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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be able to use tampons?

73 replies

Chocwocdoodah · 10/09/2017 09:04

I know I ABU. I've had 2 kids but just can't use them- the idea of having something up there that shouldn't really be there makes me feel faint. Every time I've tried to use one, I've had to have a lie down. It means I can't do things like go swimming with my kids at that time of the month. Pathetic.

So anyone else got over their fear? How can I stop being such a bloody wuss?

OP posts:
cheesydoesit · 10/09/2017 09:07

I don't think YABU. I'm the same, tried one once and it wasn't for me. I think it's just personal preference surely?

Itsjustaphase84 · 10/09/2017 09:08

Here here. I always felt them when I was a teenager which means I didn't use them properly.

Push came to shove when I was on holiday and everyone having fun in pool. Used lowest flow for a couple of hours when I was in my 30s and that was fine. I don't like using them normally as I prefer everything to just flow out rather than leave it there.

I am a bit squeamish about them.

RoseAndRose · 10/09/2017 09:08

I don't see that is either reasonable or unreasonable about this subject.

It's perfectly OK to get on with tampons or not. There may or may not be body, social, availability or just plain preference issues. None of which are fall into the reasonable/unreasonable category.

If you think you need CBT for a phobia, you'll probably get better advice asking in General Health.

Char22thom · 10/09/2017 09:11

I'm the polar opposite and cannot use pads at all, much prefer tampons, although can only use the non applicator ones as never manage to use applicators lol, think its down to personal choice tbh

FlyingGiraffeBox · 10/09/2017 09:12

I can't use them. I'm a bit of a funny shape down there (always get comments by whoever does my smears!) and it means they're extremely uncomfortable and leak. Sanitary towels all the way. Which is why I get very miffed at threads on here about swimming classes in schools full of people going 'just use tampons! Duh!' Some people can't. Some people don't want to. No-one should have to put things up their foof if they'd rather not!

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 10/09/2017 09:13

It's just down to personal choice.
After having DC I had to use the towel things. The thought of them just makes me feel sick. Not sure how people use them full time. 6 weeks was enough for me!

Aph413 · 10/09/2017 09:15

YANBU. Can't use them at all and can't stand the feeling of them being up there. I don't think it's a problem to not like them.

Aderyn17 · 10/09/2017 09:16

I hate them too. I am constantly aware of something being there which shouldn't. They make me feel sick too.

Me264 · 10/09/2017 09:18

I don't like them. As a teenager I refused to even try them, didn't like the idea of having something up there. Since I lost my virginity (and got more used to things being up there, lol) I use them occasionally for swimming. If I know I'm going to be on my period for a holiday, I get norethisterone from the doctor to delay it rather than use them for a whole week. It's not the putting them in or them being in that I don't like, I hate the sensation of pulling them out!

Pads are messier though, so I wish I did get on with them more.

Coconutcreampie · 10/09/2017 09:18

Oh wow I thought I was the only one. Since having kids the idea of anything being inserted makes me feel shaky and sick. I can have sex just fine but absolutely anything else including mastubatory devices and even my own finger (sorry for tmi) makes me feel so squeamish.

Coconutcreampie · 10/09/2017 09:19

Prior to kids I had none of the above aversions

TheOriginalElephant · 10/09/2017 09:20

I am the same. The first time I tried one as a teenager I fainted and pretty much fell off the toilet Blush Pretty dangerous now I think about it really!

I absolutely hate using pads but every time I have tried tampons since I've either felt faint or sick and I've had to go and sit down.

Chattycat78 · 10/09/2017 09:23

Yeah I used them full time before kids and really liked them. However - I haven't even attempted to use them since birth of ds1 (almost 3 years ago). I'm sort of scared to now! Weird.

Sayyouwill · 10/09/2017 09:30

I use them as a necessity but I 'treat' myself to a towel in the evening. Let everything flow out as it pleases

WomblingThree · 10/09/2017 09:34

It's never "unreasonable" to use your choice of sanitary products. Why would it be?

ememem84 · 10/09/2017 09:34

I use them occasionally. Maybe for one day during my period if I want to swim or whatever. But other than that don't bother. Personal choice.

OrphanAccount · 10/09/2017 09:35

What's your AIBU? It's personal choice, surely. I prefer tampons to towels but don't like the idea of a mooncup. So I don't use one. The end.

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 10/09/2017 09:38

I never got on with tampons, far too dry and I had to lubricate them to get them in. Mooncup no problems as it's smoother and glides in!

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 10/09/2017 09:41

If you genuinely want to get over your fear and start using tampons, then all I can suggest is to keep practicing, perhaps start by putting one in when you're lying down?

You need to be relaxed and if you can feel it, it means it's not far enough in. Try some deep breathing first or something to distract you, like counting to ten.
There's no point forcing yourself if the idea of tampons makes you feel faint though. It's not the end of the world.

Original poster
Chocwocdoodah · 10/09/2017 09:42

Ok, so I'm not really asking if I'm BU - I just wondered if there was anyway I could get over it as tampons would be so much more convenient and I find pads pretty gross.

OP posts:
MrsOverTheRoad · 10/09/2017 09:42

I can't either!

And the thing that gets me is that there has NEVER been a proper study made into the long term health effects of them.

So we don't know if they do harm or not. We DO know they leave behind fibres and there's little regulation as to what they're made of and what's gone INTO them.

So carry on op!

SuperBeagle · 10/09/2017 09:43

YANBU.

Never even tried them, and I've had four kids. Something doesn't sit right with me about shoving something up your vagina to absorb blood, leaving it in there for however long. That's just me though, I don't judge other women for using them, obviously!

NorthernLurker · 10/09/2017 09:45

I've never used them either op. I have managed to use lilets when swimming on holiday but that is the only time and for as short a time as possible. I found lilets much easy than applicator. Have you tried non-applicator?

BannedFromNarnia · 10/09/2017 09:47

I don't think YABU at all, but if you want to use something that means you can swim instead, perhaps one of those cup things might be nicer or easier to use? I don't know, I've always been fine with tampons, but lots of people here seem to swear by them.

I'm another that's not keen on towels though, isn't it funny how everyone is so different when the products are all so much the same?

and by funny I mean miserable and controlled by marketing

RubyGoat · 10/09/2017 09:47

I have never been able to use tampons, they make my periods dreadfully painful, struggling to walk even with those stick-on heat pads on my stomach or back, or curled up in a ball with a hot water bottle. Even with maximum painkillers. I can use a menstrual cup without any issues & very little discomfort though. Each to their own.