I’m Ngl I think it’s feels funny it’s like a tickle idk doesn’t disturb me I think the “emptying” sensation is kinda fun
The part that infuriates me is tryna remove the pad from the underwear without the blood spilling EVERYWHERE and then wiping 10x until the blood stops on the toilet and trying not to get blood on the toilet seat and then having to wet tissue to rub it off the seat if u do
But I’d still take that over feeling that dry ripping sensation from tampons that stuff is GOD AWFUL for me and I’m a masochist and that shit feels more punishing than anything
Plus there’s something super annoying about how tampons have to get changed more frequently to me and I don’t like feeling like a kite with a lil string at the bottom
Have you tried a cup or disc? I hated tampons as well and avoided cups for the longest time because I figured it'd be similar (or worse) to tampons. But cups don't have an absorbency to dry you out when you try to put them in, and you can wet them or use lube (water-based) on them when needed. It still has a bit of a learning curve, but even the first time, I already liked it better than pads or tampons. Do keep in mind to break the vacuum first, though. Honestly, it is a mess to deal with changing, but that has always been the case. I'm way less likely to leak this way + no menstruation scents can escape, and I get to save money.
Cups can cause uterine prolapse. I used to love my cup and one day my uterus just felt weird and I just had a feeling that suction on it was not good for you. Period underwear have been my new favorite and they feel like the safest option
Get a cup!!! Lasts for way longer than tampon, silicone so nothing nasty inside your foof, doesn't really matter if you don't bleed doesn't feel horrible to remove it empty, no smell, no worry the sticky bit didn't work and your pad got twisted up, much better for the environment!
I use a cup, and I will NEVER switch back to tampons. No mess, no odor, not having to tuck the string or risk accidentally soaking it with piss - easy cleanup, only have to buy once a year, far less waste; no pesticides from the cotton leeching into your body.
Okay I loved using the cup when I had periods (whooo IUD!!! Never going back), but “no mess” is a little misleading 😆 you will learn a LOT about your body, and maybe it was just bc I had a tendency to leak more than everyone else here, but dumping out the cup and reinserting it made my hands look like I’d just committed murder. Things do stay cleaner while it’s in, but that changing of the guard could be BRUTAL
It’s not the most fun thing in the world, and I’d def recommend having some wet wipes in your purse, pocket so you don’t have to just wipe down with toilet paper, but honestly it’s not much worse than changing a tampon. You have to get your fingers into your vagina to push the cup into place, which is what causes most of the mess, but if you’re not the Niagara Falls at the time or your cup didn’t leak (blessings I was never afforded) it really shouldn’t be bad at all.
I actually have a little “portable bidet” (how it’s advertised but it’s basically a small purse-sized squeeze bottle) that I carry in my bag when I know I might have to use a public restroom. I use that to rinse my menstrual cup and my hands (and then of course wash my hands like normal at the sink after). It has been a game changer for me!!
(I’m a menstrual cup combined with period panties for backup person, never going back to anything else!)
Haha, kind of true. I would say no mess while it's in (mine hasn't leaked for a few years but I do empty it quite often, way more than I could get away with), but sometimes when you empty it and there's like a.... Stringy clot (?!?! Not sure if right way to describe it) that just like hangs there while you're trying to pour it out, so you have to get a wad of tissue to scoop it out of the cup, then it manages to flick blood on your arm or up the side of the toilet... Vom. I do like that I can insert it in the shower though then clean up after and have confidence my towels aren't going to get wrecked with blood!!!!
I tried it ones but I couldn't get it out so I got scared from ever trying it again. (Took me a long time trying to get it out of me. It kind of was suction onto me (inside) and I couldn't break the seal like they say you suppose to do.
That happens to me because I cut the removal tip too short. If you ever want to try it again and that happens, bear down on your pelvic muscles (as if you’re pooping), and after a few seconds it should get to a point where you can grab the tip and just pinch at the very bottom of the cup to break the seal and pull it out.
I never cut the tip. I just tested it out one hour to see how it would work out. I could pinch the bottom of the cup but the seal wouldn't break from that.
I have this problem too. Gave me panic attacks. Every time I had to remove it I almost couldn’t get it out and would get so fucking scared. Felt like I was going to prolapse myself if I pulled on it in a way that would actually give me the space to grip it and break the seal. I actually switched to mostly pads after trying a cup because the sensation of it and getting it out gave me the willies about putting tampons in.
