Y’know, you can’t call your blog “My Women Stuff” and then never talk about that most awful time of being a woman, right? :D Whether you breeze through that dreaded TOTM (Time Of The Month) or whether you take to your bed with debilitating cramps, it’s that one week in a month that, I don’t know about you, but always makes me feel like crap.
But feeling like crap aside, what is your pick when it comes to dealing with your menstrual period? Do you go for sanitary pads, be they the more common disposable ones or reuseable cloth pads? Or are tampons your choice for more freedom? Or perhaps you shun both these conventional methods and use something else? There’s been a resurgence in the use of menstrual cups in recent times, I’ve noticed.
Me, I do pads. The “Super Value Pack” above should have given you a hint LOL!
I’ve tried using cloth pads, an experiment which I documented here, but the truth is that I never quite got the hang of it. It wasn’t as awful an experience as I thought it would be, but life just got to the stage that I didn’t really want to wrestle with cloth pads anymore. So I do regular disposable sanitary pads – always ultra-thin and always, ALWAYS with wings. I can’t imagine not having a pad with wings. Ugh!
Recently however, I’d taken to swimming regularly and I didn’t really want to interrupt my routine, so I tested tampons after some urgent whatsapp conversations with a friend whom I knew was a regular tampon user. Every girl needs a friend with whom you can discuss the latest beauty and fashion in one moment and then talk about pads and tampons in the next moment :D
Using a tampon was new to me (yes, at this advanced age, but we’re never too old to learn!) and I have to admit that I appreciated the freedom of movement and the fact that I could go swimming even while having my period. No, you can’t get into a pool with your pad on – just think about that logically, yes?
But I worried about things like toxic shock syndrome which can happen if you leave your tampon in too long and I’d be watching the clock like a hawk so I didn’t forget to change so, it felt a little like too much work. I’d still use it when I swim, but I decided, not otherwise.
As for other methods, primarily menstrual cups, I guess, I’m just not ready to go there. I can’t say I didn’t toy with the idea, just for experimentation purposes, but the high costs and the steep learning curve just put me off. If you do use them, I’m very curious to hear of your experience so please please share your thoughts in the comments! :)
Pads, Tampons or Other… what’s your TOTM pick?
You know mine and if you have horror, funny or any stories to share about your experiences with either, please share! :)
Paris B
high 5 girl…i aso just learn about tampon few days ago during my beach holiday……i feel a bit weird when I jus put in as it’s very small and tend to slip down easily….until it start to absorb the fluid then it feel comfortable and no longer coming down….but honestly i still like my pad more…well i too love ultra thin and wing and i guess u r not a heavy flow girl…if u go swimming where the toilet not too far away u dun nd tampon or pad….all u need to go is to go shower then once done run to pool and start swim…..then when u done swimming run to toilet too…when u r in the water the pressure of the water will stop the fluid to flow out…..
Haha *high5* I actually think it’s great learning about and how to use a tampon for those emergencies, when wearing a pad just isn’t preferable like holidays. Had my share of erm… accidents and it’s just not something you want to deal with on holiday or at the beach! Yikes! As for not wearing anything to swim hmm… I think that’s a little unhygienic don’t you think? >.<
Ultra thin pads with wings all the way! I use light flow cotton pads and change them out every few hours to avoid any stickiness/weird smells. My periods are pretty light anyway so other than some bloating and light cramping it’s not all that bad! I count my blessings every time especially since my friends have horrendous cramps and generally become immobilised until the pain killers kick in.
Yay for ultra thin winged pads! I don’t know what I’d do without them… ok I know how the alternative feels so it’s such a great improvement these days! I don’t usually have bad periods either *touchwood* except for the occasional time but usually popping Panadol Menstrual keeps me alive and active and it doesn’t last too long.
Nono to disposables for me….
Bleaches to make disposables white is cancerous to human…
Not to mention it takes about 500 years for the synthetic parts to disintegrate…
Go for cloth pads, menstrual cups….
All recyclable….
Yep, I understand that argument but I’ve been there and done that and I can safely say that the cloth pad way, while potentially more friendly to the environment in the sense of fewer disposables, doesn’t suit everyone’s lifestyle. Have you done the menstrual cup? I hear it’s less fussy but the learning curve is really steep!
I’ve gone from regular disposable pads to tampons when I was swimming almost every other day in school, to cloth pads. I prefer cloth pads though, although I have to wash them but I dunno, it just makes me feel healthier. I’m not menstruating just yet but when I start again, I might try the menstrual cup :)
Nothing against cloth pads except that I don’t think they suit everyone nor specifically my lifestyle. It’s hard to deal with cloth pads at work or when your timing can be erratic. But otherwise, it was a pleasant experience :) There are lots of menstrual cups on offer these days and I remember seeing some sold at Watson’s before many years ago but I think they’ve since disappeared.
You only forget to take out tampons when you shouldn’t be using it anyway because your flow is too light. Otherwise, you’ll want to change them every 2-3 hours or so. They’re a god-send at night though because they really help stop leaks when paired with a light pad.
