Period help

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Hello I a, 24 and have high functioning autism. The hardest thing for me to handle is my period.for yas it has been a constant beetle.not only is it irregular but due to sensory issues pads and tampons are NOT a option. Pads bunch up and make noise and some have a second issue being sensed. When I use them no matter how thin I feel them and the discomfort increase the likelihood of a meltdown if putting one on doesn't set one off itself.

tampons have more issues for me
Sometimes I put them in at the wrong angel and that hurts (I have to use an applicator and still mess it up) then you have to pull it out and put a new one in and that HURTs really bad and I will feel/hear the tampon rip? The cotton moving against itself and the feel and sound sends a weird sensation through my body like chills but worse . And putting them in can hurt at times too.

Then I never know when to take them out and often hVe. Bless through and if I check it and it is to early I have to take it out because now I haves moved it and can feel it. So now I just have to buy new underwear every few months to every month because I can't handle the products. Does anyone have any suggestions?

1. Use wads of toilet paper and change them frequently
2. try different brands of pads
3. wear really tight underwear with the pads
4. Try tampons that are slim with plastic applicators only
5. Look into different exercise programs that include belly dance, yoga, etc. to learn to relax your pelvic muscles so you become more aware of your muscles. This way you can relax and tampon insertion should be less painful (although I usually stick with pads).

If its that bad I suggest you see a doctor about options to not have periods eg implant or depo jab.

Unless you can get more comfortable with your body and try non applicator tampons? I think these are easier to get in the right place, but I don't know if you would want to?

I got Depo-Provera and got rid of my periods totally. I don't miss them, either.

There are reusable cloth pads that are much more comfortable. You have to wash them but they are out there.

Why do buy new underwear all the time? It takes effort to wash out blood but in my experience it always washes out eventually. Or just buy dark-colored underwear.

I'm like you, I can't stand pad's *shudder*

Tampons take loads of getting used to. At first it was horrible. I regularly hurt myself doing it, and when you pull them out while they are "dry" it produces the most horrid sensation. Makes me feel sick thinking about it. But it's more about learning how to put them in. You have to angle it right, I did it wrong for ages, and then realised I should be pointing it towards my lower spine NOT straight up! Just look at any anatomical diagram. It was hell for me for ages, but now i'm used to it and I'm glad I got over it. I'm still too terrified of the horrible "dry" sensation however, and tend to just put tissue in my underwear when I feel I'm nearing the end of my period.

Figuring out when to remove tampons took me a while to get a hang of. I just buy the a reasonably light tampon (absorbancy wise) and then just remove it when I see the string bit at the end looks a little brown/red or there's spotting in my underwear, or if it's been 8 hours. It's just experience really, but you have to get over the horrible hurdle at the beginning.

The other options you could consider is medication, although I wouldn't recommend it as there can be side effects. Obviously it's up to you though. I was on an oral contraceptive and sometimes continued to take it for the whole cycle so I essentially "skipped" a period if I felt like I couldn't be bothered to deal with it, but it's not a long term thing.

I would definately say you can't continue with just bleeding into your underwear. A bit hypocritical of me, as I do it sometimes too, but it has a distinctive smell, and people will notice. You don't need to give NT's another reason to think you're strange, haha!

Look at different menstrual products;

Menstrual cups - e.g. Divacup, Keeper, Meluna, etc.
These are bell-shaped cups used to collect menstrual flow, made form either medical grade silicone, natural gum rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer. Cups are internal like tampons but far safer and more hygienic so no risks of TSS, infections or toxin exposure. They can be worn for 12 hours at a time, with any flow, overnight and before menstruation so there is no need to wear pads or worry about constant changing, they can also lessen cramps, lessen flow, and don't leak like tampons or pads. There's is a learning curve, however they are easier than tampons because they are smooth so don't dry-out the vagina causing splitting or friction.

Softcups - e.g. Instead softcups.
Similar idea to menstrual cups but their diaphragm-shaped (diaphragms can also be used as menstrual cups) so sit higher-up in the vagina, because of this and the fact unlike menstrual cups softcups are one-size-fits all it means that softcups can be trickier to insert and may not be suitable for everyone. Softcups are safer so can be worn for 12 hours, with any flow, overnight and before menstruation without health risks, but they can leak.

