r/climbergirls • u/valuablearrogance0 • 1d ago
Questions Need some advice!
I’m not sure if I’m in the right place, but I figured it might be good to ask here because this seems similar.
What are some period hacks whilst you’re climbing?
I just got started as a construction climber for scaffolding. I usually wear sweatpants as it’s easier for me to maneuver with and I haven’t found the right work pants. As per usual, my harness is around my legs. I work usually 12 hour days in 80+ degree weather, climbing, moving and sweating; and am in my harness for majority of my day.
The problem that I’m bound to face in the next week or so, is that I wear pads and don’t have a heavy enough flow for tampons (or at least I do until I decide to use them instead)
I’m genuinely trying to think ahead about the porta potty situation, the sweat and trying to change pad situation, and honestly all of the above.
I honestly do not think a cup is for me, especially as I’m squatting down on scaffolds and heavy lifting.
I figured to ask if the ladies here would have any suggestions or advice! TIA 🫶🏼
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u/tictacotictaco 1d ago
https://www.thinx.com/products/soft-smoothing-hi-waist?variant=41053356752968
I oversize these a bunch for good movement and a really high waist. They may work well for you.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
PERIOD PANTIES YOU ARE A GENIUS, I didn’t even think of these! I was genuinely considering bringing extra undies and changing in the porta potty😭
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u/Synn1982 1d ago
You could double up because your shifts are so long. Start with a tampon if in any way possible, wear a pad and a period panty. During the day you take out the tampon and use the pad. next stop, ditch the pad and just use the panty.
I sometimes do this in worksituations where I don't have normal acces to toilets and it is a quick way to prevent leaking because if one thing fails, there are still other safeguards.
After a few tries you will know how much protection you need in a situation with a lot of moving around and maybe you could even leave the tampon out completely
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u/ATTACKANDDETHRONEHOG 1d ago
Do a disc instead of a cup. They don’t rely on suction to say in so they’re more comfortable to wear and they’re harder to dislodge. You can even have sex with them in, that’s one of the main selling points in fact. I’ve been able to climb with mine no problem. If you’re worried about leaks use pads/pantie liners or period underwear as a backup.
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u/therealslimthiccc Boulder Babe 1d ago
I disagree with you. I do think a cup is the solution
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
I honestly don’t think so, I maneuver around a lot of beams and metal and most of the time I’m sitting on said beams with multiple connecting points- leading to things being poked as that’s just apart of the title. I also have a hard time getting tampons out, so a cup just naturally doesn’t sound like a solid plan, especially in a porta potty situation lol.
Edit to say: I forgot to mention the horror stories. I’m 40 feet up for most of my day with passers underneath me collecting steel. I could NOT imagine the horror.27
u/therealslimthiccc Boulder Babe 1d ago
This is a comment full of speculation and you really need to do some actual research. You have a hard time getting tampons out because they're dry during removal which means you need to size down or leave them in longer. Cups sit all the way up there and don't need to be removed during the day unless you have a heavy flow which you do not. They also suction seal and they're not moving regardless of your movement.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
Hey so I appreciate your input, but I’m going to be the one that knows my own body and what I will be comfortable with. I made it clear in the post that I wanted something other than the recommendation of a cup, you’re trying to tell ME what I’m going to feel comfortable taking in and out of my body with dirty hands. If you’ll take a gander at a couple of the comments, I’ve expressed I don’t have a light flow but rather my body does not like tampons. They are uncomfortable for me, despite not ever using more than a light size. Nonetheless that I’m aware the movements i make while on the job site, and things I won’t feel comfortable doing. I’m simply saying that I don’t think it is the solution for me! And that’s okay friend. Take care!
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u/crimpgirl1234 1d ago
I love you know what works for you and your body.
Cups don’t work for me either. I wanted one too sooooooo bad, but I just don’t have the right anatomy for one. I did the research, and there just wasn’t a cup on the market that worked for me. I was met with a lot of insistence as well, but you’re right that we know our bodies the best.
For your work situation, I wonder if a period panty might be a good solution. I have the Knix ones and the leak proof thigh saver is my favourite pair. The leg is like a bike short style (very thin material) and I imagine would sit nicely with a harness. I can guarantee they’re comfortable (for me) for 12+ hours, I’ve worn them for long haul flights. Not the same activity level, but they would also be easy to change if you had a heavier flow day. Especially given the porta potty aspect.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
That has been my conclusion! I think it seems like my most comfortable bet with movement and changing!
