Person Questions Why Tampons Are Seen As Cool And Pads Aren’t, Someone Explains How It Happened
Feminine hygiene is a super subjective business that really comes down to every single individual. However, some people have noted that there exists a kind of product hierarchy that puts tampons above pads.
In order to find out what’s going on with the war between pads and tampons, one Tumblr user posed the question: “Why is it that people who wear tampons are seen as ‘strong’ and ‘cool’” while those who wear pads aren’t? And one woman took a stand and shared an educated explanation on the origins of the ongoing pads vs. tampons war.
It turns out, she wrote a whole PhD paper on the subject matter, which left her “four male classmates and one male professor in varying shades of paleness.” So, let’s see what she is talking about right down below.
This Tumblr user decided to find out why there’s stigma against wearing pads
Bored Panda reached out to Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, a leading voice for equitable menstrual policy in America, a co-founder of Period Equity, and the author of the book “Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity.”
Jennifer agreed to comment on period stigma and tampon bias: “Throwing it back to when I was a teenager (and I’m proud Gen X!), I definitely felt a pro-tampon bias.” The menstrual activist said that she’d “attribute much of that perception to the blizzard of advertising from the big brands.”
Jennifer explained: “Tampon ads came across as edgy and sophisticated, while pads were presented in a stodgier way, often soaked in blue liquid. Before her rise to ‘Friends’ fame, a sporty, feather-haired Courteney Cox was the first to use the word ‘period’ on national TV in a 1985 commercial for Tampax—cementing the cool factor for millions of teens.”
And this woman came with an informative explanation
Image credits: lady-byleth
But Jennifer notes that in many cultures and communities around the world, tampons are viewed with suspicion because of their internal usage. “The biological function of menstruation gets conflated with sexualization, and tampons are very much embedded in that stigma. For example, there’s a commonly held fear that tampons will compromise a girl’s virginity.”
As it comes to the broader stigma and secrecy toward periods, we’ve seen more change towards demystifying periods in recent years. “Activists around the world are breaking barriers by fighting for menstrual equity policies—from eliminating the ‘tampon tax,’ to ensuring transparency in menstrual product labeling, to advocating for accurate health and sex ed, to addressing needs of trans and non-binary people who also have periods,” explained Jennifer.
There’s still some way to go, but even across social media and mainstream news, periods are now in headlines and hashtags, showing they’re finally becoming public.
And this is what people had to say about it
I must be living under a rock coz I have never heard of people thinking using tampons are some how more superior to women who wear pads etc. I was terrified of tampons when I was younger coz I was worried it would get stuck, get TSS and the thought of sticking it in disgusted me. That was until I unexpectedly got my periods as I was on my way to work. As I was transferring from one bus to another I had to run to the shops and get some supplies. Unfortunately I had zero money so I had to make the awful decision to steal a box of tampons. They were small and discreet so easier to hide than a pack of pads. I had never stolen before so I was absolutely s******g myself that I would get busted. Not just for stealing but for stealing a pack of tampons.
Actually, me neither, but I DID notice the tendency to talk about menstrual hygiene as if tampons were all there is that's available out there.
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I know that's right. Literally all the products suck and/or cause me pain .
Load More Replies... Okay, this was interesting. It explains a bunch of different things too, such as the white clothes (I thought it was merely to tell you don't need to care about leaks). Now, my next question. Why were those guys described in her post so pale? Don't males know about biology? Duh.... (No, but seriously, I thank and appreciate all of you guys out there who don't make any big deal out of something so mundane and ordinary, but for those of you who do, it really makes you look.... not so smart, sorry. But the good news is, you can still improve.)
Also, up until the 80s or 90s, pads were very thick and were very inconvenient to wear. That's why tampons played the "easy to move freely" card
I posted that I had a real-life encounter with TSS as a t-user, and BP wouldn't let me post it b/c they said it was too similar to stories that were reported. So, who is reporting tales of women having complications related to menstruation and its products? B/c TSS is real. The abrasions (even microscopic) from insertion and removal can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing shock, infection, etc. Been there, done that. So here we go again, and I challenge BP to tell me I cannot post that, yes, tampon ads are designed to lure you into thinking it's all good, but it IS a risk.
