Pad or tampon?

Question

Hey. I just started my period and I am seriously debating pads or tampons? Which one is more comfortable and a lot less gross. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Why are you limiting yourself to only tampons or pads when you have so many options open to you during menstruation?

Commercial tampons – e.g. Tampax
Organic tampons – e.g. Natracare
Sponge tampons – e.g. Jade & Pearl
Soft tampons – e.g. Gynotex
Homemade tampons
Padettes
Commercial pads – e.g. Always
Organic pads – e.g. Natracare
Cloth pads – e.g. Lunapads
Homemade pads
Padded panties
Period blankets
Toilet paper
Silicone menstrual cups – e.g. Divacup
Rubber menstrual cups – e.g. Keeper
Softcups – e.g. Instead
Homemade menstrual cups
Diaphragms as menstrual cups
Free-flow
Free-flow layering
Free-flow instinctive
Extraction

I personally use a Mooncup – http://www.mooncup.co.uk – which is a brand of silicone bell-shaped menstrual cup, I prefer them because they can be left in for up to 12 hours without leaking so they are far more convenient for someone with my heavy flow, they can also be put in before your period is due, for sports like swimming, and worn overnight. They are also body-positive, cheap, environmentally friendly, don't contribute to cramping and most importantly they are safe.

For more information on menstrual cups see below links;

http://menstrualcups.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup

I personally would never ever use tampons again now I know what I do about my body and all the issues involved with tampons, not just with health but politics when it comes to history and manufacturing. I used to use them in my teens but they caused constant infections and I always leaked.

I don't really use pads because my flow is very heavy so pads, no matter how absorbent, just cannot deal with the amount of blood and generally I find them uncomfortable – apart from cloth pads of course because they are super soft and comfortable so sometimes wear them on the last day of my period.

When it comes to the 'gross' factor tampons win (not that there is anything gross about menstruation in general!) because they are very unhygienic. Think about it; they are absorbent wads of material you put into a major orifice of your body, they fill with menstrual blood and discharge, giving bacteria a perfect place to multiply where they stay within your vagina.

Commercial tampons are the most harmful out of all menstrual options because they prevent the vaginas basic cleaning functions, keep bacteria within your vagina in an environment that speeds up breeding, cause vaginal splitting as well as irritation of the mucosa, contain chemicals harmful to overall health.

It is personal choice at the end of the day, but the key point is that it should be an EDUCATED choice; you need to know how to care for your body and what options are best to keep you healthy as well as comfortable.

Oh, and is this your first ever period?
If so congratulations, hope you have a great time celebrating! :o)

Answer 2

I use both. I use tampons during the day when I feel like it and pads at night. I usually sleep more than 8 hours a night and one is not supposed to leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours at a time (risk of TSS). You should do whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Answer 3

I have used pads for 9 yrs cause i was always scared of a tampon-lol- silly i know. But then after i had sex i realized i should try to wear one, you dont wanna be around your guy sleepin and have a huge diaper thing on, its gross and you have blood matted on you, and you arent the freshest. so one day i tried one and it was the best thing i discovered lol! tampons are like wearing nothing, you change them like every 6 or so hours, and its like you never even know you are on your period! no blood oozing out all day and having to wipe it-- that whole pad thing is really gross!

Answer 4

Pad or tampons? Well as many have said before me it really is a personal choice. As for first time I would say use a pad but try a tampon, look around for the best product for you. Don't limit yourself to just one or the other. For exmaple find the best pad for you for night time and the best tampon for day time, stick with one with an applicator until you are more familair and more confortable before you try one without. Just a suggestion if you normally wear a thong than stick with tampons or try a pad made just for a thong, as for personal fav, would have to say try Playtex compact, smal to transport for convience and being discreat and i find them more confortable due to the tampon itself is shorter and more asbortent, and has an absorbent string for added protection against leaks, for pads maybe prima (green package) they are very slim but work great. As for the gross thing, there is nothing that will make this lovely time and more pretty we jsut have to deal with it. And as for the worry what a guy thinks, i say screw that you are the one who is bleeding, bloated, and uncomforable who cares if he know you are on your period, they know what it's about as well, so choose what is best for you based on your prefence. Look around and try out new ones, try to stay away from heavier perfumed low grade brands.

Answer 5

Pads are gross! But easy when your first start your period. Try a tampon with an applicator, that way it is easy to insert.
With tampons the blood is contained inside your body so it limits any odour. With tampons you won't get into a yucky mess!

Answer 6

I don't think gross comes into it.
Its more a matter of hygiene, tampons are great and alot less visible but they are also high maintenance i mean if you are a lazy person who couldn't be bothered to change it every 4 hours than i would recommend pads are the thing for you.

In the case of comfort it is completely up to the user no one can tell you what is more comfortable for you its your decision!!!!!

Answer 7

I prefer pads because I find tampons uncomfortable. Not to sound gross, but I prefer the blood to naturally flow out - having a tampon holding it in doesn't feel natural to me.

Answer 8

Well, tampons are less gross, but that stuff is sopossed to come out. Tampons can cause Toxic shock syndrome. Pads are a lot less dangerous.

Answer 9

Both work well in different situations. The tamon is more comfortable to me, but the pad prevents leaks on heavy days. I would get used to using them both and don't worry about your period being "gross". Its just part of the great mystery of womahood. Sigh.

Answer 10

first of all talk to your mom. unfortunately they are all uncomfortable and they are all gross. sorry sweety. pads are better for u health wise though but there are alot of new products out there and i think you will have a long time to find what works for you. you just have to go by trial and error and remember you are not alone , the rest of us have had to go through what you are going through now. that's why there are so many different products out there. you may what one kind for this and another for that depending on what you are doing. hang in there girl it will get better.