To hate showering when on period

[meagain3]

I started a new contraception and have had on and off bleeding for 2 months (more like been bleeding for 7 weeks and had 1 off!) apparantly it’ll stop once it’s been around 3 months.

does anyone else hate showering when on period, obviously I still do but the quick rush out of the shower and having to then do a quick dry with the towel to get more knickers on without bleeding everywhere.

UGH maybe some people don’t have this problem but I bleed heavy so have to get a new pad on asap and don’t feel like I’m dry enough yet with a quick 30sec towel wipe!!!

also been sleeping in knickers for 7 whole weeks😒😒

I don't have this problem, but would you consider using a menstrual cup? You could put it in while you're still in the shower, then dry yourself afterwards. Similar with a tampon - turn shower off, insert tampon, have another rinse, then get out and dry yourself.

Never tried a menstrual cup does it feel safe and secure? Hate tampons I’ve tried many and never find them comfy unfortunately:(

Hooray for menstrual cups! Totally agree. As for all that bleeding: suggest you make an appointment for a second opinion - there are plenty of alternative contraception methods that don't involve a load of bleeding for months - make an appointment at your local reproductive health clinic and get another opinion about it.

I was going to recommend a menstrual cup too. I can’t feel it after insertion and it is secure. I don’t get on with tampons either but moon cup has been a game changer with my heavy periods.

I find a cup much more comfortable than tampons because the silicon glides in rather than being rough fibres (that also dry you out)
They also have good capacity too.
The shower is an easy place to change it too.

I did try that but was told there books are full for the next 3 months and they don’t have no appointments out yet for the following dates so they’ll put me on a waiting list and contact me😖so I went on the pill as that’s the only contraception my gp provides

Off to buy a menstrual cup! Do they sell them in supermarkets so I can get one today?!

That's the one disadvantage of external protection. I also used to worry about dirtying the towels so on getting out of the shower I'd use the bath towel for my top half and then wipe around my lower half with kitchen towel.

I always wondered what others do as I've never heard anyone mention having this issue.

Nb. Cups can be good but IME they're not without their downsides. For me it's interfering with the ability to use the loo.

Yes, if you get the fit right you can't even feel the menstrual cup and they can hold a lot of fluid. There are various different brands but there's a useful quiz here to see which ones might work better for you (think it's American though so they might not all be available): https://putacupinit.com/quiz/

I 100% get this and it’s hard to feel fully clean as it rarely stops for long enough to get out of the shower and put a tampon in without an interim clean-up operation. Ugh.

Oh, good luck! You can usually find them in a big chemists.

There's loads of info online about menstrual cups and the different ones to try if you've never tried them before. You may need to try a couple to see which ones suit you best - do a search and you'll find loads of info and discussions about them. Since you are wearing a pad anyway you can try them and not have to worry about anything leaking. They work very well for may people - they are indeed comfortable (they are usually made out of a flexible medical grade material that is even more easy to deal with than a tampon) You just need to dedicate some time and positive thinking to trying them. There are beginners "kits" you can buy - and of course if you don't understand how to use them there are plenty of instructional videos etc on the websites of the companies that sell them together with (entirely non-graphic!!!) explanatory videos from reproductive health organisations.

As for finding tampons uncomfortable: have you asked your OBGYN/reproductive health doctor/nurse to do an examination and help you determine if there is a reason why you find them uncomfortable? If it's the insertion element then give something like "Tampax Pearl Applicators" a try - they are smooth plastic (yes, they are also terrible for the environment, but if you are struggling to get used to tampons then they are useful). Start with the SMALLEST size!!! Don't go straight for a supermax torpedo! And make sure you are using them when you actually have some flow going on. Given those applicators are plastic you can also use some lubrication on the applicator to make thing easier. Tampons shouldn't hurt - if they are hurting you may find you are either using one that's too big, or are using an applicator that's not smooth enough etc. Again, your medical folks can help you with this.

@meagain3 If you buy a mooncup - cut the stalk off - it's insanely uncomfortable otherwise and buy the right size. But they were a gamechanger for me when I had off and on heavy bleeding.

Use an old dark flannel and just wedge it between your legs. It doesn’t take up much room in the wash then you’re not having to rush or get blood on a full towel

I do too, I grab loo roll and leave it next to the shower to use immediately and in place while I dry my lower half off, with fresh supplies unwrapped and ready to go. Sorry if that’s what you’re doing already - but just in case this tactic makes it a bit more bearable for you.

Using dark towels and then washing them after each shower. So annoying but also we have the washing machine on 24/7 anyway so I just have 2 in rotation and wash it straight away. Kitchen towel? As in kitchen roll? How does that work out, I could imagine having bits of wet tissue all over me😂

Good idea, I’ve been chucking my whole towel in the wash every day!

There is no way that the pill is the "only contraception your GP provides" - so it seems like maybe there is some miscommunication there. There are many different types of pills - ranging from tablets with different active ingredients (combi pill, one hormone only, etc etc etc), and of course lots of different types of methods for delivery of the contraceptive: everything from injections, to insertable "rings" (or similar) that release hormones, to implants, and of course options that don't use hormones at all, like the IUD etc etc etc. Most GP practices have a nurse who specialises in reproductive health and contraception - so make an appointment to see them too if you want to discuss different options. It may be that your GP has already reviewed these with you, and for various reasons has determine that the particular BCP you are on is the best - or least problematic - for you given your other health needs/problems etc (for example, women who smoke/are overweight/suffer from migraines etc really shouldn't be taking certain types of BCP as they can raise the risk of other medical concerns - though doctors will typically weigh these risks with the inherent risks of getting pregnant and what that can do to the human body!)

As for a 3 month wait: call the GP office back and say you need urgent help and want a same day/week appointment. If you are getting no luck that way then call 111 and ask them for help. Moreover there are separate reproductive health/sexual health/family planning clinics that you can go see - so your option isn't just the GP.

I have heavy periods (endo) so have been doing it for a while)

Put a pad within reach of the shower, wedge/hold it between legs until out and on the toliet then cover self with towel/sort things.

@Caligirl80where I live, only a couple gp practises do things like the implant and coils. Mine doesn’t. There’s multiple clinics that are all under the same system in the county which have no appointments for atleast 3 months. Due to BMI gp said the only thing he could offer me was the desogestrel only pill. So I was willing to give the pill ago while I wait for a coil appointment. It’s working great apart from the bleeding but that can take 3 months to subside. I’d prefer the bleeding opposed too the bad skin/anxiety/depression that previous contraceptions have gave me..I’m yet to try the coil but will attempt that in 3 months if I can get an appointment🤷🏽‍♀️

Oh me too! It's much nicer now I use period pants - if you have a heavy flow I know it can be a bit daunting, some brands like Modibodi do a heavy range, but might be worth looking into? They might not be for everyone but I've found them so much more comfortable than any disposable product.

I'm peri menopausal so have incredibly heavy periods at the moment. I shower with a tampon in though so don't have this problem, have you tried a little bit of lube on the tampon to make it more comfortable (and make sure it's in far enough or it will be uncomfortable)?

I’ve seen this comment a lot but want to add a note of caution. If you are tall or long-bodied you might need the stalk. I certainly do. My removal method involves bearing down and trying to grab the tip of the stalk and then once I have that bearing down again so I can get the cup. I would have no hope of removing it without the stalk.