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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

bonzo77 · 10/09/2017 20:20

YANBU. Any more than IABU for hating pads. I've got my reasons, you've got yours. Both totally valid.

SingaSong12 · 10/09/2017 20:21

I haven't been able to get on with tampons. I'd really like to be able use them to swim more. Otherwise I'm fine ok with pads.

TheFaerieQueene · 10/09/2017 20:22

Well so what? I don't understand why it needs to be discussed.

2ducks2ducklings · 10/09/2017 20:24

I'm the opposite, I can't use pads. I feel icky the whole time I've had to wear them and it's one of the things I dread most about being post natal.
I don't think you're being unreasonable though, it's personal preference after all

Merida83 · 10/09/2017 20:26

YANBU

can't use them, can't stand them. Just feels wrong somehow!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 10/09/2017 20:38

I am the opposite and find the idea of bleeding into a towel absolutely horrible me too, I don't know how how anyone copes tbh, they feel dreadful to me!

BlondieNikC · 10/09/2017 20:52

Never could get to grips with them as a teenager and so still don't use them now. It's personal choice.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 10/09/2017 20:54

I don't understand why it needs to be discussed
I thought OP was asking for advice on how to overcome her tampon fear because she wanted to swim on her period? Of course it's reasonable to not use tampons.

TakeMe2Insanity · 10/09/2017 21:10

I can't either. Spent a lot of my life wondering why. A gynae exam confirmed I have a sharp turn which explains why they don't work for me.

Original poster

Chocwocdoodah · 10/09/2017 22:47

Yes, thank you ILostItInTheEarlyNineties I'm looking for tips and help on how to overcome my dislike of tampons - and there are lots here, thank you all. And I wanted to know I'm not the only one! I only posted in AIBU for traffic.

OP posts:

Shockers · 10/09/2017 22:51

I've tried. I was on holiday with my 12 year old son. He witnessed me crawling into the bathroom, with "a white face", moaning with pain.

I'm pretty sure I must've done it wrong, but I'm not sure how.

MissClareRemembers · 10/09/2017 22:56

I've never got on with tampons. I can't insert them properly and always feel like they are about to drop out.

Sorry OP, I'm no help at all but I very much empathise!

rightnowimpissed · 10/09/2017 22:56

Can't use them, don't see anything wrong with pads. Just go swimming the other three weeks of the month

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 10/09/2017 23:01

I'm the opposite too. The idea of just letting blood drop out into a pad makes me feel ill; seeing the pad when I go to the toilet is gross. I've had to use pads after surgery a few times and I hate them. Tampons took some getting used to but I feel much cleaner and more able to actually "live" through my period and do things with a tampon.

That said I find bleeding really inconvenient anyway; I don't get hormonal or anything so it feels a lot like just random blood. And I don't have periods often because of my contraception which suits me fine!

Middleoftheroad · 10/09/2017 23:03

Like a pp I'm a funny shape (shallow cervix, tilted womb apparently - my last smear ended with doc not being able to insert the metalinstrument up there) and I can always feel them.

Plus hate pulling them out.

I thought I was the only one as a teen my friends raved on about them while I winced and pushed to no avail.

The80sweregreat · 11/09/2017 07:01

I find them uncomfortable and they actually hurt me. Tried all kinds of brands, small ones, the bigger ones and so on in the past, they are all horrible!

Piewraith · 11/09/2017 07:41

YANBU, it's personal choice. Like some other PPs I'm the opposite, I hate pads and never use them. I also like those period underwear for light days (thinx, modibodi, etc).

RonSwansonsMoustache · 11/09/2017 08:20

YANBU - it's personal choice at the end of the day.

I'm the other end of the scale though - I can't stand pads and being able to "feel" yourself bleeding every month. It makes me feel sick!

Purplemeddler · 11/09/2017 09:04

I don't think YABU, we are all different. I couldn't use them until I'd had my ds. I only use them if I am having a heavy day on a day I want to go swimming, and only use the little ones you can use without an applicator. I don't really like the idea of them anyway, a mooncup seems more hygienic, though I only use pads and I am not sure at all that they are more convenient - except for swimming.

myusernameisnotmyusername · 11/09/2017 09:25

I also can't stand them. I only use them when I'm swimming and panic I'll leak or something. And I can't stand the idea of them being up there. I thought it was just me so it's nice to know it isn't.

mishfish · 11/09/2017 09:44

I'd always struggled until I discovered reusables

Tampons I didn't get on with, and I found I'd always get a bit of wee on the string which would make my knickers damp and uncomfortable.

Pads always slipped (even with wings) and gave me a rash

I switched to cotton pads and a diva cup, It took some getting used to the cup but I like it now

Appreciate that the cup isn't suitable for you but I understand where you're coming from with not getting on with something when others say 'just use...'

Puppymouse · 11/09/2017 13:28

Me too. Nearly 40 and tried a few times as a teen but felt utterly violated. My sister was also late coming to them but loves diving and swimming so faced into it it. I can't bear having something up there and not keen on putting it in either. Maybe I'm weird.

The80sweregreat · 11/09/2017 15:14

I love threads like this as it makes me realise i;m not as weird as i think i am!

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