As a man, the personal feelings of having a period are a complete mystery to me, but I have always been curious about the squeamishness that is evident in one particular aspect and not limited, it would seem, to just the men! So, please explain, why does no one ever mention blood? It's not 'liquid' and it's certainly not blue! Or is this the last taboo?
Yes. In general, we never see menstruation or lactancy in art, for example, as not concerning to men every female question has been hidden or considered boring, unuseful and finnally taboo. It's not your fault but patriarchy.
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first, it's about damn time periods become an issue that isn't shamed, hidden, etc. it's not gross, not disgusting; it's a natural function. need to teach this to boys/men, too. i can remember when tampons weren't that common (yes, i am an old fart). we had those funky elastic belts that pads had to be tied/connected to & heaven help us if it wasn't secure. or if you weren't stick thin. results were messy and/or recurring blister on your fupa. had hysterectomy due to cancer; miss my ovaries, not the periods
I am old enough to remember that - but like many ladies - switched to a cup and some washable panty liners for the first days and it is AMAZING. No TSS, you can put it in when you expect your period that day, no worries, no pain, no damage, take out, rinse out, after period, boil out with vinegar and DONE. You save so much money too!
The no tss has not been fully researched yet!
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"a whole PhD paper" is really misleading because it sounds like you mean she wrote her thesis on it. She made it her subject for a paper she wrote in the course of ONE WEEK. Edit: I mean she still knows much more than most people do, but it's absolutely not a thesis.
You missed it when she wrote, “We had to write a short paper each week and present them conference-style”.
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use cups, they are way better than both the other and they are also more ecological (reusable). They are not for everyone and they have shortcommings, but most of the time they are better.
What's really disgusting is how in some conservative developing countries, tampons are considered taboo and viewed as 'penetrating' women. They are basically seen as sex toys, so women may be judged for buying them (as if it's just for pleasure) and I've even heard the phrase "Tampons are only for married women," lest a young damsel be deflowered by a sanitary product.
Yes, the first thing that goes into a woman's vagina must be a man's pen*s and nothing else!
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I started perimenopause early and have been period-free for over five years now. I preferred tampons when I still had my period, but must say, being period-free is f*cking liberating.
There is another option! Please try the cup. I know it might sounds kind of icky at first (that's what kept me from trying it for a long time) but I really wish I would have made the switch sooner. As someone else mentioned in the article my periods went from like 6-7 days to 3 and became way less painful. You can leave them in for like 9-12 hours at a time without worrying about them making you sick. Also the environmental are huge! Way less waste. And not needing to buy all those tampons and pads had saved me a lot of money. It's great all around. They can overflow so be careful about that... I'll wear a pad also on my heavy day but I'm so much happier now.
I have PCOS and managing it, my flow lasts around 3-4 days and got really light... But i do have an odd reaction to the cup too. And I hate that
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Millennial here. TSS was well understood by the time my period came. Tried both tampon and pad. Absolutely hated tampon gut and swore never touching it again. Until I found myselfdesperately wanting to carry on diving while doing a liveaboard. Moral of the story for me is to do what works, ads are made to make money for corporate, not for my comfort or well-being
I so appreciate posts like this. Normal body functions should be normal to talk about, there should be no stigma like we have. Thank you for helping normalize women!🙏
Tampon bias is a thing...? Maybe I'm crazy, but I've literally never heard of it
Oh dear, I must be living under a rock too! In fact, I know I am lol. So there is "pad shaming" now too? Honestly though, don't women have enough to worry about already other than caring to worry about what others think of their menstrual hygiene? Me personally, I couldn't give a rats hiney about what anyone thought of my tampon/pad use. I'm having a hard time understanding how this can even be made an issue? Respectfully speaking, I don't know what's worse. The girl/woman who can actually feel offended by wearing a pad or the ones causing the offense. Do what works for you with confidence and to hell what other people think about it. Caring what others think of you is a self-destructive waste of time and feelings.
I had my first period on a camping trip with my parents. Dad practically fainted. All Mom had were tampons, so I never used pads (except panty liners). I never thought worse of the girls who wore pads. I probably would have too except circumstances. Had to live with relatives around 16 years old. My aunt was so freaked out about TSS, she tried to forbid me to wear tampons. Finally we compromised and I could use tampons, but I had to pay for them. Fortunately, I was out of there a couple of years later. Still had to pay for them, but no more hassle about TSS.
