I have been trying different things to deal with my period pain. Someone suggested wearing pads instead of tampons, saying they experience worse cramps with tampons in. I am giving pads a try and having a hard time. I would like to know about other people’s experiences with pads, please.
When you wear a pad, do you just feel wet all the time?
I am bothered by the sensation of feeling the flow coming out. I am even more bothered by the sensation of feeling wetness trail along skin/folds. I am the most bothered by feeling the trickle go along my buttcrack when I’m trying to sleep. It feels like Chinese water torture – just constantly feeling a trickle of wetness flow along sensitive skin.
Do you just get used to it? Do you sort of stuff the pad up in the cracks? Do other people feel this?
Edit: I’m using Always Extra Heavy Overnight with wings, so I don’t think it’s an issue of needing a bigger pad.
Comments
You sound like you need to get bigger pads or nighttime pads… or try to use a menstrual cup (takes getting used to but won’t dry you out and hurt you like tampons – also not made of bleach etc). I do better on pads with my period pain but it takes some getting used to.
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Pads are one of the few items, where I’m very loyal to a specific brand, because sometimes more expensive does mean better quality. I don’t feel constant wetness, when I use Always pads, but I do notice, when it’s time to change my pad.
If you don’t like the feeling of a full pad, use stronger ones. I usually use those meant for nights during the day, too, when there’s a strong flow.
While I notice larger amounts of fluid coming out with pads, I’ve never felt the other sensations you describe. My pads are very flexible, though, and combined with a tightly fitting pair of panties the blood hits the pad, before it has the chance to go travelling on my skin. Have you tried out different pads?
Another alternative could be period panties. I’m personally not a fan, because I’ve managed to bleed through the strongest pair that I tried. It’s easier to change a pad or tampon than your panties a few times a day. (Unlike with pads I didn’t notice bleeding through, either, which added to my annoyance, but maybe period panties could help with your sensory discomfort?)
All that being said, I switched back to mostly pads a few months ago after using mostly tampons for a few years. I didn’t notice any decrease in my pain levels.
My pain greatly improved when I switched from tampons to period pants.
I like the flex foam ones. They’re not as puffy and they seem to wick the moisture inside better. But I also only use them alone at the very beginning or tail end of my period, not my heaviest days.
I’ve only ever worn pads. Could never get into tampons.
Look up reusable pads or period panties. They keep you feeling dry and much better than plastic between your legs. Less smell also. I ordered regular size and overnight size from amazon. They came with a cute bag to put used ones in when not at home. Just rinse them out if not doing wash that day if you do washing daily just toss in wash.
I don’t notice a difference in my period pain when comparing pads to tampons but I also hate the way I feel in pads. I feel like I’m in a wet diaper and I hate it. I was also tired of all the waste that comes from using pads and tampons so I bought some period underwear and that had been a game changer for me. I find they’re more absorbent and comfortable, though some times I can feel the blood rush out if I’ve been sitting or laying for a while and stand up.
I have found most of the time I prefer menstrual cups. It can be a process to find the right one for your body, so there is a bit of an investment at the start. But once you find on that fits and feels right, it’s the best.
However, when I do use pads I will only use the flex foam kind. They don’t feel bulky and I don’t experience that wetness feeling. And they hold a surprisingly large amount of blood.
I sleep on my sides when I wear pads bc I also had the blood going backwards into my butt area. I also don’t like feeling like it’s just oozing out randomly on my heavier days so I will couple w a tampon but some tampons are uncomfortable for me. Have you tried different sizes, styles, brands? I used to wear a super no problem but now I can maybe get a regular in even on my heaviest day when things down there feel….more open?
I like period underwear because my flow is really heavy… It’s definitely kind of gross feeling, but it’s better than overflowing a cup in an hour. I’ve heard good things about discs, but haven’t tried them yet.
I also did a lot of research into period pain due to post covid issues, and found a really good book called “The Period Repair Manual” that had great advice. I also did a lot of research into things that can help with period pain/PMS if you’re interested in looking into it:
https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/1g7ha45/crashing_around_menstruation_studies_and_info_dump/
For example, it was found that low vitamin D had a strong correlation to period pain. Magnesium is helpful for period pain as well.
