the pad/tampon question
 

I've been meaning to ask this, and keep getting distracted, so here it is.

pads or tampons? WHY? are you worried about TSS? do you have a favorite brand? wings or no wings? plastic or cardboard applicator? every time i walk down that aisle, I'm overwhelmed by the choices!!! so... what do you prefer, and why? :)

I myself use pads because my mom wouldn't ever let me near tampons...being they hurt until after youv'e had sex...so they scared me for a long time...even after having sex I wouldn't use them because I didn't know how to, and when I tried I never got it in just right!

The other reason I use pads is because my mother- in- law (before she passed away) get them for free...so I was helping her use up her extra stock (of which I split with my mom, and we each have enough to last at least 6 mo to a yr.)! I do however now know how to use tampons should I feel the need to for swimming or doing a lot of walking/exersize and the like as they really are nice in those occasions for keeping 'clean' and not wanting to wear a mushed up nasty pad...! And the ones I have do not have wings, and that's fine with me...but a lot of people think they are to bulky...so yeah...sorry such a sloppy response...I am getting ready to run out the door for a friends concert! (and yes...I am wearing one of those trusty pads right now!)

I also know a few people who make their own menstral pads from cloth materials...and wash and rewear...but that's just not for me...But they at least look kinda cool ;)

Have a great night!

Pads preferably. TSS - yes. I don't have a preference in brand, but anything that absorbs well enough to prevent stained panties are good enough for me. Sometimes wings don't seem to help unless there are those contours that filter them in and prevent them from leaking. So basically, anything that's comfortable, inexpensive, and keeps me dry would be my choice. It's not too much to ask. :)

Oh, and the scented/perfumed ones are also nice because no matter how often you change it, you will always notice the smell. This will at least neutralize it a bit. :p

Yeah! For the longest time these were the very things that turned me away from using tampons. Dead on. Good to know that it wasn't just me. :)

I use both actually... Pads the first day or two, then tampons. No wings, plastic applicators ;)

Has anyone tried those pads that are designed for thongs? They don't look all that effective to me.

For me, its both pads and tampons, whichever is convenient.

Pads for thongs? How does that even work? *boggle*

If you wear pads you SHOULDN'T wear thongs. So why the hell did they come out with this!!

Definitely tampons! I hate pads. I feel like it looks funny or something and I never feel comfortable. I use Platex Tampons and I love them. They are easy and I am comfortable.

I do have to say though, I didn't where tampons when I first started my period. I ended up having an emergency with a friend of mine and that's all she had, so I had no choice and I've never gone back to pads:)

I don't understand the pad for thongs either. I suspect that it's just a poor marketing ploy. I can't help but imagine the meeting in the new products division where someone (probably a guy) speaks out, "Hey, I've got a great idea, thongs are really popular right now, how about pads for thongs?!"

yeah for tampons!! I hate pads.. well to be honest i don't like tampons either but I prefer them.. usually i use a panty liner as well.. just to make sure.. i'm all about backup protection.. oh.. and i prefer plastic applicators

I use only tampons. When I had my first I used pads, hated the bulky feeling I got, when my second came around, I didn't have any, so Mom went to the store and bought me tampons. My 2 older sisters use them as well so Mom and Dad had expirence(sp?) in this department before I came around. We use Platex, because they hold more and it's a more comfortable fit. We tried Tampax, but they had a little problem, instead of widening, they elongated, to the point where it was not in all the way and left a rather uncomfortable feeling :). Oh and Kotex are ok in a bind, but wouldn't used them too often.

Megs

I use tampons now, I like to stick to cardboards because they're more biodegradable compared to the plastics, though not much better. I used to be worried bout TSS, but too lazy to worry about them really. I know its bad, but I even tend to have them in longer than 8hrs when I sleep with it in and forget to change it sooner. I heard horror stories when i read YM when I was a kid. Some forgetting they even had them in and putting another one in before taking the other out and getting nasty pains. Cleaner than pads, but still can have messes. I have yet to find pantiliners with wings..They used to have those..what happend to them?Im gonna write to tampax and make a fortune.lol.

i find that using a tampon messes my week up a bit by making it longer. Maybe it's all in my head though.

I don't really really like the feeling of pads but the first 2 days, it's not really an option [we're talking HEAVY flow here]. And the last 3 days it varies depending occasion.

