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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:
adaline · 11/05/2018 07:28

Lillets expand widthways and have never leaked for me. They are non-applicator though which some people don't like but as they were the first brand I used it's never bothered me. Much better than sitting in a pad full of your own blood Envy

lasttimeround · 11/05/2018 07:28

If you are using those mega tampons and gushing through them in less than 2 hours see your gp. Your periods are too heavy. Probably due to fibroids (i had this). And i expect wonrn are all built differently but tampax were useless for me. Too thin and long. Boots own brand super heavy flow worked best.
My gp gave md meds that reduce the flow. Worked very well and made me less anemic

BlueUggs · 11/05/2018 07:30

Have you tried lillets applicator tampons? They are way more absorbent than tampax. They do a super super absorbent one. I buy them from savers.

FleurDelacoeur · 11/05/2018 07:30

I have fibroids. Nothing too serious.

Fibroids are serious! I had fibroids and bled heavily like you, was using tampons and pads at the same time, and changing every hour, flooding, everything. It was HELL. I was anaemic and after about a year decided I couldn't put up with it any longer.

Fibroids grow. They may well continue growing until your menopause and your bleeding will get heavier and more prolonged.

If you're up for that, then fine. If not, get back to your GP and ask them to TREAT the PROBLEM which you have. There are lots of options from transexamic acid to cut the blood loss through to minor and major surgical procedures. Do not be fobbed off with "it's just fibroids".

Grandmaswagsbag · 11/05/2018 07:31

Never got on with them, I can always feel it dangling up there like it’s going to fall out at any time?!

TheBlueDot · 11/05/2018 07:32

You need to use some toilet paper to take them out, then wrap in the paper before you transfer them to the bin.

dementedpixie · 11/05/2018 07:32

Lillets have applicator versions too

Mousefunky · 11/05/2018 07:35

I hate tampons too. I first tried one as a teen and it took me about six goes to get it in right, it just hurt. Even as an adult I fuck the first one up and it kills to pull out. I hate pulling them out too, it makes me squirm inside. I also don’t even have heavy periods but on the first couple of days if I try a tampon they leak. I’m safest with pads.

Arf to PP who said pads are the worst thing about birth, must’ve been pain free for you then...

saison4 · 11/05/2018 07:36

for how long do you have to change a tampon every 2h? this sounds very heavy esp if it is newish for you. If this is new, I'd see the GP. could be a fibroid or something. Tampons are not your issue but suddenly heavy periods.

SleepFreeZone · 11/05/2018 07:37

I think a menstrual cup would suit you OP. I lose pretty much 95% of my blood on day 1 and 2. I’m 43 now so my periods are a bit weirder than they ever were and the menstrual cup just sorts it out really well. Doesn’t move, doesn’t leak. It’s a marvel particularly on my heavy days.

polkadotwellies · 11/05/2018 07:38

Tampons are so much nicer because I don't feel like I'm wearing a nappy and (tmi alert) it smells fresher because the blood is still inside.

MaryLennoxsScowl · 11/05/2018 07:40

I have fairly light flow and I use lillets. Tampax don’t work for me either, they leak and they’re really uncomfortable to take out.

polkadotwellies · 11/05/2018 07:40

Also I go through a lot of tampons in the heaviest part of my flow at the start but wouldn't say overall I have heavy periods at all.

MistyMeena · 11/05/2018 07:41

Mooncups are life changing, OP, they really are worth a try as long as you're prepare to persevere for the first couple of months.

Allthewaves · 11/05/2018 07:43

I used to wear tampon and a towel as towels leave me really sore. I do mooncup now but it's messy. Also taken ibuprofen during period has really helped stem the flow

MsDugong · 11/05/2018 07:45

Tampax are shit. They expand lengthways, which is useless and uncomfortable. Lillets and own brands that expand widthways are much better.

BikeRunSki · 11/05/2018 07:49

It’s personal choice though. I love tampons because I can still swim in them. I also find that they are more comfortable for other sports. Sport is a pretty much daily part of my life, so this is a big deal. I also take them out on the loo, no mess.

NutElla5x · 11/05/2018 07:50

I suffer with heavy periods and was having to use pads and tampons for 2/3 days per month,then about a year ago I discovered the mooncup and it's been an absolute life changer-very comfortable, and must hold at least double the amount of blood as a tampon so hardly ever suffer from night leakage now.Plus it's much kinder on the environment and cheaper than towels and tampons in the long run.I highly recommend you give one a go.

SequinsOnEverything · 11/05/2018 07:51

Ok has already said she's tried a cup and it leaked.

I love pads, I put one on and forget about it. Tampons I can feel it the whole time, particularly when I sit down. It's not comfortable and I certainly never forget about them. I have tried several brands over the years. Maybe I'm just a weird shape inside?!

Aridane · 11/05/2018 07:55

How strange, I couldn’t tolerate Lilets at all, only tempax!

NutElla5x · 11/05/2018 08:01

If the cup leaked it's because OP didn't insert it properly.

UrgentScurryfunge · 11/05/2018 08:02

I never liked tampons. Too dry and uncofortable to insert. Struggled with applicator. Could just about get non applicator in if I applied KY first.

The moon cup is far more comfortable as the silicon glides in. The capacity seems good although my flows have gone lighter, but I don't have the discomfort of dry absorbant material in me.

(Washable cloth pads are far less sweaty/ sticky/ icky too. It's not a fair comparison as my periods changed and got lighter post birth when I began to use them, but I've never had a leak from them, they seem to absorb more quickly so it doesn't trickle into the wrong place first.)

Shaboohshoobah1 · 11/05/2018 08:03

I have fibroids and mega heavy periods too. I can get through a super plus tampon in less than 2 hours and it looks like a murder scene when I take them out. I have to double them up with a giant pad and just go to the loo a lot.

GnomeDePlume · 11/05/2018 08:05

If your family is complete would an endometrial ablation be a possibility? My v. heavy periods (caused by fibroids) were slowly draining the life out of me. The anaemia slowly crept up on me. When it was finally recognised, my blood was half what it was supposed to be.

Endometrial ablation stopped my periods completely. Doesnt work for everyone but my fibroids though large were actually within the uterine wall so didnt get in the way of the procedure.

makingtime · 11/05/2018 08:05

Non applicator lillets are the best for me and I have a very heavy first two days. The purple ones - they're super extra plus or something else very dramatic but I don't leak with them. Way better than tampax