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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU not to understand tampons?

117 replies

Secretlifeofme · 11/05/2018 06:47

I have really heavy periods and up until this year I always just used pads, but recently thought I'd try tampons. However I don't understand the appeal! Issues I have are :
They don't absorb my heavy flow properly, even changing every 2 hours, so I have to wear a pad as well anyway
Putting them in feels weird
Taking them out is messy! How do people do it without getting blood everywhere?

Am I doing it wrong? I don't understand why they're so popular given the above points, but maybe I'm missing something Confused

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 11/05/2018 06:53

I had the same problem with them - there was no point in wearing them because I needed a pad as well. The only way I could take them out without getting blood all over my hands was to take a handful of toilet paper before grabbing the string. I gave up and used pads Sad.

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 11/05/2018 06:55

I know! I also find it difficult getting them out from between my legs inside the toilet and into the bin (sorry if TMI) without getting blood on the toilet seat and on the floor Confused how do people do it?

OP posts:
onemorecupofcoffeefortheroad · 11/05/2018 06:55

I guess it’s just personal preference - I don’t need either anymore but when I did I much preferred tampons and didn’t like towels - towels were too bulky for me whereas tampons I’d pop them in and forget about them. I didn’t have particularly heavy periods though. Taking them out I’d get a good grip on the string as close as I could to the top - so not the end - and wind it around my hand and pull slowly and steadily.

Ivegotfamilyandidrinkcupsoftea · 11/05/2018 06:57

Are you using a high enough absorbancy?

I hate towels. Having to use them is my worst thing about giving birth.

rodstewartsmerkin · 11/05/2018 06:59

I take it out while sitting on the toilet.

I don’t have particularly heavy periods and they are much more practical than bulky towels

ProperLavs · 11/05/2018 06:59

I hate towels too. I like the fact that i can put a tampon in a forget about it. I don't have really heavy periods though.

DownWithThisSortaThing · 11/05/2018 07:00

Have you thought about a mooncup op? I was a bit squeamish about them at first but can’t recommend it enough, I’ve been using it for over a year now and they’re so much more comfortable than pads and tampons. I gave up with tampons years ago cos they’re such an irritating faff like you say.

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 11/05/2018 07:00

I am using the highest possible absorbency, yes. Is it in fact the case that tampons just aren't suitable for really heavy periods? That seems weird but maybe it's true!

OP posts:
Ivegotfamilyandidrinkcupsoftea · 11/05/2018 07:02

Tbh if i always had to change the highest absobency tampon more often than 2 hours i would see my gp

strawberrypenguin · 11/05/2018 07:02

I love tampons and hate pads! I've never covered myself in blood removing a tampon either. Are you changing them frequently enough and using the correct absorbency?

Fatted · 11/05/2018 07:02

Sorry to ask a completely off topic conversation, but have you spoken to the DR about your periods? They sound really heavy if you're changing a tampon that frequently. I was recently diagnosed as severely anemic and it turns out it's because of my heavy periods. When I told the doctor about them, she's referred me to the gynecologist because they sound excessive.

Personally I prefer tampons, always have. Non applicator are much more comfortable IMO

BetterEatCheese · 11/05/2018 07:03

I had very heavy periods when I was younger and only one type of tampon suited me. I couldn't use Tampax as they seem to expand long ways so had to use something like Lillets.

Louise56 · 11/05/2018 07:06

I always found them very uncomfortable, also I disliked that string dangling down which looked very weird. I don't think it matters if you don't like them. THey're not compulsory nowadays are they?

pinkdelight · 11/05/2018 07:07

Me too with the lilets.

Agree it sounds like you have unusually heavy flow that could need investigating. Tampons don't normally need changing that much. Some kinds of contraception minimise my periods, have you gone down that route perhaps? Although everyone's different of course. Mooncup is a good suggestion.

SleepingInYourFlowerbed · 11/05/2018 07:08

I have heavy periods and use lilets ultra absorbency tampons. Much prefer them to pass. At the heaviest point I have to change it every 3-4 hours.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 11/05/2018 07:08

I think it’s like anything in life, they’re great for some people and not for others. I find they’re mostly the best option for me, as I react badly to pads of any sort, even cloth. As others have said it may be that the brand you’re using doesn’t expand to fit you very well.

Peanutbuttercups21 · 11/05/2018 07:10

Some tampons are rubbish, like tampax, they expand lengthwise instead of widthwise

Lilets or similar are good, IMO, but maybe not for superheavy flow? I can even swim with Lilets, they are a godsent to me!

Helpmeplan · 11/05/2018 07:15

Me three with Lillets.

Mooncup is not the best idea if you have extremely heavy periods. Really does not work for me.

Completely in agreeance with everyone who is saying go to the GP. I was encouraged to because of how heavy mine are. Turns out I'm anaemic because of them and I am going to be put on some form of contraception to stop them.

adaline · 11/05/2018 07:16

What brand are you using?

I can't use Tampax - find them really uncomfortable and they always leak. I use Lillets and love them - pads give me the heebie-jeebies!

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 11/05/2018 07:17

To clarify, I only have to change them so frequently on the first two days. Thanks to those suggesting GP- don't worry, i did that long ago! I have fibroids. Nothing too serious.

That's interesting about the brands of tampons expanding in different ways! I have been using Tampax. Maybe I'll try Lillets

OP posts:
StringyPotatoes · 11/05/2018 07:19

I have the same problem, OP. For me, it's not that I'm bleeding so heavily that I have to change them, it's that they just don't absorb properly. I can't change it after 3hrs to find I've leaked but the actual tampon isn't saturated. It's like the blood just....misses the tampon? It's the same with mooncups. I hate the waste I create with pads but they're the only thing that works for me at the moment. Though I do want to try Thinx underwear at some point...

Ivegotfamilyandidrinkcupsoftea · 11/05/2018 07:22

Some tampax do expand width ways

puppymouse · 11/05/2018 07:25

Tampons give me the heebeejeebees. Tried both as a teenager and found them uncomfortable. I hated putting them in and taking them out and could never forget about them as I just kept thinking "I've got something inside me aaargh!" I think that might be my weirdness though.

I've used Always Ultra for 25 years and they pretty much do the job although my periods are very heavy now I'm not on any contraception.

dementedpixie · 11/05/2018 07:26

I have changed from Tampax to lillets applicator ones. Tampax expanded long ways which made them uncomfy. For removing, I get a couple of folded squares of toilet roll and pull the tampon out onto them. (Hold toilet roll close to the body).

purplewaterbottle · 11/05/2018 07:26

Yes, lilets ultra absorbency! Every two hours for the first two days (a couple of changes over night). I wear a big pad as well but that’s just because I’m worried I’ll get caught out and leak.
The ultras are a little hard to find, so I always stock up when I’m in a big boots.