why does everyone think tampons are better than pads?

Question

I wear pads and I dont have a problem with them but a lot of girls say that tampons are better but i do not like them because im afraid they will hurt. IM NEVER WEARING A TAMPON.

Answer 1

Advantages to pads:

Since they don't go in the body, the shape and size of your vagina doesn't matter. Pads can be used by women of any age; they're a common choice for girls who have just begun menstruation.
You have no risk of toxic shock syndrome.


Disadvantages to pads.

Since they're outside your body, the blood can get in contact with air, and a pad left on for a long time may develop an odor. This isn't necessarily a problem -- our society is far too finicky about natural body odors -- but if you're concerned about odor, make sure you change your pad at least every three to four hours.
Leakage. Many of us report that pads leak at night or off the sides, though one of us has a solution to this (see our experiences for more information).
Pads are outside your body -- which means that you can't wear them when swimming, and they can be visible under very tight clothing. How much of a disadvantage this is, if at all, depends on your activities and your attitudes. If you never go near a swimming pool, you never wear tight pants or leotards, or you don't care if someone can tell you're menstruating, this won't be a problem. And keep in mind that 99% of your activities can still be done while wearing a pad.
Disposable pads may present something of an ecological problem; you can go through several thousand pads in your lifetime, and all those pads have to be manufactured and then added to our landfills. Of course, you can avoid this by using cloth pads that you wash and reuse, but then you have to factor in the cost and energy of the washing. A lot of the discussion in the cloth-vs-disposable diaper debate applies here as well (wonderful comparison, eh?).
Some women are concerned about hazards from the chemical used to bleach many disposable pads. A few companies do make unbleached menstrual pads, disposable or reusable.
Some women find that pads chafe their inner thighs. This can sometimes be helped by switching brands or changing to another type of pad.

Advantages to tampons:

When you properly insert a tampon, you don't feel it.
As they're worn internally, you can swim while wearing a tampon.
If you're concerned about odor, tampons do tend to be less smelly than pads, since they're internal.
Tampons can't be seen through tight clothing.


Disadvantages to tampons:

Tampon use increases your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, an illness whose exact causes are still unknown. To reduce your risk, use only the absorbency of tampon you need, and change tampons regularly.
When the string on a tampon gets wet, it can act as a wick to carry bacteria into your vagina, leading to possible infections. Try not to urinate on the tampon string, and be especially careful when you have a bowel movement.
Because tampons should be changed every 3 or 4 hours, most sources recommend that you not wear them at night.
As with pads, some people are concerned that the dioxins produced by chlorine-bleaching the cotton will cause health problems, and in fact may cause greater problems than with chlorine-bleached pads because the tampons are worn internally; some also think that synthetic materials in tampons or any pesticides used in growing the cotton can cause problems as well. If you're concerned about this, you can use tampons made from unbleached organic cotton, or you can switch to another kind of bloodcatcher. (We know of no health concerns with the cotton itself, but we don't know of any studies on this topic either.)
Not all women can use tampons. If you can't insert a tampon without pain, then don't force yourself to use it! Pads do a perfectly good job.

they both have their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 2

I have worn tampons since I was... well let's just say a very long time. I started menses at age 11, and I started using tampons at age 14 or 15. The only time I wear a pad is during the night, and only when I am experiencing bad cramping.

Tampons are fine, so long as you use the right one for your absorbency. If you are bleeding like a stuck pig, then you don't use a regular size. You should use a super for heavy bleeding. If you need a super plus, in my opinion you need to see your doctor. I have always been a heavy bleeder and have never needed a super plus. If you are a light bleeder then a regular tampon should be enough.

Tampons need to be changed every 4-6 hours. The thing is, if you remove them too often you will make yourself sore from the friction. If you remove one after 4 hours and there's not much on it, then wait a couple hours longer next time. There are also tampons in size junior, slims and slim regular if regulars are still too much.

Pros and cons - Tampons never show through your clothes. Pads do. Tampons are not bulky like diapers between your legs. Pads are. You don't have to look at tampons everytime you go to restroom. Personally I don't like looking at, or smelling those pads at every bathroom visit. You can swim in a tampon, not in a pad. Pads can cause odor if not changed often enough, tampons give off no odor at all.

