Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just wondering since I know some guys are resistant to putting anything up there.

I personally stick with pads since tampons feel SO strange coming out. But on rare occasions tampons are necessary, say swimming or anything with a lot of physical activity.

wooohooo im the first one :P

well.. i used to use tampons, but no more periods now.  you should make the options so that you can click multiple ones or just make it for what people used before their perods stopped.

both. depends what i'm doing that day or how i'm feeling. pads feel grosser though.

Don't know why, but I've never been able to use tampons. I've tried, but I end up bleeding everywhere and they obviously never sit right 'cause I can feel them the whole time they're there. So I've just stopped trying and stick with pads. One of my friends once told me that she couldn't use tampons properly 'til she'd had sex, so I don't know if that affects bits or anything...

Always been pads. My female family members don't use tampons either. (On a related note, just typing/saying the words tampons/pads creeps me out... >_<)

I agree with Josh here.  With the option "I don't have periods anymore" we're dividing up our already small group of people.  We need to make sure everyone's experiences are counted as valid, whether they are past or present.  Just because some transguys aren't having periods anymore doesn't discount the discomfort and experiences they had when they were having periods.

I used pads the first 2 or so years of my period, then switched to tampons. They were just... less gross and messy I found, and once I learnt how to use them right, I forgot they were even there.

I can't stand tampons, have always used pads, even though I have extremely heavy periods and have to use overnight pads the entire time...the idea of using tampons just makes me uncomfortable. I admit I've never tried one. But I think it would make me uncomfortable :-\ so I stick with pads.

What about mooncups? I can't understand why they are not in more widespread usage.

Quote from: Nicky on March 05, 2009, 08:38:30 PM
What about mooncups? I can't understand why they are not in more widespread usage.

i didnt hear about those til very recently.  im surprised kayden doesnt use em.  hes such a tree hugger. :P

Quote from: Josh on March 05, 2009, 08:43:25 PM
i didnt hear about those til very recently.  im surprised kayden doesnt use em.  hes such a tree hugger. :P

I've considered things like that before, actually, and several other "tree-hugger" products but I forgot about it once I was on the 3 month birth control stuff and before that my mom was buying my "sanitary supplies" so yeah.  I haven't, but I think they're great options.

However, I'm about to start T.  Woot.  Also, my body doesn't seem to be regulating itself after coming off birth control and I'm concerned.

Am I the only person who thinks this poll is in poor taste?

Quote from: Mister on March 05, 2009, 09:25:20 PM
Am I the only person who thinks this poll is in poor taste?

I suppose it could be seen that way.

But to answer the question, pads. In fact, I'm on the rag right now, bleh...

But there's no way I'm sticking anything up there. Makes me feel sick.

I believe I might be more or less over the monthly illness.  Thank. effing. God.

Never was a fan of 'sticking things up there,' but tampons do have the distinct advantage of not reminding you of what's happening 'down there' every single time you go to take a leak.  The taking out/putting in part sucks, though.  And the smell of pads--even if changing them often--just got to me... hated the way those parts smelled pre-T...

Poll edited.

Which part did my vote go into? I would have chosen tampons otherwise.

Pads - the bandage for a wounded soldier.  :(

Until last year I exclusively used pads. I started using tampons and that made the whole period much more bearable.

Ehh Padds, tried Tampons when younger but couldn't stand sticking stuff up there.

Quote from: northy on March 05, 2009, 10:30:18 PM
Pads - the bandage for a wounded soldier.  :(

Ha, I like that.

i'm a DIY hippie/punk who hates consumerism, patriarchy & the status quo. i make my own cloth pads....at least until T makes my P stop!

I'm not big on consumerism myself, but I'm even less inclined to "see" the mess more than is remotely required.. so I use the moon cup.
That means I can tend to my "problem" once a day and ignore it for the rest of the 24 hours.

i've never even heard of this moon cup. what is it?

a small silicone cup you insert somewhat like tampons but is 100% leak proof.
Only problem is.. it's inserted, and you have to empty it once a day.
Still feels like less fuss than anything else to me.

I used to use Pads all the time, unless I had to go swimming then I would try a tampon depending on when I started etc..


Jay

ah yeah the mooncup (i think its the divacup that i've used in the past) is great. there's zero waste and no dioxin! super cool. i think i've just gotten less and less comfortable with sticking stuff up there.....
:o

I have to use a tampon and a pad at the same time or leak through before lunch.  That mooncup is sounding good.  Oh hell, gotta go before I start lecturing on all the alternative, environmentally friendly, and superior forms of sanitary products.

