tampons

LegacyUser

hi i just have a question for any girls out there. see my "time of the month" can come up to a week early without warning signs, which often results in ruined panties/bed sheets if this happens at night, regardless if i wear a pantyliner or pad. is it safe to wear a tampon of least absorbency (lite) just for the nighttime on the few days before i expect it, in case it comes early?

dudara

In the leaflets that come inside tampon boxes, they recommend using a tampon of suitable absorbancy, ie not using a super when the flow is light. This is so people aren't tempted to insert a strong one and leave it in for longer without changing. Tampons are risky as they can lead to exposure to Toxic Shock Syndrome, and should only be used as directed.

I wouldn't do what you're describing, even though it may be tempting. Just stick with the pantyliners.

Beruthiel

I would have to agree with dudara there
though Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare, it is still an issue and you should only be using the tampons when required
are you young? I think as you get older your periods will become more regular

LegacyUser

i am 21, and if not using light tampons overnight, what can i do to prevent from ruining all my clothes and my bedding? even if i use a pantyliner it still makes a mess if i am sleeping and dont realize it has started. what can i do?

Beruthiel

Originally posted by helpguest
i am 21, and if not using light tampons overnight, what can i do to prevent from ruining all my clothes and my bedding? even if i use a pantyliner it still makes a mess if i am sleeping and dont realize it has started. what can i do?

have you tried those mad big ones they use for after you've had a baby?

I'm surprised you're body isn't telling you that it's on it's way, tender breasts? little cramps? headaches? does your body tell you nothing? some water retention which makes you feel bloated?
sometimes you might not even notice the signs if they're small, take notice for the next month or so and see...

LegacyUser

thanks for the advice. not even the humongous ones work, i think it has to do with the way my bum is shaped or something. anyway, ill try watching for headaches or cramps, never noticed them happening beforehand, so ill see if i notice that. thanks a lot.

Beruthiel

Originally posted by helpguest
ill try watching for headaches or cramps, never noticed them happening beforehand, so ill see if i notice that. thanks a lot.

You’d be surprised what you’ll just put down to a bad day, or just a headache or whatever, but once you start taking notice and taking note, you’ll start to see signs. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t even have one of them, if you don’t, you’re a very lucky girl! I get bad headaches every single month.

sorry I couldn't be of more help

GuanYin

TSS is rare (approx 3/1,000,000) especially at your age (most cases are teens) and if your periods are that strong then there isn't any harm in using a tampon.

If you are worried, my advice would be to use it only at the heaviest time in your period, use pads for thelighter times. Use the minimum absorbency needed to control your flow, this can be found on the information pack in the packet. Change the tampon as frequently as directed.


Although extremely rare, the bacteria that cause TSS is opportunistic, if you did get any rashe or flu like symptoms while using tampons consult a doctor immediately.

martarg

I think the actual reason why one should not use tampons in anticipation of the need, is not the toxic shock syndrome, but the fact that they absorb what ought to be there in order to protect you from infections. So my definite advice is for you to try the largest pads in the market rather than that... Sometimes irregular periods can be solved with the pill, but you should ask a doctor, maybe it is not worth your while.... perhaps it will be enough for you to watch yourself closely and learn the patterns. I have definitely learnt to see it coming pretty accurately, although my problem is exactly the opposite to yours...

Nala

You're only supposed to wear a tampon when you ARE bleeding, NOT before. It says this on every tampon leaflet I've ever read!

dudara

I feel a lot of tension in my lower back for 2-3 days beforehand. So I know to put the box of tampons into my handbag and be ready. I find it hard to believe that you don't know or feel when your period is going to start. But I suppose that we're all different.

Using a tampon when there is no flow is only providing a warm moist breeding ground for bacteria, and it's not something that I'd be willing to try.

Amz

Erm... surely the first few hours aren't overly heavy?

Why not just wear one of those all night panty liners or sanitary towels? Particularly if you feel it coming or whatever.


Meh!

bug

what Amz said, I'd be wondering why they are so heavy just starting off, no harm in going to the doctor and telling him that they are so heavy on your first day that nothing will absorb them.

