Stop messing with sanitary pads

[Elsa2000]

I’m so annoyed that people at these companies keep finding ways to “improve” pads.

I used to use Always but then they introduced that hideous scent that literally gave me an itchy feeling all day. I felt like it was burning. Not to mention I could smell the stench of artificial perfume all day. Almost headache inducing.

Recently bodyform have started messing.

I use the night pads as I’m so heavy. Now they are no way near as absorbent, plus the adhesive is not as sticky to the wings don’t stick properly. Bloody awful.

AIBU to think they should stop messing and actually get women to feedback on these “improvements” and “new designs”

Also my periods seem better since using reusables

Hijacking the thread as I'm currently on my period but with pcos I only have one or two a year so don't give too much thought to sanitary ware. However having my period in a heatwave has been sooo uncomfortable. Really aware of the plasticness of pads. Since having kids I can't use tampons for some reason. So.... recommendations for period pants?

I took the plunge and bought some period pants last month. Really impressed. I also have Sainsburys own pads and they are great. Thin, absorbent, no scent. And so much cheaper than the branded ones!

Sanitary towels are just awful now. I had many years of no periods because of my contraception but when I had them again I couldn't believe how awful they were: far too thin and full of stink.
I think they're now designed by someone who's never had a period in their life.

Like others, I've now switched to reusables.

The period pants I bought were from Cheeky Wipes. They were on a two for one offer and had next day delivery. They are the only ones I have tried so far.

The smell of them is literally nauseating isn't it

I am so glad this is not just me! I haven’t used pads for over ten years but had to buy some recently post C-Section. They are bloody awful! They don’t stick well at all and are constantly going out of place or folding up. Hideous!

The scent is because the researchers ask the wrong question apparently. I enquired once and they said "X number of women surveyed said they agreed they had worried about the smell of being on their period so we know people want scented pads". They erroneously believe concerns a woman might have equate to wanting to smell like air freshener. If they asked "do you want to feel like you've bathed your flaps in febreze?", I'm sure they'd receive a resounding "FUCK NO" response.

It's like a hairdresser asking if you ever have irritating knots in your hair and when you say yes, giving you a buzz cut.

I don't like the fact that reusable pads bleach and become discoloured. Not from periods, but from normal daily wear. I asked my GP to check i didn't have anything wrong, was I too acidic? She said no. I had to return my cheeky wipes for a refund. Gutted.

💯agree

I've not had that. I get mine from bloom and Nora

TeaandToast, maybe I'll try them then!

YABU to still be using pads.

Period pants are the future.
(Honestly, try them you won't be disappointed. I can't believe I wasted years of my life with itchy, uncomfortable, sickly smelling pads. The knickers are so comfy and better for the environment. Wear, wash, reuse. They even work on my heaviest days),

Period pants are.fantastic. the primary ones.are.seriously comfy and can deal with even super heavy peri-menapausal floods. I once wore a pair for a 5hour run where I was flooding and passing clots and there was only a tiny bit of leakage in the last half hour or so. I would have needed to change pads at.least twice in that time just because they don't soak everything up quick enough.
Now I wear.them to deal.with any (ahem) leaks when I jump about and they're just as good for that.

I use reusable ones and the difference in absorbency and comfort is incredible! I use cheeky wipes and a few different ones from etsy. on etsy you can get a real variety of sizes and absorbency. i got some absolutely giant ones, 18 inches long and extremely absorbent, for post partum.

Just curious, but why would this be an issue? Surely no one sees your period knickers?

I usually use a combo of moon cup and sanitary pads as I have menorrhagia. Might give period pants a punt as I usually use bodyform sanpro and think they’ve gone a been rubbish recently.

I switched to washable/reusable and they’re so much better. It’s a bit more of an upfront investment but will probably work out cheaper in the long run and in the meantime they’re more comfortable.

I use Aldi incontinence, not scented, retain smell, super absorbent, thumbs up.

I use Tena pads now as they are softer, not scented and the only ones that are effective and don’t irritate.

I always used to use Always (ha!) but agree on the nauseating scent. I recently changed to Tesco own brand maxi pads as my periods are also heavy since having my little girl. They’re much better, no scent and seem to last longer too. I think they’re called Free Spirit or something like that.

Do any women actually like scented pads? Why on earth do the manufacturers think that’s what we all want? Is it just misogyny trying to convince us that periods are shameful and smelly?

I like the scented ones and have had no problems the thrush - I still voted YANBU though because I think there should be a choice of both scented and unscented - there's obviously more people than me buying them or they wouldn't sell them 🤷‍♀️

Do any women actually like scented pads? Why on earth do the manufacturers think that’s what we all want? Is it just misogyny trying to convince us that periods are shameful and smelly?

Not exactly.

The concept was invented for inco pads

Then transferred to sanpro, and continues because people keep buying it.

There are enough who object that you cab still get unscented/no 'freshness' system versions of both inco and sanpro products. But they sell what people buy.

My main gripe is when packaging isn't clear, eg when they 'upgrade' an existing product and have only a tiny new logo on same colour/design pack for what is actually a huge difference

So glad to see so many people on here using period pants! I was also a pad user and i cannot believe how much simpler and more comfortable i am in the pants (Modibodi)

YANBU!!! I switched to a menstrual cup years ago and it has been brilliantly life changing.

Period pants alone don't work for me as I've a heavy flow but they're a good back up.

There are enough who object that you cab still get unscented/no 'freshness' system versions of both inco and sanpro products. But they sell what people buy

Not sure I agree with this. People do buy the scented, yes, but that's because that's pretty much all there is. There isn't a choice. There certainly is not a CLEAR choice, as you have to pick up and sniff to discern scented from unscented.
I've seen many threads on MN where posters are advising others on where to buy the sort of sanpro they'd like and are struggling to find, usually unscented.