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Original poster

To hate showering when on period

71 replies

meagain3 · 20/05/2025 09:28

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😒😒

OP posts:
ForChicPoet · 20/05/2025 10:20

Suck it up.

dollyblue01 · 20/05/2025 10:22

I have a pack of baby wipes to hand and use one whilst I’m getting out the shower, to stop it, wipe, new tampon and get dressed.

Couldntthinkofausername24 · 20/05/2025 12:08

Yeah I'm exactly the same. I stuff some tissue up there just quickly so I can get dry and prepare a new pad. Its so annoying

Entertainedforever · 20/05/2025 12:50

I’m the same OP, it runs down my legs for my entire shower and then is a quick rush. Just a note to say if you do have the coil fitted later on, you can’t use a menstrual cup - I have endo, and my gynae has seen so many coils come out since the uptick in cup use. I personally use reusable sanitary towels so I wedge one of those between my legs whilst I dry everywhere else properly.

As for other contraception types, they are worth looking into. I loved having the coil - but if you have the mirena you may have the same issues. I had the copper coil mostly, but tried the mirena and bled for 6m! I don’t do well on hormones hence the copper ones.

My GP doesn’t fit the coil anymore, I had my coil removed three weeks ago and he told me now you have to go to the sexual health clinic at the hospital to have them fitted. Good job I didn’t want a new one but he fitted my last two!

Entertainedforever · 20/05/2025 12:52

Caligirl80 · 20/05/2025 09:50

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.

Edited
Show quote history

Mine only does the pill now too! Sends you to the sexual health clinic for anything else.

ThreeplusI · 20/05/2025 12:52

meagain3 · 20/05/2025 09:34

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

Show quote history

I hate Tampons too but have been using a cup since my periods restarted after my second. Not going to lie, sometimes I don't get it in right and it can be uncomfortable but re-insert and it usually works that time. I also use period pants as my flow is quite heavy day 1-3, so like the extra security. Game changer for me.

JillMW · 20/05/2025 13:13

The menstrual cup was horrendous for me, putting in needs to be done once dry, taking it out left the bathroom looking like there had been a mass murder. Period pants better as they will dry you off as you dry the rest of you then swap for a sry pair or pants and pad

Bonbon249 · 20/05/2025 13:20

Have you thought about a contraceptive implant? I had one for years pre-menopause and it was great apart from weight gain so if your BMI is a problem, it might not be for you. The best thing about it was no periods. Loved it.

Perimenoanti · 20/05/2025 13:21

I get out of the shower and before drying with my towel I put a tampon in. That means I used to as I now have vaginal itchiness and tampons are so uncomfortable .

Arina22 · 20/05/2025 13:39

meagain3 · 20/05/2025 09:34

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

Show quote history

But does it matter of the tampon is uncomfy if you are only using it for a short time

Youd only be using the tampon for 20 minutes in the shower

Jdh172 · 20/05/2025 13:39

Is it a mirena coil? I had one of those and bled every day with it!! Had a hysterectomy in the end and it's the best thing ever! No more bleeding for me and I feel great for it, like a new person

Emmz1510 · 20/05/2025 13:44

Pinkywoo · 20/05/2025 10:20

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 was going to write exactly this. I put a fresh tampon in before showering. But I hear you when you say they don’t agree with you. It’s probably because you aren’t inserting them far enough. Lately I’ve been using a bit of lube to help with this.
Maybe try the menstrual cup if that doesn’t work for you.
But really, it is only blood and there shouldn’t be this stigma about it. Maybe switch off the shower and get as dry as you can while still in there? If I’m not wearing a tampon I dry that area last, and after I’m done any blood can just be rinsed away from the shower tray.

Matilda1981 · 20/05/2025 13:48

I just use a hand towel and put it between my legs until I’m dry - wash it them at 60 degrees and just use them for this purpose! I’ve had 4 kids and did this after my post birth shower, at least you can get dry before having to put underwear on!

F1LandoFan · 20/05/2025 13:51

I tend to keep my tampon in so don’t have that, but if I’m tampon free I have a wedge of loo roll ready and once I get out I wedge the loo roll between my legs while I dry!

Smellslikeburnttoat · 20/05/2025 13:55

I just clean the bathroom floor afterwards, as we don’t have carpet and use a dark towel.

Justhereforthis · 20/05/2025 13:57

I see it’s been covered but wanted to suggest the flannel based system too! In addition to heavy periods, I occasionally have a slightly leaky bladder so use one after every shower - even if I don’t leak - it saves my constant ‘just in case’ towel washes! Popping it between my legs gives me a chance to dry properly without the panicked rush to avoid mess.

littlemisssunshine247 · 20/05/2025 14:03

Stickthatupyourdojo · 20/05/2025 09:47

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.

This - just leave a bit of toilet paper folded up on your towel and use it while you dry yourself. Surely not rocket science?

Caligirl80 · 20/05/2025 14:24

Entertainedforever · 20/05/2025 12:52

Mine only does the pill now too! Sends you to the sexual health clinic for anything else.

Show quote history

Okay, but the GP can still offer you that different option - the only issue is who fits it. The OP seemed to be suggesting that the only option discussed/offered to her was the BCP - which clearly isn't the case.

Given there is a BMI reason behind the limitation on pills the other thing the OP should be doing is figuring out was to shift the weight. Getting that under control will also help with period issues (not to mention more easily being able to use tampons/menstrual cup - much easier if you are are a "healthy" weight on the BMI scale, because it's easier to reach to get to the area and also there's less excess fat etc making it more difficult to insert said tampon/cup. Clearly there are reason why some people have difficulty controlling weight (endo for example) but assuming those aren't an issue in this case an aim here should be shifting some pounds: it may well also help with getting periods under control, and it's much easier of course to get oneself showered etc.

FoxChops · 20/05/2025 14:28

I have a shower and then place a folded up soft flannel between my legs as soon as I step out the shower as I dry everywhere else with a towel

Place flannel straight into wash basket and it’s as easy as that. Done it for years during a period

Stressmode · 20/05/2025 14:43

Get yourself some iron tablets too… if you are bleeding for 3 months you will end up deficient. Dr can test for this too, and prescribe extra strong iron tablets!

BountifulPantry · 20/05/2025 14:44

I just stick a tampon in straight away immediately after showering. Works the same with a cup.

Or get some tissue or a flannel to tide you over whilst you get dry.

elusiveemz · 20/05/2025 14:50

ouch321 · 20/05/2025 09:42

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.

Slightly confused - how does a cup interfere with ability to use the loo?

RaspberryRipple2 · 20/05/2025 14:54

Try the cup - also life changing for me (well after many years on desogestrel with very little bleeding). Cost £15 3 years ago and I’ve spent nothing on sanpro since. I did have to cut off the stem completely and sand down the plastic, it’s very easy to remove and replace though once used to it (for me, understand everyone different). Only slight negative is the messiness of emptying/blood at the bottom of the toilet, but this is very minor compared to negatives of other methods (discomfort, risk of leaking, general messiness and grimness all the time!)

tiutinkerbell · 20/05/2025 14:54

Use a cup! It's lifechanging.

CraftyWasp · 20/05/2025 14:57

Cups can be great if you find one that works for you, but there is a learning curve. My biggest tip is to make sure your cervix is actually inside it or it will leak. I put mine in in the shower. Other than that no tips unfortunately!