Tampax

[Pamdoo]

It's getting harder and harder to find the paper applicator ones? They seem to be promoting the plastic ones. I can't abide them as I find them really uncomfortable to put in and I can never get them in properly. You also get less in a box. Also I'm convince they aren't as good. Surely the plastic ones are not as good for the environment? Is it just me that prefers the cardboard standard ones?! I bleed like mad and the plastic ones don't cut it (except for my vagina when it slices me on the way in)

I find the plastic applicators much easier than cardboard ones. I don’t buy them anymore though as I felt uncomfortable about the environmental impact.

I cannot get along with non applicator tampons at all. They just don’t stay in properly.

Those of you looking for cardboard applicators should try Aldi. The tampons I bought there were only 60p on a special offer for iirc a pack of 16.

I must admit that I am struggling to understand why people can't get on with non applicator tampone. Surely it is easier to feel where it is when you are just using your fingers, withut a bit of cardboard or plastic in the way?
IMO plastic applicators should be banned.

Lonicera - the applicator puts the tampon in the right place. It's much easier for me.
Did you read my comment that I was only able to use tampons when I found one with a plastic applicator? (I can use cardboard now, but couldn't for a few years). If you had your way any girl or woman who had my problem would be stuck with pads forever. Did you also read my suggestion of resusable plastic applicators? These are apparently being commercialised.

I too prefer cardboard applicators.

Do any of the people commenting on here about menstrual cups have experience using them in conjunction with an IUD? I have one and slightly terrified a menstrual cup would suck it out.

I must admit that I am struggling to understand why people can't get on with non applicator tampone. Surely it is easier to feel where it is when you are just using your fingers, withut a bit of cardboard or plastic in the way?
IMO plastic applicators should be banned

You’re still struggling to understand?

I have internal injuries. The only way I can get a tampon in is by using an applicator.

I have a menstrual condition that I don’t meet the criteria for treatment of. There is ONE brand and absorbency of tampon that come with plastic applicators that means I can be away from a loo for up to an hour. Those plastic applicators actually give me some quality of life back whilst dealing with shitty periods.

As I said earlier - not sure what is difficult to understand about different women preferring different methods of dealing with their periods.

YY the applicator puts the tampon in the right place for me every time.

I used to find regular tampons hard to put in. Friend told me to use middle finger (longest) and a dot of lube (sorry tmi). Worked every time (and I have small hands cos freakishly small).

I tried a mooncup after one of these threads.
Ye gods! I couldn't get it out! I was starting to panic and nearly caused myself a prolapse in pulling it.

Never again. Maybe I'm too old but I'll stick to what I know. -legs crossed emoticon-

You shouldn’t just pull it, as it should have created a seal when it was inserted. You need to slip your finger up the side of it and break the seal, then ease it out.

Really dislike the cardboard ones. Half the time they fall apart which doesn't help. Tampax pearl are good.

The cardboard applicators aren't really better for the environment- no one is going to put them in their recycling any more than they do the plastic ones. So both end up in land fill. What can be done (assuming you, like me, need training wheels applicators) is to pressure tampon makers to use recycled materials for applicators. Both cardboard and plastic. I've not got anywhere yet but with the might of mumsnet have a better chance hint hint.

From what I can make out from MN threads, you go in the cubicle, take it out, empty it into the loo, then either use a special bottle of period water (which you're handling with your periody hands and then putting back in your bag, unless of course you wash the period water bottle in the sink when you're done) to rinse it, and pop it back in like that, or wipe it with loo roll, haul all your stuff out of the cubicle with you while still holding your mooncup (or leave your stuff hogging the cubicle) to go and wash it in the sink, then take all your stuff back into the cubicle, stick the thing back in, come out, wash your hands again… fuck that

Oh ffs. I have used one for getting on for 20 years now.
I have never used a bottle of water, I have never rinsed it in a sink outside my home, a wipe my fingers with some tissue.
As yet no one has caught any imaginary disease from me rinsing mine in the sink at home.

Don’t be so precious.

Er, it's not that much as plastic not good for environment, it's more "tampax is not good for me" because these fuckers donated some of their profits to "pro-life" charity. So I boycotted them and now use anything else. The problem with plastic applicator is that (well, I found it) it doesn't often release the tampon, so I always get it out of the applicator, throw it away and shove the tampon manually.

