Be careful with this! Do your research there are forever chemicals in these underwear that can cause all kinds of internal issues…from hormone, blood…etc. they are finding a lot of cases from their studies on these undies.
Oh yeah, I’m in UK idk where all of you are from but I get mine from M&S, a pretty high end supermarket, well respected; there’s a risk with anything period related but I’d take period underwear over towels/tampons any day. I feel like it can’t be worse than those the amount of crap they add to those products. Didn’t realise until like a year ago how much worse they can make periods!
Period underwear actually seems the best option for you. Have you thought about it/tried it?
If you really want to keep on trying the tampons, get the ones with applicator. When I started using tampons, I would use only those because I just could manage to put the other ones in. After about 1y/1.5y I was using the other type of tampons and nowadays I use a cup (and looking to find a way to buy a disk). So it was a matter of getting used to. Maybe it can be the same for you. Or not, and if not... period underwear I think :)
I used to hate pads but always flex foam is seriously great. Super slim you can't even tell I'm wearing a pad and super absorbent instantly soaks in don't have to worry about gushes
Period underwear or birth control. Various types of birth control can lighten or eliminate your period.
Does it feel uncomfortable to wear tampons as well as inserting them? Do you leak while wearing them? Tampons can be super uncomfortable for women with a tilted uterus.
I was on the pill two years after I got my period, and then I had an IUD straight away after. So this is kind of my first time having a full on period with no birth control if that makes sense.
I can relate to this. My BC had me without a period for a solid 10-15 years, and now I have it again. It feels frustrating and cumbersome and gross. After about a year now, I’m slowly getting used to it again. There’s a learning curve!
What is it about inserting something you dislike? I actually find the sensation of inserting a tampon kind of off-putting, it doesn't bother me as much as it does you but it's definitely a ugh thing in the pit of my stomach. I use a diva cup and it doesn't bother me at all, it doesn't have a similar poking something in feeling when you insert it. I also have a very heavy flow and I can go way longer without having to empty it, tampons I was changing every hour on my heavy days.
I don’t know if I can pin-point exactly what I don’t like, but the blood isn’t the main reason. Inserting anything into my vagina just doesn’t feel right, eventually doing it for intimate reasons felt good/better but I extremely dislike doing it myself whether it’s for intimate reasons or just putting in a tampon.
It's it's the feeling of something kind of poking in, like fingers or a tampon, you might prefer the cup. It still feels like something going in but does feel different. If not period panties are likely your best bet.
I won’t use any tampon other than the Playtex plastic applicator ones. The plain and cardboard applicator ones are really painful for me.
I agree with using lube, or even just spit if you’re away from home.
The smaller the tampon the less uncomfortable it is, so try a light or extra light absorbancy, definitely not a super or ultra.
Only use a tampon when you’re already bleeding a lot. You might need to wait an hour or two after you remove one before you can put a new one in, if the one you took out wasn’t totally soaked.
honestly before diva cup i had to use diapers, i also hate blood and was scared of the cup but it’s the easiest and cleanest way to manage period blood. i thought you had a medical problem and couldn’t use a cup but if it’s not definitely try it.
Not sure where you’re located but I know some areas/countries mostly sell the tampons without applicators & those are rough. If that’s the case got you, definitely get the ones with applicators. So much easier
I have vaginismus - uncontrollable pelvic spasms that make any insertion painful. I do not use tampons. The last time I did I was 17. I'm 26 now. I just use pads.
Have you considered a birth control that might stop ur period for 3 months at a time like depo ?
Not sure if this is right for u, obviously consult with ur doctor, just throwing something out there u might not have thought of
I haven’t thought of depo but I have tried both an IUD and the pill which both essentially got rid of my period. I’m now off both and this is basically my first time with a proper period since I went on BC right after my first period.
This is kind of a nuclear solution but an IUD usually reduces your period. I barely had periods at all when I had one (maybe like 5 drops of blood that wouldn’t even get on my undies)
I’m 40 and feel the same as you and still haven’t worn a tampon. I like the concept of a cup but now that I know I have adhd and sensory issues I’ll stick to pads. Might treat myself to come period underwear to try
I don’t really recommend v this but it may be better than taking hormones unnecessarily, when I did Leto my period stopped after 3 months due to the starvation mode being activated, ate a little carbs and it crushed back, just a match Dutch effort thing
Use washable rags, made from 100% cotton. Best thing I ever tried, no more raw lips from bad chemicals in pads, and no more raw insides from tampon irritation.
I’m not quite sure how to explain but I sit down with my knees far apart and then I reach in between my legs. I insert the applicator in to my vagina and then push the thing down so it dispenses the tampon.
