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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:
KnifeAngel · 16/10/2019 22:27

Scented pads are horrible. You can smell them in the supermarket. I have had numerous debates with Always and they say it's what women want. I won't buy any of their products now. I like Asda own brand ones. I have definitely smelt them on other women.

DrPimplePopper · 16/10/2019 22:28

YANBU they are horrible. I switched to reusable when it became impossible to find unscented.

MyDcAreMarvel · 16/10/2019 22:30

I switched to always sensitive, unscented and only £1. I use Tena first three days though.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 16/10/2019 22:32

YANBU scented ones are grim. I never by always as I seem to always pick up the scented ones.
I buy supermarket own when I do an online supermarket shop, Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s ones aren’t scented and they are very cheap.

winniemum · 16/10/2019 22:42

Not only can you smell them in the supermarket you can smell who’s wearing them at work. Horrible smell.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 16/10/2019 22:43

I hate the scented pads. The only ones that work for me are the Always maxi night which they've recently changed to be scented. I'm really pissed off about it and have complained.

Moon108 · 16/10/2019 22:45

I Use body form. Agree the scent is gross and it irritates my skin

BluebellCockleshell123 · 16/10/2019 22:47

I hate the scented ones! My DS was mortally embarrassed having to accompany me to the supermarket where I not only had to buy sanitary products, but I sniffed them all as well!
Tescos or Sainsburys own here as they are the only ones I've found that are definitely unscented.

Thehagonthehill · 16/10/2019 22:47

I have had really heavy periods(think standing up and blood running down your jeans soaking them to the bottom,I have passed tissue.It does not stink.If it does you need to see you GP as you have an infection.
I have had 10 month investigations for continuos bleeding perinopausal,So have had to wear pantiliners at the least for all that time.
The always long ones are the best for me but a few months on they were all scented..Great,so then I had bleeding everyday and burning and thrush and no alternative.
I now sorted .But my DD uses a cup and pads on heavy days and we are finding it harder to find unscented.Reusable panty liners are not great and embarrassing in communal changing areas.

TheWolves · 16/10/2019 22:48

Scented are vile

Iftheresawilltheresaway · 16/10/2019 22:51

Bodyform have new ones out in a white pack called pureSensitive. They come with wings, and are 0% allergens, fragrances and dyes.

Josephinebettany · 16/10/2019 22:53

I find body form useless.
I love Always. Definitely prefer unscented but I don't see that many scented. The always I buy are always unscented..

Momoko3000 · 16/10/2019 22:57

Oh scented ones are horrific. They give me thrush and I don't want my period and thrush thank you very much! I only use liners at the start of my period with mooncup (just in case) but finding unscented ones is a nightmare. YANBU.

Slappadabass · 16/10/2019 22:57

The scented ones are awful, I don't need my vagina to smell like a old lady's perfume! Same as scented baby wipes, vile...

TheClitterati · 16/10/2019 22:57

YANBU
Scented is madness.

I mostly use mooncup these days thank fuck but need to source unscented for DD.

AngelzEye · 16/10/2019 22:58

I once accidentally picked up two packs of scented tampax compact on buy 1 get 1 free - 'Active' I think they call them...

Didn't realise till I opened them, had to go straight back out for more. Never imagined such a ridiculous product existed.

That's £5 I'll never get back...

MsPavlichenko · 16/10/2019 22:58

I think I have finally stopped bleeding.

But for the past ten years or so I used Sainsburys unscented. I bled very wey heavily so needed the nightime pads doubled/ trebled and more. They didn't stink @GrumpyHoonMain and I doubt scented pads would have done much anyhow. You should see your doctor if it is a problem in case there is an underlying issue.

Slappadabass · 16/10/2019 22:59

Asda's own are un-scented btw, cheap and work well!

LordNibbler · 16/10/2019 23:00

Do you know why I hate the scented pads so much? Not because they affect or burn me, or anything like that. It's the inference that menstruating women are somehow 'unclean' and smell. I've never gone past any woman and thought oh she's on her period, I can smell it. But somehow we are being sold pads and having to have scented flowery foofs. God knows what young girls just starting their periods must think, I'm sure they feel self conscious enough without now being sold a story that you must wear a scented towel or people will 'know',

morrisseysquif · 16/10/2019 23:01

The cheap smell of scented towels is vile, it is so strong I can smell them on other women.

Foul.

ShinyGiratina · 16/10/2019 23:01

I always used Bodyform, but after having DS 6+ years ago I found out about CSP through nappy groups and bought a load. I haven't bought any disposable san pro since then. I don't recall an issue with scented products back when I was buying disposable pads and have no interest in ever having to use one unless faced with an emergency. I used to get thrush regularly at the end of a period, and since using washables/ cup, haven't had an issue. I dread to think what the added perfumes would do to such a sensitive area.

TaurielTest · 16/10/2019 23:02

I switched to cloth pads 11 years ago but bought some pads for travelling this summer, just grabbed in the supermarket, I was horrified when I realised they were perfumed.

Foslady · 16/10/2019 23:03

No bleeding since my ablation (thank god - although I bet I’ve cursed myself now!) but I used to be the weirdo in the supermarket picking up packs of towels and smelling them to make sure I got unscented ones.....

FenellaVelour · 16/10/2019 23:03

Scented pads are utterly revolting.

tectonicplates · 16/10/2019 23:04

Bodyform have new ones out in a white pack called pureSensitive. They come with wings, and are 0% allergens, fragrances and dyes.

Yep - they're very good, but also quite difficult to get hold of! You can only really get them at Superdrug, and they often sell out. Why on earth can't they be sold at all chemists and supermarkets? Have Bodyform made some kind of exclusivity deal?

www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Feminine-Care/Sanitary-Pads/Bodyform-Pure-Sensitive-Ultra-Wings/p/776269