If you haven’t tried it already I highly recommend menstrual cups. When I do wear pads I use the always infinity ones.
Don’t wear overnight pads during the day, that’s step one.
Try a cup. It’s an entirely different feeling than a tampon and they have ones that are very easy to take in and out now (unlike when our only choice was the Diva cup, which I loved but even I admit was…tricky) I found that a cup made my cramps feel less and no slimy feeling and no log between the legs or that whiff of abbattoir if you open your legs a certain way.
I am a life long pad user and have experienced the butt crack water torture. It is maddening, but can be controlled by wedging some toilet tissue in your crack. About as much as you would use to wipe, folded in half and tucked between the cheeks. I really only experience those leaks on the heaviest days, so you don’t need it all the time. Just to keep the period on the pad and not crawling up your butt.
Pads need to be changed much more often than tampons or cups, so on your heavy days, change out every 1-2 hours. It will help you feel drier.
The sensation of passing clots will never not be weird. I get big ones, so I try to change the pad right after I feel them pass. Even if I just put a new pad on. They do not get absorbed into the pad, will sit on top, cause rogue leaks, and add to the wet feeling.
I am 41 years on the menstrual road and it’s always a challenge. Best of luck to find something that works for you.
For the trickle up the buttcrack, I made a stopper out of one or two squares of toilet paper, folded into a smaller square and placed just behind your vaginal opening. It normally falls out when you use the toilet, so you won’t have to touch it.
I can’t say I preferred pads over tampons particularly, but my vagina would get sore by day 4 or 5, so I tried to use pads more often.
Wearing a tampon has no effect on making cramps worse. Cramps happen in your uterus, a tampon sits in your vaginal cavity.
If cramps are your main concern, I would focus on other remedies.
Wearing a tampon or cup will solve the issues you’re having in this post.
Yes, this is how I feel in pads too. I get terrible cramps from tampons but using a small, soft menstrual cup is perfect for me.
Period panties! There are so many brands now, overall cheaper in the long run than disposable pads, I would try them out.
I could only wear them as a teen and only if I had super tight underwear on. I’m fat so nope , because the crotch part won’t stay pushed up and it moves around and then I feel it. In my experience you will have fewer cramps with a menstrual cup or unbleached tampons more than anything else. I like OB tampons, but I’m not averse to the no-applicator thing. But IME they are shorter and I don’t feel them at all, so no cramps.
I would definitely recommend a menstrual cup or disks. Cramps got significantly better for me with using disks, and there are a lot of other advantages over tampons and pads. You can wear them longer in general, lots of reusable options (or disposable if the reusable ones just aren’t your jam), and with disks you can even have sex with it in. There can be a learning curve to using them or finding the right brand for the most comfortable fit, but I’ve never looked back.
Try using a menstrual cup. You can leave it in overnight, up to 12 hrs. You cannot get TSS from it. Since I’ve been using one, I’ll never go back to pads or tampons. It also decreases cramping that I had when I used tampons. I rarely even feel cramping with the cup in.
Try a menstrual cup. My period pain decreased massively with a cup. Think it’s something to do with the slight suction.
Pads suck, tampon doesn’t make u feel sticky and wet. Take painkillers for ur cramps, pads don’t do anything better
The underwear that I wear when I use pads are full coverage and snug against my body. So most often brief-style, or if you want granny panties. Period panties, which are full-coverage panties with extra absorbency in the crotch, are great for light days or nights. They are also great for end of period days. However, there is a limit to the absorbency. If you want to use pads, try the pads on different underwear so that it is snug against your body which will limit flow within the crotch area.
As a side note, just before I got into bed, I would wedge the back end of my pad in between my butt cheeks to better catch the flow while I was sleeping. I would also sleep on my side as much as possible to reduce the sensations of the flow.
