Tampons VS. Pads [WOMEN ONLY]

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I always use pads. I never tried a tampon because I feel okay with my pads.

Tampons all the way. I was always paranoid that pads would be 'visible' and didn't like the feel of the drip, so eventually persuaded my mum to let me use tampons (she'd initially said that you shouldn't use it unless you'd had sex and at the time I hadn't)

I'm 28 and have used pads ever since I first started my periods age 13. When I was younger I was absolutely terrified of TSS, even though my mum used tampons and never had any problems. Last year I went for my first cervical smear but we couldn't get the speculum in because I was so tight and it hurt really badly (I also bled a tiny bit so I think something got torn in the process) so the nurse suggested trying tampons and going back a few months later (which I've not got round to doing and I've been told by one of the doctors at the uni student health centre that I'm not in an at-risk group so it's not essential as I'm not sexually active). I tried a month or so ago but again it was so painful. I'm glad I've found this thread, though - I think I'll give the Tampax Pearl ones a go. I like the idea of the cup but if I can't get a tampon in, how will I fit a cup in even rolled up?

I don't particularly like pads but they don't involve vaginal insertion so they're pain-free and thus preferable from that perspective.

So, since I last posted in this thread, for my recent period, because I've been doing vaginal dilation stuff from the doctor, I figured that if I can fit the dilator I'm currently using in (they come in loads of different sizes, you start small and work your way up to the bigger ones) I can easily get a tampon in. So I tried it - and I am NEVER going back to pads other than at night. I'm using ones with applicators, started with Wilkinson's own brand but they didn't feel quite right so I got some Tampax ones and OH MY GOODNESS THEY'RE AMAZING!! !! ! I feel SO SO CLEAN! And there's no smell and I don't feel icky or have to worry about it leaking. Additionally, I'm a wheelchair user and pads really do chafe against the (rather delicate) skin/tissue, and you don't get that with tampons.

It's been quite a revelation! I did NOT expect the transition to be this quick and easy! Within 3 hours of putting the first tampon in I was a complete convert, and once I got the Tampax ones, WOW!

I'm 28.

I told Mum about it and she said, "Well, I only told you that TEN YEARS AGO!" in a fairly teasing tone. She then teased me about my resistance to change - so I think she's finally accepting that her daughter is autistic (a few months ago when I first got diagnosed she wouldn't accept it), which is excellent.

I didn't want to tell my mother when I got my first period because she was away and I don't really get along with her well anyways. She didn't find out until I needed more tampons the second or third time. I started with tampons and have always used them. It seems like pads would be awfully inconvenient.

I hate tampons because I'm always scared of either leaking through if it's not thick enough or hurting like crazy upon removal when I take it out if it's too thick.Taking out a tampon is like sensory overload for me, like fingernails on a chalkboard, so I avoid it out of fear unless I REALLY want to go swimming and am not anticipating any changes in flow. Pads are annoying too but the lesser of the two evils.

Last edited by aspieMD on 13 May 2013, 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I've always wore pads since I've first started getting my period. I never wear tampons because I find them uncomfortable and I don't want to risk getting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Because of these two reasons, I never go swimming whenever it's my time of the month.

I certainly prefer tampons, it can be a little bit tricky using them at first, but once you get used to it its like there's nothing even there once its in, provided its the right size and not to big of one. I'd rather deal with a little difficulty inserting a tampon than the gross sensation wearing pads cause. Not to mention I use less tampons than pads so its more cost effective, I typically change pads far more often than I need to.

But yeah when I was in the psych ward they didn't have tampons, only pads which really sucked a lot.

I don't mind the underwear liners...since they help with any potential leaking or are good if my period is pretty much at its end but not 100% done if that makes any sense. I wonder what women did about their periods before pads and tampons.

I use a combination of both depending on my flow. I used to be one of those girls who thought she'd never use a tampon. Then I tried it. It didn't hurt and it felt so much better!

Tampons. Pads would be useless since I am constantly bending, lifting, climbing, and jumping on and off the forklift.

I use the DivaCup. I love that thing so much. It doesn't leak and it's easy to clean and disinfect. You can even have it in for up to 12 hours and it's also safe to put in if you aren't menstruating which is good for those days that you think you're going to have your period but aren't sure. You can also use it at night, and wake up with no leaks and you don't get that slimy, wet feeling in your undies. There are also a couple of different sizes so if you've given birth you're not SOL if you want to use it.

Tampons because I don't have to worry about dried blood/tissue on me compared to pads. It's very annoying and can make me feel itchy/uncomfortable.

I am another menstrual cup user. Was weird to get used to at first as I could feel it inside me and I had trouble getting it in and out, but now it is pretty much the best thing next to not having a period at all.

There are pros & cons to both, it just depends on heavily one weights those variables, which differs for each person.

What bothers me is that one cannot check the tampon to see how "saturated" (or "near time for a change") it is, without removing it.
A pad, one can see (unfortunately from a "yuck factor" p.o.v.) how saturated a pad is pretty quick,
and then decide whether it's time for a change or not.

Yeah, pads are icky, but tampons are more hassle what with the insertion issue...
-speaking *just for myself*, that is unappealing as well.
So I voted for "pads".

I also love the menstrual cup. Closest thing to not having a period at all. I've used tampons (both traditional and sea sponges) and I prefer them to pads but for me the menstrual cup is best.

I use cloth reusable pads. I actually don't mind my period since it's light and I have virtually no cramps now that I've used the cloth. Washing is no big deal, either.