Whatever pads'll do but it must have wings. There's really no importance of 'four wall protection' or any fancy gimmicks, and Playex tampns are a thumbs up.

Pads -- both pads and tampons have asbestos in them. I would much rather have that stuff next to my skin then in my body. Best, however, would be "natural" pads. I just don't have the time, money, or patience for that.

i used pads for a long time. the ultra thin always with wings kind. :P i tried tampons a few years ago and just didn't like it for some reason. i don't think i got it in quite right cos it always leaked and i didnt understand how you were spose to keep your hands from getting all bloody when you insert it.. this could be a problem in bathroom stalls. so i didn't use tampons until only recently.. for day 2 or 3 when my period's lighter. it IS a lot more comfortable once you figure it out. i get the ones with applicator. and use pantiliners for backup too.

I used to wear pads all the time until one time when all anyone had was tampons. It was then I started using them and haven't stopped since. They're so much more comfortable and undiaperlike.

Re: the pad/tampon question
 

tampons + pantyliners.

No applicator, O.B. w00tw00t. how's that for biodegradeable :p (and pocketable. discrete.)
(yeah, the blood is kinda gross, but whatever. applicators are pointless imo, and i think i get a better placement this way)
note - if i take one out and put another in (duh) if i'm kinda dry it's a bit uncomfy. but no biggie.

for the liners, been using the unscented with baking soda carefree...but soemtimes i think i want to 'upgrade'.

dunno, maybe not really necessary. :shrug:

:)

hate to sound stupid, but how do you do it w/o an applicator?

I usually use a pad when at home or doing nothing important and a tampon when with my b/f or out doing things. I tend to have back pain when I have my period and tampons seem to make it worse so I try and avoid them when at all possible.

Fingers. If you are interested in trying OB Tampons (the ones without the applicator), they are having a special promotion to get a free sample and a purse pack (http://www.obyou.com/promotions/index.jsp).

My choice depends on amount of flow which varies from cycle to cycle. I've used everything out there except for menstrual sponges and the cups.

I started using tampons out of necessity when I was very young. I was on the swim team and diving team in Junior High, we wore those horrible speedo bathing suits, and I couldn't very well compete while wearing a pad.

But about those pads for thongs... They aren't pads, they are panty liners, and they actually are quite nice if you want to wear a thong during that time of the month. (Like I said, I've tried just about everything).

I am super fussy and will only wear thong underwear, so as a result I only use tampons except while sleeping. I like the o.b. kind WITH the applicator...I've tried the kind without but learned that the only way I'd ever be able to get those in the right place would be to get a map and compass. Also, I find that pads stick to my butt (because the plastic doesn't breathe), and I can't stand wearing them except for the super-thin kind with wings. Tampons are 100 percent more comfortable.

I also like those Instead cups. They take a bit of practice to learn to get in properly (okay, and a Master's degree in rocket science), but they're worth it. You don't have to change them as often and they're very comfortable, plus you can have sex while wearing one.

wow, im surprised at how many people prefer pads! I thought for sure i would read this and see like everyone prefered tampons. huh. anyway, im a tampon lady all the way. doesnt matter what kind.

when i first started my period my mom set me up with pads, but right away my next door neighbor friend turned me on to tampons & that's all i ever used from then on until about a year ago when i started using pads when i am home & tampons if i leave the house. tampons make me feel cleaner, but if i've begun to think it's probably best not to have something stuck up there for a full week...

wings/any brand
playtex unscented tampons

I'm a tampon girl because they are more comfy. I like the cardboard applicators because they are flushable. Scent free...

I'm a combination girl myself. First day or two, I wear both a tampon and a pad. The pad acts as a backup. I never wear a tampon without a pad, because I still would leak, and I can't count the number of panties I've wrecked because of stains. After the flow starts to slow (hey---it rhymes!) I stick with just pads.

Tampons make me cranky. Tried all brands over the years. Still uncomfortable for the most part. Pantyliners aren't made for full-figured girls. It's like trying to aim at a little bitty target when you aren't even paying attention to what's going on.

I only use one kind of pad. Kotex ultra-thin. Comes in a cute pink package. Anyway. It's the only one I've tried that really is 'ultrathin' and doesn't bunched up on my like Always.