I know this isn’t for everyone, but I -LOVE- reusable, fabric pads. I hated the big bulk of massive disposable pads, then i found some well designed fabric pads from a company called Lil Helper right after I had my baby. They make different sizes for different flow, and best of all, they made a design that snugs between your labia for “no bulk” wearing. I literally have one of each product from them and I cannot begin to tell you how great they have been. Easy to clean, no stains and very absorbent. Also, this company has an insanely diverse line of caring products, made by thoughtful caring people. It totally helps that their products promote reusability instead of creating more trash.
With their wing pads, it’s as easy as snapping the wings around your panties like a disposable pad. But they also have wingless (that snug to your vulva) and the interlabia pads (that fold & snug between your labia). Big plus is they don’t make crazy crinkle noises when putting one on in a public restroom. Also, they make a handy little bag to hold used pads (scentless & waterproof) until you get home and wash them.
Period blood just doesn’t seem to soak into pads very well. I was not a huge fan of them. I had better comfort with menstrual cups than with either pads or tampons.
Honestly, the best thing to deal with period pain is usually birth control: I went on the pill in my 20’s and the pain basically stopped entirely. If you want, you can avoid even getting your period. Of course, there are down sides with the pill like possibility of blood clots and other things, like a small increased risk of breast cancer. But I gave up on paid meds around age 25 and just switched to BC. Pain was gone immediately.
Menstrual discs (different from cups) are supposed to also reduce cramps that you might get from tampons. They need to be emptied every 12 hours but they are much easier for me than cups and much more comfortable. Also, if your flow isn’t too viscous you can self empty while it is still inserted using pelvic muscles.
Flex disc and period underwear.
Try a menstrual disc. Of all the products it puts the least pressure on your uterus and bladder, I find. They make disposable and reusable ones. I use a cloth pad or period panties as backup for leaks. WAY more comfy than disposables, feels like plain underwear.
I dont remember the name but there is a small company that makes reusable pads, but also make very small ones means to tuck into your labia. It could help with your problem of the feeling of it coming out, it also slows the transfer to the pad and helps to lessen leaks.
I personally have not tried them but my teenage stepsister did and really liked them.
Im sorry I dont remember the name though. Maybe someone else here knows what im talking about and can help.
I don’t wear tampons if I’m going on a walk as the string and the rubbing gets me a rash. So I’ll use just pads if I’m going to walk but if I’m sitting down most of the day, I’ll use a tampon /and/ a pad so the pad can absorb what the tampon doesn’t if I end up waiting too long.
I’ll definitely do tampon-and-pad when sleeping to avoid that sliding feeling.
I kinda just throw a wad of toilet paper in my pants which ends up stuffing itself into my general crack. I drink a lot of water, so I tend to pee every hour or so which means I’m constantly changing that tp “pad”. I find regular pads to be so sweaty/not breathable. My flow is generally mild-to-moderate so this works for me but definitely wear some dark underwear/pants until you see if this will work for you.
I started with pads and couldn’t wait to switch to tampons because of all the sensory experiences you’ve mentioned.
I personally feel that tampons actually reduce pain from cramps.
I agree with you. I hate pads for the same reasons. I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong or using the wrong product, they’re just not for you 🤷♀️
Tampons end up with toxins as a byproduct of manufacturing. You may be more sensitive to these chemicals and experience pain as a result. If you like the tampon experience, try a menstrual cup.
To help you choose
https://putacupinit.com/quiz/
I use reusable pads and a cup. Usually I wear a cup at night because pads just don’t work well while I am sleeping. There are also waterproof period blankets that you can lay down to prevent staining the bed during your period.
Magnesium helped reduce cramps for me. It was a nice side effect as I started taking it for other reasons.
I use always brand maxi pads and their ultra thin versions as well.
You get used to it. I’ve used pads since I was 12.
I started using a disc with period panties and I’m never going back. I forget I’m on my period most of the time. The disc is incredibly comfortable, easy to use, and only needs to be emptied and washed ever 12 hours. I basically clean it when I get up and right before bed.
