Aibu to hate having my period! San Pro advice needed

[Tealuver]

After over 20 years of having a period you would think I'd be used to them but I hate it!!
Can anyone advise me on things to try apart from the moon Cup.
I have 2 problems. Firstly, I prefer to use tampons. Much easier to cope with for me. But.... I can't take one out then put another in straight away because I'm too dry. I have to wait at least 30 minutes for another flow of blood. Does this happen to other people? It's frustrating if I'm out etc because since having kids mine comes in gushes and I flood alot wearing pads.

This leads to my second problem. Im a large lady with a big bum so I think this is partly why I have a problem as I have a large area for a pad to cover . If/when I need to wear pads (particularly overnight) I wear the night time versions as they are the longest. But many, many times if I'm sitting or lying down, the blood will travel either forwards or backwards and can completely miss the pad!! At night I wear two pads, one that goes up to the front of my pants, and one that goes most of the way up the back of my pants. And the blood still misses them regularly! My bedding and clothes are ruined again this month!
Any advice? I would try the period pants / period underwear but they don't do them in my size.

Can you look on Etsy and see if anyone makes period pants to measure?

I'm a recent convert to period pants and I think they are amazing, I have the same issue with needing a longer pad for protection at front and back. I've been using cheeky pants, I think they go up to size 24 and I found them generously sized. You can send them back for a refund if you try them and they don't suit you. I've used imse vimse washable pads for years, the biggest ones have a good length but aren't too thick and bulky.

Reusable pads here https://www.honouryourflow.co.uk
You want the heavy flow or the night pads, be aware they are huge but you won't leak with them

re: tampon issue - do you use the plastic applicator? I know its not environmentally great however they help me with the 'dry' problem.

I use a lot of maternity pads for the same reasons as you so following! In the meantime I'd recommend maternity pads. They help contain it for me.

What about adding ky jelly onto tampons before inserting?

Use some lube to help insert another tampon!

You can use something called an interlabial pad to help direct your flow to the middle. Have a google. You basically roll them up and put them into your labia.

Also suggest maternity pads, I can’t use tampons at all - vaginismus, I find them excruciatingly painful - but three maternity pads (front horizontal, middle vertical, back horizontal) seem to work for me .

Also setting an alarm to get up middle of the night helps, seems to stop leaks for me .

I'm a UK size 22/24 so any recommendations for period pants would be fab as they'd totally solve my problem during the night

I use the Always Boutique Discreet or Tena Silhouette pants at night as they stay put and absorb leakages from all directions.

Not the most attractive look imo but san pro rarely is.

Thanks for comments so far!

I use tampons with the plastic applicator. I can get the applicator in no problem but I cant push the tampon out as I'm too dry straight after taking one out.

Is there a particular reason why you don't want to try a menstrual cup? They take a bit of getting used to but have made my period so much easier to deal with.

Lillets maternity pads are a godsend for heavy periods at night

Modibodi go up to size 26, I've just checked their website. I'm a convert and even though the initial cost is high I like that I don't need to keep buying products that are just going straight to landfill. And much more comfortable than pads which tend to make me a bit sore after a while.

@naamechange

Also suggest maternity pads, I can’t use tampons at all - vaginismus, I find them excruciatingly painful - but three maternity pads (front horizontal, middle vertical, back horizontal) seem to work for me .

Also setting an alarm to get up middle of the night helps, seems to stop leaks for me .

I think I will try this tonight. I usually put all my pads lengthways. I shall try horizontal, vertical, horizontal! Thanks!

@B1rdinthebush

Is there a particular reason why you don't want to try a menstrual cup? They take a bit of getting used to but have made my period so much easier to deal with.

A few reasons. Fear is one of them that I won't be able to get it out. I've not given birth vaginally and I sometimes struggle with a super tampom, and I can only insert one finger so I think it might hurt me. Always had this problem, its a pain, literally!

Just came here to give another thumbs up to period pants. They've genuinely changed my life! If you really can't find any in your size I'd also recommend emailing one of the smaller companies that make them and seeing what they say.

i need to use tampons with vaseline rubbed down one of the sides to help get it in

Bodyform do extra large pads which have extra wings to try and avoid the issue of it missing the pad

They still feel quite thin so aren’t as bulky as a lot of night pads.

I didn’t know they were a thing til I found them online but I’ve ordered some from boots and I’m a fan

Make your own washable sanitary pads out of an old bath towel, then you can make a massive area at the back to give adequate coverage.

Period pants. We have modibodi ones and they're great. Expensive at first but pay for themselves longer term and reusable.
DD uses them all the time, I use them as nighttime safety and on heavy days with a tampon.

@naamechange I have vaginismus too 😩 No fun eh.

I've just bought some period pants so I will give them a go! If they work for me they will be a game changer
The last time I looked to buy some (last year) I couldn't find any in a big enough size but I'm delighted to now see that they do. Thanks everyone!

I know its not right for everybody but have you considered a mirena coil?

I have had them for the last 30 years and am now well into menopause with my last one, I havent had a period in all that time, no spotting, no pain, nothing.

I wa told by my gp years ago that unless you were ttc then having a monthly period wasnt important, perhaps a thought for you OP.