Pads.

It's an exit only.

Well...

*Ahem.*


Arg, periods are an abomination. Talking/typing about them is squicky.

tampons, ouch. pads, ok. mooncup? just the idea of having to *clean up* squicks me, and i'm damn near unsquickable.

.....times like this i think it would be hilarious to go back in time and tell my 12 year old self "hey, in 2009 you'll be on a transsexual forum talking about your period" i probably would have cried xD

No Period now, whoo! I love T.

When I first started getting them, I used tampons. No mess. For some reason, I eventually developed severe stomachaches whenever I used them, and had to stop. Didn't like pads though, especially since I only wore boxers, so I made my own... Stuff... Out of toilet paper which, forgive the blatant reference to body parts, went in between the labia yet rested outside the vagina. Just changed it whenever I had to pee. Only thing I couldn't do was swim.

Quote from: Tabe on March 13, 2009, 08:44:22 PM
so I made my own... Stuff... Out of toilet paper which, forgive the blatant reference to body parts, went in between the labia yet rested outside the vagina. Just changed it whenever I had to pee. Only thing I couldn't do was swim.

I did the same thing when I was younger and ran out of pads.

Quote from: Tabe on March 13, 2009, 08:44:22 PM
No Period now, whoo! I love T.

When I first started getting them, I used tampons. No mess. For some reason, I eventually developed severe stomachaches whenever I used them, and had to stop. Didn't like pads though, especially since I only wore boxers, so I made my own... Stuff... Out of toilet paper which, forgive the blatant reference to body parts, went in between the labia yet rested outside the vagina. Just changed it whenever I had to pee. Only thing I couldn't do was swim.

You must have been a light flow. I'm way too heavy of a flow to work off that.

Quote from: Monty on March 13, 2009, 09:20:35 PM
You must have been a light flow. I'm way too heavy of a flow to work off that.

Same.

*facepalm*


Getting better though. :)

Pads. I refuse to shove something up in there for 4-6 hours (whatever the time limit is)...

Definately only used tampons a couple times when in dire need. Other than that. It's pads. I feel slightly violated when I use tampons. Just doesn't feel right.

Tampons, most of the time. It's weird to think of sticking stuff "up there", but I feel less messy/smelly that way.. and I have to put on girl-underwear with a pad, which feels extremely strange.

Wings-
I hated having to wear girl underwear to use a pad too. I switched to guy's bikinis or whatever they're called & its not nearly as bad. Plus, guys underwear is made so much better than women's...they are much sturdier or something; they last a lot longer.

This is one of the major reasons why I reaaaaaally wanna start T lol I use pads though because of how my um monthly thing is*grumbles*I should be using tampons but because of what I was told and quite frankly the idea of it freaks me out so I couldn't handle it hopefully it'll all be over in a few months lol

Definately pads. Tampons are just gross. It's too weird, if you know what I mean...

I used to use Pads all the time

Pads- I tried to insert a tampon in but I had that mental block of sticking stuff up there. 

pads in briefs 100% of the time
part of it is because of the massive dysphoria sticking anything up there
the other part is I'm actually too small for anything but the teeny tiny ones, and even then, they're super painful and I can feel them the whole time they're there. Pads I can ignore, but not tampons.

its probably a bad thing if they're painful... but... I've had no other reason to get down there checked out so I just haven't.

I used to only use pads when I was younger but my flow is ridiculous and it would always leak and be gross and I cold feel it squishing and just blaaah. It took me a few tries to get used to tampons and I had to find the right brand, because some are easier to insert/smoother/whatevs. I couldn't go back now. It's so easy just to stick something up there and forget about it till I realize oh crap I have a tampon in. I just always hated seeing the blood in the pad every time I had to use the restroom and tampons were just the better solution for me.

I voted "other". I've said it before, cups (http://www.shecup.com/) are friggin' awesome. Best period related invention ever.

For the first couple years of puberty I refused to use anything, occasionally toilet paper. I'd refuse to go to school and take care of it by going to the bathroom frequently. Many pairs of ruined boxers because of that. I didn't want to believe I was going through female puberty.
Once a friend of mine found out and thoroughly humiliated me, i started using pads. Since that didn't work with boxers  and i couldnt stand female underwear i soon switched to tampons. used those until my periods stopped.

