Tampons VS. Pads [WOMEN ONLY]

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I agree with this also but sometimes my flow is too heavy to go with just one

Pads

Me three! Before then, I used pads because tampons were just really uncomfortable and I was constantly paranoid of Toxic Shock all day, infact, sometimes I would get so worried that I would actually fool myself into thinking I was sick so yeah...

I like cups, though I would eventually like one with a bigger capacity.

I just looked up the Diva Cup and I cannot imagine realistically getting that to fit and sit right in my vagina. I used to have a diaphragm and that was all kinds of hassle. Plus, how would I change it at work? (toilets are in stalls, sinks are outside stalls)

It's too bad, I would love to do something so cool and environmentally-friendly. I can only see this as being extraordinarily messy, for my situation (work) and my flow (this would fill up in a few hours with the heaviness of the first few days of my flow).

I've also never seen this sold in the U.S. Is it a specialty item? Something you need to have prescribed/fitted by your doctor (like a diaphragm)?

Hi there. My name is Elaine and I am a Registered Nurse and one of the Tampax and Always women's health experts. I came across your email and want to help.

It is a personal decision about whether to use pads or tampons. The Always Ultra thin pads are so discrete and comfortable; you may want to try them. Tampax tampons give you the freedom and discretion to do whatever you'd like while you are menstruating, including swim. So you need to consider your lifestyle and come up with the type of product that will be best for you.

It can be uncomfortable to learn any new technique, and tampon insertion is a new technique for you. It may or may not be actually painful, but a totally inserted tampon is not felt and, therefore, is very comfortable. After a few times, the insertion becomes automatic and you really don't feel anything. Tampon insertion should be tried when you have your period.

As for which tampon to begin with, I recommend Tampax Pearls. I hear daily from girls that find these are the easiest to use. You should be using the lowest absorbency tampon for your flow and changing the tampon every 4-8 hours. If you find your tampon fully saturated before 4 hours, you should be using the next absorbent size. If you remove the tampon at 8 hours and still see white fiber on the tampon, your tampon is too absorbent...drop down one absorbency for the next time.

If you are doing it correctly and cannot insert a tampon it may be that your hymen, the thin membrane that partially covers and protects the opening to your vagina may be too small or too tight to allow the tampon in. If this is the problem you may have to stretch this opening. You can try with a little bit of K-Y Jelly on the tip of the applicator...the more you practice the more you will stretch the hymen. If you cannot stretch it yourself, you may want to ask your doctor for help.

This is a lot of information so if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask away.

All the best,
NurseElaine

These are some of my concerns as well. I actually bought a diva cup but have been too nervous to try it. I really don't see how it works. I tried it once and couldn't figure it out and started freaking myself out so I just put it away.

The changing-at-work thing is also a concern of mine, especially because I work in a fruit-processing plant and the sinks are not only outside the stalls, they're outside the bathroom... (to ensure that everyone is washing hands after going).

They are sold in the US- I got mine at my local "health food" store. They had two sizes- one for pre-pregnant women and one for post-pregnant/heavy flow women. I purchased the pre-pregnant even though I do have a larger flow because that's what they recommended.

Pads are irritating. They're like wearing a diaper.

I'd rather have 12 tags on the back of my shirt than wear a pad.

Hahahaha. 12 tags on a shirt sounds like something from one of my nightmares...

Voted tampons.
Sometimes if it is very light the last day i will just use a pad. I prefer tampons, pads feel like i am wearing a diaper.

Me four. Lunette for the win! I wish I found it sooner. It's much more convenient, works for my heavy flow, reduces cramps, and somewhat shorter periods. Also much more cost effective!

Me five. I have a lunette and a diva. I also use hand made cloth pads as a back up in case it over fills (it fills quick on my heavy days) or on light days when I don't use the cup.

For those ladies thinking of trying the cup:

I empty mine at work all the time, I just don't rinse it in the sink. I just dump the contents and then put it back in. It's no big deal if you think about it, do you douche everytime you change your tampon? Nope. So no biggie to put the cup right back in. Cups have a lower risk of TSS too (no risk actually) compared to tampons, it's actually the drying fibers of the tampons that contribute to TSS. No fibers, no TSS. The cup fits fine, if anything length of the cup is more of an issue for some women. The width is not so much of an issue unless it is too narrow, then it can leak. To get it in you fold it or roll it up and then let it pop open once it is inside. I love cups and can't say enough good things about them.

I think cups are great for those of us who might be hmmhmmm forgetful? I'm extremely forgetful. I had been thinking about switching to the cup when I did something so disturbingly forgetful I vowed to never touch a tampon again. I got my cup and haven't touched a tampon since.

Given the choice I'd prefer tampons, but I actually use Instead cups and have for about a year and a half. They're more comfortable (tampons always feel sort of scratchy to me), safer (I worry too much about TSS with tampons), and they leak less often. I haven't tried a reusable cup yet but I'm considering it.

Me six. Love my menstrual cup. Way more comfortable than tampons or pads. Thinking about getting a new one after 10 years but kind of attached to my current one Cost me £20, I think, so that's £2 per year ... which is way cheaper than other options too.

I hate the way tampons feel. I will wear them if I have to swim (such as when that time interferes with vacation at the river or beach). I am also supper heavy, I go through super maxi pads every 1-2 hours for the first 2-3 days (lighter at night thankfully).

I have never seen the cup, but I will be looking into it, as pads do tend to chaff especially by day 7-9 (I have long periods).

I have tried to use tampons but found tampons not comfortable (must have been putting them in wrong or something). so maxi pads it is for me.

Tampons. I'm on the pill though so I take 3 packs in a row, then I have a break. They aren't as heavy as they used to be when I was younger and not on the pill, so it really helps for me personally.

I was using pads for a long time though and then a female friend persuaded me to try out tampons, and that the TSS is very rare and only really happens if you've forgotten to take your tampon out.
The longest I went with a tampon in was 9 hours, because I was out and about and had nowhere to change, but I eventually found a toilet to quickly change it over.

I wear male boxers as I find female underwear so tight and uncomfortable, so I haven't worn pads since I started wearing boxers.

I do remember buying my first pack of pads/sanitary towels though, and not knowing about flow and stuff, and they were HUUUGE! xD

Pads feel so uncomfortable and I could never go back. I always leaked with pads onto my clothes and stuff, and once I wore a white dress while wearing a pad and female underwear, and it leaked out the side and onto the back of my dress, and this is while I was out >< It was so embarrassing!

As for people (I say people here, because some trans boys are still having periods since they haven't started transitioning) who find tampons uncomfortable, yes, you haven't put them in right. If it feels a bit uncomfortable when you first put it in, just push your finger in there and push it up a bit further. You shouldn't be able to feel that you have anything up there when you're walking around and stuff. If it's still uncomfortable, just take it out and try again with a new one. The best ones to use are the ones with plastic applicators.
The key is to relax, and just squat, or put a leg up on the toilet or something.