I'm not the one being precious Sausage, I'm simply repeating the vast palaver some MNers suggest people carry out in a public toilet 😂

And if you read my post, you'll notice that I actually pointed out that people rinse shit down basins so the hygiene argument isn't persuasive.

salem I take my hat off to you for a new low in one up(wo)manship.

Your skills in tampon insertion FAR outweigh mine, well done you! You must feel great

I could never get on with applicators. Too faffy. Fingers. It just takes practice: my DM's pearl clutching re group of girls graphic instructions to a struggling friend thru the loo door at boarding school still makes me laugh tho. It was v Miranda Hartish.

I must admit that I am struggling to understand why people can't get on with non applicator tampone. Surely it is easier to feel where it is when you are just using your fingers, withut a bit of cardboard or plastic in the way?
IMO plastic applicators should be banned

It's pretty straightforward for me

Applicator just takes one easy push of the inner tube and it immediately places the tampon high enough so it's in exactly the right place. No fumbling around, no mess, easy. Takes seconds.

I tried non applicator once when I needed to borrow one from a friend, and never again, unless an emergency. Poking around in there trying to nudge it up into place, no thanks - applicator quicker, easier and less mess

I've been using a meluna cup since I had to monitor my (very very very light) flow as part of my fertility treatment. Absolutely loathe it. Not a chance would I use a cup otherwise - I can't stand it. Shreds my vulva inserting and taking out , spend ages poking around trying to get it up high enough, then ages trying to get it out - I've got the smallest size and even that is still sore. Fine when in but not to insert or remove. And I hate getting everything under my nails - applicators were so quick and easy, the cup is just such a faff and I just hate it.

What’s with the ‘training wheels’ comments FFS?! Grow up.

Just because some people prefer tampons a certain way doesn’t mean they haven’t learned how to stick their finger up their chuff, it just means they’d rather not, and get a better result by not doing.

Jeez this place. Breast v bottle, WOHM v SAHM, married v unmarried and now we apparently have to feel bad about applicator v non applicator! Stop being such a bunch a judgy twats.

really couldn't care less about the plastic applicators tbh

And here’s what’s wrong with the world, in a nutshell. This way of thinking. Do you have kids? Maybe one day when the earth is absolutely drowning in discarded plastic from landfill and your kids’ way of life has suffered due to the environmental damage, maybe then you’ll care. Or maybe not. There will always be ignorant selfish cunts about after all.

I agree Myrelationship.
You should see the arguments about how people put their bras on.

I always felt that non applicator tampons were very hard (felt like bullets) and didn’t expand fast enough so I leaked every time ... If I was a bit younger I would definitely try a mooncup but i’ve reached the age when I flood & clot badly now & am hopefully not going to be dealing with this too much longer!
I have actually had to switch back to pads as tampons actually make things worse when you are passing huge clots

I was sort of getting the hang of the moon cup before I had my baby but even though I had a c-section I have not been able to make it work since. Not sure why. I have generally used Tampax cardboard applicator tampons otherwise because I prefer tampons that expand length ways.
I considered washable pads but they really don't appeal so have bought some totm tampons, non applicator, to try next month.

User12879923378 i also had a section, and have struggled with tampons since, i dont know if everything still goes squishy down there?!

Some people are just not physically able to get a tampon in without an applicator, especially the flimsy plastic ones, not sure why this surprises people? I'm even more surprised at the fact people still think applicators are used because they don't want to touch their vagina!

It's interesting how some think there is a definite right and wrong way to deal with a period, despite us all having different bodies and flows. I'm still waiting for the day I can actually leave the house during the first 4 days of my period let alone trying to get a mooncup up there!

I can't get on with non applicator tampons. I'm not squeamish about my body - but even in my own loo at home (where you can really get down to things) i can't get a non applicator up there properly without getting blood all over my hand and blood up under my nails. They're hard and dry feeling too. And often i feel as if i've shoved it up and over on it's side as well somehow

I like lillets (with applicator) because tampax make me ache and hurt and expand down too far and make me sore.

I find the plastic applicators glide in easier. A couple of months ago i had to buy cardboard again as i was away from my usual shops and the buggers will not push into each other and release the tampon! Three times now out of a box of 20 or whatever. REALLY ANNOYING!

Oh moon cups! I've tried two brands and both were a farce! I ended up having to lie down to get them out and leaked and they gave me cramps. I think i have a short vagina or a low cervix or something? (and 4 kids)