Organic tampons - e.g. Cottons.
These are the same as commercial tampons like Tampax, however they're made from cotton where as commercial tampons are made from rayon which is much rougher so more friction to cause discomfort, plus higher risk of TSS. Cotton tampons are softer so may be less uncomfortable, they're also chemical and toxin free so again safer and potentially less irritating.

Go for non-applicator which are easier to insert than applicator tampons as they give you better control.
Always use lowest absorbency - if leaking within an hour use higher absorbency, but if white, dry or brown in places after 4-6 hours use a lower absorbency - don't use for longer, as well as leaving tampons in too long increasing bacterial growth, if you can go for longer than 6 hours without leaking it means you're using too high an absorbency, which means more discomfort and higher TSS risk.

Sponge tampons - e.g. Sea Sponge.
Tampons made from natural sponge, they are softer and can be trimmed to a better shape, you insert them slightly wet so they don't cause as much friction or damage than cotton or rayon tampons may, there's also no need to aim them as you would with organic or commercial tampons so may be easier to use and more comfortable, again these are also safer than commercial tampons.

Soft or Wet tampons - e.g. Beppy.
Synthetic sponge tampons, shorter and softer so may be easier to insert, again less discomfort, and wet tampons are the same only with lubrication which may make insertion easier.

Cloth tampons - e.g. knitted, cotton, etc.
Not everyone's cup of tea, but looking at the same benefits as sponge tampons in that they're soft and less likely to cause friction and vaginal damage, which may make them more comfortable, and they are again safer than commercial tampons.

Cloth pads - e.g. Lunapads.
Pads but made from cloth, as they allow air flow and don't contain chemicals they are less irritating and feel little different to wearing padded underwear, they fasten into place around the underwear and often held in place by snap-fastens so they don't gather up like commercial or organic pads and they do not make crinkly noises. These are also more hygienic and healthier than commercial pads.

Period belts - e.g. Reddy's.
Cloth pads that are extra long and held in place around your waste, these may feel closer to the feel of wearing normal underwear, as they don't fasten to underwear they are less likely to gather-up than commercial or organic pads, and again more comfortable and more hygienic due to being breathable.

You may find period panties helpful too, if not as sanitary products then just to prevent messy underwear;
Padded - e.g. Lunapanties.
Underwear with pads built-in, again cloth pads so may be more comfortable and feel more like underwear.
Belt-style - e.g. WeMoon.
Like period belts, but more in the style of underwear, so it is similar to wearing underwear.
Leak-proof - e.g. Sexy Period.
Underwear but with leak-proof layers, may prevent any mess from accidental leaking, but I would agree with BlueMage when it comes to normal underwear it doesn't take much to get out blood or you can buy black underwear, many women have underwear for their period that may be more stained or that may be less delicate so easier to wash.

I'm guessing that you would not be willing to use free-bleeding - i.e. bleeding without any sanitary protection, with this either women just bleed onto their clothing (bear in mind odour comes from using tampons or commercial pads, so odour isn't a big issue with this method and wearing dark clothing or layers prevents mess or visible leaking), or some women learn to recognise when the flow is going to leave their bodies so they can empty it out in the toilet limiting how much they bleed onto their clothing.

Menstrual management is an option - e.g. Depo.
You do have to be aware however of the various health risks, particularly long-term issues with breast and bone development, side-effects such as thrombosis, and the fact that without your menstrual cycle your ability to care for sexual health will be effected along with the natural changes to your moods and mental abilities as your cycles change - it's a personal choice, it is an option you may want to look into if your periods are causing you so much distress.

Always wash blood out with cold water. Hot H2O sets stains.

I hate the very dry feel of pads and tampons.
When I had depo-provera i was depressed, grumpy and quite dellusional for a few months, I believe there is a link.
I have since been using a moon cup. It did take a few uses to get used to getting it into a comfy position, but now I find it is completely un-noticeable. I'm converted, wish I'd found them years ago.

Have you ever tried birth-controll pills? For some women it complitly stops their period, or at least reduces the amount of bleeding. I don't get periods now that on the pill, and it's awesome!

I use instead softcups and cloth pads. The softcups are great! You can wear them for 12 hours, and while you have one in you can't feel it at all. It just goes in and stays there.

My cloth pads are flannel with a fleece backing, no crinkling, no tape sticking. Very soft and comfortable.