Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think more women want unscented sanitary towels than scented ones?

280 replies

SinkGirl · 16/10/2019 22:02

It comes up here often. And maybe there are some women who want scented towels (no judgement if you do!).

But I had to buy some pads in an emergency today and they were all scented. In the supermarket I have to hunt out the only ones that aren’t scented. It’s bad enough I can’t get Always Infinity anywhere any more but this is inexcusable - the scented ones literally burn my skin, I can’t be alone.

Who are these companies using for their focus groups? Surely women aren’t saying “yes, make all your towels scented please!”... are they?

So time for vote. If you had a choice and if all else was equal would you...
YANBU - prefer unscented pads
YABU - prefer scented pads

OP posts:
Naillig222 · 17/10/2019 19:56

I thought it was just me! What's worse again is the perfumed tampons. It can't be healthy to put something perfumed inside you?
I've started using Kotex instead as they are unscented.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 17/10/2019 19:57

Well since it looks like Always has swallowed the rainbow it might not be an issue anymore.

MotherofPearl · 17/10/2019 20:09

YADNBU OP. Scented san pro is hideous - one-way ticket to a bad case of thrush.

Pandaintheporridge · 17/10/2019 20:09

I've just read that Lordprof, I was going to buy an order of their unscented ones but now looking for a product that accepts that women have periods.
Can't believe they don't listen to women want in a sanitary pad but they do listen to what men want. Angry

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 17/10/2019 20:14

Well if it bleeds... it’s a fucking woman!

HeyMissyYouSoFine · 17/10/2019 20:28

On their website, Always list the Sensitive range, Maxi range and Infinity as being unscented.

I've ended up with scented to many times by mistake to want to risk buying any Always again.

I want to walk in and buy - not spend ages searching and checking.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 17/10/2019 20:30

Do they have a mansize? Actually what about mansize tissues?

Pollaidh · 17/10/2019 20:40

I switched from always liners to the unscented bodyform ones, and also use reusables now. Hated that smell, but many shops don't stock unscented.

CigarsofthePharoahs · 17/10/2019 20:40

I didn't realise that period blood doesn't have much of a smell until I switched to a moon cup.
I also never had thrush before I accidentally bought scented pads and was wearing o e for half a day. Took me a while to realise what it was, having never experienced it before. Thanks for that, Always.

AwdBovril · 17/10/2019 20:44

Honestly, the increase in scented pads is a big part of the reason why I've switched over to reusable sanpro - I now use a menstrual cup or occasionally cloth pads.

Itsarainyday555 · 17/10/2019 21:13

@chemicalelephant I managed to buy the TOTM organic tampons and pads in Tesco today. I hadn't realised they had them so was pleasantly surprised.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 17/10/2019 21:53

On their website, Always list the Sensitive range, Maxi range and Infinity as being unscented.

The always maxi night are definitely now scented, they changed them a few months ago. They are the only ones that work for me but now they stink. Smile

OP. I'm going to try the always infinity that you recommend, looks like they are in stock at Boots online. I've spent a lot of money trying to find a decent alternative so I'm hoping they'll work. Thanks.

Viviene · 17/10/2019 21:53

Sorry YABU, I like the scented ones.

dementedpixie · 17/10/2019 21:55

What exactly do you like about them? I hate that the whole aisle stinks of them

MonChatEstMagnifique · 17/10/2019 21:57

My smiley face was meant to be after 'Thanks' not after my complaint that the scented towels stink, they definitely don't give me anything to smile about. 😡

MrsPnut · 17/10/2019 22:12

My DD’s have struggled with the scented pads so I have sewn our own reusables. A brushed cotton top with 3D zorb as a liner and pul backed fleece as the bottom layer.
My DD2 was amazed with the result because it was the first month that she didn’t leak and she has very heavy periods.

Original poster
SinkGirl · 17/10/2019 22:13

MonChat definitely do if you can get them. The foam core is amazing, I wish all pads used the same stuff.

Vivienne don’t apologise - I’m glad someone prefers them otherwise it would be even more annoying. Just wish the availability split were more representative of actual preferences!

OP posts:
Deliqueen · 17/10/2019 22:14

I totally get this and spent a lot of time researching as I can't use the new always ones either(I need night time pads for the whole period😫). I now buy natracare from the ethical superstore online, only place I could get the extra long ones, which are excellent and delivered to the door👍. I'm hoping that I will not have many more!! 🤞😂

Girliefriendlikescake · 17/10/2019 22:15

Scented and plasticity ones are awful, my teen dd has heavy periods and it's been a real struggle to find pads that are comfortable (minimal plastic) and unscented that are for a heavy flow.

The plastic and smelly ones make her very uncomfortable and sore.

HerondaleDucks · 17/10/2019 22:22

I hate hate the scented pads and I hate all the plastic feeling ones. They make me so sore and uncomfortable. Plus you can smell when other women are wearing them... its creepy to know when other people are on their period this way.
I always use body form pads, they seem to be a last of a non plastic feeling brand.
I switched to reusable cloth pads in the summer and I'm converted. They wash really easily, they are comfy and absorbent. They just feel a bit like wearing a nappy at first until you get used to them.

Dontbugmemalone · 17/10/2019 22:23

YANBU. The scented ones irritate me and make me itchy. The smell alone is enough to put me off. I've switched to reusable ones and they are so much better and more comfortable.

NewYoiker · 18/10/2019 04:31

@Girliefriendlikescake always infinity night pads. I wear 2 at once at all times during my period but they're the best I've found. I don't feel like I'm wearing anything so that's nice. Plus since changing to these I've had a lot less leaks. But they're very expensive

HalfBearOtherHalfCat · 18/10/2019 04:51

YANBU, I bought scented by mistake once and ended up smelling like a cheap air freshener while nursing a sore itchy undercarriage. Hate the damn things.

I can't get on with any brand except Always - been using theirs pretty solidly for 25 years - but I'd change brands or switch to reusable before I bought scented again.

BeanBag7 · 18/10/2019 05:32

I have never used scented pads, I assumed they were less common as I have never accidentally bought them or noticed a smell on any packs of sanituary towels in the supermarket etc.
So I'm really surprised that people can't find unscented ones! Those are the only ones I've ever seen.

However I havent used pads for over 3 years (pregnancy, then switched to washables) so maybe it's a more recent fad?

bellinisurge · 18/10/2019 07:24

I will be making a bunch of Halloween themed cloth pads for my dd. She already has loads but I want to get a Halloween set made for her. I now know the size and absorbency she prefers and she's picked out a couple of witch/ghost/cat shaped ones.
On the hunt for some sweary fabric too