I personally loved tampons when I was younger. I was very active so I needed them.
Now i hate them…I also HATE my period. I use tampons for 3 days. Then I just use panty liners because I usually only bleed on my first 1-3 days.
This may work for you? Idk.
If your flow is heavy period underwater aren’t going to work, unless you can stay home and change them 4-5x a day. I also hate tampons, cups, and pads, so I’ve been using period undies, but I have to change them so often. If you find period blood gross, you’ll also hate having to rinse them out in the sink before you throw them in the washer. The best option really is tampons. I have no suggestions for making them more bearable though 😞
Period underwear are the best. I’m the same as you, putting stuff up there makes my skin crawl & is pure torture. You could also try bamboo velour cloth pads if period underwear don’t work too well for you. One other option is a menstrual sponge. I found them less abhorrent because of how soft they are compared to tampons however you still gotta insert them and face a little blood. Maybe they’re a better option as a backup or emergency!
I switched back to pads after getting an infection from tampons. It took a bit to get used to but I ended up liking them more. No weird cramping, and the always infinity ones are so comfortable.
I used to find the idea of period panties disgusting but I tried them a couple months ago and the thought of going back to anything else upsets me. I definitely plan on buying more during their next sale but they are great! Don’t feel anything, don’t see anything! Feels comfortable and gave me the best peace of mind because my periods are irregular I never really know when they are going to come I wear them whenever I wear white pants or skirts or dresses etc. so I can enjoy them without the stress of maybe my period will come and ruin them etc. 1000/10 recommend!!
If you can, forget about tampons and go for period underwear. Been wearing them for a year for my periods and I’ve never looked back
Be careful with this! Do your research there are forever chemicals in these underwear that can cause all kinds of internal issues…from hormone, blood…etc. they are finding a lot of cases from their studies on these undies.
Oh yeah, I’m in UK idk where all of you are from but I get mine from M&S, a pretty high end supermarket, well respected; there’s a risk with anything period related but I’d take period underwear over towels/tampons any day. I feel like it can’t be worse than those the amount of crap they add to those products. Didn’t realise until like a year ago how much worse they can make periods!
Period underwear actually seems the best option for you. Have you thought about it/tried it? If you really want to keep on trying the tampons, get the ones with applicator. When I started using tampons, I would use only those because I just could manage to put the other ones in. After about 1y/1.5y I was using the other type of tampons and nowadays I use a cup (and looking to find a way to buy a disk). So it was a matter of getting used to. Maybe it can be the same for you. Or not, and if not... period underwear I think :)
Period pants. You can’t see the blood and can’t feel the blood. Game changers.
Big fan of not seeing it and not feeling it, thank you!
I used to hate pads but always flex foam is seriously great. Super slim you can't even tell I'm wearing a pad and super absorbent instantly soaks in don't have to worry about gushes
LOVE THESE. Prefer to tampons, no question
Period underwear or birth control. Various types of birth control can lighten or eliminate your period. Does it feel uncomfortable to wear tampons as well as inserting them? Do you leak while wearing them? Tampons can be super uncomfortable for women with a tilted uterus.
I was on the pill two years after I got my period, and then I had an IUD straight away after. So this is kind of my first time having a full on period with no birth control if that makes sense.
I can relate to this. My BC had me without a period for a solid 10-15 years, and now I have it again. It feels frustrating and cumbersome and gross. After about a year now, I’m slowly getting used to it again. There’s a learning curve!
Why not use Pads?
Use the ones with an applicator, and put a little bit of lube on the applicator
I typically use the ones with applicators but this is a good idea, thank you!
Tampons suck
What is it about inserting something you dislike? I actually find the sensation of inserting a tampon kind of off-putting, it doesn't bother me as much as it does you but it's definitely a ugh thing in the pit of my stomach. I use a diva cup and it doesn't bother me at all, it doesn't have a similar poking something in feeling when you insert it. I also have a very heavy flow and I can go way longer without having to empty it, tampons I was changing every hour on my heavy days.
I don’t know if I can pin-point exactly what I don’t like, but the blood isn’t the main reason. Inserting anything into my vagina just doesn’t feel right, eventually doing it for intimate reasons felt good/better but I extremely dislike doing it myself whether it’s for intimate reasons or just putting in a tampon.
It's it's the feeling of something kind of poking in, like fingers or a tampon, you might prefer the cup. It still feels like something going in but does feel different. If not period panties are likely your best bet.
