel at night as i'd worry incase i slept for ages.

PacificDogwood · 02/07/2015 21:23

YANBU.

I wrote to always recently (or rather Proctor&Gamble) and this was the reply I got:

"Hi.

Thank you for your email to Always.

I am sorry that you have been disappointed with the scent of our Always pads, your comments are very important to us and I have passed your feedback to the relevant department. This will help us with are research and development.

The scent you have noticed comes from our Odour Neutralizing Technology which is added for neutralization of malodour. A base scent is inherent to this technology. This scent is not applied to the surface of the pad but is located deep inside the pad's core, so there is no direct contact with the skin. We have also conducted dermatological tests to confirm skin compatibility

I would like to inform you that we do many unscented versions of our Always which would offer you the same great protection.

If you would like to try our unscented Always Maxi Pads, I would be more than happy to send you out a voucher in the post. If you would like me to do so please reply to this email with your full name and address and I will arrange this for you.

If you have any further questions please do get back in touch and we will be happy to help.

Kind regards,

Rachel

Consumer Relations"

Shame our local supermarket does not stock the unscented ones.
However their very cheap on brand is a. great and b. does not stink to high heavens Grin
So, I shall not be giving them my address taking them up on their offer.

What were they thinking indeed Hmm

PacificDogwood · 02/07/2015 21:24

I tempted to write back that I had not problem with 'malodour' as I find washing from time to time works just fine for me Grin

BlueBananas · 02/07/2015 21:25

YANBU I can smell them a mile off, mixed with a musty bloody smell when someone is actually wearing them it is literally stomach churning!

With regards to non virgin grown ups using towels, I have always thought you shouldn't use a tampon at night?

MadameJulienBaptiste · 02/07/2015 21:26

I stopped using always a while back as I hate the plastic feel. But as more brands seem to be switching to scented II'm actually happy to be menopausal!
I hate using tampons, I want the flow OUT not wedged up there, yuk.

lemonade30 · 02/07/2015 21:26

yes I too used tampons from menarche.

However I was alluding to the common belief that teenagers should start off using pads and progress to tampons.

I'm surprised that so many of you wear towels. seriously, I don't see how this is an offensive POV.

as I said this thread has educated me. what's the problem?

tametempo · 02/07/2015 21:26

No, I've not been successful in finding the non-scented Always pads either, Pacific . Not ones capable of dealing with my heavy periods anyway.

Leeds2 · 02/07/2015 21:28

I can't believe Always haven't reacted to the adverse criticism. Surely their sales are down? I have given up buying them for that very reason, and I think lots on here have too.

SlaggyIsland · 02/07/2015 21:29

I have used tampons at night for 26 years so far, as well as during the day, and I can also promise no flow has ever got lodged up there!

herethereandeverywhere · 02/07/2015 21:30

Between them being scented and changing the materials so they feel all plastic and uncomfortable I haven't used them for ages. I use the 'Cottons' brand. Can only get them in the big Boots near me so stock up when I'm in.

Naty are also a nice comfy brand.

Since childbirth tampons leak so I need to double up with a pad.

Zogthebiggestdragon · 02/07/2015 21:31

YANBU! I've had to stop buying pads with my tesco delivery as you can't be 100% sure which ones are going to stink. The always ones make the whole bathroom reek, it's so overpowering. Li-lets pads (got them at poundland) are smell free, although I've started sniffing packs before buying them just to be sure. That doesn't make you look odd in any way.

Amammi · 02/07/2015 21:31

The scented Aways pads gave me an god awful itch on my bits.
I have never had thrush but had to go to the doctor and she said it was a similar rash and needed canesten. Heartfelt sympathy now for thrush sufferers, at least I can just switch brand. Goodbye always!!

Golfhotelromeofoxtrot · 02/07/2015 21:31

They make me itchy and sore.

I've just had a baby- no way I can use tampons just yet. I can't wait until I can use them again. Though the new ultra thin pads aware pretty brilliant, and no stupid odour.

Original poster
bumbleymummy · 02/07/2015 21:31

Pregnantpause. Scented tampons?! Shock

OP posts:
WanderWomble · 02/07/2015 21:32

lemonade30, I use pads only- tampons give me crippling cramps.

The scented always do stink. I bought them by mistake once and ended up with a dose of thrush.

lemonade30 · 02/07/2015 21:32

I prefer my flow to remain inside me and unoxidised when it is hanging around about my person following expulsion from my uterus.

oxidised period blood smells rank.

oh look I think I inadvertently waded in to the scented San pad debate.

tampons don't need to be scented. They don't smell until they've been removed.

eatyourveg · 02/07/2015 21:32

YANBU - when ds was younger at his asd school there was a boy in his class with an acute sense of smell, he could tell when any of the mums had their period - his poor mum was forever telling him it was inappropriate to mention but it never stopped him. No need for the acute sense of smell anymore - its unmissable and always makes me think of the young lad when I notice it.

RedandYellow24 · 02/07/2015 21:33

I'm loving new always gel type things actual feel much less paddy. But cost about 2.5 of price of normal. But know only weird texture or smells bad there is no choice so £2.50 a pack it id

Sagethyme · 02/07/2015 21:33

Absoulte balls do they not affect the fanjio, i cant wear them, if i do i feel like i'm peeing battery acid yeouch! So gone over to washable ones. I'm sure it must have had an impact on sales.

PHANTOMnamechanger · 02/07/2015 21:33

I don't think I've ever come across a peer/colleague or friend who is an out and proud San pad devotee

and I've got to the ripe old age of 45 and never had a conversation in RL about sanpro except with my DDs when the time came to talk about periods/options, and about twice at school/college when a friend was caught short and asked for a loan of a pad. Obviously the girls I house-shared with at uni, I would see their packets and boxes in the cupboard, but these things we never openly discussed. i have NO IDEA what friends and colleagues use now, nor do i feel i need to know, so would never dream of starting a conversation about it in RL, ever.