What kind do you use, how long do you leave it in and do you ever worry about TSS or any other complications?
I have never liked tampons, I just find the whole notion of them kinda weird so I never used them. I had to use one this weekend though because I was in the pool. I got the tampax radiant ones with the plastic applicator so it was really easy to use, once I got it in, it actually wasnt bad at all, I completely forgot about it and its much less messy than pads, but I still think pads are safer.
You might also enjoy...
-
Tampax pearl. Wear 3-4 hours during the day and all night. I don't worry about TSS that much. I haven't been able to comfortably wear tampons since giving birth and I miss them. Pads are gross, uncomfortable, messy, and embarrassing for me.
-
Tampax pearl. I was a swimmer in jr high/high school so I've been using them since the beginning. I'll go 4-8 hours depending on absorbancy. If you research TSS you'll find that while they warn about 10-12 hours, the vast majority of cases of it from tampons, happen when someone leaves it in for DAYS.
-
I use... er... actually I have no idea which brand it is now. They're a mainstream brandname, just the basic type, but I can't remember which one. The plastic applicators are nice, but I always buy the cardboard ones because they're cheaper.
I only started using tampons when I was like 18 because they always freaked me out too. But now I HATE pads and would never go back to using them. So uncomfortable! Like you say, once a tampon goes in you can forget about it completely.
Honestly I have no fear of TSS or anything else. I keep my tampons in up to 8 hours at a time. I always use the "regular" absorbency.
If you are worried about TSS and such though you could try a menstrual cup as an alternative.
-
I used to use tampax pearl compacts, but I switched to a diva cup 5 months ago and haven't looked back. I was really weirded out by the diva cup at first and it took two months to really get it down, but I feel like it's so much safer and a lot less wasteful. I really, really like it now.
-
Er, some kind of tampax brand. I can't remember. Been using them since I was 12 or so--sports and heavy pads don't mix. I don't worry about TSS or anything. I loathe pads. LOATHE.
-
I really want to try a Diva Cup, but now that I am working out of the home, I don't know how I will manage the testing phase of it, if you know what I mean.
I use Tampax Pearl, super, unscented.
-
When I use them, I use a Tampax one. I use cardboard applicators. My mom always warned me against the plastic ones for health reasons.
-
I love the new Kotex ones. They have blue, teal and purple plastic applicators. It's the little things
-
Tampax pearl. I go back and forth between pad vs. tampon, and right now I'm in team tampon. It just keeps you so clean and eliminates one stress about having your period.
I can't swim with a tampon in though. For some reason it gets loose when I'm in the water and I get paranoid about leaking. I avoid the water during my period no matter what.
-
I used the Diva cup and on road trips, I'll use tampons. I buy the multipack with different absorbencies and whatevers cheaper so it's usually generic brand.
But lately, I've been using pads more often.
-
Thanks for all the response everyone..
@bluestriped bee: @looch: @Sophia: I've heard alot about the diva cup but it freaks me out a bit. How do you even get it in?
@cascademom: oh the plastic applicators arent good for you? how come?
@mrs. wagon: wow thats too bad, I guess you always have to make sure you dont plan a vacation around the time you expect your period
-
@Mrsbells: I think that my mom's fears were because of possible toxicity. I grew up knowing that I should always stick to cardboard ones. I think she may have had a bad experience with them, that's why she shied me away from the plastic ones.
-
@Mrsbells: yeah... I was seriously thinking about going on the pill so I could trick my body into having my period at a convenient time so I could go on my honeymoon!! Thankfully the timing worked out. Also, I'm super regular so I know when to expect my period... and I never really go on vacations. haha.
-
@Mrsbells: From what I understand, it's made of flexible material, so it folds up so you can get it in and then springs back in to shape once it's up there.
-
i use tampax pearl or U by kotex both, the unscented versions (i don't feel like i should be putting fragrance up there!), slight preference for the pearls, but if the kotex are on sale, i'll buy those. i tried the instead cups, can't seem to get the hang of it. i've been wanting a diva cup, but keep putting it off since i'm hoping not to have many more periods until i need the version for those who have given birth.
-
Yes I use the Kotex ones.. I can't remember what the kind is (haven't had to use them in a few months
:)) But they are in the compact packages and are bright and colourful! I like them a lot.. well as much as one can like a tampon! I change every few hours because I have a heavy flow.
-
I like the ones without applicators, I find it's easier to get them into the right position. I have a huge box of the o.b. brand but will probably switch to something organic/unbleached when the time comes to start wearing them again and I run out of the ones I've got. I used to use the Diva Cup and really liked it, but I started getting recurring yeast infections even though I cleaned the cup properly, so I ditched it and went back to tampons.