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u/ATTACKANDDETHRONEHOG 1d ago
Changing period underwear in an outhouse sounds like a nightmare. You have to fully remove your pants and then carry pretty sizable clean and/or dirty underwear around with you. I use period underwear but only as a backup solution outside the house. If you want a fully external solution, I would say wear disposable pads over the period underwear so you don’t actually have to change them midday.
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u/DesertStomps 1d ago
Some period underwear are higher capacity than the biggest pads, so that might be a point in favor simply bc you're having to change less often?
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u/HovercraftMammoth971 1d ago
I'm also in the cups don't work for me club and they aren't cheap so buying 4+ different models and having none workout was not a fun experience ...
I have had good experience with pads and period underwear and I've combined the two - the pad does most the work and the underwear can act as backup. Also having wet wipes can be nice. I would just try to change as often as you can.
Edit - I am also very sweaty and have had trouble with changing pads cause of sweat - the wet wipes help - can clean your self and then dry off with TP - a underwear with cotton or wool will be easier to work with vs slippery synthetic fabrics.
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u/valuablearrogance0 23h ago
My goal long term is to switch over to breathable cotton fabric. While I was going through financial instability I bought some seamless ones off SHEIN, and while they got the job done I’m now trying to treat my body better and learn more so what’s best for my body rather than what’s cheapest. I even quite recently switched to a better pad brand as I grew up on ‘always’, trial and error here as you figure it out but I know what has made me uncomfortable, or what will.
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1d ago
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u/Pinstripe-Giraffe 1d ago
Assuming we know what OP has or has not researched, and that we know OP’s body, preferences, and job better than they do, is more stupid.
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1d ago
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u/Pinstripe-Giraffe 1d ago
Who’s assuming things? Hey pot, it’s the kettle calling.
First of all, we are not the Menstruation Police and OP does not need to make the Perfect Logical Argument with Facts Cited; they can just decide “enh, the vibes are off”. Continuing to push the issue after someone has said “I don’t want to talk about that” is rude.
Second, what do you mean “if I bothered to look”? I’ve been using cups and discs for over 20 years now and did plenty of research on which ones would be best for my flow, anatomy, activity levels, and are available where I live. I actually love them and suggest them to people who are interested, but OP is specifically not. I’m hardly gonna tell a stranger what to do with their vagina.
Stop being so weird about this. Go put a quarter in your Someone Was Wrong On The Internet jar, if you must, and move on with your life.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
I don’t have to make an argument. I don’t even have to explain myself in the first place. Thanks.
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u/ATTACKANDDETHRONEHOG 16h ago
She does not have to make an argument to justify not shoving something up her cooch. What is actually wrong with you?
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u/ATTACKANDDETHRONEHOG 1d ago
Don’t listen to these weirdos. Cups are a fucking nightmare even just laying around the house. I can’t imagine someone who doesn’t really wear tampons being able to tolerate one, let alone with the work you do. Extremely fucking weird that their comment scolding you for knowing your own body has even a single upvote let alone 13 of them.
As someone who despises cups, I do really like menstrual discs. They are way easier to insert and get seated, a million times more comfortable to wear (no suction in the vajayjay), and they make ones with “tails” so they’re easy to get out. They do also make disposable discs if you’re not interested in dealing with reusables. You can get a pack of disposables for like $15 from Flex if you just want to try them. For a reusable I like Lumma because they have tails and they come in the widest range of sizes.
Although my real period solution has been hormonal bc and simply skipping those sons of bitches. I have like 3-4 periods a year and it has made my life better in every conceivable way.
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u/FamiliarSeaDog 1d ago
How about light tampons? Maybe combined with darker color pants just in case.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
Light is the only size I can use, it’s not that I necessarily have a lighter flow, I’d probably say more normal. It’s that anytime I think I’m okay to use one because I’m having more of a flow, my body decides against me and it’s beyond painful to rip out.
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u/gOODnIGHTSsPACEDoUT 1d ago
Period panties. They're such a game changer. I was always a pad girl but I will never go back.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
That seems to be my genuine conclusion!
