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.