Fair point although I have read that it’s not advisable to wear them to sleep either. I guess the mileage differs from person to person :)
Trust you to go where no other blogger goes Paris :)
For me, its pads all the way, and yes, always with wings, cause we all need some extra pair of wings to help us through those tiring days ;)
LOL Just call me Daniel Boone :P I love your analogy re: Wings. Man, when we feel like a lump of clay (at least I do at the TOTM) we need all the uplifting we can get!
I’m a tampons girl, mainly because I’ve been on the swim team ever since primary school, so using tampons came quite naturally to me. And when I started scuba-diving in university, tampons became even more of a godsend. Imagine planning an expensive trip and looking forward to it for months, then having to worry about going into the water because you’re having your period. Eek!
And anyway, I still can’t quite get used to the feeling of wearing pads, even if they are the ultra-thin ones, so I usually only use pads towards the end of my period when the flow is lighter.
I’ve only just learned how useful wearing a tampon can be especially for swimming! And all this while, I was skipping my swimming or even enjoying a beach holiday thanks to my period. Ugh! But I guess better to learn this late than never! :D
oops…I can’t get myself for using tampon, just feeling geli, hahaha!!! I’m happy using disposable pad now, it’s a probably newer to us in KL. The name is Adore, selling across Watson’s in JB and Singapore. I don’t know why it is not available in Watson’s KL for such a great product. I always purchase it with a JB online seller. Here’s the official link – http://takaraholdings.com/adore-yourself , https://www.facebook.com/adore.sgp
Trust me, I felt geli too LOL! But the freedom was amazing! Anyone who’s worn pads before would appreciate that freedom :D You’re right, I’ve never seen that brand sold here in KL I wonder why!
Only pads for me. Havent dared to explore the world of tampons yet. It’s so strange to walk around with a stick up your ahem. Lol. On another note, I know that some people take birth control pills to control how often they would have their periods in a year and thats pretty interesting to me.
Hence me using it only to swim, Su! I wasn’t sure I was ready to walk around with one just yet but who knows, maybe I’ll try anyway hehe… As for taking birth control pills, I’ve heard about that and how taking one just before your period can “stop” it which is what I was told a lot of active sports people did before a planned holiday. But at the same time, the pills are basically about regulating hormones and if you’re not taking it for it’s intended purpose, I think it’s better to leave hormones alone :)
I just took the Stayfree pad challenge on my blog! Haha! I use pads most of the time too, except for when I’m really out and about for the day, like say on holidays or a really busy day. I’m not a fan of them all of the time at all. Guess it’s just what you get used to!
I saw that Tracy! I don’t believe we have that particular one here but if I see it, you bet I’m going to try it because Tracy made it look so comfortable! And I mean it in the most un-icky way possible hahaha! :D
I tried a few Stayfree pads and they’re all pretty comfortable actually :-)
Sanitary pad from my very first time to now :D During heavy flow, always use with wings, more secure LOL (there’s a joke about dracula’s 2nd chance in life and pad, too, hehe).
With sanitary pads, from my experience, I rather use those without gel – it’s quite tricky to wash the pads with the gels keep bursting out. My friends said just rip off the pad and let the gel flow out but I never able to do that without risking the bloody gel burst out more violently. Yeah, I know, some might think it’s gross to wash the pads but I think it’s much more ickier to throw your blood-stain pads without at least to remove most of the blood and afterward, wrap with toilet paper. (Sounds like in crime movies, getting rid of bloody evidence, haha)
I don’t think I will try tampon – inserting something when you’re bleeding heavily and that area is extra-sensitive during period, enough reasons for me not to try tampon. Besides, I always have this fear what if the tampon somehow get inside deeper and I can’t pull out or that little string somehow broke or … oh, well, I have lots of fears using the tampon, haha.
The more adventurous time is when I tried the herbal sanitary pad. Had this minty, “berangin” feeling down there, very weird so not going to try that anymore. In old days, women used kain batik or that “Good Morning” towels (I think there are still some women used this technique). I guess in long run, reuse your period blood catcher is good for your wallet, huh?
Ooh there is a Dracula joke? Spill :P LOL! Actually, you aren’t the only person I know who washes out their disposable pad. I used to know of people who do and while I didn’t quite understand it, to be honest, I understand that different people have different ways of dealing with things so as long as it doesn’t hurt me, I’m not fussed about it ;) That said, since you are already washing them out, have you considered trying cloth pads? I actually find them very comfy but it just didn’t suit my lifestyle :) As for using a tampon, trust me I had the same fears you do! But there’s a lot of info out there so if you have friends who use them, you can talk to them and they’ll tell you it’s not possible to actually “lose” it up there *whew* but it does take a little getting used to the first few times.
I didn’t know herbal pads exist! LOL The “berangin” feeling must have been really weird LOL! I can’t imagine :D
Tampons all the way. The day I discovered how to use them properly was like a Hallelujah moment. I can’t believe how easy it was to use and how mobile it made me. I could go about my day, travel, walk 30,000 steps a day (did that before) and not feel like poo. If only I started using them when I was in school. Would have made life a lot easier.
