What to use instead of pads and tampons

[chubb4]

I’m 40 and have only ever used pads for my period. I would love to use tampons but they literally make me recoil and heave. I think it’s something to do with the texture of them, I have a weird thing about cotton wool and they feel like that to me.

I was thinking about trying a moon cup but can’t quite get my head around how they stay up there and how they could be comfortable. It’s quite a lot of money to shell out for something just to try out if it doesn’t work. I do hate pads though, they are synthetic and often make me feel uncomfortable.

Is there any other options? Period pants are ok for lighter days but I don’t really like them for heavy days especially when I’m out all day.

Washable pads?

Im generally quite light so hopefully someone will be along who has heavier days, however period pants have been a game changer. I was getting sore from pads, whereas these are great for feeling like you’re not wearing anything down there!!

I've recently switched to period pants and have gradually worked up to trusting them for long periods of time. Have to say they are marvellous, so convenient.
I really recommend giving them a proper try.
I have the Next boy short style pants for heavy days. Really fab.

Would you wear them all day? I don’t mind them when it’s tapering off but on a heavy day I couldn’t wear the same pair all day.

I really like washable pads, they seem better at containing leakage and no annoying rustly noises when using the bathroom. Disadvantages are initial cost (but then no ongoing cost) and the need to wash them. I personally don't like period pants.

Suction keeps the moon cup in place. You don't feel it once it's in place. It does take about 3 cycles to get the hang of it.

Cup. Cup cup cup. I’ve got a Better Cup. So pissed off with myself for fannying around with tampons for 20 years. Life-changing.

(The first time I put it in I thought that was it forever. Couldn’t get it out. Then read about breaking the seal and all was resolved 😂)

WUKA period pants I've converted all my family and friends, no leaks literally can wear all day no smells etc, pop in wash sorted. £50 for pack of 4 best thing ever done just like wearing usual underwear just make sure you get your right size. An aunt and gran also use same pants for bladder leaks instead of the bulky disposables they were using so ye 5*

Cups are fab. Since children wrecked my undercarriage I can’t wear tampons any more but i love my cup

I’d really recommend a moon cup. How many packs of pads til you’ve gotten your money back - would save you in the long run. I haven’t spent anything on my period in years. I get the reservation but it’s so great, just try it.

I started using a mooncup at 40, wished I had had it years before. It worked brilliantly for me and I used it for 10 years.
Took a cycle or two to get used to it but I didn't look back.

I agree with PPs on cups. I tried one for the first time over a decade ago (before kids) as I saw an offer where I got 2 cups for free (different sizes) and just paid shipping. I wouldn't go back to anything else. They're a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure them out they're brilliant (not to mention a money saver)

Washable pads were a game changer for me. So much nicer than those nasty plastic things. I can’t believe I spent two decades using them and believing they were a vast improvement for womankind! I should have made my own years ago.

I tried the moon cup but just didn’t like poking around. I found it a bit inconvenient in public bathrooms if the basin isn’t in the cubicle. Much better than the feel of a tampon though.

Period pants have been ok, but I don’t love the smell of the ones I have. I’d try the ones mentioned upthread but I can’t really justify the cost because I hopefully havent that many periods left.

I've met people that have an issue/phobia about cotton wool balls and the sound/feeling of it. They are completely different to a compressed tampon though.

If you use applicator tampons, you aren't touching any part of the actual tampon! You insert and when you remove- you pull the cord, wrap in toilet paper and dispose in the bin. No touching of tampon.

An alternative would be using a hormonal method to stop periods.

Yes it took a lot of brands to find the right one and never looked back since. It was a midwife that told me originally as I had never heard of them, tried all the cheaper versions and sadly leaks, or bad fitting. Midwife said have you tried WUKA brand and they guarantee to last 5+yrs..Tbh after my last child probably most comfortable I've ever been wearing these afterward

I do hate pads though, they are synthetic

Have you tried organic ones? Eg, TOTM.

Live in period knickers - since aged 41
cover a multiple of syns.

I’ve actually got a few pairs of washable pads but both sets feel bulky and tend to move around a bit despite having wings/buttons. I guess you have to shop around a bit to find the right brand for you but they aren’t particularly cheap! Disposable always pads have been my go-to for years and they are convenient but I’m just starting to hate the feel of them.

Another vote for wuka. Even my peri super heavy days are comfy and teen dd won’t use anything else.

I had awful difficulty with the mooncup and never managed it, but wuka period pants are very reliable, worn 9 hrs at work, helped deal with flooding, no leaks, and no smell, very comfortable. They come in different absorbencies and styles. Worth the cost.

I’m in my 40s and the only tampons I can use are tampax pearl. Try them first. Leg on the side of the bath. Watch videos for advice. If it hurts it’s not in far enough. Try it a few times.

moon cup and period pants (for nighttime). If I’m going camping or something, I use tampons but otherwise I love the mooncup

I had a lily cup (cheaper than a moon cup) I first tried it over lockdown as I knew i wouldnt be going out much, but it was easy to get used to. But periods between around 41 and 45 got gradually more heavy/unbearable and now have the mirena coil. I barely have periods at all now, which is great

Some women can feel it in place. I have a tilted uterus and the pain from my mooncup was awful. Turns out that women with a tilted uterus tend to find tampons and mooncups very uncomfortable or painful if I remember correctly (I did some googling at the time). I seem to think the number of women with this is quite high - I want to say 1 in 5 maybe?

@Tillow4ever That is very interesting about a retroverted uterus! I have one and have to ask for a long speculum when having a smear. I use tampons with success but have never tried a moon cup. Now not sure I'll bother because I'm peri and can't be bothered trying to faff around with something new. I can't stand pads because the only time I used them was having miscarriages.