I'm a combo girl - Tampax most of the time - the elongation thing is a bit uncomfortable if you are using the plus version, but I find that I have a very hard time removing the kind that widen (like OB and Playtex). I was always afraid the string would snap. I flow so heavy I have to change every four hours max (and that's with super plus). I use pads at night - no wings and no plastic cover because I get a rash.

I have tried the OB without applicator but I can't get it in very easily and it's too messy for me. I have tried the cups, and I liked them the first two times, and then suddenly lost the knack for putting them in, and I always ended up in a mess when I took them out.

Tampons during the day, pads at night.

I buy depending on the designs on the box. ^_^

ok...good topic.
i use tampons with pads for backup. it's awesome cause if i work or something and can't get a bathroom break or if i'm like on a road trip i can go for the full 8 hours, while just one or the other would likely only do me for like 4. i don't trust those little liners, totally too small. at night i just use pads. i use always ultra thin with wings. if my dad brings home without wings i'll use them for the lighter days. i use to swear by playtex softcomfort tampons. my mom always had tampax but i found the cardboard to be too rough getting up there. likely didn't help that i was like 13 and nervous as hell...anyways, then i got to find that tampax wasn't so bad to get up but that it got longer and wouldn't hold enough for me. so i used the playtex for some time but soon found them not holding that much either. now i'm a die hard OB girl, no applicator. seriously, you see them and they're just so cute you can't resist. i gave one to my sister to try and she stuck it up her nose and laughed all night. i guess that's a bit off topic. anyways, i find that they hold more, cause i guess their selling point is that it expands to fit your contour. i'd buy that. it's the only tampon designed by a woman, so i'm all for that. i take a shower in the morning and clean as best i can and then it's usually not messy going in. and if you change them like right on time there's no real mess ever. and even if you're too late the mess isn't nearly as bad as i thought it would have been. i totally reccommend them to anyone. or just buy them and strick them up your nose. they are sooooo cute.

*imagines HER younger sister, a tampon out each nostril, and mum's bra on her head* :D:D

hahaa :lol:

good to hear from another happy O.B. user. w00t :)

Hehe, shannon tells the best anecdotes. Thanks for sharing! :lol:

Tampax tampons with applicator (or is OB the only brand that comes with or without applicators?)

I also use pads sometimes, but usually only at the beginning of my period.

But, I wish I was a boy.

I use pads for the most part simply because they are more comfortable to me. ( I know most people think I am crazy but...)
I use Always with wings. They hold more and stay in place. When I wear tampons, I use tampax pearl they are easy to insert and are comfortable.

Wow, I'm really surprised at the amount of pad users.

I, myself, am a tampon user. I absolutely abhor pads, particularly because I can't stand the idea of sitting in a diaper of blood all day. Tampons are a lot easier to dispose of, and don't smell as funky, either. I don't worry about TSS too much, but I keep it in mind. My favorite brand would be whatever's cheap, and I prefer the applicators that feature cheapness. Sometimes I do use a pantiliner for backup.

Tampons are awesome. all those commercials saying pads feel like a diaper are so right. Gimme a super size absorbency wad of cotton and I'll soak it!! lol

Like some other people have mentioned here, it very much depends on what my body is doing at the time. When its really heavy, I definently prefer pads. Even though they can be sorta bulky, I like the thicker pads over the thin ones. They just seem much more leak proof. With a tampon, you have to change it like every hour, and its just inconvient. However, when it lightens up, then I like to use a tampon as it is more comfortable than a wet pad. As far as which kind of tampon - I prefer the non-applicator type over the applicator. It's just so much easier to control and use comfortably.

I use both on the first couple days cause my period is so heavy, then I just use tampons. They are so much better. You can swim in them, you can't feel them, and there is no feeling og weaing a diaper

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Hmm...I prefer tampons during the day, and pads at night, with BIG wings!! The o.b. brand of tampons is my favorite, you can insert them wherever is the best place for you. As far as pads, I like the ones for "big girls" (i.e. size 14 and over) with wings, in the "ultrathin" style. Protects the panties like there is gonna be a nuclear war, w/o feeling like you have on a diaper.
My stepmom wouldn't let me wear tampons. She said you couldn't wear them until you lost your virginity So I never got to go swimming when I had my period. She was such a dumbass bitch. *sigh*

my mum doesn't like tampons, so she handed me a box, said "the instructions are inside" and off I went... I never liked them... someone said you an't feel em, but i feel em every minut ehty're in there, and i dont' like it. I guess I don't have it in the "right spot" :shrug:

so.. pads the whole way for me. ultrathin w/ wings. don't notice the "diaper" feeling so much till I finish and pull that first fresh pair of pad-less panties on... mmm... heavenly. :)

..

