To wonder what idiot invented scented sanitary pads and tampons?

[CallaLilli]

Because it seems to be getting harder to buy the non-scented kind these days! But honestly, who thought it was a good idea to put something heavily perfumed so fanjo-adjacent? AIBU to think it was probably a man?

And yes, I know I should probably use a mooncup and reusable pads but I'm not quite there yet!

I bought a pack of the scented Always ones by accident when they first came out and they irritated the hell out of me. I called the helpline number to complain and told them that the perfume had irritated my labia - they couldn't get me off the phone quick enough and sent me vouchers to apologise. They smell vile.

Scented tampons? Scented fucking tampons??
I've been feeling smug the last few years as I never use pads, tampons only, so I thought I was safe from the stink-and-thrush hell.
I guess karma is catching up with me for my smugness.
Will buy a mooncup if necessary.

lipwig

If your menstrual blood smells fishy you need to visit a doctor. If it smells strongly at all then you are not changing your pads frequently enough

Boots own brand are not scented, also cheap & good

Lottie - in some people (such as me) they cause horrendous thrush. (I can't use anything scented on my nethers).

They can also cause UTIs by irritating the urethra.

People who are allergic to other scented hings, such as washing powder can have a similar reaction in their nether (mmm, genital rash).

They also smell really obvious.

You probably aren't the only person who likes them or buys them. However they are becoming increasingly common and it can be hard to find unscented ones. So for some people, not only do they have to suffer cramps, bleeding, spots, PMT etc but they also have to put up with itchy bits, rashes, UTIs and smells they don't like.

If they work for you then great, anything to make AF easier! But if you do find yourself getting any of the above, try changing to unscented!

I'm now on cerazette so no periods for me (mahoosive thanks to the inventor of that one) but before I used a moon cup or lil-lets, which thankfully remain unscented.

I accidentally used a scented one this month. Now have thrush. So I used a gynodaktarin? Pessary. Turns out I'm allergic to that too
Never going near one again!
Anything that says acti pearl/fresh on always is usually scented

Adora I don't have a problem with there being a choice of scented or unscented sanpro. But I get terrible thrush if I use somethings perfumed anywhere NEAR my bits. It took me years to work out what the source of the problem was. I ended up cutting out all perfumed bath shower and hair products, fabric conditioner, the lot. I do not want to go back to constant thrush if I have a choice. It just seems to be getting harder to find unscented stuff.

Also, the scent of there things is so strong and distinctive it is really obvious when someone is using them. Now I don't give two hoots if anyone knows I'm bleeding. But I know some women prefer to be a little more discreet about it.

Weeell, not fishy exactly but definitely stronger than just blood.

And I am religious with my pads.

Am I just lucky that they've never bothered me?

I'm disgusted at the mere thought of scented pads and tampons: luckily I haven't worn either for years. I use a Mooncup. It revolutionised my life.

Ladies - get a Mooncup!

I'm almost looking forward to staring my periods again so I can use a mooncup for the rest of my life!

Mooncups are just so handy...especially for disorganised people like me.

When the time of the month comes round (usually taking me by surprise), no mad dash to the shops. No fears of running out of supplies. No faffing around disposing used tampons, applicators, wrappers.

Just go to the drawer, get the mooncup and voila. Occasionally I clean it with baking soda but apart from that, no work or stress involved.

adora 'fraid so

Even the wrong kind of bog roll sets me off

don't want a mooncup.

But would like pantyliners that don't stink! And yet still provide reasonable length and absorption. I'm happy enough with tampons for most times. But would be nice to have the old Always ones for other times, or some other similar one. Does anyone know any good pantyliners without the fragrance? Ones that are long and fairly absorbent, not just those little daily things.

I think it's got a lot worse in recent months. I used to have ones with fragrance when I couldn't find any others, and while it was a bit annoying, it wasn't overpowering like it has been recently. I think they have really increased the amount they put in, as well as getting rid of alternatives.

Can anyone actually use them without reacting to them? I can't but didn't know if its just because I'm sensitive (allergic to latex and even canestan for goodness sakes).

I also hate scented or coated toilet paper too as I react to that too.

My guess is a man, makers of canestan or makers of vagisil. Whoever it was needs sacking for an injustice to woman kind.

Seriously loving all the men haters in here.
All the men I know wouldn't give a toss of panty liners are scented, not scented or covered in gold. They are going to get covered in period blood!

Why go Straight to blaming men?!

I've turned to Bodyform pink ones, Natracare a-bit-rubbish ones, and Always Silk when I can find them - all unscented and a blessed relief after the stinky ones invaded the shops.

Sadly my Mooncup is taking a break as my pelvic floor is MIA after two B2B births and the damn thing won't stay in. I miss it.

I use bodyform panty liners and they aren't scented. Bodyform towels also aren't scented. I actively avoid scented ones for Dd (I don't use them as my mirena stops my periods) so buy her own brands, bodyform, Kotex, etc

I did get a mooncup.

Don't get on with it at all.

Bodyform are fine, as are cheap and cheerful supermarket own-brands thank heavens. It's just such a strong artificial smell that Always use.

Just looked up Bodyform ones, and I'm pretty certain that at least one version of those that I got last time did have scent added, though milder than Always. Could be that I got the wrong ones, though. Or it's a new thing! They weren't as large or as absorbent as Always, though, which is why it's so annoying that they've added all this extra perfume. I could even put up with the small amount before, but not now.

I'll check out the Always Silk though, definitely didn't see those in Boots.

I love the scented ones, I like the smell and they've never given me thrush!

Lottie its not men hating its saying surely no-one with an actual vulva could think all those purfumes are a good idea in a place like that.

Also I'm starting to wonder if we should suspect mooncup and reusable pads makers since so many people are feeling they have to swap to them to avoid problems galore with scented pads.

I've just been looking at the Always site. It turns out that even what they claim to be 'non-scented' are actually ones that contain "Acti-pearls" to neutralise odour. They might claim this isn't added fragrance, but by God it definitely smells and adds a totally overpowering scent to the box.

I bought those acti-pearl ones by mistake assuming they weren't scented when then are!