I voted pads. Because the nice, thick, old-fashioned pads can give you a reassuring bulge in your jeans!  ;D

Quote from: mangoslayer on September 05, 2013, 03:46:02 AM
For the first couple years of puberty I refused to use anything, occasionally toilet paper. I'd refuse to go to school and take care of it by going to the bathroom frequently. Many pairs of ruined boxers because of that.

Ditto!

My monthlies started when I was in primary school (age 12)... and because the school catered to children aged 6-13, they didn't make any provision for sanitary disposal units in the girls' toilets because it hadn't occurred to them that kids of that age would need them. There weren't any dustbins in the toilet area either.

So if I had to change my protection at school, I had to walk out of the toilet area with it in my hand and either sneak it into my school bag to throw it away at home, or face the humiliation of throwing it away in the classroom dustbin or one of the dustbins in the playground. I was mortified by the thought of it. It wasn't too bad in winter because it could stuff it up the sleeve of my school jumper, but in summer we had to wear short-sleeved dresses so there was nowhere to hide it.

One day I stuffed it up my sleeve and discreetly transferred it to my schoolbag so that I could throw it away at home, and my English teacher called me out for not having completed some homework. I lied and said I thought I'd put it in my schoolbag, so she made me bring the bag to the front of the class and she emptied it on the floor in front of my classmates. The used sanitary towel landed on top of the pile of books... and unfurled in all its crimson glory.  :embarrassed:

From that moment on, I simply rolled up some toilet paper & stuffed it in my underwear. Because at least I could change that without facing public humiliation. And using nothing wasn't an option: our school dresses were light-coloured and the only thing worse than having a sanitary towel unfurl in front of my classmates was having a blood stain on the back of the skirt.

Oh, and that English teacher? She later apologised for humiliating me, and we're now friends on Facebook.

Omg, FTMDiaries, that's horrifying! (though I am glad you're friends with your old teacher now)

Quote from: LearnedHand on September 05, 2013, 09:36:59 AM
Omg, FTMDiaries, that's horrifying! (though I am glad you're friends with your old teacher now)

Yeah, it was one of the most humiliating experiences of my school career... and that's saying something!

What a horrible experience FTMDiaries.  I am a tampon person all the way, don't ever want to see or feel a pad between my legs again.  They don't leak for me and I just forget I am even bleeding, until I need to change it, which is easier I think than dealing with a big bulky messy pad.  It was hard in the beginning getting them one but with the plastic tube type I got the hang of it.  Oh, I day when I can get those parts out of me.

I had hormonal problems in my teens , a IUD, then a hysto so I haven't had a cycle in a lot of years. When I did have one I only used tampons. I couldn't take the smell, sight, or mess of using pads. Before having intercourse I used the tiny teen ones without problems but afterwards I could use the regular sized ones without an issue. I will say anyone unfamiliar to them to steer clear of the cardboard applicators. I always found them painful to use. The plastic ones were always a lot more comfortable to insert.

Quote from: FTMDiaries on September 05, 2013, 09:34:34 AM
My monthlies started when I was in primary school (age 12)... and because the school catered to children aged 6-13, they didn't make any provision for sanitary disposal units in the girls' toilets because it hadn't occurred to them that kids of that age would need them. There weren't any dustbins in the toilet area either.

I go to an all girls school right now, high school girls, and it didn't occur to them until this year to put bins in the bathroom stalls. Before you had to carry them out of the stalls and drop them in the paper towel bins, no fun if others are around. I don't know how it took them so long to put them there. So it's not just elementary schools.

I agree with Si; the plastic tubes are much easier for me to use, much less pulling and sticking when you are pushing them in.  CursedFireDean, I am using the men's on campus this year so no bins.  I wrap the old one up in tissue and then quickly try to get it into the trash bin with the paper towels.  I am lucky that I only need to change at about 1 day a month and use a smaller restroom 2 urinals and 2 stalls and try to time my going to when there is no one else in there. So far no one has seen what I am doing. Si you must be older to have gotten a hysto.

Quote from: mm on September 05, 2013, 06:22:29 PM
Si you must be older to have gotten a hysto.

I'm 31 so I guess that's older depending on your own age, lol.

Tampons, because it's a few seconds of being really uncomfortable, then I can forget about it for a few hours. With pads, I keep feeling them and I hate it.

I guess meaning older than I am at 23.  I sure want to have my hysto by 30, but need to get the money and find a surgeon first.

Quote from: mm on September 05, 2013, 06:22:29 PM
Si you must be older to have gotten a hysto.

You don't necessarily have to be old to have a hysto, i had mine at 17.