It's all a matter of preference. If you would like to try to use a tampon, buy some of the smaller ones, and be sure to get the ones with plastic applicators. They glide better. Also stand with one foot up on the bathtub and angle the tampon in.

Be sure to insert it high enough until you feel resistance. If not inserted enough, this too could cause soreness. The tampon could also slip out if not inserted high enough. Practice until you get it right, and try them when you are going to be home. You may find that you like them too.

Answer 3

The plus to Tampons is that they are less likely to have any leakage (as long as you change them appropriately and use the correct absorbency), protecting your pants etc. Pads work just as well, but they require a little more awareness of time of use and what time in your cycle you are using them (ie. you change them more when you are heavy) As far as some of the answers that others have given TSS is VERY uncommon with todays tampons. Originally, TSS was discovered in an absorbency that is no longer sold in the United States. They were taken off the market I believe in the late 80's. The inserts of information in the box are generally just there to make people aware of the risks. The main risk has to do with trapping bacteria in your body for an extended period of time. With suggested use, there is almost no chance of TSS. Also, if inserted correctly, you should not feel the tampon. If you can still feel it, it means that it is not in far enough. I used to use tampons all the time, because of convenience and comfort level (I never really liked the feeling of a "diaper" on down there), but now I only use high end pads that have great absorbency, that keeps it from feeling uncomfortable. The reason being, is that I found that tampons extend thhe length of my period. Using pads I went from 9 days down to 5. That's why I use pads, but as I said, sometimes tampons are really nice because they are a little lower maintainance and are a lot easier to carry in your purse.

Answer 4

I thought tampons would hurt too, but they totally don't. So no need to be afraid. Anyways, I tried tampons because sometimes I would get leaks from pads, and I HATED the feeling of the blooding coming out. I was always so self-conscious when I get my period but now I'm comfortable when I'm going anywhere or playing gym. I can't even feel it, it's like the tampons not there

Answer 5

First of all you should use whatever you like the best. That said tampons do not hurt. You can get toxic shock syndrome if you leave a tampon in for too long, but that rarely happens. I think that most women that use tampons do not like the wet feeling down below. When you use a tampon you do not feel wet at all. Also some women use tampons because they do not like the smell that accompanies periods. I use them for both reasons.

Answer 6

Not everyone does. My sister hates them. I didn't begin to wear them until after I lost my virginity. I wasn't putting anything up there! I usually don't wear tampons because of the threat of TSS, and besides you have to deal with more to remove them. Some women think pads feel gross. That is true, but don't you feel gross on your period, anyways!? But one benefit I perceive those things having is swimming while menstruating. Swimming is one of the few workouts I can do that won't aggravate the pain. But I find that the O.B. tampon is comfortable. It forms to fit you.

Answer 7

Tampons are just SO much more convient for me
I do a TON of sports and pads just don't cut it for me-especially in dance with leotards...They are also easier at least for me to carry around (smaller)
They DO NOT HURT..Just wear the lowest absorbancy 4 u possible and ull b fine

Answer 8

a lot of girls prefer tampons because it allows them to do more things like sports or swimming. I myself don't like wearing them because I have a heavy flow and I bleed through them. I'm 37 and I still wear pads, so don't sweat it! It's a personal preference. Tampons don't hurt if they are inserted properly, but they aren't for everyone. And pads only smell bad if you get the deodorant ones. Never get the scented ones, they are nasty.

Answer 9

i kno u think they hurt soo bad because ur sticking this stick thing up ur butt, right? but its actually painless! this is coming from someone who cries her eyes out when she gets a shot! haha. tampons are a lot better because you can wear them when you swim, in the shower, and tight jeans because they dont show through. plus they are more convenient. pads are really bad because other people can definetley smell when u wear one, even if u cant smell it. if u do decide to get tampons, DEFINETLEY buy tampax pearl plastic. they last the longest and are the most painless.

Answer 10

To each his own. I like them better because they just feel cleaner to me. With pads, I always feel wet and unclean down there. There's nothing wrong with only wearing pads, though so if you like them and they're comfortable for you, that's perfectly fine. Tampons don't hurt, though.