I wish periods weren't such a taboo. I had mine right in the middle of a week long heat wave when u was younger. I was only 11 at the time and I'd tried tampons but they wouldn't work. We were supposed to go swimming everyday that week to keep cool but I explained that with a pad and my heavy flow I couldn't. My dad said he thought girls could go in water on there periods and I started to explain why not all can but he completely shut me down. If you have a daughter or girlfriend or wife you should know about periods.
I'm in my mid sixties and I remember being given a bad time well before the eighties because I preferred pads. Apparently I was a wuss or something. Tampons just weren't comfortable for me. It's about personal preference not a personality defect. I taught my kid that commercials were about selling c**p and not about reality. I love my post menopause.
I knew a girl that almost died from TSS. I didn't see her again till we were 17 and working fast food. Her story stuck with me. I had very heavy flows. Thank goodness the Instead cup (not diva...diva didn't work for me because of the way my cervix is tilted) became a godsend. And i got washable pads too.
Now I liked the instead! They are messy and gross but washable pads are too kudos for going green!
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My first tampons WERE the Rely tampons. I always had a heavy flow and hated pads. Had to wear the super so it was like a diaper. Scared of tampons but a friend convinced me to try them. I loved them! The Rely worked so well. I was sad to have to stop using them. They were the first pad to expand into a cup shape, why they were so good. Also had a polymer which absorbed liquid. (Thinking main issue) Their claim was that it held 20 times it's weight in fluid.
Mmmk... my understanding was that having to wear a sanitary belt sucked really bad, and tampons were much more discreet, less messy, and didn't require a belt to hold the pad in place. My mother had to wear one of those belts... she has stoooories.
I wore pads and then my doctor gave me a feminine hygiene package she gave all of her young women when they got their periods. I wore tampons until pads came in more discreet and smaller packages. I usually use pads but I have tampons on hand for times like when I go swimming.
I read it's a thing if you keep it there for too long. Personally, I'm one of those who can't wear them because I tried and I got so impatient and annoyed with the pain and discomfort (I swear I carefully followed all the instructions) that it didn't last 5 min. But I can understand it, somehow, I mean, pads shouldn't be worn too long either, but you forget, while working, hanging around and such. Especially if it doesn't even smell.
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To mw it's simple: I HATE feeling the blood oming down. And as someone with Endo, I can have very heavy periods. A pad does nothing for me. As long as I can afford tampons, I will. It kills me that so many women around the world can't afford it. Or pads!
I've suffered from extremely heavy flow periods too (thanks to PCOS, which also causes me lots of period pain) but have the opposite problem -- tampons are INCREDIBLY painful to me. I've tried wearing tampons twice, and both times I could only stand them inside me for about five minutes before I had to remove them and use pads again. I'm more than happy to wear extra-long overnight pads and change them regularly; in fact, I'm much more likely to want to carry on with my day-to-day living wearing pads than attempt to overcome the terrible pain of wearing a tampon.
Load More Replies... I’m not buying that that’s the whole story. Tampons are advertised as cooler because of one blatant fact about them which is that you can do more stuff (like swimming, distance running, wearing tighter clothes) in them than pads. I only wear pads and I know this is a fact, you cannot swim or run for miles in a pad unless you want to ruin the pad. That’s why they get ads where the girl is surfing or wearing yoga pants (no pad lines showing). Also TSS isn’t the risk they thought it was in decades past.
I grew up in a secret, shamed household where men changed the channel when period commercials came on and women didn't know that virgins can't wear tampons. How is that even a thing? I had read the instructions on tampons in the 60s that it was hilarious ... " Married or single, you can use tampons during your period". Sigh. According to Tampax, "single" meant virgin. lol
Idk. I have a heavy flow.. They never work for me and I always need a pad with one.. Plus they make my cramps so so much worse 😒 it's weird.
No! Me too! It's the cramps! I feel like my body is rejecting it! I get sick feeling ininutes!
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Just gonna throw this out there... Diva cup trumps them all. "Sportiness" of a tampon with no risk of leaking so long as you empty it on time (i have such heavy flow super plus tampons sometimes couldn't absorb clots fast enough). You do want to make sure there is soap to wash your hands after though because removal sometimes involves a but of searching. Save so much money too
I hate tampons, they're awkward and gross. I only wear them if I'm swimming or doing tae kwon do, and in the case of tae kwon do I double up with an athletic pad because the pants in the stupid uniform are white. I guess in my case tampons are literally more sporty because I only use them for athletics. But even when I was on the boy's baseball team in high school (because I hate softball and there were no girl's baseball where I lived) I still wore pads. Honestly, to each their own, but it really comes down to use what you need to for the situation.