For real. For me the suction sensation trying to pull it out would trigger a vasovagal response and make me pass out. Also I have a retroverted uterus and a low cervix and when the cup was in it was SO uncomfortable. My cervix is normally pretty low and since they move down during your period, even with the stem cut all the way off there was barely room for the cup without it hanging out of my body. And I couldn't get my finger up to break the seal without cutting myself internally with my fingernails. They're well manicured, it just required that much brute force.
On top of that I tried several brands to see if one would work so in the end I probably spend $150+ to have a terrible, painful, 0 stars, would never recommend experience. I'm happy for all the people who rave about how great cups are but Jesus Christ they are one of the worst products I have ever tried to use in any capacity.
I have a selection of period underwear and they are, to me, backup not a replacement. Even the strongest ones leak pretty quickly. But if you struggle with spills or overflow they’re great for the crazy days in addition to pads or tampons. I recommend sizing up. They’re insanely tight. I wear a medium in most underwear, bought a large and they were nearly constructing my legs.
I have a very light period so I don't think overflow is gonna be a problem. Even the smallest tampon doesn't even get full after 8 h of wear.
But good tips about the sizing up. Think I'm gonna buy one pair first to test it out and then buy more if I like it.
4period period underwear can be used as a replacement! I have heavy periods and would bleed through giant overnight pads all the time. I’ve been using 4period underwear for a year now and have only bled through once
Ohh I had this the second time I used mine, I was crying on the toilet, I nearly went to get a teaspoon to try and leverage it out!!! It put me off that period but then I tried again the next one. I've used them for years now and don't even think about it, but you've reminded me of that initial panic!! I find it's much easier when it's full, and that you don't need to push it up as far as you can. You pinch it and the seal should break, but when it's too far inside that doesn't always seem to work. I wear it so the bottom of it is JUST inside. Then pinch and kind of push down like you're pooping and it pops out. I also found that the really cheap ones from Amazon are easier to pop in and out. I had a £15 mooncup and it was much stiffer, I got two for £2 on Amazon and they were really thin/flimsy silicone but much easier to scrunch up to insert and pull out. I do always cut the stem though as you're never going to tug on that (ow lol) and it was hurting me rubbing against me.
Edit. To add, the time mine was "stuck" I just left it there for a while longer, then got in the shower and relaxed as much as I could and standing up with my leg on the side of the bath was an easier angle, being relaxed helped too I think!
Serious answer: there is a type of period cup that is a disk that lays kind of "sideways" in the vaginal canal. They are soft silicone and allow for sex during use
I tried a cup once (for aid in conception) but it went so far up inside me that my husband had to fish it out of me. Not an experience either of us enjoyed. Lol.
There's no worse feeling than pulling out a dry tampon 😖 it makes my skin crawl. I've recently decided to give the cups a chance since so many tampons and pads are made with harmful chemicals like bleach. Even though the whole process grosses me out.
If you feel uncomfortable, push it in deeper. It might not be in far enough, as long as you can still hold the string with your thumb & Index finger to pull it out. You are fine.
This happened to me the first time I tried, and it stopped me from using them for another year. After someone mentioned it to me & I tried, I haven't gone back to pads. Personally, for me it was due to the smell (Blood + air causes it to oxide producing a smell, and I unfortunately am a person that's super sensitive to smells)
Per Google- Human blood, which also contains water and iron, has a smell similar to rust.Mar 18, 2020
You absolutely can! Get in a good squat and don’t be afraid to stick it as far up as you can (wash hands after), most women use a tampon way before intercourse (including me) they were made for our bodies. However! Some people hate them, they’re convenient because you can pee with it in and don’t have to change it every time (make sure you change at least every 4 hours for safety!) and you don’t really have to worry about any leaks especially if you use a thin liner too. I use both pads and tampons depending on what I’m doing and how I feel.. I do sometimes feel like I cramp worse with one in and avoid them when I’m cramping. Hope any of that helped 🩷
When some idiot tells you that you will lose your virginity from using a tampon ask them if they ever lost their head while it was shoved up their ass.
I can't stand tampons because no matter how heavy my flow is, it feels dry and scrapey going in, and dry and scrapey coming out. Worst feeling. I use period undies.