Quote from: mangoslayer on September 05, 2013, 03:46:02 AM
For the first couple years of puberty I refused to use anything, occasionally toilet paper. I'd refuse to go to school and take care of it by going to the bathroom frequently. Many pairs of ruined boxers because of that. I didn't want to believe I was going through female puberty.

I was exactly the same. I hated it. I cried at night and refused to believe it could happen to me. I felt like my own body had turned against me.
  Hence, I will never be able to use anything but a pad until the day it stops. So much dysphoria - I don't want to have to think about my anatomy down there, let alone have to interact with it. I will be so glad the day I never have to deal with it again.

I would love to be able to wear tampons (well, I'd love to not have to use anything, but over pads yeah), but I don't because I've got a fear of it swinging back and touching me when I remove it, and I can sort of feel that there's something dry and rough up there.  Maybe I'm inserting them wrong, but I've tried twice and turned back before I managed to make it out of the bathroom.  I'm scared that I'll put it out of my mind too much and forget to change it, or that I'll not be able to bring myself to changing it as well.

Quote from: AlexanderC on September 06, 2013, 05:37:28 PM
I would love to be able to wear tampons (well, I'd love to not have to use anything, but over pads yeah), but I don't because I've got a fear of it swinging back and touching me when I remove it, and I can sort of feel that there's something dry and rough up there.  Maybe I'm inserting them wrong, but I've tried twice and turned back before I managed to make it out of the bathroom.  I'm scared that I'll put it out of my mind too much and forget to change it, or that I'll not be able to bring myself to changing it as well.

Maybe you should try using a smaller one for lighter flow, you won't feel it as much. (though I know what you mean, and that's one of the reasons why I've made the upgrade to silicone). To avoid it swinging and touching you, get some toilet paper and pull it out slowly by the string and then grab the main part with the paper before it fully comes out and then toss it. And, you'll remember you have one in you when you either start leaking or start feeling really strange and funny (start of TSS).

I use pads, I used tampons for a year with a lot of pain which turned out to be because of my anatomy down there. Haven't used them since. I just try not to look at it or pretend I'm changing a bandage for a dangerous wound :p Or maybe that an alien is trying to escape out of my stomach... Yeah, I deal with problems by making up stories in my head.

mangoslayer,  Great you could get a hysto at 17, must have been great to be rid of those parts and all the problems and mess they cause us.  I think once I have the finance I can find a surgeon.

AlexanderC and other feeling pain when inserting and removing tampons, use a lubricate when your flow is small.  There will be sticking of your skin if there is no lubricate of any kind and this will pull and hurts.  I found starting out with the smallest ones I could find was the best. Push them in until both tubes are together right next to your body so the tampon is far enough inside you, then pull both tubes out together.  You may feel it at first inside you, but this feeling should be gone in a short time.  If you try to pull it out before the tampon has absorbed some of your fluid it will still be dry and this will hurt as you remove it.  This is another reason to start with the smallest, as  you can pull it out sooner and not hurt as much.  After you are more experienced you can use the regular or even the super size ones if you need them and don't have to change as often.  A tampon can't go to far inside you as your cervix has only a very small opening, the string will always be there so you can remove it.  When you remove one have several layers of tissue ready in your hand to put around and wrap the it in immediately. The mess is all covered up very quickly. They were so much better than pads for me.

I used pads mostly, but would highly recommend a diva cup or moon cup. They're maybe $30 but last a lifetime. They are less likely to leak compared to pads or tampons, and have no risk of TSS, or any other potential medical problems.

Nygeel, I know the advantages of the cups, but my big problem is all the handling of your parts necessary to get them in and out is just too much for me to even consider.  I have a hard time relaxing enough to get tampons in sometimes.  I just hate pads so much that I make myself relax and use tampons.  Have you ever tried using a cup?

Quote from: mm on September 10, 2013, 11:12:41 AM
Nygeel, I know the advantages of the cups, but my big problem is all the handling of your parts necessary to get them in and out is just too much for me to even consider.  I have a hard time relaxing enough to get tampons in sometimes.  I just hate pads so much that I make myself relax and use tampons.  Have you ever tried using a cup?

I use the Shecup. It's great, much better than pads or tampons, especially on days where the flow is lighter where I'd normally wouldn't be able to use a light tampon. I hate pantry liners, with the cup, I can leave it in all day without leaks, no tampon etting stuck up there, and no worrying about TSS.