OB is the way to be.. or if I'm just around the house I'll just lie on the couch wearing the Always with wings... and just watch tv. But outside, anywhere in public it's the OB's... never proved me wrong~

I use OB no applicator!! Save money easy to use and tthe first few days use a thin winged pad for extra protection!! Yeah to tampons!!! Has any one heard on the disposable cup you insert in you that catches the fluid and allows you to have clean sex while on your period??

Clean sex on your period?!!!!!!!!!?

I had heard of these things before, so I decided to do some research. Holy crap! There are all kinds of these things on the market. My findings:

They come in both re-usable and disposable varieties.
Its as versatile as a tampon, but without the risk of TSS. Apparently there is little or no possiblity of infections, plus, it collects more blood than tampons, so you can leave them in for up to 12 hours. Apparentely, they eliminate the entire "smell" factor, too, because the blood isn't exposed to air. They reduce waste by a huge amount, and they're pretty affordable.

The two most popular products I found are "The Keeper," a reusable product that costs around $40 and lasts around 10 YEARS and "Instead," a disposable variety runs around 6 for $3.

The cons, as I learned, are few, but potentially far worse than tampons or pads. They can be pretty tough to insert, especially since some people don't like putting their fingers in their vagina in the first place. They are pretty similar to a diaphragm, and are inserted in the same way. From what I read, they are really messy. Leakage doesn't seem to be too much of a problem, except as this test runnner explains (http://www.mum.org/stalling.htm): that if you "bear down on it," as in intentionally flex your muscles against it, you will achieve complete disaster: a huge flood of blood, as she explains, eight hours worth of blood and a total calamity if you're not in a position to change your clothes right away.

Maybe something to try out.

I used tampons before I had sex and there were no problems.

I'm a dork and tend to use both a tampon and a pad during the first couple of days of my period because I can the flow can be quite heavy.

I'm a poor chick who's paying off student loans so I tend to go for the cheapest brands but after reading this thread I realize I miss the OBs! They rock! The stupid cheap tampons and pads are just lower quality.

I keep meaning to try the environmentally-friendly alternatives but never get around to it.

Pads....it's what I was rasised on...with wings of course....so I won't have any embrassing monments

..

i just don't think i could trust those cups. i'm not liking the idea of having that much blood just sitting in a cup up there. wouldn't it be the messiest thing ever to take out? after twelve hours, good God! i've also been noticing lately how nice ob are for waste. cause really you just have to throw out this tiny bit of plastic. i put the wrapper in my guy friend's waste basket yesterday and i was so happy to have so little garbage, instead of having this huge sick applicator to throw in his trash.

I have never been able to use tampons without feeling them the whole time. It is the most uncomfortable thing, and they always feel like they are being pushed out.

However, I have never tried OB- maybe since they go vertical instead of horizontal I might be able to use them.

I have used Always w/Wings forever. They do feel gross, but I feel gross just having a period. I will try those OB's though, becasue if I could go without a pad, I would be a very happy girl.

Since we are on the subject of tampons, when I was a child, my mom and older sister would get so annoyed because I would find their tampons and shoot them out of the applicators like cotton guns (I had no clue what they were for at age six)

And yeah, that cup thing sounds completely gross. Taking it out would cause a flood of blood, and we don't want to have to deal with the blood in the first place.

i am a pad girl...always ultra-thin with wings...i have an overly sensitive vagina, even my gyno thinks it weird..lol...and i can feel them the whole time they are in, and it drives me crazy...i only use tampons when i go swimming, or am in need of wearing a thong, and then only the slim lights..because they are little

I only use tampons, OB without applicator. It was the first tampon I tried, and now I think applicators are making something that's so easy very complicated!
When I change it, the tampon usually takes all the blood with it, so it's clean when I bring in the next. Because I'm on 'the pill' I don't flow much so I only use mini or normal. Lucky me! Maybe this is different when you flow heavily...

Pads or pantiliners make me feel like I'm wearing diapers. Since I tried tampons I never used anything else.

