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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that scented sanitary products

63 replies

wowfudge · 02/02/2018 12:46

Are unnecessary and cause infections?

I bought some panty liners from Aldi - one of the few places you could get unscented sanitary protection stuff from. Opened the box, they are bloody scented. No mention of this on the packaging.

I've complained to them privately via social media. Their first response was a polite, standard brush off. The second one asked me for the barcode so they could look into things. Today's response is that they're in the process of changing the package. Sorry.

What is it with the trend for sticking perfume in these things? It's completely unnecessary, can cause thrush and other infections.

OP posts:
Original poster
wowfudge · 02/02/2018 13:41

It's increasingly common and the pp who said it's designed to make women think they smell without this crap is quite right imo. It's bad enough that there is VAT levied without this.

Thanks for the tips to look for 'sensitive' and for specific brands.

It is getting harder to find unscented stuff - if you have access to a city centre, then maybe not, but near me the places that stock sanitary protection products are, in the main, supermarkets and have one or two different brands and an own brand and they don't carry full ranges so if you want thin, not individually wrapped panty liners, you often have Hobson's choice over what to buy. If you want unscented, there can be nothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
wowfudge · 02/02/2018 13:44

The pp who mentioned her mum being delighted not to have to wash pads - don't forget that we have fully automatic washing machines with a range of washes and temperatures and bio washing powder these days so it's nothing like the task it once was.

OP posts:
Pandoraphile · 02/02/2018 13:45

I'm in the minority then!! I like the scent of them, it doesn't bother me one iota physically and I wouldn't buy unscented ones. But life would be very boring if we were all the same....Smile

Raaraathequietlion · 02/02/2018 13:46

I bought some Always in an emergency. I have never been self-conscious of any odour, apart from with them!

Tesco own brand are unscented. I've now stocked up on a massive pile of them so I don't get caught short again.

kaytee87 · 02/02/2018 13:46

I also found it really hard to find nice soft cottony ones after I had my ds, they're all plasticky. I bled heavily for 6 weeks and the plasticky ones just made me feel horrible and sweaty.

PuppyMonkey · 02/02/2018 13:47

Lol at boiling rags. Nope - bung the reusable ones in the washing machine and dry in the tumble dryer. No need to get the wash board and mangle out these days.Grin

TOADfan · 02/02/2018 13:53

Try always infinity. Only pads i get on with. Feels like nothing and no smell! Only problem is the cost :-(

Royalfuckup · 02/02/2018 13:53

I fucking hate them with a passion Angry

The last time I got thrush was when I got my period early whilst out and about and the only pads in the shop were scented. Couldn’t get rid of the bastard for ages. Had to take canestan oral, pressary AND the cream to get rid of it.

Rarely got thrush before or after so I’m convinced it was the fucking scented pad.

PinPon · 02/02/2018 13:57

Agree - scented pads and tampons are ridiculous. Try a menstrual cup. Unscented, reusable and totally brilliant.

Royalfuckup · 02/02/2018 13:58

I wish I could use a cup. I’ve tried lots of different ones but I find they are quite uncomfortable, especially the mooncup which actually hurt quite a lot. Unfortunately I think it just doesn’t suit some women.

Goldmonday · 02/02/2018 13:59

Aldi sanitary towels give me thrush without fail, as do always.

The only ones I can use are bodyform, they are the proper cottony feel as opposed to the plastic like texture?

juddyrockingcloggs · 02/02/2018 14:01

Those who use re-usable - where do you get yours from?

Aeroflotgirl · 02/02/2018 14:03

These scented products must be designed by men, who do not have a clue about women's genitals.

DuckBilledAardvark · 02/02/2018 14:18

Both my mum and I were surprised at how hard it is to get unscented ones (she bought me some post birth as I was too poorly to go to the shops). I don't get the point of trying to mask a (totally non-existent) odour with the scent of scented sanitary wear, if they came in Chanel flavour I might consider it but the vaginal equivalent of toilet duck isn't even appealing.

Minniemountain · 02/02/2018 14:19

juddy mine are from Cheekywipes.

TheFlame · 02/02/2018 14:28

my local Savers has Always Sensitive in at the moment - they do the longer night ones as well

WafflesWafflesWaffles · 02/02/2018 14:30

Funnily enough I had to merchandise the sanitary products today at work and the smell was making me feel sick. I just don't understand why they are so heavily scented.

I've been looking for unscented ones for ages but can't seem to find any. I have been using Always sensitive ones but they are so hard to find. Fed up of having to sniff the packets and look like a weirdo every time I'm due on.

I think I'm am going to try a mooncup and failing that get reusable ones. I'm fed up of having a sore itchy foof and having to battle a case of BV every 26 days Sad

Vitalogy · 02/02/2018 14:30

I don't mind them. Although the Tesco own brand I buy aren't scented.

Wide0penSpace · 02/02/2018 14:32

Ugh they really are awful. I hate them. They absolutely reek and make me really itchy.

I use natracare or other non scented, organic, plastic free brands from my local health shop. Much better.

Oldraver · 02/02/2018 14:35

I usually use washable ones, or some flannels I fold in three. Recenlt I sent OH to buy some and he came home with the very cheap Maxi Towel, like the old fashioned ones not the compressed ones with gel.

I was really surprised how comfortable they were and nowhere near as bulky as you would of thought,(they squished down in use). The cover was so much softer than than most towels/liners

Original poster
wowfudge · 02/02/2018 20:56

I went shopping after work and found myself doing the sniff test in Aldi - no unscented towels or pads in stock - and Waitrose. Waitrose had a mixture, but the scented stuff is definitely more prevalent. I bought some of the Natura ones.

OP posts:
agentdaisy · 03/02/2018 14:34

Scented pads are bad but who the hell thought scented tampons were a good idea?

I had to stop using pads because the scented ones gave me awful thrush. If pads had that effect I hate to think what the scented tampons would do.

They stink of air freshener when first opened but once you've worn them for an hour or so they smell bloody horrible. Young girls who have only ever used scented pads won't know that it's the scent that's making the blood smell so bad and will buy into the myth that period blood smells and needs covering up with scented products.

Lovesagin · 03/02/2018 14:35

I like them, they should mark it clearer on the packet though for those who don't.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 03/02/2018 17:45

Why do people use panty liners? Surely it's just a massively environmentally unfriendly thing to do? Don't they change their undies daily?

TheBrilliantMistake · 03/02/2018 17:48

I'm a man, and I know why. I'm staggered a woman can't fathom why.