AIBU not to understand tampons?

[Secretlifeofme]

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

It's nothing to do with personal preference - I much preferred using tampons but when my periods changed during peri-menopause, tampons were completely inadequate for the nightmare periods I had - the most absorbent towels only lasted 90 mins, the most absorbent tampons lasted about an hour.
I ended up using both to ensure that I could do the 90 minute commute to work without leaking and being really anxious about travel delays.

Always used super Lillets (tampax are rubbish) - always seemed simpler and more hygienic than towels - which are smellier and more annoying to dispose of. I never got messy.

When I was peri-menopausal and had super heavy flow for 6 weeks on the trot (which was misery) - I had to use pads as well and then my GP put me on that drug - taxo - whatever?! which clotted it and stopped the heavy flow. Horrible time.

Glad thats all behind me know (and I'm completely invisible...).

Some tampons are rubbish, like tampax, they expand lengthwise instead of widthwise
Agreed! The only time I've had a bad leak was Tampax. Pulled it out and it was almost all still white. That was as a teenager too so nothing to do with after having babies, etc. Lillets and Aldi Olivia have never leaked.

I went onto tampons as soon as I could - largely because my mum’s idea of providing for periods was cheapo thick brick-like pad things. Pads would anyway never have worked when I got into my 20s, and got more into running/ cycling/ trekking/ other active stuff. This weekend I’m going for weekly swim with DD - again, not feasible with a pad.

Be prepared to see someone non-NHS about the fibroids, esp if ttc. NHS were totally shite with mine: had I not gone my own way, I suspect I wouldn’t now have a uterus, let alone a DC.

I've always found that Tampax has terrible absorbance. Lil-Lets all the way for me. I can't stand towels!

What pads have people been using that they feel bulky? I've never used tampons
I use Aldi night time pads they are so slim you wouldn't know you are wearing one
I have heavy periods since I've stopped using contraception
Would highly recommend the Aldi brand

Can't bear them. They are so uncomfortable. I'm really glad you've written this thread, because I thought I was the only one and that EVERYONE used tampons. This is probably because I had an ex who made me feel really matronly for using towels - so I tried tampons, hated how they felt and he told me that was ridiculous!
The pill has really helped me with my heavy and frequent periods.

I was told for years that I had small fibroids and I'll be ok. In order to make the commute to work I'd need a moon cup and high absorbency towel. Along with tranexamic acid.

MN tip alert picked this up years ago, but nappies for heavy night bleeds were game changers.

Turned out with me, years of badgering later, that my lining was producing too thick. There were more than just small fibroids hidden there.

I'm surprised that tampons hurt people. The only time one hurt me was the first time I didn't put it far enough in. you shouldn't be able to feel them at all - I never did unless they were super saturated and starting to fall out.

It depends what gynaecological issues you have, Bouledeneige .

Pads are much safer (no risk of toxic shock) and tampons increase the risk of UTIs as they can irritate you. I’ve never used tampons, I tried a couple of times out of curiosity but could never get them in. For swimming I don’t wear any pad but only go towards the end of my period.

I have mega heavy periods and am amazed that you are able to get by with just pads!!

I used to wear tampons and pads. Now I have a mooncup plus pad.

I've had very heavy periods and the Orange (I think, I now have a mooncup and washable pads) lillets were OK for me.

OP, do they sell the OB brand of tampons where you are? They expand sideways.

I love tampons. I find them very easy to use. I'm exactly the same as I've got family, for me that was the worst thing about after giving birth.
I'm on the pill so I have withdrawal bleeds not actual periods, so they're not that heavy anyway.
I put it in while sat on the toilet, and I take it out standing over the toilet, u use some toilet paper to avoid any mess.
It sounds like you need a higher absorbency?
They shouldn't be uncomfortable, you shouldn't feel them at all once they're in.

I'm the same , can't do tampax much prefer lillets, didn't realise so many women had the same problem !

I've just remembered someone recommended lillets to me when my periods got super heavy but they were a disaster and leaked horribly. Tampax are much better for me, just shows you there should probably be more types according to vagina shape. Though I suppose the labelling would be tricky.