-
Tampax Pearl and during the day I'll leave it in up to 6 hours... depends on flow. Thankfully AF hasn't returned yet, so I haven't had to worry about tampons in a long time. I can't stand pads though. I've worn tampons since I started my period.
-
I always used Tampax Pearl and changed it every 4ish hours. I use Instead Softcups now though and I love love love them!
-
Tampax Pearl- purple for light days or yellow for regular days. I don't bleed very heavy most of my cycle, so sometimes I leave it in 8 hours or overnight. I use the right absorbency. I'm not worried about TSS.
-
I use a Moon Cup most of the time, but if I use tampons, I do Tampax Pearl, and I will wear them up to 8 hours. Most cases of TSS (which is rare!) are caused by women totally forgetting about the tampons and leaving them in for days.
-
@Mrsbells: I was so freaked out by it when I saw how big it is. It's actually really easy. There are several ways you can fold it, and it basically unfolds on its own as you insert it (this sounds so graphic - ha!). Before I ordered mine, I did a lot of research (I'm a big nerd), and read quite a few reviews and tricks and tips.
@looch: I got lucky the first month I used mine, and AF started on a Saturday morning. The first day, I didn't trust the cup at all, day 2 was a little better, and by day 3 I was cruisin' along and felt fine using it at work. You also don't need to change it nearly as often (I stick to emptying it every 12 hrs), so the whole "How do I empty it/clean it in a public restroom" scenario doesn't come into play too much.
-
Oh my god I hate pads and haven't worn them since I was 12. I just buy tampax and switch between cardboard and plastic. I need the super heavy ones the first few days. I have such a heavy flow I usually change it every few hours but I sleep with one too (only get 6 hrs a night) and I've never been scared of TSS. Except for once I couldn't remember if I put one in or not (that was when I was sleep deprived and DD was like 2 months old)
-
U by Kotex. I've always had a heavy flow (sorry) so I don't get to leave them in long anyway so I'm not worried about TSS. I like tampons so much better than pads. You can't feel them and you don't feel wet until they are completely full.
-
@mrs. bird: I don't like the scented ones either!! I feel uncomfortable putting something fragrancy up there and plus I hate the smell. Yuck.
-
I bought a Diva cup, but the sizing isn't right for me. There are 2 sizes: one if you've under 30, and one if you're over 30 and/or have had children. I'm over 30, but I think the smaller one would be better for me.
-
OB without an applicator. I find them SO much easier than fiddling with applicators, and less wasteful. I really want to switch to a Diva Cup though...maybe I finally will once AF returns.
-
Tampax pearl. I tried to use a cardboard applicator once and owwwww! I was anti tampon for a long time though, I didn't start using them until I was like 22.
-
I prefer OB over the regular tampons with applicators.
They expand width wise, instead of lengthwise so I feel like they are much more comfortable. -
@Happygal: The sizing is weird, I struggled with that. I am 30, but haven't been pregnant (yet)....and I went with the smaller style even though their site says to order the bigger version if you're 30+. I was nervous it wouldn't work (I like to get nervous about silly things), but it's worked so far!
-
I'm an OB girl, too. I love how discreet they are in case I can't bring a whole purse with me to the bathroom, like if I'm at someone's house.
-
@Sophia: Hmm, I might just go ahead and buy one then, I really have nothing to lose.
-
Thanks everyone.. to be honest it was struggle for me to even get the tampon in because I was so freaked out by it, so I dont think i'll survive the diva cup.. maybe in the future when I have more courage. I wonder though how people can forget a tampon in, when the string is hanging out, also another weird thing is when you pee doesnt it get on the string?
-
I usually use Tampax pearl or the original tampax. I change every time I go pee so its often (I usually have to pee more during my cycle)
-
@looch: That was basically my thought. Worst case scenario? I'm out the $30 or whatever it cost. So far, it's been worth the gamble. I really like it!
-
@MrsBells: I use the smallest of the small sized tampons. Look at your pinky finger--that's what I use. The string is shorter due to the size, and I can tell you that it can be easy to forget about.
@Looch--go for the Diva Cup! But trust your gut on the sizing. I knew I should have gotten the smaller one, but went with their recommendation instead and regretted it.
-
I have used OB since high school. You can easily hide them in the pocket of your jeans and I hate the notion of plastic applicator waste. There is a slight learning curve to using them, but once you've tried 2-3 times, it's easy.
-
I use whatever is one sale or looks pretty. I change them every time I pee, however long that is, including overnight. I never used pads, went straight to tampons rigth from the get go. Using pads PP was the WORST!!! It is one of the things I'm dreading the most right now. Seriously.
-
I prefer Tampax Pearl and I use them overnight.
:)) But they are in the compact packages and are bright and colourful! I like them a lot.. well as much as one can like a tampon! I change every few hours because I have a heavy flow.
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
50 comments