I only feel it trickling down at nighttime, the exact way you described it, but not in the daytime. I do, however, constantly feel wet when I wear pads, so I never do unless it’s literally the only available option.
I think it feels like wearing a diaper that’s always full of pee, except it smells like blood and sweat instead of urine.
A few years ago, I changed birth control and ended up stuck having my period for 7 months straight. I was told by my doctor I had to wear pads every now and then instead of tampons (don’t know if that was sound advice or not), so every month I’d have a week or two where I’d take a break from tampons. I discovered that if I wore pads more than 7 days in a row, I’d actually get diaper rash 🙃
So yeah, no amount of period pains in the world would make me change to pads again. But I have a heavy flow and usually 7-8 days periods – it might be more comfortable for someone with lighter periods.
Maybe try period underwear?
There are now also these interlabial pads you can use in addition. I haven’t tried them, but they’re meant to prevent that trickling sensation
Look what I found on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1237463034/organic-petal-pads-interlabial-pads-ilps?ref=share_v4_lx
So…if it’s cramps, research has shown a disc can help. It sits different. You can also try period underwear. Otherwise, you just put the pad on and hope for the best.
Yeah I have a heavy flow and my tampons always leak. Pads or nothin for me. I like always 4 or 5 level and change every 1-3 hours but recently was passing fibroids (fun!) so I went to the poise incontinence pad at their biggest size which was very helpful especially overnight.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I had horrible heavy flow and cramping and found out I have PCOS. It can make your period very heavy and cramps can be horrible. Endometriosis can do those things too. I would check with your doctor and see if you can be tested and if they have anything they can help you with. Birth control helps me a lot to balance hormones and I skip my period most months.
I don’t think periods can ever be 100% comfy. I used tampons through my teens and 20s because it was just what we were “supposed” to do. I had my baby at 28 and resumed periods just before I turned 30. I found tampons to be quite painful after this break of menstruation, and my periods restarted SO heavily. Tried the Diva Cup, unsuccessful, even more painful than tampons. Bought a bunch of period undies and loved those for about a year until I developed HS. Finally revisited pads again after like 20 years. I really like the Always Flex Foam pads and use those now. Even the heavier absorbing ones are super thin, very absorbent, and really not that noticeable. The “gush” is sometimes off putting, but I’ve learned to embrace it. My body is working and doing it’s most natural thing, and that’s great.
I stopped using Always pads for my periods (their liners however are incredible) because I started to get irritation wearing them and feeling damp. I switched to Cora and I think the fully cotton top sheet is what makes a huge difference. I also tried Veeda and liked it but I like being able to pop out to a store and get what I need.
What about period panties?
I use a handmade extra long 12-14in superheated duty pads and i tuck the back into the buttcrack.
I used to hate the leaky feeling when I was young and refused to wear pads but the cloth ones are a massive comfort and absorption upgrade. If I am having a mega flow day I wear these pads in regular knickers then wear a period knicker over the top of it all.
Having the right absorbency on a pad definitely helps a huge amount; try different brands until you find one with the right fit and absorbency.
But I’m also thinking that the type of underwear in use makes a difference, too. For things to not stay damp, you want the area dry, breathable. It may help with the feeling of moisture atop the pad. But ideally you should not feel damp for any significant amount of time. If so, change more frequently.
I have also found some washable cloth pads to be a more absorbent than the mid-range disposables. But so much depends on the amount of flow, how liquid versus clumpy, etc.
That’s the reason I don’t like pads, is that blood ends up all over my nether regions, and it’s super uncomfortable.
My mother didn’t let us use tampons so it wasn’t until I was older I used anything except pads
Tampons completely erased cramping for me and it was so nice not to deal with the mess!
I still use pads when I am busy as protection against leakage and I always use the ones with the wings
But, I do remember falling deeply asleep in my childhood room before tampons and waking up to pool and permanently stained mattress
There is really nothing comfortable about a period. It’s just there to be managed and endured. Frequent changes of pads is best as it’s when they are saturated they start causing problems. Some brands are better than others for absorption
I find period panties helpful to sleep in because there are no surprise leaks no matter how you sleep
In my personal opinion, pads suck and period underwear are much, much better. Also, I have pretty bad cramps and they are not worse if I use a tampon or cup. I think you just need to test out what works for you specifically, and one thing seems clear from your post, pads ain’t it.