Lainey

i had this problem in my teens and it's a pain in the ass.. i eventually had to go on the pill to regulate the period and to lessen the flow..

i found the winged pads a blessing and bridget jones knickers.. (How sexy) ha ha.. but hey, those few nights in the month, i don't give a crap about bein sexy..
c'est la vie girls.. :dunno: :dunno:

L5

TOO MANY DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lainey

Originally posted by L5
TOO MANY DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to be honest.. the name of the thread is TAMPONS..
so i don't think we are going to be discussing knitting and crocheting.. if your innocent eyes and ears cant' handle life then don't read threads that give ya the BIG HINT..

vibe666

if it's that heavy with no warning you really should go to the doctor, and maybe think about getting the pill prescribed, which should make your life a lot easier. your periods should be more or less like clockwork and less heavy.

the whole tampon thing before a period is a bad idea all round, as even if TSS is only a 3/1,000,000 chance, there is a very delicate balance of moisture and friendly bacteria which can be upset which in turn could well lead to many other conditions other than TSS which will give you a whole new set of problems.

dudara

the others are dead right. Periods never start off heavy, at least for me, so I would get that checked out. Going on the pill would also regulate your periods precisely. I'm on microlite and I can tell you down to a matter of hours when my periods are going to start.

Victor

OK, don't know much about tampons & pads (I don't 'need' to), but how about something that is nappy-esque?

Are you happy you are wearing the pads correctly or is it that you move in your sleep and it becomes displaced?

LegacyUser

ok yuo asked for the details and here they are...

its not that its heavy at the start, its that the blood runs down my crack and gets on my underwear in the back no matter how long the pad is... like i said something with the shape of me i guess.

i dont really like the idea of going on the pill, as i want to have kids someday, and i dont like messing with hormones that are fine on their own.

any other ideas?

Beruthiel

the diaphram? (sp)
anyway, it's a strange solution and you will have to see a doctor and see what they think about that because I'm not sure how long you can leave one in.
it's a wacky idea, I'm just clutching at straws here....

GuanYin

Originally posted by Beruthiel
the diaphram? (sp)
anyway, it's a strange solution and you will have to see a doctor and see what they think about that because I'm not sure how long you can leave one in.
it's a wacky idea, I'm just clutching at straws here....

Although its much rarer TSS can be causes by diaphrams.

In fact anything"insertable" can be a cause.

sunbeam

How about supplementing the pad with a pantyliner on the side of your underwear that is usually affected?

Memnoch

well,
I guess the question is are you trying to get pregnant?

Because otherwise you can go on the pill and this will regularise ur bleeds.

The mirena is good too.

So if your not trying to get pregnant and since your young, you can think about these two options.

With the pill you get "withdrawl" bleeds which are fairly regular. With the mirena you don't get any periods at all if my memory serves me.

edit : *disclaimer - This advice is offered from a medical student stand point and as such I could be wrong , please consult your doctor before taking any of the above steps :P

Memnoch

Originally posted by helpguest
ok yuo asked for the details and here they are...

its not that its heavy at the start, its that the blood runs down my crack and gets on my underwear in the back no matter how long the pad is... like i said something with the shape of me i guess.

i dont really like the idea of going on the pill, as i want to have kids someday, and i dont like messing with hormones that are fine on their own.

any other ideas?

err going on the pill is not going to reduce your chances of having kids if you want to later on

I'd recommend reading up on it a little before discarding it as an option. The pill is used very widely by many many women around the world. Same thing goes with "messing with hormones" I really suggest reading up on the pill a bit more

vibe666

a quick word on the Mirena, although the company website says you can more than happily use it before having kids, a lot of doctors are still against using it pre-kids as it can be difficult to insert through the opening in the vulva in someone who hasn't had children.

my g/f and i looked nto it and it seemed ideal at first, but her doctor advised against it after the initial exam for the same reasons. aside from that if you think you could get it, it's a great idea, as it uses a bare minimum of hormones to do the job. much less than the pill uses anyway, even the microlite ones.

Kold

ew

Beruthiel

Originally posted by syke
Although its much rarer TSS can be causes by diaphrams.

In fact anything"insertable" can be a cause.

thanks sy
this I did not know

LegacyUser

thats for all this info.

I have never heard of Mirena, so I am not really sure what that is.

