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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to hate having my period! San Pro advice needed

62 replies

Tealuver · 03/12/2020 13:21

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.

OP posts:

teateateateateamoretea · 03/12/2020 14:57

Does anyone with very heavy periods use the pants? I like to try them but worry that they just wouldn't be up to the job. I currently need multiple boxes of supersized tampons every month

Laiste · 03/12/2020 15:03

Never heard of interlabial pads! Everyday is a school day here.

OP i have the same problem re shoving another tampon out of the applicator. I too use the plastic applicator (Tampax Pearl?) ones.

Re: night time. I lay on a big folded towel for the first two nights.

Re: period pants - off to google!

viccat · 03/12/2020 15:06

I would definitely recommend cloth sanitary pads (CSP). There are lots of independent makers now and they can be made any size and for any level of flow to suit your needs exactly. I love my long pads for night time!

They are also incredibly comfortable compared to disposable pads as they are not plasticy and full of chemicals.

Look up a Facebook group called CSP Approved Sales Group for maker/shop recommendations. (Don't be tempted to buy the cheap pads from Amazon/eBay as they are mass produced in China and tend to be artificial/plastic fibers and don't fit very well for most.)

Myunhappyfeet · 03/12/2020 15:08

I know you're not keen but I think a menstrual cup would solve your problems. Even though they look bigger they are a lot less painful to put in than tampons- I was worried about this but I hardly noticed it go in the first time. I use an organicup and would highly recommend. You have to use a bit of trial and error to get positioning right but this never caused pain or discomfort, more annoyance! It takes a period or two to get used to how to position and how often to change but they leak much less than tampons and need changing less often too.

stressfullday · 03/12/2020 15:12

You can put a small amount of ky jelly on a tampon before you use it.

GreyishDays · 03/12/2020 15:15

Can you use a tampon and a pad and wait till the tampon is leaking before you remove it? To help with the dryness problem?

doadeer · 03/12/2020 15:19

I'm another moon cup fan. Easier than tampons for me, doesn't hurt to remove ifthe tampon is dry and on heavy days they hold more and I'm not worrying about TSS. But I totally get they aren't for everyone. I do have to reach up a bit 🙈

massistar · 03/12/2020 15:21

Another cup user here who found it a total game changer and wish I'd come across them years ago! Took a couple of cycles to get used to it but it's so much easier and more comfortable than tampons.

DaisyDreaming · 03/12/2020 15:21

Have you tried other cups, mooncups are hard with such a strong rim, quite different from softer smaller ones

DaisyDreaming · 03/12/2020 15:22

I also run the cup under water before inserting so it’s not dry

doadeer · 03/12/2020 15:25

@doadeer

Oh And OP I havent had a baby vaginally and mine fits great no issues

Curiosity101 · 03/12/2020 15:29

@Tealuver The tampon applicator is meant to go all the way up to where you want to tampon to start. It's meant to deposit the tampon more so that push it into place if that makes sense? It could be that inserting it further and then pulling it out as you press the plunger could help with the reapplication issue.

Curiosity101 · 03/12/2020 15:29

*more so than

dontgobaconmyheart · 03/12/2020 15:36

This isn't what you've asked OP, but if you (or indeed anyone) is experiencing pain from inserting a finger or struggles with vaginismus or similar I would certainly ask the GP to refer you to a womens health physio as they are brilliant. The pelvic floor contains many complex muscles and managing issues with it really is no different than going for an arm, leg etc. In time these issues can very often be improved with support and treatment plans. Otherwise I would advise using lubricant on the tampon and definity recommend period pants if you can source in the right fitting. Fingers crossed for you.

Another option that is entirely personal choice and may not be relevant but as I am not planning to conceive I simply run my contraceptive pill back to back to prevent a 'period'. Works for me but I know the pill isn't for everyone.

missbipolar · 03/12/2020 16:10

I'm a 22-24 and wear modibodi pants comfortably!

MustardMitt · 03/12/2020 16:17

I’ve just ordered some Blinx period pants as they’re half price. Still spendy at £10 a pair but better than £20!

I use a meluna soft cup which is really soft but I’ve bought the pants just in case as I tend to flood on my first day. But I would say a tube of lube in your bag is probably a good way to go. Or decant into a lipbalm pot for discretion!

BeigeFoodLover · 03/12/2020 16:27

@Tealuver I can't see how to quote your post about mooncup and not giving birth naturally - I haven't either - 2 c-sections, but I have to say, my mooncup has been a godsend. Considering I was an hourly tampon changer, these, combined with period pants really has made my entire period experience a lot better (i too leaked, chucked bedding and had to carry spare clothes with me!).

Without giving TMI - My mooncup comes out fine, but the best way to get it out is to push as if you're pushing a poo out...

SomelikeitHoth · 03/12/2020 16:44

When heavy I use Bofyform night time towel with period pants. Totally fine

HermosaMain · 03/12/2020 16:46

@gigi556

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.

Oooh I'd never heard of these, but have bought some from Etsy as I think they'll solve my problems. Thanks!

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 03/12/2020 16:47

ModiBodi’s have been an absolute game changer for me, cannot recommend them enough. I’ve tried cheaper period pants but ModiBodi are the most comfortable and give the best coverage IML. Also the best range of styles, sizes and colours. Worth every penny and I cannot recommend them enough. Would never go back to disposable (and frankly uncomfortable) san pro.

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 03/12/2020 16:48

*IMO, sorry. Didn’t meant to invent a new acronym!

bridgetjonesmassivepants · 03/12/2020 16:50

Agree with thebabessavedme, why not just stop the periods? Quite a few contraceptive pills / jabs etc will do this, I'm on the Depo injections, no problems with it and I haven't had a period since 2006.

Obviously might not be a solution for everybody but I really don't get why we still have to put up with periods when they are not necessary.

Hazelmazel · 03/12/2020 16:54

There are other alternatives to tampons other than menstrual cups. I used to use a cup but can't after a prolapse.
I have had great success with 'soft' tampons - they are effectively a soft sponge and work really well for me. You can get dry or wet ones - the wet ones aren't actually wet, just pre-lubricated so sound like they might work well for you? They are here on Amazon -Beppy Soft Comfort Tampons with Lubricant Lamination - Pack of 8 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007Q3KYVO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_PErYFbKPFA9BN?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Or there's another alternative called Flex. It's a rubber disc with a flexible 'cup' that goes over your cervix and catches the blood. Same benefits of a cup in that it's not absorbent but the different application worked better for me.
flexfits.uk/

Worth trying lots of things to see what suits.

GreyishDays · 03/12/2020 16:58

@bridgetjonesmassivepants

Obviously might not be a solution for everybody but I really don't get why we still have to put up with periods when they are not necessary.

@bridgetjonesmassivepants are you aware of the possible bone thinning issues with being on it for a long time? I was on it for a while and one GP pointed this out.

bridgetjonesmassivepants · 03/12/2020 17:09

Husband is a GP and he says there are no issues.

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