I hate pads, if they give you gyp go for mega absorbant tampons and extra painkillers.
So I’ll chime in with something the pad enthusiasts refuse to say.
Yes, you feel wet all the time.
Some people will have the sensory make up in their nerves/brains to block this out.
Some people will feel every little drip and trickle.
It’s not about the pad, it’s about the person.
If you are a high sensory person you will never likely find them comfortable because you’ll always feel the drip and ooze and wet surface. Doesn’t matter what type of size of pad, cloth or disposable, thin as a whisper or a full on adult diaper. If it won’t soak up or hold the tissue until it fully leaves your body, it will feel wet.
I would invest in trying to find better gyn care that will address cramps at the root source rather than suffer the wetness for a tiny possible reduction in cramps, but only you can decide for yourself which is the lesser of the two evils.
Perhaps period underwear is for you.
I can’t always wear a tampon, because my cramps are, well, down there. To the point I can’t even get the tiny ones to go in, and don’t get me started on getting one out, if the cramps start while a tampon is inserted.
I do use pads on such occasions, without issue, but can understand how they might feel annoying. Period panties feel just like regular underwear, just with a thicker fabric in the crotch area. Personally, I don’t notice it’s there. However, if you’ve slept have a very heavy flow, there might be the issue of needing to change throughout the day, which is easier with disposable pads.
My flow was so heavy during perimenopause that I could not keep a tampon in and/or I’d leak around the tampon, so I resorted to pads.
The Kotex brand for teens, the long length with wings, was the only brand I found sticky enough and that kept me feeling dry longer. They stayed in place and are very thin. I couldn’t really feel them on and they never wrinkled or bunched. I did change quite often though so I’d feel fresh.
I tried a bunch of other pads, some on the more expensive end, some on the cheap end, but that was the only brand that didn’t annoy me.
I can’t wear only pads for the first few days because it’s just too heavy. I’ll bleed through to my underwear while wearing both a huge pad and a super turbo tampon if I don’t change them every few hours (I have to set an alarm to change them during the night). I’ve never noticed a difference in period pain as far as what products I use–it’s pretty severe no matter what. A combo of hot water bottles and ice packs is my go-to, since OTC painkillers are a joke when it comes to period pain.
As for the rest of my period, I am 100% in agreement with everything you said in your 3rd paragraph. I HATE all of those feelings.
Only when i absolutely have to.
I’m like you; i cant stand the mess all over myself, the leakage, the feeling of passing clots. I also seem to be an anomaly in that my cramps are significantly worse when using a pad. I had very heavy periods when i was younger and since i played sports i went tampon-only very early, and it’s simply what works best for me and my particular anatomy.
I used pads for a long time. tampons made me cramp more, plus, my periods were too heavy for tampons. although, you may want to try different brands of tampons. I noticed some made me cramp more than others.
I don’t understand people’s comments that you need a bigger pad. pads do make you feel wet all the time. I hate pads bc my crotch will always look like a murder scene no matter what I do. there is a small moment when you have a fresh pad and you do feel dry. it’s short lived though. unless it’s a lighter period day.
it is something to get used to. nights were always the worst bc I could never sleep during my heaviest period day. I would wake up multiple times in a panic bc I thought I was leaking everywhere. these nights, I think I used the same pad as you. they’re fkn huge.
I switch to tampons and a cup bc I really hate the feeling of liquid coming out. it’s so uncomfortable and it makes me paranoid. although I hate tampons too bc if I want to pee or poo, I worry about the string getting dirty.
periods just suck in general. my preferred method is the cup, but insert/removal and clean up is a bitch. with my heavy periods, I have to change it out 4-5 times in a day during my heavy period days, and it makes the whole process shitty.
I think most people like discs even more than cups, so that may be worth a shot?