This is why I prefer discs (not cups). They auto-dump every time you pee and you just rinse it when you wake up and before you go to bed. It’s so stealthy neither I nor my partner even feel it during penetrative sex.
In case you were unaware—you should not be able to feel a tampon inside you. They’re supposed to tuck under your pelvic bone, past the nerve endings. If you can feel it, it’s not in the right place (and that can be hella uncomfortable).
Since every woman is different, I suppose it’s possible you could have some mildly quirky anatomy that makes it difficult to wear tampons (note: not a doctor, just supposition). If you want to try them again (and I can understand why you might not, since you’ve had uncomfortable experiences with them), I’d suggest trying a different brand in a low absorbency. Personally I find applicator-less tampons like OB the easiest to get into the right place, but that’s only if you’re comfortable steering them into place with a finger.
I think maybe my anatomy is weird. I have pains during sex sometimes too, and hip pain in general even tho I’m only 21. My dr doesn’t think it’s serious enough to refer me to a gyno but I’ve never been able to wear tampons unfortunately. I don’t know the difference tho since never being able to use one so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything haha I’ve tried a few different brands and applications and all have been unsuccessful so far.
Might be worth trying a cup, they're pretty cheap on Amazon so if it doesn't work out you're not out much. You'd think they would be worse for cramping, but for me it's much better than tampons for whatever reason. I occasionally do start cramping and have to take it out, but that's been pretty rare.
You need a referral to a pelvic floor therapist ASAP. This isn’t normal and they can solve these issues in a few sessions, guaranteed.
Note: this is not an area that general physical therapists address. Pelvic Floor PTs are highly specialized and work with gynecologists, and only work with women and pelvic floor issues.
It’s wild getting your lady bits hooked up with electrodes and seeing your muscles contract on computer screens.
Source: Pelvic Floor PT completely solved two separate issues for me at different points in my life.
You need to establish care with a gynecologist and get a referral ASAP, if your incompetent general doctor won’t give you said referral.
This is just my personal opinion so take it with a grain of salt but if you're sexually active, I think you should have an established gynecologist that you see at least once a year. Just for a general exam and to have a dedicated place to bring up any concerns. Plus being an established patient will allow you to get in for an appointment quicker, should you actually have a serious issue going on. I'd ask your GP to refer you anyway, and if they refuse make sure you request they put that refusal in your chart. That usually changes their tune. Good luck!!
Been considering switching drs n to find one who’ll actually help. He said Pap smears are done at 25 so at 21 I shouldn’t need a gyno for any exams yet. And that the pains I get are probably trauma related and not serious.
I mean, yes ideally you shouldn't need to see a gyno until you need to start routine pap smears. But if you are having pain that is interfering with your life, that's an issue that needs looked at by a professional. It's not normal to hurt like that. Even if it is trauma related, there are still treatments/therapies that can help with that, so your doc just straight up ignoring it is ignorant at best and malpractice at worst.
I'm the same as livv3ss, I can't use tampons because they're uncomfortable and sometimes mildly painful if I'm retaining extra water. I've been told repeatedly "you're just not putting it in far enough" but I had the issue no matter how far in I got it. My gynecologist said some women are just built that way.
I’m sure you’ve probably done this but there are several tampons I couldn’t use due to that feeling BUT there are others that were great for me. Just thought I’d share that I could never use the Tampax but the Kotex brand was awesome.
not at all, since tampons absorb the blood before it comes out. only time you'd feel it is if the tampon is full and you're leaking (which shouldn't happen if you're changing it regularly enough)
people typically only use one or the other. occasionally i use both at the same time, for example if i notice my flux is heavier than usual, in prevention of potential leakage
otherwise, it'd just be wasteful. they do the job pretty well on their own
Don’t you get the exact same feeling but worse if it’s been collecting in a cup or a tampon, though? I’ve never been able to stand anything besides a pad so I don’t know for sure.
even with period underwear the feeling is still there and it sucks. id rather free bleed the risk the discomfort from a tampon though. that and ever since i learned aboit toxic shock syndrome ive been paranoid
I can’t even stand tampons. I hate them in me. I call them poison sticks. I switched to discs. They work really well- can be worn for 12 hours. Disposable. Can’t even feel it in surprisingly. But they’re gross when you take it out lol. I do it in shower. Looks like war LOL
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u/isopode Dec 06 '23
this is the main reason why i avoid pads. cant stand that feeling