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?

MOOOONNNCUUUPPPPP
Is possibly the answer? More people ditching the less eco friendly pad and tampon options?
I never shut up about mine if the topic arises, total game changer.

My mirena has sorted me out, but my daughter is having a mare finding towels. We stock up when she finds something tolerable.

When I did have periods, I needed applicator tampons. No, it wasn’t just a case of getting used to doing it without. A combination of factors mean I’m not physically capable of inserting a tampon without the help of an applicator. I couldn’t wear towels either, not even washables. Quite frankly, periods were a nightmare.

@groundcontroltomontydon

I ordered some from Amazon because I've been struggling to find them too.

Everyone I know (who talks about it, anyway) uses menstrual cups and cloth pads. I use them too

Who are all these people?! I don't know a single person who uses anything other than 'normal' tampons and pads, but agree that most friends use LARC so definitely fewer periods happening full stop.

I switched to washables because I could never find unscented disposable pads anymore. The washables are so much better; I’d never go back!

I've noticed this too, I thought it was just my imagination or the rubbish shops around here.

They don't have wings, I also fucking hate wings and they're everywhere

I call them the 'things with wings' and I bloody hate them!

I thought it was just me! I use Sainsbury's own all strengths (lite, medium, heavy, super) but ALL the applicator ones are gone from my local (large) branch
I refuse to buy Tampax because of the plastic issue (and the lengthways nonsense)

I know why there is a shortage in my area-they are all in my spare room.....😳😂

I am the coordinator for The Red Box Project in my town, and have several boxes full of donated tampons and pads waiting to re stock the boxes that are in our local schools.

DH says we will be ok if a pipe bursts-all the water will be soaked up instantly! 😁😁😁

Always Infinity are available on Ocado, and were on offer when I did my order earlier. That said, I’ve just bitten the bullet and ordered some ModiBodi pants.

I'm curious about how people deal with a mooncup in public bathrooms? Don't you have to rinse it out?

I'm not squicked out by touching my own blood, but I must say I don't want to wash the bloody thing out in a basin in the loos at a genteel restaurant, or in the loos at a client's place, for example.

Also, I'm dyspraxic and I can just see the whole flipping thing slipping from my grasp and instantly creating a dramatic bloodbath

Mooncups are one of those things that make me suddenly realise that most people must be a lot more nimble and dainty than me...

Not noticed this at all, but I am nowhere near London.

I’ve not noticed a shortage of what I buy in Sainsburys in Surrey. I get always sensitive 95p a pack. Like what always used to be, unscented, with wings and otherwise normal!

Question please - can you sleep with a menstrual cup in? Does the blood stagnate? Is it ok to be horizontal rather than vertical with a cup of menstruated blood in you?
I use a menstrual cup on the day but haven't dared to use it at night yet.
Thanks for any advice.

Perhaps you just can't find it. It's now in aisle 4, under "Menstruators."

yes, I have noticed this!
If I see non- scented pads in Boots I stock up. Often if I haven't planned ahead I end up using my second preference- night time pads in the day for example- as I can't find my first preference. I do find it bewildering how it is normal to go into Boots and for there to be no non-scented day time pads or no super Tampax with cardboard applicators. It has definitely changed in the last couple of years.
Roll on the menopause, I say...

I haven't noticed this yet, I've just ordered my usual green and yellow Tampax from Ocado. I have no intention of switching to a mooncup so I hope they don't stop stocking them!

To all those saying how great Lillets are, I found them really comfortable. Until they gave me thrush. Unfortunately back to Tampax for me.

I emailed always and they said that infinity will now only be stocked by boots. You do seem to be able to get them in bulk from Amazon too. Frustrating as they are fab if a bit expensive. Always sent me a voucher when I complained.
Always sensitive seem easier to find in supermarkets but I don’t rate them for heavy days. Luckily thanks to LARC I have much lighter & shorter periods.

I got infinity in boots last week- I’ve only ever really been able to get them in Boots. I don’t even care that they are quite a bit dearer, they are so much better I happily pay it.

I'm no where near London either. 300 miles north 😂

I've definitely noticed this! Sainsbury's do decent cardboard applicator tampons, better than plastic Tampax and cheaper.

@absent I only need to empty mine in the morning and before bed but I only have light periods due to the mirena coil.

@purple I used mine at night and did have a leak the first night but it was down to me not inserting it correctly. There is a bit of a knack to it but I think I have got it now.

I use a menstrual cup - as others other PPs have said, it’s a proper game changed.

I’ve used one from a brand called ‘Diva cup’ for about 3 years. Prior to that I used Lillets Super Extra Plus (or whatever the most super-super one was called).

Interesting, noticed this too.