At night, I use pads. Need the area to “breathe” you know. :-P
Also, I read of an account of a woman who had Toxic Shock Syndrome from sleeping with her tampon so I think it’s just safer not to use it at night, but then that’s me right? Kiasi wan :P When I tried the tampons the first time, I admit the feeling of freedom was amazing. I was like “So this is how it feels like to not be shackled due to having a period!” but I haven’t ventured into using it regularly yet. Keeping it just for swimming for now. Kiasi :P
Haha I think it’s time to be open and talk about this! I was struggling to find info like this when I went for my holiday in Boracay a while back and my first wearing tampon!!! Hunting down and trying to wearing it for the first time is really funny/weird!
Was so worried that shark will come after me if I wear tampon in the sea… and was reading all these myth on the internet which is not helpful… Anyway no shark came after me lol! I think tampon is a great invention however I won’t be wearing daily (just feel weird)
Yes! If we can’t talk about it on our blogs then when eh? LOL :D When I was doing my research on how to deal with swimming while having your period, I came across info about tampons but not much else. Had to turn to friendly advice, and I’ve never been so grateful to have a friend to discuss this with! As for taking it on holiday, that’s such a great idea! I’ve had an accident or two in my time and it’s the worst feeling when you’re on holiday and having to deal with it. Ugh!
No tampons for me thank you! Cant seem to get used to the idea of pushing anything in there :( And so no menstrual cups either. Cloth pads at home and disposable ultra large ones when out or travelling. I bleed heavy (tmi, so so sorry!).
I admit, it takes a serious mindset shift to get round the idea of putting something in there and as another reader has commented, not quite what you want to do when you’re feeling super sensitive at that time of the month! Thanks for sharing Rage :D
i dont think it is not hygenic becos remember i say u hv to go shower first? once u shower, if u dont pee it wont come (that for me la..not sure bout other) and when u r in the water it wont flow out too…. its actually cleaner then tampon i think… becos the tampon aledi soak wit fluod when u go in unless if u change to mew tampon before goin in….
Ooh yes that’s true. Definitely change the tampon before AND after going into the pool. But I guess you’d have to run like crazy once you get out of the pool! hehe
oooo, have always wanted to try tampons but no guts! is it difficult to put in? i’ve used a pessary once for my vaginal yeast infection and it was so difficult to put the pill in :(
that said, i’m a winged pad girl :p
Actually, I didn’t find it difficult but I did start off with the mini and they’re slim and small so it’s quite easy to handle. One of those “never try, never know” things I suppose ;) Winged pads are the best!
I switch between pads and tampons. I never wear tampons to sleep, and I only use it when it’s particularly heavy and if I need to go out. Definitely more comfortable than wearing pads. If flow is regular to light, then I usually switch back to pads :-)
Yeah I definitely noticed how much more comfortable it is especially when you have to be mobile. There’s always a danger element with pads! :P
I had used menstrual cup for more than 5 years I think… Never look back ever since… Pair with thin liner cloth pad… It will last more than 12 hours if flow was not heavy… And I bleed like a horse! Pun intended…
Learn ways to use it in YouTube… I like brand like Lady cup to Meluna as its softer and pliable…
I’ve seen too many women with infection to their sensitive parts due to disposables and leaves scars… And these are injuries we can see… What about those we can’t…
Cloth pad are now made and sold by many women in Malaysia…. One only need about 20 pieces and all are washable… Not to mention the super super cute design they come in bamboo, minky or cotton fabrics… Waterproof or non-waterproof…. Heavy flow pad, light or liners….
Wish more girls are aware of healthier option ….
Good to know the cup works for you. To a degree I understand how it is healthier but there are attendant hygiene concerns that I think many will have to be properly educated on before it can be a mainstream thing. Cloth pads have a relatively low learning curve but again, it’s not something that will suit everyone’s lifestyle :)
OMG tampons all the freaking way man. I can wear whatever I want and no worry about leaks, etc. As long as I pair that with a panty liner for day, I’m good to go. I change every 3-4 hours, as one would with a pad and have not had any issues. It’s great when you’re travelling because you can stuff a few into the pocket of your jeans and not having to worry to sneak a bulky pad into your pocket before you duck into the ladies. I used to have guys asking: WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WANT TO CARRY YOUR BAG INTO THE BATHROOM? I’d say I need to touch up my makeup – at a stage where I don’t wear a lick of makeup.
I can definitely see the plus points in using tampons when travelling! Kicking myself for suffering through pads while on holiday. Should have just taken the plunge earlier >.<
While I do admit that tampons are wayyy more convenient, I still prefer using pads. Coz for some reason, I always get lightheaded when sticking tampons in…have to sit on the toilet for a while till my head clears…lol. So it does take longer for me to use a tampon than a pad.
But on the days when I do decide to use a tampon, it has to be those with applicators, coz I have this paranoia about ripping something inside with my nails. Come to think about it, this might be why I feel lightheaded when putting a tampon in… :/
Ooh getting lightheaded is strange indeed! I wonder why that would be so – maybe it’s the stress as you say :)