As for the pill, just cause "everyones doing it" doesnt mean it is right for me. Didn't every pregnant lady take some drug in to 70s for morning sickness, and they later found out that gave all their kids birth defects or something? I know it is not the same and that "the pill" is only hormones, not medicine, but I still don't like taking things that mess with my body.

My friend has a thing called a "keeper" which costs 30 dollars (in america) but lasts for 10 years. Basically it is a little cup you insert that collects the blood and you just empty it into the toilet, and then clean it with some bleach or something each month. She told me it saves money on tampons/pads so i may ask her where I can get one and if it can be put in early.

Thanks again for all your help

Beruthiel

Originally posted by helpguest
She told me it saves money on tampons/pads so i may ask her where I can get one and if it can be put in early

helpguest
if you read sykes post, just be aware of his comment:

Although its much rarer TSS can be causes by diaphrams.

In fact anything"insertable" can be a cause

Walls

I'd advise that you consult a women's clinic and they will go through all the options with you. I really wouldn't base any decisions on hearsay or the like. An awful lot of people make that mistake and it is not to be recommended...

Another thing. Spotting or bleeding while on the pill isn't normal. Its considered a sign that the pill isn't working and that you need to up the dosage. Continue on the same dosage and difficulties will undoubtly develop.

bug

i dont really like the idea of going on the pill, as i want to have kids someday, and i dont like messing with hormones that are fine on their own.

although I can understand your fears I think that it is best to ask these questions of your doctor, after you come off the pill it can take a while for your body to regulate, anything up to a year depending on the woman. I came off the combined pill after seven years and was back to a normal cycle within two months. I know plenty of people who were on high dosage pills back in the eighties and have successfully went on to have healthy children.

claire h

Well, if you want to get all technical about messing with hormones... women aren't supposed to have as many periods as they do nowadays, we're not built that way - we're designed to be carrying children for the majority of our childbearing years, rather than bleeding. If you look at it that way...

Here's a radical idea - sleep on a towel for those few nights. No risk of TSS and the sheets are saved. Everyone's happy.

Nala

Originally posted by Walls
Another thing. Spotting or bleeding while on the pill isn't normal. Its considered a sign that the pill isn't working and that you need to up the dosage. Continue on the same dosage and difficulties will undoubtly develop.

It's normal for the first few weeks after you start on it.

bug

as far as I know its it normal to "spot" in the first few weeks of the pill, especially the progesterone only pill, I think what walls is referring to is if you are on it for a long time and then start spotting, then they may up the dosage of the pill. But you ahould always ask the doctor what happens with any particular pill.
The three main brands of pill that they generally recommend to you in this country are: Yasmin and Cilest for the combined pill, (oestrogen & progesterone synthetics)
and Noriday (progesterone only). Apparently of the progesterone only pills my doctor tells me there are only three brands available in ROI, and it isnt as popular here as it is in mainland europe. They tend to give the combined pill to younger women (I dont know why, but I would speculate that its because its effectiveness is higer than the progesterone only pill). My doctor explains that the effectiveness is minimally less with the progeterone only pill because it only has a two hour window in which you can take it and be "safe" whereas with the combined pill there is a larger time frame within which you can take it if you miss your specific time.
There are also other reasons why they will prescribe either pill to an individual, based on age, smoking, recenty pregnancy, health problems etc. And any questions you have should be througholy investigated with your doctor before you take either.

catspring

Originally posted by helpguest
My friend has a thing called a "keeper" which costs 30 dollars (in america) but lasts for 10 years. Basically it is a little cup you insert that collects the blood and you just empty it into the toilet, and then clean it with some bleach or something each month.

that sounds so nasty!!! eww!!

red_ice

I dont feel its my place to post on this thread... but here it goes.

I have a Q(for me) and a possible A(for you) on this.

Is it possible to wear a tampon and pantie liner together?

If its coz your leaking the tampon should slow you down, and the liner should catch whats getting out. Unless you have an extreamly heavy period - i think that might be an option.

I think ill step away from the thread for good now and let Beruthiel fill you in on the feasablilty of my reply... if you can call it that!

Hope thats some help for you

reD.

Ebonyks

Tampon Man will save the day!

Bit off topic...just saw thread...had this up on another window...I had to tbh.