has anyone here worn a tampon and still had staining on heavy days ?

Question

and did you have any leaks or stains even if you do change the tampon every 4 hours ? if so , then what is the best way to deal with it ?

Answer 1

I 'suffer' from menorrhagia, tampons were never enough for me even with the most absorbent tampons backed up by the most absorbent pads I still had to change once an hour.

I switched over to using a menstrual cup around 4 years ago, because they hold up to 1 oz of menstrual flow and only need to be emptied or changed every 12 hours it means someone with my flow only needs to empty it every 4-6 hours and don't leak.

Menstrual cups can also be worn during the night, swimming, sports, and before your period is due, they are also far more hygienic and safer than tampons, as well as cheaper, more environmentally friendly, more convenient and body-positive.

In short – I'd highly recommend you try menstrual cups;

Divacup – http://www.divacup.com – silicone bell-shaped reusable menstrual cup, offer a twelve month money back guarantee.
Keeper – http://www.keeper.com – rubber bell-shaped reusable menstrual cup, offer a three month money back guarantee.
Mooncup – http://www.mooncup.co.uk – silicone bell-shaped reusable menstrual cup, offer a three month money back guarantee.
Lunette – http://www.lunette.fi - silicone bell-shaped reusable menstrual cup, uncertain on guarantee offered, if any.
Instead – http://www.softcup.com – soft plastic diaphragm-shaped disposable softcup, free samples from their web site.

FAQ on menstrual cups - http://www.lunapads.com/productfaq/divacup.htm?PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US#howoftenclean

Wikipedia entry on menstrual cups - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup

Menstrual cups community - http://menstrualcups.org


If menstrual cups are not for you I would still suggest looking at safer options if using tampons – i.e. using organic tampons, sponge tampons, soft tampons or homemade tampons – this is not just because they are a lot safer but also because tampons are bad for vaginal health, commercial tampons particularly, and that negative effect on vaginal health can effect your menstrual health, many women report heavier menstrual flow and menstrual cramps from tampons, particularly commercial tampons.

Use back-up methods, methods used by women who use free-flow may be useful such as layering clothing to avoid leaking through your clothes, or learning how to recognised when you bleed so you can recognise when you will leak – this may not work as well as going free-flow but it may help you. Another method of course would be pads, again due to health reasons I'd advise you opt for organic, cloth or homemade pads this will help prevent leaking onto your clothing, padded panties may also work well to combine pads and layering methods.


There are means to reduce your flow; first of all I'd suggest talking to your doctor just to make sure everything is ok as heavy menstrual flow can be a sign of hormonal unbalance, cysts, fibroids or other health issues. Do not allow the doctor to put you onto hormonal birth control, although it will lighten your flow it will do this by suppressing your menstrual cycle, not the best option to begin with, but essentially this will just cover up the problem that may return when you come off hormonal birth control again. Many doctors use hormonal birth control as a quick-fix or fix-all rather than actually addressing and treating your problem.

For hormonal issues taking evening primrose oil or black cohosh daily would help a lot, if there is a particular issue with menstruation you may want to look into using progesterone cream for a while to see if that makes any difference.

Make sure to keep a lot of iron in your diet, I'd also suggest magnesium, calcium and potassium as these are what the body needs to assist in menstruation – a good supplement with added zinc to help your body take these in more efficiently will help, perhaps also kelp tablets and cell salts. Try to avoid foods with a lot of sugars, also drugs like caffeine and nicotine can effect menstruation as well. You may also want to look into herbal treatments, Shepards Purse and Vitex are both herbs commonly used for heavy menstrual flow, and Yarrow is another good all round women's herb.

Answer 2

Try going up a tampon size for more protection. If you are still staining, wear a light pad or a liner along with the tampon to prevent staining.

Answer 3

Hun,you are not using the right absorbency for you.You probably need a super tampon or one for a heavy flow.If you still are not comfortable or still have leaks you can elminate the tampons all together and use a pad for a heavy flow.If you.Another option would be to wear both.You could wear a tampon and a pad as a precaution.You still need to change your tampon regularly as it is a risk for tss.You must be careful when using tampons.Good luck!!

Answer 4

Hormones change and flucuate month to month so what was adequate before (ie; just using a tampon) may not currently be enough. You might want to back it up with a pantyliner or make sure to take some Advil (ibuprofen) every 4 hours. The advil will decrease not only cramps but minimize the flow if taken on a consistent basis. It all sucks, don't it?? :{

Answer 5

I just went to the doctor and complained about this problem to her. Not only was my cycle heavy, but I had cramps and headaches also. She put me on a new pill called Seasonique. I will only have four periods a year and they should only last 3 or 4 days instead of 10!

Answer 6

Yes, I have had to wear both tampon and pad, I ended up having surgery for fibroids twice, several years apart, The second time I had a hysterectomy. Now, I never have to worry!

Answer 7

I never have this problem since I have been on the pill...

Isn't this one reason why a lot of women take it also for this reason, to have shorter & lighter peiods?

My pill works so good for me, I actually skip a few cycles and really only get a period once every 3 months if that... the doctor said this is fine, and happens to alot of women....

Maybe you should consider the pill?
(I do like that menstrual cup idea though... why weren't we told about those sooner!!!!!)

Answer 8

Try changing it every 2 hours or using a larger tampon meant for heavier flow.....

Answer 9

yes I have that problem once a month, use a tampon and get a pantyliner..much much thinner than pads and just as a quick back up on heavy days.

Answer 10

Wear a pantyliner to prevent staining.