Scented sanitary pads

[WobblyLondoner]

Not sure this is the right topic, but I'd welcome views.

I've always used Always or Bodyform sanitary pads, the very thin ones with wings. But they now all seem to be scented, with not much visible info to let you know (ie so you can avoid them). I'm bewildered as to why the manufacturers do this - who the hell wants perfume right up against the most delicate bits of their body? But they must do some kind of market research, right - so does that mean that most of their target market say they like this?

What do those of you who use pads think of of perfumed products like this? Do you get on with them? They just give me the creeps - all I can see are the disadvantages (the smell, the risks re thrush, the message it sends about how we have to overpower that icky blood etc).

More practically, does anyone have any recommendations for very thin but absorbent pads that don't have scent? I noticed that Bodyform have a 'sensitive' range - I wondered if that was subtle code for not scented but it wasn't clear on the packaging. I don't get on with tampons btw. I suppose this could be the point to try a mooncup ...

Bodyform are not scented.

Some bodyform versions are scented. I looked at their website

I'm a product tester for a well known brand of pads and if you think the current ones pong you'd be shocked at their newest product. The chemical scent was so strong that opening the envelope containing them gave me a headache and using one pad greatly irritated my skin. I'm not sure what they're aiming for as there were other issues with them too.

I've started using supermarket or boots own brand thin maternity pads - had been fine with sanitary pads then clearly they started scenting them and it really upset my skin.
Mat pads are great and much comfier.

I hadn't had periods for a while after DD was born due to her bf so much, so after nearly 2 yrs without a period I was quite shocked to discover that the Always pads I used to use had become scented.

I switched to Nature are, then womanned up and got a mooncup.

Naturecare

They smell awful! And strong! It's like a bloody call out to tell the world you're on you're period. I have taken to sniffing the packets and made DH do it too or get an ear bashing

Oops! Your period!

Aldi, Lidl and Wilko all do unscented pads - the wilko ones are fab. I stay away from branded now as I can never remember which are the stinky ones.

The scent is vile, and I avoid it. And it pisses me off that we are supposed to deodorise our fannies.. Lilets towels don't have it, neither do body form.

I've switched to a MoonCup as I just couldn't find anything that didn't burn my lovely labia. I'm considering buying some washable liners for back up. I just think they are going mad.

They smell awful, it reminds me of a really old fashioned cheap perfume from yesteryear. Why the manufacturers think women want this is beyond me.

I can't help but wonder if it's because younger women have been conditioned to believe that all there body parts need to be fragranced at all times. It would explain the popularity for those soaps designed for intimate area, I can't help but think only someone quite young would think dousing your bits in fragranced stuff is a good idea. Back in the nineties as far as I can remember this sort of nonsense didn't exist.

I pass thick clots, always have, and my periods stink if I don't use unscented pads. For me Always is definitely the best.

Kotex are un scented

I learned this on a previous thread here (god bless mumsnet)

I have switched from always to Kotex after Always started scenting theirs - it gave me the itch !

Exactly trying, I'm sure they are marketed to us so no one can smell our period*, but actually the horrible scent is a dead giveaway

• err hello, I've never smelled due to my period in my life. Change pads as needed and shower twice daily when on period. Honestly! Marketing to make women embarrassed of our bodies gives me the rage

Ugh, I have accidentally wasted many a pound on picking up the scented ones by accident - I just can't stand them!
These Always Soft & Fit sensitive are not scented, but look very similar to their evil counterpart 'Soft & Fit Fresh' so you have to be careful to pick up the right one.

It's horrible, the aisle in the supermarket now reeks. I had some luck with Kotex or Aldi but to be honest I packed it in and bought washable ones and I'm so much more comfortable. I have now
idea what Always are thinking - my period, thrush, a headache and smelling like a bathroom that has a doll toilet roll holder - excellent!! By a year in the washables more than pay for themselves and will last much longer and never be scented.

www.totm.com/

Always in the pink packet (no wings just bog standard thin ones) are labelled 'sensitive' and are unperfumed. So are Always Infinity which are very absorbent.

So glad I'm not alone in this. This 'sensitive' label hacks me off - off course it's bloody sensitive! In my view the non-scented should be the default, with the scented as the option should you wish. At the moment it's becoming the other way round - with very little help for those who wish to choose.

Thank you to everyone who has suggested alternatives. I'm really tempted by the washables but will also look at the 'sensitive' ones (spit) and the own brands.

I actually spoke to Always and they said they are scented. It's the acti- pearls or whatever they are called that have an odour. The Slways sensitive range are fantastic. No smell. No plasticky feeling too sheet.

OP I emailed Always to ask which products were unscented. They said they'd raise the packaging info with the team involved because I said that it was hard to tell. I don't think anything changed though. They also indicated that market research indicated that women wanted scented products.

I get thrush with the scented products so I seek out Infinity or soft fit.

I'm quite sensitive to smell I've got a massive nose and I can smell when the lady who shares my desk is on her period. It's the fucking sanitary towels I can smell, not blood or anything, I'm not a vampire. Why the fuck do companies think scented towels are needed?!

The smell always reminds me of the 'rose' perfume we used to make as kids by sticking a load of petals in water 🤢😂

A reply from Always - I'd asked about their market research, the rationale for having so many scented products and why their labelling wasn't clearer.

I still struggle with the idea that women actually want to smell like a cheesy in-car deodoriser, rather than just change their pad.

And as for the labelling being clear - snort!

Our tests are conducted both in the UK and globally and reach a very wide age range. Over the past years we have learned that for many consumers it’s important to have odor neutralizing technologies to prevent from non desired smells. In any case we will always offer non-scented variants for those who simply don’t want scent.

Today all our scented versions carry a flag on pack and I am sorry to hear that you feel we are not clear enough in our communication. This is an area where we will focus to make sure we make an improvement.