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.

If you’re in Scotland you can get a moon cup equivalent for free

I’m through the menopause now but exactly this. My mooncup changed my life after my periods came back after giving birth

Take a spare pair to work in a ziplock bag

Mine used to last a full day so I was always able to wait till I was home

So.. change them more regularly?!

I hate the feeling of pads so always used tampons. I switched to a cup after DC4 and it’s been absolutely fantastic.

Mine did too, put it in first thing and then emptied once home. Would use 2 or 3 pads or tampons usually.

I have a retroverted uterus and I've used the same menstrual cup for about 20 years. I almost never empty it anywhere outside of home, I just empty it in the morning and before bed. I don't think about dealing with my period when I'm out and about at all. A few times a year I'll have a heavier day and I can feel when it's leaking. I wear period pants just in case but it's more for reassurance as it would just be a small amount that leaks before I'd empty it.

I have a tilted uterus and love my cup. Wish I had discovered them decades ago.

Op if you go to The Menstrual Cup Quiz { Find Your Best Fit! } by Put A Cup In It https://share.google/iF4Sow6Vn46EUH5MT you will get recommendations on your best cup which I have found accurate

Another for cups here. Used a Saalt cup for years, which was fab but a bit less comfortable since second child. Recently got a smaller Asan cup and it’s great.

As others have said I’ve rarely needed to change it at work, goes in in the morning then comes out when I get home, but I have I have needed to empty it out in a shared toilet I’ve wiped with loo roll and wiped my hands then washed them.

I usually only need to do it at home but if I'm out and about and need to then I empty it into the toilet and wipe it out with tissue then put it back in. I rinse it at home and wash with soap at the end of my cycle.

When it's full I feel a heaviness in my abdomen. It's a very distinct feeling, but not unpleasant or painful.

Modibodi!! Even on heavy days - I only use the boy short style. Honestly, they’re amazing! So comfortable. They’ve never leaked, sometimes worn for 13/14 hours. Pads always left me feeling dry / uncomfortable down there… I thought it was part of having a period, but actually realise now it must’ve been all the chemicals in disposable pads. The period knickers are so freeing. I never have to worry about bringing pads/ changing and about. Or pads moving around and causing a leak, especially if being active / running after littles ones.
Honestly, I think these might be the best things I’ve ever bought. 🤣

Bit tricky at work or in a public loo! I have a pair of modi bodi pants and another pair, cheeky wipes I think. I prefer the cheeky ones as they are fully absorbent throughout the entire pants whereas the modi body ones just have an absorbent strip in half of the gusset. I do like them and can see the appeal I just don’t know how I’d feel about wearing them on a particularly heavy day for a long period of time. I usually change a pad every few hours on a heavy day.

I hate tampons too. I used to use natural sea sponges instead. I bought a load of the right sized ones on holiday in Greece but now you can just get them on Amazon, some even have string attached. There are synthetic ones as well.
Because who wants to put a hard dry stick in their vajayjay?

Have to disagree, it's very personal. I used to find mine absolutely fine to wear. Post having a baby (6 years ago!!) I cannot tolerate it at all. It's so so uncomfortable.
Op try a few different period pants, even on heavy days I trust my cheeky pants ones.

That’s useful to know then - maybe I just got the wrong cup for me! Luckily the pill I take now stops my periods so don’t need to worry anymore.

Menstrual cups are gold if you get one that fits and you have a mess around with one that does.
I couldn't get mine figured out for a while, but after reading on a dedicated Facebook page (Precious stars pads) and a bit of Google (they typically sit lower than a tampon and you have to develop a seal and make sure it it's opened properly, it's fantastic if it suits you.
The best thing is the silicone is flexible and lovely and doesn't dry you out and even better that they have much bigger capacity of a tampon and you can leave it for waaaaay longer.
The woman that created the Precious stars Facebook page had or has a fantastic, informative YouTube channel.
I think she chose to stop making videos because she decided to start a family, but thr detail in the videos is incredible! It also features many brands of cups.

I use a Diva Cup but different brands and others suit different* *people.