I love ultra thin pads! With or without wings...tampons always leak in me. Pass are much more reliable, and I don't get as Crampy!
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Menopausal now, yay, no more periods, but I always used pads. I hated using tampons-for me they were just uncomfortable. I think I also never learned how to insert them properly.
in my later teens I swore by tampons. They made me feel in so much more control of the situation and it was much less messy down there. My mom always said she greatly disliked tampons because they were uncomfortable. Being a teenager who was sure she knew everything, I was like "Sure. K, mom. You're obviously not putting them in right." Now as an adult who has gone through vaginal births, I know what she was talking about. When I have to use tampons now they ARE uncomfortable. They always feel like they are going to fall out. Having kids messes up your body, folks.
It's not we live under rocks, everything, I mean everything is discussed here on TV, in every kind of messaging. So basically this whole thing is uncalled for!
I could never use tampons without leaking like I was wearing nothing. Heavy duty overnight pads WITH a cup AND period underwear was required if I was leaving the house. Menopause never felt so good!
I also had crazy heavy periods. The menstrual cup was my saviour: take it out, empty it into the toilet, put it back in. Pads were a literal nightmare ... trying to sleep wearing an XL was horrendous, then they twist and warp as you walk, urgh! Tampons were never hardy enough; I could go through a Super-plus in an hour or less! Menopausal now, so it's all tapering off, but the hot flushes! Aye-aye-aye!
Gag. I don't wanna play in my own blood, rince it out..
Load More Replies... I’ve been around for a while and I have never heard of tampons being described that way. All this aside, in my opinion I think pads are much more hygienic than tampons.
So as a young girl my mom gave me pads. Like diaper thick pads. It was hell. This was in 1980s. I learned to deal with them. Shifting and smelling and leaking. Then when I was at a friends house they offered me tampons because I ran out of pads. I was taught how to use it. And to change it every time I peed. Mostly because the cotton string would get pee on it an soak up to the bottom of the tampon blooming it and really making a mess. Still don't swim w tampons or "plugs". Lol. Then I discovered the period cup. That with a panty liner is way more easier for me. It sits inside like a tampon (you do have to touch it to get it in an out and will get some blood on your hands but you can wash it off) and it works great at night too. And no tss risk. I'm at the end of my cycles. But if I knew about the cup when I was young it would have changed my world.
I've used them..it was weird at first and not for everywhere. You can't leave a bathroom stall and empty and rince your cup at walmart..if you guys are...I'm so grossed out!
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I'm a sporty girl so when (I haven't gotten it yet ;-;) so when I'm doing sport and stuff I will probably wear a tampon but when I'm just being casual I will probably just wear pads
I'm athletic too and my best advice is do what's comfortable for your movement. You're pretty much stuck with a tampon if you're swimming though. And I really strongly recommend trying to push yourself through any cramps or pain and continue doing athletics during your period as you'll build up a resistance to the cramps after a while. You also don't know how heavy your flow will be, plus you're pretty young, so stick with pads until you're familiar with your cycle.
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Pads are usually accompanied by a leak or few at some point, smell, and edges rolling up and the sticky side grabbing sensitive things. Tampons can get awkward and scrape vaginal walls. Cups would be a great option, but they involve a bit of finesse, dexterity, and flexibility that not everyone owns. It'd be pretty awesome if cups had some kind of fairly fool proof applicator.
As long as I remember I wanted to wear tampons because pads were stinky, messy, and gave you a feeling of wearing a diaper. I had issues as a child inserting them and I was kind of scared because I thought it would take your virginity (insert laughter here). TSS doesn’t and never did scare me. Even as a child I knew you only got it if you wore a tampon for too long and considering after so many hours you’ll want to change it. This article is strange. I’m sure all the guys reading are feeling super gross and awkward lol. It’s just natural guys. Just know most of us women don’t think of tss and we use tampons over pads for other reasons and Vice versa. Some women hate and refuse to wear tampons.