Mine are so bad I have to wear both.  When I was younger I had to use the pads for people who couldn't hold their bladder, so they were huge.  I would bleed through them all the time.  I missed a lot of school because of it and at one time had my period for 42 days straight.  They put me on birth control for it so I gained 20 pounds and became a psycho rage monster.  Now that I've gotten older and I've had intercourse, it isn't as bad.  I didn't use a tampon till last year, too afraid to use one. Now I can't live without them, as mine get really bad.  And the cramps.  Oh god the cramps.

Quote from: LearnedHand on September 10, 2013, 11:32:34 AM
I use the Shecup. It's great, much better than pads or tampons, especially on days where the flow is lighter where I'd normally wouldn't be able to use a light tampon. I hate pantry liners, with the cup, I can leave it in all day without leaks, no tampon etting stuck up there, and no worrying about TSS.

I didn't know they made such a thing!

Neither. I just wear one pair of underwear the whole time. Gross? Perhaps but I deal with it better that way. Luckily mine doesn't show up but once a year it seems.

Quote from: mm on September 10, 2013, 11:12:41 AM
Nygeel, I know the advantages of the cups, but my big problem is all the handling of your parts necessary to get them in and out is just too much for me to even consider.  I have a hard time relaxing enough to get tampons in sometimes.  I just hate pads so much that I make myself relax and use tampons.  Have you ever tried using a cup?

You don't really feel them inside like you do with a tampon is the main benefit. Sure, you do have to feel around to put it in and remove, but you have to do that significantly less than a tampon. You don't need to check it like you do with a tampon, once it's in, it's in.

Guys who have heavy periods and cramping/pain...progestin-based birth control (Implanon, Depo Provera) will help you out.

Sea sponges are also good if you want a more comfortable alternative to tampons (esp for light flow).

Quote from: mm on September 09, 2013, 09:55:25 AM
AlexanderC and other feeling pain when inserting and removing tampons, use a lubricate when your flow is small.  There will be sticking of your skin if there is no lubricate of any kind and this will pull and hurts.  I found starting out with the smallest ones I could find was the best. Push them in until both tubes are together right next to your body so the tampon is far enough inside you, then pull both tubes out together.  You may feel it at first inside you, but this feeling should be gone in a short time.  If you try to pull it out before the tampon has absorbed some of your fluid it will still be dry and this will hurt as you remove it.  This is another reason to start with the smallest, as  you can pull it out sooner and not hurt as much.  After you are more experienced you can use the regular or even the super size ones if you need them and don't have to change as often.  A tampon can't go to far inside you as your cervix has only a very small opening, the string will always be there so you can remove it.  When you remove one have several layers of tissue ready in your hand to put around and wrap the it in immediately. The mess is all covered up very quickly. They were so much better than pads for me.

Thanks for the tips about tampons.  For some reason covering my hand in a wad of toilet paper on my hand never occurred to me, and the worry of getting that stuff on my skin is the bit that freaks me out the most.  I'm almost looking forward to the next time just to see if I can finally deal with it.  Almost.  Not really.

Quote from: AlexanderC on September 17, 2013, 12:12:27 PM
Thanks for the tips about tampons.  For some reason covering my hand in a wad of toilet paper on my hand never occurred to me, and the worry of getting that stuff on my skin is the bit that freaks me out the most.  I'm almost looking forward to the next time just to see if I can finally deal with it.  Almost.  Not really.

If you're going to try them next time, buy a brand that's somewhat nice, don't get the cheapest ones on the shelf, and get a variety pack that has all the different sizes.

Quote from: LearnedHand on September 17, 2013, 12:21:51 PM
If you're going to try them next time, buy a brand that's somewhat nice, don't get the cheapest ones on the shelf, and get a variety pack that has all the different sizes.

I'll do what I can, but I'm sure as heck not hanging around the aisle for ages!  Any suggestions for a decent brand?  Would just getting a small size and wearing a pad just in case work until I got used to the whole thing?

Try the "regular" size at first (not on the light days though). Try Tampax Pearl or the sports version they have (I forget the name, but I think the box s black & green).

I always use tampons because if I use pads I feel wet down there. Also I wear boxers or boxer briefs so i always feel like pads aren't in the right spot. Also women in my family have crazy heavy flow so pads don't do anything.

Quote from: LearnedHand on September 17, 2013, 12:27:20 PM
Try the "regular" size at first (not on the light days though). Try Tampax Pearl or the sports version they have (I forget the name, but I think the box s black & green).

Tampax pearl.  All of my yes. I do the super, which are the one with the green on the wrappers, but that is only because my periods are anemia-causing.