Menstrual Problems
 

I've had a problem ever since I got my menstrual cycle.
It's been 13 years and STILL I have to spot my clothes whenever I get the cycle. Nothing helps...the pads shrink from the sides everytime I put them on the panty, thus making me drip from both sides of the panty (sorry, if TMI).
I buy the best brands of pads, yet this happens EVERy time...
Does anyone else have this problem?
Oh, and no tampom suggestions, I cringe from them and cannot tolerate them and feel uneasy with them.

Thanks you for any help.
This has been bugging me for so long and I can't tell this to anyone I know:(

Wings....

I mean, seriously... why use a pad that doesn't have wings? It's like putting a diaper with a big hole in the back on a baby and expecting your white carpet to not get poop on it.

Also, are you sure you're getting the right absorbency? There's everything from extra super light to TSUNAMI! My suggestion is- get a multipack of asorbencys next cycle- I used to use Always pads with wings, and they worked really well - no leaks. Then, use the heaviest absorbency pad on your heaviest day(s), and then step down as your period lightens up.

Thanks so much for the help, sage!
I do use wings but the same thnig happens...the wings start moving and I get a leak, or I drip right along the wings line and there it goes to my panties again :confused:

Make sure during your period that you're wearing undies that have enough fabric to accomodate the width of the pad and that the adhesive completely attaches to the fabric.
I didn't start tampons until about two years ago and found these teeny little compacts that I actually can't feel. Prior to that I used Always UltraThins and just changed them constantly. I used to get serious skin breakouts from them wings rubbing against my legs.

mayybe it has to do with the type of fabric your undies are.

use cotton ones, the wings stick better!!!!! :D

I used to know a girl who always complained about leaks. Her problem was that she was a big girl (size 14) buying slender pads. Slender pads are too narrow to cover all that surface area. Now, I am also a big girl. I buy the pads made for plus-size women (even though I'm not actually a plus-size) by Always--Maximum Protection! And they're not joking. Also, I found I'm less likely to have leaks with the old-style thick pads than the thin ones. The thins tend to dislodge more easily/shift more easily.

Make sure your underwear are snug-fitting. That can make all the difference.

How often do you check your pad for saturation, during the day? I tend to spot a lot too, but it happens the most often when I am not checking my pad regularly.

I usually put in a super absorbency tampon AND use Always Ultra Thins [super absorb] with wings, and I *still* leak sometimes!... because I don't check to see if things are getting saturated, until it's too late. (Yeah, I have pretty heavy flows, though it has decreased since I've been on birth control.)

Also, I think taboo and owl are right... your underwear in itself may be a problem. Are you making sure that the wings are wrapped carefully around the sides and sticking only to the fabric, instead of getting stuck to themselves? (Often happens.) And cotton IS better for pads, I think... especially if it's very well fitted and there's nothing loose to get moved around.

yep my wings dont stick well on anything but cotton panties. I buy the overnite protection ones for the beginning of my period and have never had a leak

Yes!! Overnight with wings are AMAZING. I mean sure, it still feels like a big wet pillow... :) but at least it works. Before I got on BC I used overnights w/wings often, during the day! Full coverage. :thumbsup:

Out of curiosity, why are you so against tampons? I found that I couldn't insert a tampon correctly until I used OB applicatorless tampons- it was a hell of a lot easier inserting them because I could feel where I needed to put them. Also, if a tampon is not inserting easily, it could be due to using an asorbency that is too high- there's not enough natural moisture in your vagina to make that big ole cotton plug slip in easily.

Personally, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Diva Cup! There's no waste, no messy pads to get rid of, no tampons to carry around with me- and it's paid for itself in the time i've had it, what with all I'm saving by not having to buy a $7 box of tampons every month.

Perhaps you should take another look at tampons or the Diva Cup- it would eliminate your pad worries, for one, and help reduce trash, which is a good thing. :thumbsup:

yea underwear that fits very well, snug, makes a huge difference

Ahh, the protection gained from overnight with wings, which I have used a lot. I also don't really like tampons, I just can't seem to find ones that fit comfortably. I have noticed cotton undies are the best at that time and changing frequently when flowing heavily even if your pad isn't fully used is helpful for me, because sometimes I don't make it back the restroom in time to change it if I don't do it then.