I really hope a lot of guys are reading this. You should know as much as you can about not just your own biology. You never know when you may have to care for someone not your gender, family, partner or friend
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I didn't start using tampons until college and even then I wore a liner because I never fully trusted them, but oh my god they cut down on the mess so much. Before I started using tampons I would always bleed through my big fat overnight pad. After I started using tampons I still only used a pad at night to prevent TSS but I bled so much less at night that it wasn't a problem anymore. I don't know why. I have an IUD now so I don't have to deal with periods at all anymore. Best thing that ever happened to me.
Henceforth any discussion of feminine hygiene products will result in a 90 minute lecture with a quiz on the Too Much Information age, given by Flo from Progressive.
The first time I ever used a tampon it got stuck. My Aunt had to remove it for me. I'm surprised there's no warning about that on the box, it was traumatic. It should say, 'do not use if you are a virgin.' Maybe they do say that now, I don't know.
A warning on the box about using tampons whilst a virgin isn’t necessary coz as a whole most virgins can use tampons with no issue. There are a few reasons as to why your tampon could have gotten stuck like narrow vagina, tilted vagina, having tampon in for too long, having the tampon inserted too high, inserting another tampon when one is already inside etc.
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I must be living under a rock coz I have never heard of people thinking using tampons are some how more superior to women who wear pads etc. I was terrified of tampons when I was younger coz I was worried it would get stuck, get TSS and the thought of sticking it in disgusted me. That was until I unexpectedly got my periods as I was on my way to work. As I was transferring from one bus to another I had to run to the shops and get some supplies. Unfortunately I had zero money so I had to make the awful decision to steal a box of tampons. They were small and discreet so easier to hide than a pack of pads. I had never stolen before so I was absolutely s******g myself that I would get busted. Not just for stealing but for stealing a pack of tampons.
Actually, me neither, but I DID notice the tendency to talk about menstrual hygiene as if tampons were all there is that's available out there.
Load More Replies... I know that's right. Literally all the products suck and/or cause me pain .
Load More Replies... Okay, this was interesting. It explains a bunch of different things too, such as the white clothes (I thought it was merely to tell you don't need to care about leaks). Now, my next question. Why were those guys described in her post so pale? Don't males know about biology? Duh.... (No, but seriously, I thank and appreciate all of you guys out there who don't make any big deal out of something so mundane and ordinary, but for those of you who do, it really makes you look.... not so smart, sorry. But the good news is, you can still improve.)
Also, up until the 80s or 90s, pads were very thick and were very inconvenient to wear. That's why tampons played the "easy to move freely" card
I posted that I had a real-life encounter with TSS as a t-user, and BP wouldn't let me post it b/c they said it was too similar to stories that were reported. So, who is reporting tales of women having complications related to menstruation and its products? B/c TSS is real. The abrasions (even microscopic) from insertion and removal can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing shock, infection, etc. Been there, done that. So here we go again, and I challenge BP to tell me I cannot post that, yes, tampon ads are designed to lure you into thinking it's all good, but it IS a risk.
As a man, the personal feelings of having a period are a complete mystery to me, but I have always been curious about the squeamishness that is evident in one particular aspect and not limited, it would seem, to just the men! So, please explain, why does no one ever mention blood? It's not 'liquid' and it's certainly not blue! Or is this the last taboo?
Yes. In general, we never see menstruation or lactancy in art, for example, as not concerning to men every female question has been hidden or considered boring, unuseful and finnally taboo. It's not your fault but patriarchy.
Load More Replies... first, it's about damn time periods become an issue that isn't shamed, hidden, etc. it's not gross, not disgusting; it's a natural function. need to teach this to boys/men, too. i can remember when tampons weren't that common (yes, i am an old fart). we had those funky elastic belts that pads had to be tied/connected to & heaven help us if it wasn't secure. or if you weren't stick thin. results were messy and/or recurring blister on your fupa. had hysterectomy due to cancer; miss my ovaries, not the periods
I am old enough to remember that - but like many ladies - switched to a cup and some washable panty liners for the first days and it is AMAZING. No TSS, you can put it in when you expect your period that day, no worries, no pain, no damage, take out, rinse out, after period, boil out with vinegar and DONE. You save so much money too!
The no tss has not been fully researched yet!
Load More Replies... "a whole PhD paper" is really misleading because it sounds like you mean she wrote her thesis on it. She made it her subject for a paper she wrote in the course of ONE WEEK. Edit: I mean she still knows much more than most people do, but it's absolutely not a thesis.