It's not normal to feel the tampon. You have to push it deeper, yes, you have to put your finger in all the way! (you have to get used to it, it isn't as bad as it sounds)

I'm almost 50/50 on this deal. If I have a big meeting or something I'll sometimes even wore both. I haven't done that in a while though. Before I had my daughter I had VERY heavy periods and had to use both to prevent staining my undies. After I had her and I'm still nursing her I haven't gotten my period bac full force. I've also gone on the pill since then and this one I go for 2 months beofre I get my period.
I got some samples of that new tampon "pearl" or something like that that someone came out with. I couldnt' believe the difference. They were so much more comfortable. I don't know if I'll buy them though. They're pretty expensive and I'm a cheapskate.

Tampons withoutout a doubt. I find pads absolutely restricting and do not feel comfortable whilst wearing them.

Thank God for tampax yippee!!!! :)

love tampons hate pads..... wish i never had to deal with either!!!

i thought i heard that OB came out with a new kind. like something that's supposed to be more comfy or something? i could look it up but i'm lazy and going to bed soon, anyone else know what i'm talking about?

Oh, man, I can't stand pads. They feel bulky and wet and cold and icky. I've been using OB no applicator for...10 years now? That's 10 out of 11 years of my period. They rock! I don't really care about the blood, it's a natural thing. Those squeemish girls confuse me :)

By the way, shannon, I picked up the new OBs but haven't had a chance to try them yet. I'll let you know in a couple weeks :)

Try the Instead cups. No asbestos. No chemicals, no bleach. They cost less. you can use them as emergency contraception with a spermacide. And to top it all off they are comfy and I don't have cramps at all since I switched. (My sister wrote this under my name on accident -- but still good advice. I just might try them too.)

I've tried those, actually. The only problem is I can't use them during half my period anymore because I use the Nuvaring and they both don't fit very well together.

I've been on my depo shot for long enough that I haven't had a period in awhile but I do remember what it was like. When it came to the choice, it was a hard one. I have extremely sensitive skin in that area so no matter what I used it always irritated the skin and felt similar to a yeast infection. I usually used what my mom bought.

I was a die-hard tampon freak for so many years, and I have found that playtex (deoderent with the plastic applicator) is my favorite, because the tampax are like friggin' pillows you're trying to cram into your cooter and they hurt to take out. I hate pads alone because then I feel messy, but I use them as back up when my flow is heavy. Now I use Instead, and I love them. You can wear them for up to 12 hours, though I usually have to change them every 8-10 because I bleed like a stuck pig most of the time, but they're so much nicer, and you can do the deed with them in, with no mess to clean up on the bedsheets!!!

stiil eagerly awaiting to hear about the pearl OB tampons....although i haven't seen them here in stores yet so even if they're great it'll just make me jealous.

Tampons all the way...
I used to use pads when I first started, but once I got into high school I switched over, and what a difference...
I hated going to the bathroom all the time, and checking them, and so nasty...
I use Playtax Portables...
I'd never go back to pads.. So gross

Ditto to tampons...
The very first time I had my period I was away at summer camp. I was too embarassed to ask the camp nurse for a pad. My girlfriend who had already started brought tampons along with her and gave me one.
I was terrified! But more terrified of humilating myself infront of the camp nurse so... I just kind of "winged it".

After I returned home I tried pads... once. UCK ... I guess I got spoiled by the freedom you have with tampons.

Now... after 3 kids and the mid-life hormonal rollercoaster... my periods can get pretty crazy. i wear tampons with a backup panty liner. nothing worse than an unexpected leak.

Ok, I just finished trying the new OB tampons. My verdict? No difference, really.

The other problem is that they're too small for me, they come in the "regular" size only and I use the "super plus." I was able to use them for the last couple of days, though. They have a weird coating on them, but it doesn't really seem to do much different.

Sorry :/ Maybe other girls have a better experience?

thanks. if they ever come to my smal town i'll give them a shot. it sucks that they're not in different absorbancies though, i would have expected more from the people at OB. ah well.

tampons! they are so easy to stick up there, they don't hurt, and they don't get all nasty and bloody. i use plastic applicators because it goes it more easily than cardboard. toxic shock syndrome [tss] doesnt happen very often to any women, but they still have to put a warning on the box for some dumb women that like to keep a tampon up there for like, a week! =(

yay tampons!! =D

Yeah, my mum uses these. They're called 'Instead' and she seems to really like them. Crazy.