To not be able to use tampons?

[Chocwocdoodah]

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?

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

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.

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

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

YANBU

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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).

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!

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.

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.

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...'

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.

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