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 ...

As someone else said, I had a reaction to scented ones, really itchy and uncomfortable, I had bought them without realising-never again!

Surely common sense tells you that putting perfume close to a very sensitive area isn't such a great idea?

I always used own brand. Asda and Tesco mainly although Lidl tampons were good too. Thankfully my period days are behind me after a hystectomy!

I'm a convinced Mooncup user but went to buy my 11 year old DD1 some pads as I felt the Mooncup was a bit much to deal with on top of just starting your periods. (It took me quite some time to get my head round (& my fingers up inside my body) to grapple it - though I love mine now.) Having not brought any pads for so long I was shocked & enraged by how many of the pads were 'Fresh' & badly labelled. I wasted money on two different packs before I realised how wide-spread it had become & started sniffing packets!

Why would I want my fanjo (or my DD's) to smell like the worst sort of in-car freshener? Apart from the whole putting active chemicals down there - what sort of message is this sending women? Menstruation is a normal part of being a woman - it's nowt to be ashamed of & the "fragrances" are so strong surely strangers will be able to tell when you're wearing them??

I did find (but only in the bigger supermarkets) Li-lets Teen Range which are unscented, come in wrap packs (for putting in school bags) and are also narrower, which is great since she's a tiny / skinny thing & the thing I remember hating most (apart from the cramps) was the fact the pads I had when I first got my periods felt way too big / wide.

what is infuriating is that the non-scented are labelled 'sensitive' as if we are somehow delicate little flowers who need special pads, not grown women whose vulvas don't need artificial fragrances.

The default type should be non-scented with 'scented' as the option for women who have issues about natural odours.

Petition anyone?!

Oh listenfirst..i'll try them...cool. got founf poking my finger in a pack in coop and sniffing them last week!

@shewolfmum haha the sniff test! Thats awesome - thank you! We appreciate any feedback or advice. We can keep you updated if you sign up here.

This could be a cheeky but we're taking part in a competition so every vote counts! We're just a group of 4 uni graduates so would love any support :) Check out our video and if you like it please vote!

I just stopped using disposables after buying so many packets which went to waste as I just can't stand scented.

Reusable are never scented!

Surely tampons just eliminates this issue??

I'm reawakening this thread to bitch about Vagisil. A soothing anaesthetising cream developed and sold as a relief to itchiness caused by, amongst others, scented 'feminine hygiene' products. Having used it once, 10 seconds relief followed by the usual familiar burning itching that make you yearn for a brillo pad. It contains FRAGRANCE of an unidentified kind. For crying out loud. Avoid at all costs.