You missed it when she wrote, “We had to write a short paper each week and present them conference-style”.
Load More Replies... use cups, they are way better than both the other and they are also more ecological (reusable). They are not for everyone and they have shortcommings, but most of the time they are better.
What's really disgusting is how in some conservative developing countries, tampons are considered taboo and viewed as 'penetrating' women. They are basically seen as sex toys, so women may be judged for buying them (as if it's just for pleasure) and I've even heard the phrase "Tampons are only for married women," lest a young damsel be deflowered by a sanitary product.
Yes, the first thing that goes into a woman's vagina must be a man's pen*s and nothing else!
Load More Replies... I started perimenopause early and have been period-free for over five years now. I preferred tampons when I still had my period, but must say, being period-free is f*cking liberating.
There is another option! Please try the cup. I know it might sounds kind of icky at first (that's what kept me from trying it for a long time) but I really wish I would have made the switch sooner. As someone else mentioned in the article my periods went from like 6-7 days to 3 and became way less painful. You can leave them in for like 9-12 hours at a time without worrying about them making you sick. Also the environmental are huge! Way less waste. And not needing to buy all those tampons and pads had saved me a lot of money. It's great all around. They can overflow so be careful about that... I'll wear a pad also on my heavy day but I'm so much happier now.
I have PCOS and managing it, my flow lasts around 3-4 days and got really light... But i do have an odd reaction to the cup too. And I hate that
Load More Replies... Millennial here. TSS was well understood by the time my period came. Tried both tampon and pad. Absolutely hated tampon gut and swore never touching it again. Until I found myselfdesperately wanting to carry on diving while doing a liveaboard. Moral of the story for me is to do what works, ads are made to make money for corporate, not for my comfort or well-being
I so appreciate posts like this. Normal body functions should be normal to talk about, there should be no stigma like we have. Thank you for helping normalize women!🙏
Tampon bias is a thing...? Maybe I'm crazy, but I've literally never heard of it
Oh dear, I must be living under a rock too! In fact, I know I am lol. So there is "pad shaming" now too? Honestly though, don't women have enough to worry about already other than caring to worry about what others think of their menstrual hygiene? Me personally, I couldn't give a rats hiney about what anyone thought of my tampon/pad use. I'm having a hard time understanding how this can even be made an issue? Respectfully speaking, I don't know what's worse. The girl/woman who can actually feel offended by wearing a pad or the ones causing the offense. Do what works for you with confidence and to hell what other people think about it. Caring what others think of you is a self-destructive waste of time and feelings.
I had my first period on a camping trip with my parents. Dad practically fainted. All Mom had were tampons, so I never used pads (except panty liners). I never thought worse of the girls who wore pads. I probably would have too except circumstances. Had to live with relatives around 16 years old. My aunt was so freaked out about TSS, she tried to forbid me to wear tampons. Finally we compromised and I could use tampons, but I had to pay for them. Fortunately, I was out of there a couple of years later. Still had to pay for them, but no more hassle about TSS.
I wish periods weren't such a taboo. I had mine right in the middle of a week long heat wave when u was younger. I was only 11 at the time and I'd tried tampons but they wouldn't work. We were supposed to go swimming everyday that week to keep cool but I explained that with a pad and my heavy flow I couldn't. My dad said he thought girls could go in water on there periods and I started to explain why not all can but he completely shut me down. If you have a daughter or girlfriend or wife you should know about periods.
I'm in my mid sixties and I remember being given a bad time well before the eighties because I preferred pads. Apparently I was a wuss or something. Tampons just weren't comfortable for me. It's about personal preference not a personality defect. I taught my kid that commercials were about selling c**p and not about reality. I love my post menopause.
I knew a girl that almost died from TSS. I didn't see her again till we were 17 and working fast food. Her story stuck with me. I had very heavy flows. Thank goodness the Instead cup (not diva...diva didn't work for me because of the way my cervix is tilted) became a godsend. And i got washable pads too.
Now I liked the instead! They are messy and gross but washable pads are too kudos for going green!
Load More Replies... My first tampons WERE the Rely tampons. I always had a heavy flow and hated pads. Had to wear the super so it was like a diaper. Scared of tampons but a friend convinced me to try them. I loved them! The Rely worked so well. I was sad to have to stop using them. They were the first pad to expand into a cup shape, why they were so good. Also had a polymer which absorbed liquid. (Thinking main issue) Their claim was that it held 20 times it's weight in fluid.
