Heavy period and no access to loo at work for several hours

[toodaloo]

My periods are very heavy on 1-2 days (just medium to heavy on other days. I work in a bookies, if I open up I am on my own for 3.5 hours with no access to a toilet until someone gets in to start their shift.

My periods aren't massively predictable and the rotas are drawn up 2-3 weeks in advance. My problem is that my heaviest days I reckon will be on Sunday/Monday and I'm opening up on both days. Normally I can either swap shifts, ask my colleagues if they will come in a bit earlier or I am not doing that shift. (Which is usually the case) My colleagues for genuine reasons can't get in any earlier both days or swap. My manager says I'll just have to deal with it.

So, my question is, what can I do so that I don't leak everywhere? I currently use a nighttime pad with a smaller pad at the back (sort of in a T shape). I have never got on with tampons. I was thinking of wearing 2 pairs of knickers and a pair of flannel shorts type thing that I wear to bed when on my period. I wear black trousers to work. What do others do when on a heavy period and no loo?

Thanks

what is it about tampons that bothers you? If inserted properly you shouldn't be able to feel them at all, is there something else about them that bothers you?

I only ask because a super tampon plus a super pad should sort you out for at least a few hours, so I would give this a go unless you really can't bear tampons at all.

I used to wear super plus tampon, two maternity pads and sometimes a nappy that my friend who worked in a rest home got for me. And leggings under a flowing black skirt. Would look like someone had killed a chicken in my knickers when I eventually got to the loo. Transexamic acid did help a bit, but the best solution was a hysterectomy! Bit drastic though and I had had my children. I had real difficulty conceiving (Ivf and twins in the end). I did used to wonder if there was a link between all the bleeding and the difficulty.

Another vote for mooncup.

You can buy them in boots for £20, I find I can go hours if necessary without emptying it.

Also a baby sponge cut into an insert able piece, combined with your super heavy duty pad. You literally cannot feel it when it's in there so make sure you take it out, but it will absorb LOADS before you leak.

I have epilepsy and use tranaxamic acid ok. So not a definite no-no.

How are your iron levels? I'd be tasking spatone if I were you as the heavy periods will be depleting your levels anyway. It might help the heavy flow too.