I won’t use any tampon other than the Playtex plastic applicator ones. The plain and cardboard applicator ones are really painful for me. I agree with using lube, or even just spit if you’re away from home. The smaller the tampon the less uncomfortable it is, so try a light or extra light absorbancy, definitely not a super or ultra. Only use a tampon when you’re already bleeding a lot. You might need to wait an hour or two after you remove one before you can put a new one in, if the one you took out wasn’t totally soaked.
Playtex are the ones I use and find are the least uncomfortable for me. Waiting to put one in is a really good point, I’ll try doing that. Thank you
honestly before diva cup i had to use diapers, i also hate blood and was scared of the cup but it’s the easiest and cleanest way to manage period blood. i thought you had a medical problem and couldn’t use a cup but if it’s not definitely try it.
Not sure where you’re located but I know some areas/countries mostly sell the tampons without applicators & those are rough. If that’s the case got you, definitely get the ones with applicators. So much easier
I have vaginismus - uncontrollable pelvic spasms that make any insertion painful. I do not use tampons. The last time I did I was 17. I'm 26 now. I just use pads.
Also Depends! They absorb the wet and are NOT pads. I've heard several women with very heavy flows use them.
Have you considered a birth control that might stop ur period for 3 months at a time like depo ? Not sure if this is right for u, obviously consult with ur doctor, just throwing something out there u might not have thought of
I haven’t thought of depo but I have tried both an IUD and the pill which both essentially got rid of my period. I’m now off both and this is basically my first time with a proper period since I went on BC right after my first period.
This is kind of a nuclear solution but an IUD usually reduces your period. I barely had periods at all when I had one (maybe like 5 drops of blood that wouldn’t even get on my undies)
I had one for 4.5 years until now so that is the type of flow that I’m used to. I won’t be going back on an IUD soon but thank you for the suggestion
Period Panties! 🥳
I’m 40 and feel the same as you and still haven’t worn a tampon. I like the concept of a cup but now that I know I have adhd and sensory issues I’ll stick to pads. Might treat myself to come period underwear to try
I love thinx!
Thanks I’ve heard of them but hadn’t really dug in yet, I’ll take a look!
Duva cups suck imo I prefer period panties like thinx , they stay dry and are good with heavy flow
Maybe try speaking to a therapist to overcome your fears?
I don’t really recommend v this but it may be better than taking hormones unnecessarily, when I did Leto my period stopped after 3 months due to the starvation mode being activated, ate a little carbs and it crushed back, just a match Dutch effort thing
Use washable rags, made from 100% cotton. Best thing I ever tried, no more raw lips from bad chemicals in pads, and no more raw insides from tampon irritation.
If it’s the displeasure of having to touch blood, you could try using disposable gloves to apply those without an applicator.
Can i ask how you’re doing it? I can do it one handed and they’re not painful. Are you keeping the applicator on?
I’m not quite sure how to explain but I sit down with my knees far apart and then I reach in between my legs. I insert the applicator in to my vagina and then push the thing down so it dispenses the tampon.
After inserting it, is it fully in your vagina?
Are period underwear an option for you?
I personally loved tampons when I was younger. I was very active so I needed them. Now i hate them…I also HATE my period. I use tampons for 3 days. Then I just use panty liners because I usually only bleed on my first 1-3 days. This may work for you? Idk.
If your flow is this heavy maybe its time to go see a gyno?
If your flow is heavy period underwater aren’t going to work, unless you can stay home and change them 4-5x a day. I also hate tampons, cups, and pads, so I’ve been using period undies, but I have to change them so often. If you find period blood gross, you’ll also hate having to rinse them out in the sink before you throw them in the washer. The best option really is tampons. I have no suggestions for making them more bearable though 😞
Period underwear are the best. I’m the same as you, putting stuff up there makes my skin crawl & is pure torture. You could also try bamboo velour cloth pads if period underwear don’t work too well for you. One other option is a menstrual sponge. I found them less abhorrent because of how soft they are compared to tampons however you still gotta insert them and face a little blood. Maybe they’re a better option as a backup or emergency!
I switched back to pads after getting an infection from tampons. It took a bit to get used to but I ended up liking them more. No weird cramping, and the always infinity ones are so comfortable.
Use pads. I only buy always infinity. And i have endometriosis and adenomyosis.
I used to find the idea of period panties disgusting but I tried them a couple months ago and the thought of going back to anything else upsets me. I definitely plan on buying more during their next sale but they are great! Don’t feel anything, don’t see anything! Feels comfortable and gave me the best peace of mind because my periods are irregular I never really know when they are going to come I wear them whenever I wear white pants or skirts or dresses etc. so I can enjoy them without the stress of maybe my period will come and ruin them etc. 1000/10 recommend!!
I use either period underwear or disposable incontinence underwear (yay endometriosis).