Anyone notice a lack of tampons and pads in the shops?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

Or AIBUnlucky?

I've tried multiple shops in two parts of London today and Saturday, and there seems to be much less stock and choice, with a lack of pads in particular Has anyone else noticed? If so - why?

Has there been a major shift towards mooncups and washable pads or somesuch?

Yes I've noticed this a lot recently!

And it's SO DIFFICULT now to get un-fucking-perfumed!

Fewer young women are having periods nowadays, as a result of the big NHS push towards LARC. It might be getting to the stage where it’s making a serious impact on the market. Or it might just be a random production line thing.

Me and Dd2 were talking about this very thing earlier the pad brand we use is like hens teeth she bought another brand but was meh about them .

That's very odd. I wonder what's causing it? I'm in the US, and these items make up an entire aisle of every grocery and drugstore, so it's not an issue worldwide.

What's LARC?

Yes, I went to get some in Tesco the other day and they’ve changed the range which confused me to start off with, but they also didn’t have much stock at all. I can’t get on with the perfumed or plasticky feeling ones-they make me itch. Maybe I’ll get some more washable ones.

Haven't been able to find Always infinity anywhere

Yes!! I couldn't get my usual ones the other day, the shelves had "temporarily out of stock" stickers over the 3 shelves where they should be...

I've noticed this in Ireland!

LARC - Long-acting reversible contraception.

LARC= long-acting reversible contraception (eg Mirena coil, the implant etc).

Where have the mini tampons gone? I need it maybe one day a month as have light flow but can only find regular.

@steff13 long acting reversible contraception

Ah. I've never had any LARC that succeeded in stopping my period.

Order online... haven't seen any problems on Boots, Amazon to Tesco websites.

I haven’t been able to find the light-flow applicator tampons anywhere for maybe the last 6-9 months. Very frustrating!

It's maternity pads I'm struggling to find locally. It's a trip to the big boots near me- no local supermarkets or pharmacies have them

Re: Lite tampons..
I had the exact same issue and have done for over a year now! Actually started to use Asda's own brand light flow and not had any issues at all (and I'm pretty sure a box was about70p!)

Now that you mention it, yes. Wtf.

Its probably all down to Brexit. Everything else is.

Also now we are officially recommending extended pill taking, many on the pill only have 3-4 light periods a year rather than 12.

Yep, Always Infinity is my favoured brand and all the supermarkets round here seem to be dropping it. I really hate scented pads.

I always found Asda good for non-perfumed tampons and pads, all sizes.

I buy them now for the Red Box Project thing (for girls in schools, re period poverty).

"Order online... "

Ordering online doesn't work for many people who have jobs and are never home to get a delivery. It's awful if we have to go online for something so basic.

funny you should post that, OP, I thought the same with my Tesco online shop this weekend.

There are also far fewer offers... DD uses pads and always had lots of choice but hardly Amun now, plus a price increase.