Mmmk... my understanding was that having to wear a sanitary belt sucked really bad, and tampons were much more discreet, less messy, and didn't require a belt to hold the pad in place. My mother had to wear one of those belts... she has stoooories.
I wore pads and then my doctor gave me a feminine hygiene package she gave all of her young women when they got their periods. I wore tampons until pads came in more discreet and smaller packages. I usually use pads but I have tampons on hand for times like when I go swimming.
I read it's a thing if you keep it there for too long. Personally, I'm one of those who can't wear them because I tried and I got so impatient and annoyed with the pain and discomfort (I swear I carefully followed all the instructions) that it didn't last 5 min. But I can understand it, somehow, I mean, pads shouldn't be worn too long either, but you forget, while working, hanging around and such. Especially if it doesn't even smell.
Load More Replies... To mw it's simple: I HATE feeling the blood oming down. And as someone with Endo, I can have very heavy periods. A pad does nothing for me. As long as I can afford tampons, I will. It kills me that so many women around the world can't afford it. Or pads!
I've suffered from extremely heavy flow periods too (thanks to PCOS, which also causes me lots of period pain) but have the opposite problem -- tampons are INCREDIBLY painful to me. I've tried wearing tampons twice, and both times I could only stand them inside me for about five minutes before I had to remove them and use pads again. I'm more than happy to wear extra-long overnight pads and change them regularly; in fact, I'm much more likely to want to carry on with my day-to-day living wearing pads than attempt to overcome the terrible pain of wearing a tampon.
Load More Replies... I’m not buying that that’s the whole story. Tampons are advertised as cooler because of one blatant fact about them which is that you can do more stuff (like swimming, distance running, wearing tighter clothes) in them than pads. I only wear pads and I know this is a fact, you cannot swim or run for miles in a pad unless you want to ruin the pad. That’s why they get ads where the girl is surfing or wearing yoga pants (no pad lines showing). Also TSS isn’t the risk they thought it was in decades past.
I grew up in a secret, shamed household where men changed the channel when period commercials came on and women didn't know that virgins can't wear tampons. How is that even a thing? I had read the instructions on tampons in the 60s that it was hilarious ... " Married or single, you can use tampons during your period". Sigh. According to Tampax, "single" meant virgin. lol
Idk. I have a heavy flow.. They never work for me and I always need a pad with one.. Plus they make my cramps so so much worse 😒 it's weird.
No! Me too! It's the cramps! I feel like my body is rejecting it! I get sick feeling ininutes!
Load More Replies... Just gonna throw this out there... Diva cup trumps them all. "Sportiness" of a tampon with no risk of leaking so long as you empty it on time (i have such heavy flow super plus tampons sometimes couldn't absorb clots fast enough). You do want to make sure there is soap to wash your hands after though because removal sometimes involves a but of searching. Save so much money too
I hate tampons, they're awkward and gross. I only wear them if I'm swimming or doing tae kwon do, and in the case of tae kwon do I double up with an athletic pad because the pants in the stupid uniform are white. I guess in my case tampons are literally more sporty because I only use them for athletics. But even when I was on the boy's baseball team in high school (because I hate softball and there were no girl's baseball where I lived) I still wore pads. Honestly, to each their own, but it really comes down to use what you need to for the situation.
I love ultra thin pads! With or without wings...tampons always leak in me. Pass are much more reliable, and I don't get as Crampy!
Load More Replies... Menopausal now, yay, no more periods, but I always used pads. I hated using tampons-for me they were just uncomfortable. I think I also never learned how to insert them properly.
in my later teens I swore by tampons. They made me feel in so much more control of the situation and it was much less messy down there. My mom always said she greatly disliked tampons because they were uncomfortable. Being a teenager who was sure she knew everything, I was like "Sure. K, mom. You're obviously not putting them in right." Now as an adult who has gone through vaginal births, I know what she was talking about. When I have to use tampons now they ARE uncomfortable. They always feel like they are going to fall out. Having kids messes up your body, folks.
It's not we live under rocks, everything, I mean everything is discussed here on TV, in every kind of messaging. So basically this whole thing is uncalled for!