In my experience, pads and tampons didn’t matter for my cramps. They were bad, regardless.
I think Always are rubbish. I switched to Bodyform because I saw an advert of theirs about how leaking isn’t actually normal, and I was sick of leaking. I can’t believe how different it was – it feels like cotton instead of cling film.
I use period pants now, but have benefited from drastically reduced periods since I had a coil fitted
No matter what pads you use this is a problem always if you’re like me and have HEAVY periods.
I rather use tampons honestly. There’s no scientific proof that they cause or worsen cramps.
A tampon is not in the same place as cramps so I am very skeptical about this advice you’ve received ….
I am a fierce period pantie supporter. I have a bunch of period undies from Knix which has been my favourite brand so far. They are a bit pricier but their sizes are solid and I’ve had good customer service interactions. And they last. I too HATE the butt crack trickle and I love these. I’m currently pregnant and using them on my day-to-day because my pelvic floor isn’t keeping up with sneezes and coughing and laughs when my bladder is full. 😅 They feel dry, and comfortable and breathable (more breathable than a pad, a bit less so than regular underwear, for obvious reasons.)
When I have my period I double them up with a menstrual disk. (I’ve found most success with Nixit, used the Diva cup for a while but it did not help with cramps)
I guess I’m just really great at ignoring any uncomfortable feelings in my body. Hunger. The need to pee. I think some people are just more sensitive to discomfort. My mom is like that. The beeping in the car for the seat belt. Water in her ears. She has to pee the moment she feels the need. Just high maintenance for everything. Food too hot. Or cold. It’s like everything has to be just right. I can use any brand. Or just paper towels if that’s all I have.
As a woman who has had very heavy periods for over 30 years, I know all the feelings you’re describing so, so well, and I hate them too. I still use tampons, but none of them work perfectly for me. They all leak–all brands at all absorbencies–so I still have to use pads as a backup, and still feel all the leaking. It’s awful, and I’ve tried so many things to make it better with no luck. Sorry I can’t offer suggestions, but I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone.
I don’t. I used to wear pads all the time, but something changed over the past few years and I can’t stand the leaking and chafing sensations anymore. What I do now for heavy flows is a combination of tampons + period underwear (just the underwear if it’s light). Never going back to pads. YMMV. You have to sort of experiment and find out what works the best for you. When I do get cramps they always go away quickly with Advil/Tylenol or a hot water bottle, but if yours persist or are especially painful, then probably consult with a doctor.
I use period underwear (knix) and they have changed my life. Tampons give me cramps and lengthen my period, pads move around and feel wet, but period underwear feels relatively dry even on heavy days to me. It can be an expensive investment, but it evens out in the end instead of buying tampons or pads every month and feeling way more comfortable!
I absolutely hate HATE pads. I have some minor sensory issues and everything you described about feeling it coming out of you and feeling the wet pad rubbing along you the whole day I fucking hate it so much. I have terrible cramps whether I have tampons or not. I have actually never heard that, that some women have cramps with tampons in? If wearing pads hasn’t made your cramps any better, just quit wearing pads and put tampons back in because there’s literally nothing you can do to change the way it feels to wear a pad
It’s why I hate Pads, only wear them at night and towards the end of my period. Hate hate hate the feeling of smth flowing out of me and the wet heavy pad. For nights I wear the Extra long ones, and in the morning it’s straight into the shower.
I tuck rolled or folded TP in between the labia to help with flow. That gets flushed each time I visit the bathroom and keeps me from feeling damp everywhere. Retail interlabial pads exist, but are tricky to find.
Always Cotton pads are my new favorite. They’re very soft and have wings. I get the ones for heavy flow and I haven’t had any issues. Honestly it doesn’t really feel like I’m wearing one.
I’ll be honest with you– I am 35 and I VASTLY prefer tampons because of all the reasons you stated. I just don’t like the icky feeling of FLOW coming out of me and going everywhere. I have not ever noticed a difference in cramps with tampons vs pads and I have done years worth of experimenting. I will say give period undies a try.
