Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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 stop shaming sanitary pads!

231 replies

BooFuckingHoo2 · 06/12/2020 23:44

I’ll call eat this by saying I have ASD.

From high school for me it was encouraged by teachers (PE) to “use tampons”. So from 12 I used tampons (painfully) because sanitary towels were considered “gross” or girls were worried they could be seen under their PE kit.

This carried on with “friends” causally by them being like ew who used pads.

I was twenty fucking six until I dared use a pad because I had a bad UTI and by god the relief was immense, no longer having to reluctantly shove things up myself. It’s not like “wearing a nappy” at all.

AIBU to think there’s a social pressure to use tampons?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 06/12/2020 23:46

I’ve never felt any pressure to use tampons.

PleaseLetIanBeDead · 06/12/2020 23:48

Always used pads.

Never been pressurised

Honeybobbin · 06/12/2020 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alexandernevermind · 06/12/2020 23:50

I've never felt pressure. I hate tampons, and even after children I can only use minis.

purpleme12 · 06/12/2020 23:50

I've never heard this ever

CharityEscapeGoat · 06/12/2020 23:52

I gave up using tampons in my early teens because they made my already severe cramps absolutely intolerable. I think I only tried them for about 3 months. These days I use a menstrual cup, it doesn't make the cramps any worse at all.

WorraLiberty · 06/12/2020 23:52

Nope, never heard of a social pressure to use tampons.

Original poster
BooFuckingHoo2 · 06/12/2020 23:53

Really? I’m genuinely surprised because I suffered through tampons for about 14 years!

OP posts:
SebastianTheCrab · 06/12/2020 23:54

I agree there is pressure. Every menstruating woman I know uses tampons and seems surprised I don't have any if they need to borrow them. It doesn't come up that often. I've never been a fan of tampons. Too much stress about getting them up there, getting them out, TSS etc

SenorFrog · 06/12/2020 23:54

I've never heard of this. I was sporty as a teenager and wanted to wear tampons because it made that easier for me but no one ever pressured me. I used a combination of both as I got older depending on what I was doing that day.

Sunbird24 · 06/12/2020 23:55

I think there’s now a definite move towards reusable over disposable, which mostly means pads, pants or cups, only one of which is internal.

I’m sorry you’ve experienced pressure to use something that didn’t work for you, women should always feel like they have full freedom of choice for sanpro products

june2007 · 06/12/2020 23:55

No never felt any pressure at all. I foud lillets ok but tampx uncomfy. I now use a cup and washable sanpro.

tectonicplates · 06/12/2020 23:56

Actually I agree. When I was a teenager it was implied that sanitary towels were just for beginners and that most women switched to tampons eventually. In fact it's only since joining these boards that it's made me feel normal again. Even all the threads complaining about scented ones (hate them!) really brings it home to me just how many of us do still use them, which is not the impression I get everywhere.

I went on and off to quite a trendy gym where most people were in their 20s. They used to have free tampons and towels in the women's loos, but after a while I noticed they'd stopped giving out towels and had tampons only. Maybe younger women are more likely to use Mooncups? I don't know.

CharityEscapeGoat · 06/12/2020 23:57

And I never heard anything bad from anyone about pads. Plenty of my friends used them. We all chatted about which brands were the best & which we preferred, & if one of us got caught out, someone always had a pack in their bag.

Cottagepieandpeas · 06/12/2020 23:57

Yes I remember this at school. (I’m in my 50s). I think it was considered very unsophisticated to use pads.
Those who used pads were always identified when swimming (or not).
I’ve always hated tampons but I have to use them and pads to control the flow at the moment. 🙁

Suzeyshoes · 06/12/2020 23:57

Never felt pressured to use tampons at all. In fact, was so pleased when I discovered them in my late teens. I can’t stand wearing pads.

Original poster
BooFuckingHoo2 · 06/12/2020 23:57

I went to an all girls school and using pads (and being heard to h wrap them in the toilets) would definitely get you teased!

OP posts:
middleager · 06/12/2020 23:57

I have always worn pads due to discomfort of tampons and difficulty inserting them compared to friends (shallow cervix, tilted womb).

I did feel in my teens in the 80s/90s that everybody seemed to be wearing tampons and that I was the odd one out for wearing towels, so I kind of get what you mean (and I'd hide the fact I didn't wear tampons and that it was so hard to successfully insert them).

NeverTwerkNaked · 06/12/2020 23:58

Yanbu. Little comments, expressions of disgust etc meant I kept quiet that I used pads not tampons. I have dyspraxia and find pads simpler. I use reusable ones/period pants now and they are fabulous.

Theotherrudolph · 06/12/2020 23:59

Nope, I had and have no idea what anyone else used or uses except my mother. She suggested tampons after I kept leaking through pads, I liked them and so I carried on. Never talked to my friends about it. It’s a personal preference, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer as long as you are comfortable.

Annny27 · 06/12/2020 23:59

@boofuckinghoo2 100% agree with you! I have had friends tell me its disgusting and sitting in your own filth...... I like using pads but at school I was embarrassed fhat I "still used pads"

So yes I am all for anti pad shaming!

tectonicplates · 07/12/2020 00:00

@SebastianTheCrab

I agree there is pressure. Every menstruating woman I know uses tampons and seems surprised I don't have any if they need to borrow them. It doesn't come up that often. I've never been a fan of tampons. Too much stress about getting them up there, getting them out, TSS etc
Yep. Every time someone at the office has asked me if I have a spare tampon, it's always a tampon they ask for. I always find myself saying "Sorry, I only have towels". I'd be happy to give them to people but nobody ever wants one.
randomsabreuse · 07/12/2020 00:00

Tampons/cups allow swimming and are more comfortable for activities involving saddles... Pads are ok for other stuff, avoid for runs in really wet weather and really sweaty conditions. Double up if sport requires while lower clothing. Reusable pads are a game changer for comfort, might be more visible though if wearing tight bottoms.

Original poster
BooFuckingHoo2 · 07/12/2020 00:03

Maybe I am projecting but where I went to school using tampons definitely made you a grown up! I also remember going on a family holiday and my mum giving me a makeup bag full of tampons and being expected to sort myself out so I could join in, I was early high school age and it was horrible!

OP posts:
AccidentallyOnPurpose · 07/12/2020 00:04

For me it was the opposite, I was pressured into pads because tampons were for "loose girls","not virgins", "vain girls", "so what if you can't swim,just sit here prettily on the beach" etc.

I was a stubborn little shit though, so used them when I deemed necessary.

I think periods in general are seen as shameful,to be hidden etc... other people just choose their own (arbitrary and subjective) period stick to beat women/girls with. Tampons,pads,moon cups,period underwear,reusable pads etc. Just use whatever you want and feel comfortable with.