Tampons and TSS..

I went onto a menstrual cup instead ☺️ but i wouldnt use a tampon unless it was desparate measures

I've been put off by tampons for a long time. I've never been able to use tampons, they always hurt me. I mostly use pads, but I also used a cup years ago. The cup I have is the size that'you're supposed to use before having kids cause I bought it before I had kids, but I'm thinking about buying a new one. I'm also looking into period panties.

I thought about switching to the cup but need to research more

I made the switch to a menstrual disc and I absolutely love it! It takes a minute to figure out exactly how to put it in but once you do it's great. You don't feel it, you can wear it for 8-12 hours depending on the size and you can have sex with it in if you want to.

I used to love tampons before I got pregant. Since giving birth they are very uncomfortable so I gave up using them. I hate pads though so I will need to look into alternatives

It always scared me to be honest and I hated tampons because they 'dried me out'. I don't like pads either as I hate the smell. For years now I've been using a menstrual cup or reusable period pants and much prefer these to tampons or pads, better for the environment too!

I use menstrual discs or period underwear. Wearing tampons gave me so many more intense cramps than the two methods I stick with

Tampons never sat right with me especially with the tss … always used pads

How do you empty a cup in a public toilet, are you meant to pour it down the toilet?

Tell me more ladies about these menstrual cups… do they ever leak? How much are they? How long do they last? X

You can still get it even if changed regularly but I believe that’s super rare. I stopped using them as I was tired of the faff. I switched to period pants which I loved. Haven’t had a period for ages now though thanks to pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Menstural cups are the best!

@Rachel yeah just pour it down the toilet then give the cup a littke wipe with toilet paper if you cant swill it out with water at the time ☺️

I’d panic that the toilet wouldn’t flush 🙈😂

Here is a video I found really helpful in explaining the differences. I saved it for my niece as it goes over all the options women have available so you might have to fast forward. https://youtu.be/T7ZQAAUxFLE?si=Df1yCVzAACB_KNhg

I only use reusable products. I left a tampon in too long and got a gnarly infection.

@Rachel you can put paper in the bowl before emptying it so it sorts catches the blood.

This is one of the reasons I like the disc better because they self empty when you pee so you don't have to worry about changing them in public. They don't fill up the same way the menstrual cups do.

@Sarah do you have a brand you recommend please?

I'm aware and still use them. It could happen if you use a too absorbent one for low flow or if it is incorrectly inserted. I use them only on my first day or two.

I’ve been using tampons for years and never had an issue. I wear them overnight too.

@Sarah what?! They self empty? That's pretty convenient.

@Rachael I started with these disposable ones just to try them. You can find smaller boxes at most drug stores. Flex Menstrual Discs https://a.co/d/gIYKCrN Once I knew I liked the disc I bought these reusable ones. I love that they have a carrying case and it comes with 2. Pixie also makes a really nice menstrual disc I just prefer a loop over a tail. Bodyotics Menstrual Disc Reusable https://a.co/d/aQmFQXL Also the reusable ones can be washed and sanitized just like bottle nipples. They do make silicone bowls for you to sanitize them in the microwave. A water based lubricant can also be helpful for anyone who needs it.

I use reusable period pants most of the time and then a cup if going swimming or something. My cramps have reduced massively since I switched and I used to get awful rashes too so it’s been much nicer since switching. I used disposable pads after birth and hated it, much much prefer reusable stuff so much more comfy.

When I had my IUD before this pregnancy, I didn't have a heavy enough flow to use tampons. But before the IUD and I had a heavier flow, I used tampons regularly during the day and pads at night.

I use period panties, but I prefer tampons over pads

I’ve been scared of TSS ever since I read it on the pack since a teen. I’ve been using pads all my life, tampon a total of 3* ever when I really needed to, and period undies and cup since 6yrs ago Covid was what triggered it for me I didn’t wanna fight in the stores for pads lol so I jumped on the reusable train in Covid lockdown.

I use a cup and if I’m worried a pad too.

What's the period panties?

@mj, look up “Saalt” period panties. They’re underwear/diapers for your blood during your cycle. They’re super comfortable and I love them!

I moved to period pants and reusable pads years ago and never looked back. Feminine hygiene products are loaded with chemicals

@mj, they look and feel like normal pants but they’re absorbable so you don’t need a pad in or anything. I find them so comfortable and better for the environment too!

@Rebecca but then isn't laundry real gross??

@mj, I had that concern but no because you rinse them separately first. So I do that in the utility sink, then they just go in the normal wash with the rest of the darks, never had any issues, they’ve always come out clean and nothing else in the load has been ruined or come out dirty at all.