I like wearing a tight pair of boy shorts or biker shorts over the panties when I wear pads. It keeps the pad from shifting or moving. And since it keeps the pad close to the skin I don’t feel the trickle or wetness until the pad is very full. Then you gotta find your brand and type. For me it’s Always thins with wings.
But yeah once in awhile there’s a bit of leakage.
Maybe consider period panties?
I’ve only done pads. Tampons were always painful. I came off birth control a year ago and my flow has increased. I just change my pads frequently the first couple days now. Whenever I feel a strong trickle. Generally it looks like it would have been fine to keep wearing, but it feels better to have something clean on.
TMI incoming:
I cannot sleep on my back, typically. If I HAVE to, I’ll put a little bit of toilet paper into my butt crack so I can lay down and not bleed everywhere. I also wear underwear that is tucked up close to my body so that the blood doesn’t get everywhere while I’m going about my daily business.
My little tip for night time: I got a pair of really thick (technically double-sided) basketball shorts. That way, if anything leaked, it BARELY got on my sheets, if at all. My flow was heavy and wide(? Meaning it just went everywhere) so even the extra long ones didnt help me any. But those basketball shorts were amazing.
I recently learned about interlabial pads and I wonder if you use something like that for your bootycrack? In addition to your overnight pad.
Try different tampons, and painkillers. If heavy, put an extra pad horizontally across the lower back part under your bum, but if you have sudden heavy leakage nothing beats a tampon. Add a wad of tissue to the top of the main pad too to catch any sudden bursts of blood. Periods suck.
I use tampons and pads together just for the extra security. When I did have the issue with going through a tampon before I could make it to the bathroom to change it (we all know the gush that happens when standing up) I found the blood had gone forward on the pad and onto my underwear. I always feel like the front part of the pad is too narrow, and my period flow foward not backwards on the pad. Now when wearing one I turn the pad around with the wider part meant for the butt towards the front crotch area. Now I have more coverage and I never get blood on my underwear.
Hello I’m a pad user. I hate tampons I have a lighter flow so ripping out dry tampons after a few hours fucking sucks they make me cramp more if I leave them in I get tss symptoms more quickly than other women for whatever reason and I don’t like fainting i am perpetually against tampons and only deal with them a few times a year usually for swimming purposes. I’ve been more comfortable with pads my whole life. I own 2 cups and I have tried disks ( cups are better) and period underwear and would really like to try cloth pads the reusable ones just because it’s better for the earth. However! As someone with almost 20 years of experience bleeding into pads I will say..size and material matter and they matter to different people In different ways it SUCKS because it’s expensive even to buy a bunch of small packs but I think if you want to you’re gonna have to experiment with different types, lengths and materials I like the always brand and I would like to try the I think it’s called the honey brand? It’s supposed to be herbal Infused some people hate them
I’ve tried several types- my flow is in little gushes, so when I get one, I definitely would feel it on the pad for a couple seconds before it gets absorbed.
I switched to pads and I think it did help with cramps for a while. The other thing that helped with cramps was using the organic tampons. Thats kinda where I ended up.
I have an allergy to adhesives so no matter what I do I can’t use pads comfortably. They always end up causing mad irritation on my inner thighs. (Yes it’s legit, but I haven’t specifically talked to a doc about it. They’ve seen my skin react in mad blisters when they’ve taped IVs to my arm.) Before this was a real problem, yes, I always felt wet and gross.
I also can no longer use tampons as they seem to be causing internal irritation now that I’m in perimenopause. BUT, what I have found that works amazingly well for me is the flex disc. It doesn’t cause the extra cramping or irritation I get with tampons and pads. Yes, it is messy to empty, but they are good for a day of errands and I generally don’t have issues waiting til I get home. You can also empty them a bit without removing them at all. You can wear em up to 12 hours and believe it or not you can actually have relatively mess free sex with them in too, unlike the period cups or anything else. Bloody godsend, if you forgive the pun. There are other brands and I believe more than one size. They’re easier to use than cups too. Just an idea. They sell a disposable version that you can try for a third the price as well just to see if they would work for you.