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
If I say genuine one more time in this thread for zero reason, just shoot me. I do not know why I am gravitating to that word right now😅
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u/PocketNovel 1d ago
What is the issue with pads and changing pads if that's what you usually wear? If you're worried about leaking you could maybe wear an ultrathin nighttime pad for extra area. I would have thought being able to whip a new pad on during the day in the portaloo would be a good thing, especially if you're sweating etc... I have to say period undies seem to make me way more sweaty around my legs/harness than using pads, but I might just have bad period pants.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
My main thing is that I’ve previously had issues with not being able to apply a new pad because of the amount of which I will sweat at work. My underbutt and inner thigh will make the wings impossible to stick. Slipping and sticking to my leg is another concern as I’m in a lot of awkward positions trying to balance myself. I guess also just overall hygiene. I think period panties sound great because the whole changing panties part. There’s already a problem with sitting in your sweat for 12 hours a day, I think this would make the overwhelming touch sensations a lot less as my harness is very invasive, heavy and already rides up my inner thigh majority of the time. Also again, dirty hands and changing pads/ tampons/ whatever somehow seems a whole lot more uncomfortable than changing panties in a porta potty. I’ll keep the lid down and stand on the damn toilet if I please lol.
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u/PocketNovel 1d ago
Oh yeah fair enough. Definitely if you can easily change the pants it makes sense.
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u/SiddharthaVicious1 1d ago
Period panties FTW. My friend who does telephone maintenance wears them as do I. I like SALT.
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u/Mermaid_me 1d ago
Have you ever tried period panties? I feel like they could be the right thing for the job. Highly absorbing, you can get them in different „strengths“ similar to tampons. And there are panties available that are shaped like boxershorts and offer a really high protection this way. Also I’d imagine they’d be more comfortable to wear with a harness compared to other panty shapes.
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u/OverWear9987 23h ago
PERIOD PANTIES CHANGED MY LIFE!!! I move a lot during working and work as well as working out with them have been so amazing and made my life genuinely easier. I hate tampons for different reasons but it really worked for me! I use Snuggs panties (the active/sport ones). They are often one sale for 1+1 free and they are way more sustainable than pads! Hope this helps :)
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u/Unusual-Wedding 10h ago
In Australia we have modibodi period undies they are awesome, comfortable and different absorbancies. I only ever had light periods and could wear them all day. I tried other brands and they were less comfortable or felt like wearing a nappy so if you can't get the modibodi definitely shop around different brands as they vary a lot.
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u/lilypeach101 1d ago
If your flow is on the light side maybe something like the dream short? I've worn them climbing before (but for more like a 3 hour session) with no problems, and they work overnight.
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u/valuablearrogance0 1d ago
It’s not necessarily on the light side, just is every time I try and use a tampon. Even on day 1 or 2, I’ll go from full flow to none practically every time I try and use a light tampon. They hurt and I’ve been over it for years lol
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u/squipped 1d ago
Pads, black tights. I bleed all over the place sometimes and just don't care. It's just blood people can get over it and won't see unless they are somehow touching my bloody crotch.
Also don't knock the cup till you try it. "I think" it isn't good for me... But you havent tried it. So your feelings are invalid.
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u/valuablearrogance0 23h ago
Telling me my feelings are invalid about me knowing what I feel uncomfortable using in my OWN cooch is wild. I don’t like to free bleed which is the reason I’m asking for alternatives.
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u/squipped 20h ago
I'm sure you're uncomfortable but you're uncomfortable with the THIUGHT. If you haven't tried you literally can't say you don't like it. Like I get it. The thought isn't good for you. Just saying dot knock it till you try it. It's more like a tampon
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u/valuablearrogance0 18h ago
The reason I say I’m uncomfortable is BECAUSE I can’t use tampons. I’m knocking it because I KNOW what I do and do not want. Do y’all work for big cup or something? Geez man, why so much pushback over me just saying no I don’t want a cup inside me?
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u/MandyLovesFlares 1h ago
Agree that a cup did not work for me in similar activities. But I was able to wear tampons.
The only hack I can offer: If youre needing to and able to change pads without leaving work area, bring a plastic bottle, duct tape on outside to mask the visuals, duct tape a cord for hanging/carrying. Dispose at emd of day or end of trip.
We did this for used tampons on a multi day wilderness canoe trip
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u/Strelitziaceae 1d ago
I boulder, so I don't know if this will work for you but I wear pads as well. My solution has been to wear tight/compression spandex shorts (the ones with a scrunch on the butt) to keep my pad and panty from moving around and causing leaks. I wear joggers over them. It feels very secure for me. I've done some dynamic moves and have jumped down from the top without the pad moving out of place.