Blood stains
 

I wasn't sure where to post this and I didn't think the "how to forum" would be appropriate. Anyhow, I have the horrible problem of leaking everywhere when I am on my period. No matter what I do I always end up leaking through my pads. And the result is messy underwear. Anyways I was wondering if any of you ladies had any good tips for getting period stains out of your underwear and pants.

I do wear tampons however I try to rotate between tampons and pads when I am on my period due to TSS. I try to wear "old underwear" when I am on my period just sometimes I end up with my victoria secret brand on and end up with stains.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. :)

Hokay.

First of all TSS doesn't really happen anymore, ever. For your viewing pleasure, I include The Wiki Article which explains that they don't really know WHY TSS happens with tampon users, but suspect it has something to do with ulcerations in the vagina caused by using a tampon with too much asorbency.

Secondly, if you're having abnormally heavy periods (like, bleeding heavily for more than two or three days) you need to go see your Gyno to rule out any problems and perhaps to go on hormones to lighten things up.

As to the leaking, I suggest getting a Diva Cup, the greatest period invention EVER. And wear a pad on top of that.

Blood stains are usually best treated right away. Ones that have set in can be helped along by spit (yes, spit). Enzymes in your spit break down blood... although I have no idea why. But, from expirence, I can say it works :)

I try to get them into cold water right away, get as much of the stain out as possible, then let them soak until I can throw them in the washer. Works 98% of the time. When it doesn't it is usually because I didn't get to them in time.

Around the time I expect my period to begin, I start wearing black or navy blue underwear...just in case. But accidents do happen.

Thanks for the spit tip, Sage. I've never heard of that before.

I use peroxide. I soak the panties in cold water and then pour a little peroxide on them right before I toss them in the washing machine.

Spraying them with shout and washing them right away has always worked for me :)

I understand your problem, every other month I'm a heavy bleeder (nothing wrong with me at all according to the gyno..pap's are normal and I've had many pelvic ultrasounds to prove I have no endometreosis...some women just bleed heavy). My best friend is always pads...those wings work wonders, I've had far fewer accidents with those. I cant stand tampons and very rarely wear them....Im to "short" inside for them to fit in comfortably. I also make sure I wear "tight" underwear to keep the pad close to my body, and change pads very often.

I had a similar problem, I usually wore a tampon with a pad as a safety net and found I still got a couple stains, but my mom told me to go buy a couple pairs of black panties. Black hides the stains better, and to wear them when you're on your monthly. Just a thought! Has worked wonders for me!

Hydrogen Peroxide gets fresh blood out instantly and helps reduce stains.

one of our charming male members has asked me to pass this along and since I'd do anything for him....

I was just trying to get some blood stains out of a pillow case. My daughter gets bloody noses at night every now and then. Lemon Juice on it and leave it in the sun for a short time. Or a paste of baking soda and salt rubbed onto the stain and allowed to dry a little. Both seemed to work equally well.

I felt this way about tampons until I found the OB with no applicator. Much more comfortable to insert, the cotton is shorter in length, and they absorb just as well it seems. They can be a LITTLE messy if you're putting one in without having had one one but what's a little mess for a lot more comfort. They're so small I could carry 4 of them and take up the space of only ONE of the regular tampons.

Huh, cold water you say? All this time, I thought cold water always set stains, not helped remove them... so I used warm water usually. Hence the light stains on my Victoria's Secret undies... :(

Glad to learn something today. I have leaks pretty often, too... though being on BC has seriously reduced the volume of blood/periods. Oh, and I second the OB thing... they are so much better than regular tampons, and better for the environment too (no plastic!). But I'd still like to try Diva Cup sometime...

Yes, I rely on cold water & Shout whenever I leak.

Here's another suggestion...when it's period time for me (I'm now regular like a clock) I always put the set of sheets on our bed that has a dark floral pattern - so that if I get a drop of blood on the bed clothes it won't show too much. I hate to ruin the good expensive bed linens! Hubby likes that when he sees that set of sheets it's his signal to be careful & kind. :)

That's what I use too, for the same reasons. Love the OBs. I found because I am able to position them right, they leak less. A lot less.

As for stains...Oxiclean seems to work well for me.

Heat makes the blood proteins coagulate, so warm water will make blood stains set. But for other kinds of stains warm water is better. Ya have to adapt the treatment to the type of stain. ;)

I use tampons, but on the first day or so I have to change them every second hour or so because I bleed so much. And that's the big ones. I usually feel when the tampon is "full", I'm sensitive like that.

I've found that the following works even on set blood stains - wet them down with cold water, wring/press the water out till the panties are damp but not dripping, and then pour undiluted detergent right on the stain. Leave them to soak until they're dry-ish, and then wash as usual. I've tried hydrogen peroxide, and it took the stain out but in some cases it also took the color out of the undies. Eep!

as was said in a quote earlier from one of the guys, cold water with salt in it works wonders on any blood stains whether from your period or not. My sisters and mother use this methos and there are never any stains left over. So as soon as you have the chance, just put them in a bucket of cold salty water. It's also very cheap :P