I could never use tampons without leaking like I was wearing nothing. Heavy duty overnight pads WITH a cup AND period underwear was required if I was leaving the house. Menopause never felt so good!
I also had crazy heavy periods. The menstrual cup was my saviour: take it out, empty it into the toilet, put it back in. Pads were a literal nightmare ... trying to sleep wearing an XL was horrendous, then they twist and warp as you walk, urgh! Tampons were never hardy enough; I could go through a Super-plus in an hour or less! Menopausal now, so it's all tapering off, but the hot flushes! Aye-aye-aye!
Gag. I don't wanna play in my own blood, rince it out..
Load More Replies... I’ve been around for a while and I have never heard of tampons being described that way. All this aside, in my opinion I think pads are much more hygienic than tampons.
So as a young girl my mom gave me pads. Like diaper thick pads. It was hell. This was in 1980s. I learned to deal with them. Shifting and smelling and leaking. Then when I was at a friends house they offered me tampons because I ran out of pads. I was taught how to use it. And to change it every time I peed. Mostly because the cotton string would get pee on it an soak up to the bottom of the tampon blooming it and really making a mess. Still don't swim w tampons or "plugs". Lol. Then I discovered the period cup. That with a panty liner is way more easier for me. It sits inside like a tampon (you do have to touch it to get it in an out and will get some blood on your hands but you can wash it off) and it works great at night too. And no tss risk. I'm at the end of my cycles. But if I knew about the cup when I was young it would have changed my world.
I've used them..it was weird at first and not for everywhere. You can't leave a bathroom stall and empty and rince your cup at walmart..if you guys are...I'm so grossed out!
Load More Replies... I'm a sporty girl so when (I haven't gotten it yet ;-;) so when I'm doing sport and stuff I will probably wear a tampon but when I'm just being casual I will probably just wear pads
I'm athletic too and my best advice is do what's comfortable for your movement. You're pretty much stuck with a tampon if you're swimming though. And I really strongly recommend trying to push yourself through any cramps or pain and continue doing athletics during your period as you'll build up a resistance to the cramps after a while. You also don't know how heavy your flow will be, plus you're pretty young, so stick with pads until you're familiar with your cycle.
Load More Replies... Pads are usually accompanied by a leak or few at some point, smell, and edges rolling up and the sticky side grabbing sensitive things. Tampons can get awkward and scrape vaginal walls. Cups would be a great option, but they involve a bit of finesse, dexterity, and flexibility that not everyone owns. It'd be pretty awesome if cups had some kind of fairly fool proof applicator.
As long as I remember I wanted to wear tampons because pads were stinky, messy, and gave you a feeling of wearing a diaper. I had issues as a child inserting them and I was kind of scared because I thought it would take your virginity (insert laughter here). TSS doesn’t and never did scare me. Even as a child I knew you only got it if you wore a tampon for too long and considering after so many hours you’ll want to change it. This article is strange. I’m sure all the guys reading are feeling super gross and awkward lol. It’s just natural guys. Just know most of us women don’t think of tss and we use tampons over pads for other reasons and Vice versa. Some women hate and refuse to wear tampons.
I really hope a lot of guys are reading this. You should know as much as you can about not just your own biology. You never know when you may have to care for someone not your gender, family, partner or friend
Load More Replies... I didn't start using tampons until college and even then I wore a liner because I never fully trusted them, but oh my god they cut down on the mess so much. Before I started using tampons I would always bleed through my big fat overnight pad. After I started using tampons I still only used a pad at night to prevent TSS but I bled so much less at night that it wasn't a problem anymore. I don't know why. I have an IUD now so I don't have to deal with periods at all anymore. Best thing that ever happened to me.
Henceforth any discussion of feminine hygiene products will result in a 90 minute lecture with a quiz on the Too Much Information age, given by Flo from Progressive.
The first time I ever used a tampon it got stuck. My Aunt had to remove it for me. I'm surprised there's no warning about that on the box, it was traumatic. It should say, 'do not use if you are a virgin.' Maybe they do say that now, I don't know.
A warning on the box about using tampons whilst a virgin isn’t necessary coz as a whole most virgins can use tampons with no issue. There are a few reasons as to why your tampon could have gotten stuck like narrow vagina, tilted vagina, having tampon in for too long, having the tampon inserted too high, inserting another tampon when one is already inside etc.
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