Incontinence pads for periods

[breakfastdinnerandtea]

Can you wear incontinence pants for periods? Does it absorb the same way or does it sit on top of the pants because it's thicker than pee? Are there any inexpensive disposable period pants? I've tried the reusable ones but struggle to find them in my size. I have one pair and find them tight and uncomfortable.
I'm so sick of leaking overnight because they don't make sanitary towels long enough. I'm sick of having to change my sheets constantly because I've leaked onto them. I'm 34 years old and never had a period where I haven't thrown away at least one pair of underwear. I'm tired of it now.

I’ve not tried incontinence products but if I didn’t do a tampon + night towel (I use the body form ones out of choice)I would definitely leak most nights (and often so anyway). The other thing I do is one at the front, one at the back, overlap in the middle.

i use incontinence pads at night for period. they are thicket & longer so work for me.

I'm incontinent. 36.

I use incontinence nappies, and they work fine for my heavy periods.

Just be aware that the clots don't always soak in. So changing can get messy.

If you're not sure how to change initially, maybe stand in the shower/bath to get the pad off.

Just make sure you're wearing dark, slightly thicker trousers so people won't see what you're wearing. I made that mistake

I use these. They are a 7 but They do an 8

Every single month I had periods I used to leak at night ... I used to use always night and I'd put a pad in my knickers and then I used to put a second pair of knickers on with another always night pad on and that helped a lot ... I used to wake in the night and go to the bathroom and change my pads that also helped a bit but I'd still leak ... it was horrendous.... I actually had a hysterectomy and 38 ( three years ago) .. I always thought it was normal to bleed like that and that everyone did ... I'm in no way shy to talk about things to my friends or family but it took me years to realise that my bleeding wasn't normal and get it investigated... so maybe get checked by your doctor..

Thanks all, I'm going to bite the bullet and get some because I can't go on like this. I feel so deflated each morning I wake up and have to throw another pair of underwear away.
I think my periods are on the heavier side but I use the copper coil which is meant to make them worse. I haven't found another form of contraception that I'm happy to use so I've had to take the heavy periods as compensation for a contraceptive that works for me.

Do get checked by your GP though

I'd say maybe the coil doesn't suit you ... it's supposed to reduce bleeding.. I got the coil after our last son was born and it made everything worse

OP, I know you have tried reusable period pants, but I've tried 5 or 6 different brands and the only ones any good for me were the WUKA ones for super heavy flow. The padded bit goes all the way up to the waistband front and back, and they go up to size 26. I still often use pads with them (biggest size Always), but they've never leaked and are really comfortable. I'm sorry as I know this isn't what you asked, but I would also have given up on reusable period pants if I hadn't tried the WUKA ones. I thought it might be worth suggesting.

wuka.co.uk/collections/plus-size/products/wuka-ultimate-high-waist-super-heavy-flow

@usandourfourboys it's Mirena that reduces bleeding. The traditional copper coil increases it. I've had both over the years and the difference is significant. OP that sounds terrible and my first step would be removing the copper coil. Get DP to use condoms and take some time to get your health investigated without anything. Like another PP says, you must know from how open people are on here, that that's not normal levels of bleeding, I've only thrown away a couple of pairs of pants due to period bleeding in my entire life. I believe it is usually indicative of endo and needs addressed.

The period pants in shops do tend to be smaller - I think originally aimed at teens, maybe there is an online supplier in more generous sizes someone can recommend.

I used incontinence pants after giving birth and thèy adsorbed blood fine. I assume period blood would be the same.

The benefit is incontinance pads don't stink with artificial perfume like always pads. (I have a very keen sense of smell) Often always are the only pads you can buy in supermarkets and I have a real aversion to the smell (and can smell when women are wearing them). I have no idea why they are perfumed, menstrual blood doesn't smell!

Period pants are ok but I don't like them for day 1 or 2. Now I'm older my period has changed with more floods and clots so feel better with more absorbency even if not needed.

Ps. Absolute lolz at drs taking heavy bleeding seriously.

I use a moon cup plus heavy flow period knickers. Modibodi do some where the absorbent bit goes all the way from the back waist band up to the front one.
I also wear that combo to work on my heaviest days. I have to empty the moon cup every 2-3 hours and it’s full to the brim!
always smile wryly to myself when I remember the nurse at school saying over your period you lose about an egg cup of blood 🙄

@Wafflethewonderdoggy can you advise which moon cup you use? I tried a Merula XL but couldn't get on with it. Haven't tried another type as I can't find one with a large enough capacity.
I usually get up twice in the night to change tampons during my period and wear night pads too.

I use my cup on and off. I hate emptying it at work, I find it messy and can never get it back in quite right. I work 12 hour shifts so it's not like I can leave it all day when my flow is so heavy.

I really would like to get the coil out to see if that makes a difference in how heavy my periods are but condoms at the moment aren't really an option (but that's a whole different thread).

I’ve thrown away underwear for similar reasons.

You need to determine exactly why this is happening as well as treating the symptoms. Endometriosis and fibroids for instance can cause such heavy bleeding. If finances allow I would phone your local private hospital and make an appointment to see a gynaecologist for a consultation . I suggest that you as waiting lists are miles long in many areas.

I would certainly get the coil removed as well.

I used to leak at night pre children and my periods became horrendously heavy with the copper coil - to the extent I became anemic.

If you can switch to a Mirena coil then it will change your life (hopefully!) Bleeding stops or is vastly reduced.

I've tried and surprisingly They do not work for period blood, they do not absorb blood well, I thought they'd be more or less the same as sanitary towels but marketed differently ... but I was wrong

Do get checked - I'm currently being treated for anaemia because of heavy periods. You shoukd get checked for endometriosis and fibroid and so on.

I've not thrown underwear (nor towels nor bedding) out though. I am considering a new career in cleaning up after murder scenes, because I am really good at getting rid of blood.

I use a cup with Bodyform or Yoni pads (need to go to big Sainsbury's, as not all supermarkets/pharmacies have long/overnight pads except stinky Always.) But I sometimes have to get up in the middle of the night, and still don't do it before leaking (my body insists on sleep at times.) Most memorably, I filled a large cup in 10 minutes (hence the anaemia.) That was a particularly bad one.

@breakfastdinnerandtea i used the Always pants. Elasticated legs, the only thing that was reliable.

Also echo others on here - worth getting a blood test. I had become very anaemic without realising it, because it happens so slowly. Literally just thought I was getting older/menopausal.

I use the incontinence pads on my heavier days and nights and they do work extremely well for me. https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-comfort-fit-for-her-8-discreet-maxi-night-womens-pads-x8

Haven't tried the pants as they're a bit pricey and I don't fancy the feel of them much.

I'm incontinent but I don't have periods. I use period underwear every day and night and they are also designed for incontinence and they have changed my life. Far more comfortable than pads and so much better for the environment. I've had some of mine 4 years and they are still going strong. I use the brand modibodi.

I have to wear a super tampon, night towel AND enormous night time period pants overnight. I know you’re not supposed to wear tampons overnight, but if I don’t do this triple-action thing I leak.

@breakfastdinnerandtea ugh I feel you. I feel like I’m always leaking as of late. I feel like each month my periods and all their symptoms have gotten worse. Oh the joys of bleeding!