Pads vs. Tampons

Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
So I recently got into a discussion with a friend about feminine hygiene products, and she will only use tampons, where as I can't stand the way they feel. So I was wondering what everybody else's preferences are on the matter, since I can't possibly be the only one who talks about this stuff, lol.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Tampons only, pads are like diapers
82  (30%)
Pads only, tampons just seem unnatural
43  (16%)
Mixture of both, depending on mood or situation
94  (34%)
Other
54  (20%)
Total votes: 273
Poll is closed
03/11/2010
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Contributor: EffinSara EffinSara
Long-time tampon user, about to transition to a reusable menstrual cup. I just have to use up my stockpile of tampons, first.

I do occasionally use a pantyliner as backup for both cups and tampons, especially if I'm toward the start of my period or will be stuck somewhere for a few hours without the opportunity to run off to the restroom.
03/11/2010
Contributor: MuffysPinguLove MuffysPinguLove
I mostly use tampons or my divacup
03/11/2010
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Well, when I actually have a period, I usually use Tampons but because my flow is barely there, when I do use something, it's a thin panty liner which I don't really consider a pad.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Pads - no matter how or which way I fit it in, my flow always manages to bypass the tampon. Ick.
03/11/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
I love my Diva Cup, and I'll never go back to tampons. I'm thinking of investing in some Luna Pads just for another option. They're reusable cotton flannel pads. link for more info.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Miss Jane Miss Jane
Tampons just don't work right in me. I've tried them; they hurt. I went back to pads. Meh.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Miss Jane Miss Jane
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Jane
Tampons just don't work right in me. I've tried them; they hurt. I went back to pads. Meh.
They hurt for me, that is - not to say they hurt for everyone
03/11/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Jane
They hurt for me, that is - not to say they hurt for everyone
They generally hurt for me as well, which is why I avoid them like the plague, lol. I think I've used maybe one tampon, once, when I was 13, that wasn't obscenely uncomfortable in some manner.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by LikeSunshineDust
I love my Diva Cup, and I'll never go back to tampons. I'm thinking of investing in some Luna Pads just for another option. They're reusable cotton flannel pads. link for more info.
You can support handmade crafting as well by buying some off of Etsy (shameless plug for awesome site)

Here's a link to the search results I got for reusable menstrual pads. Some people have used some crazy weird fabrics to make these too, lol
03/11/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I used to use tampons during the day and pads at night, but now it's Instead (the disposable cups) during the day. Always with a liner.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
When I have a moderate to high level of flow, I use exclusively tampons; if it's really light, I use panty liners (which I don't consider a pad). I haven't used full on pads in years. I always hated them, but used them because when you bleed as much as I used to, there wasn't a tampon in the world that was absorbent enough, yet fit in my virgin vagina. So, I was stuck using pads to thick they made it look like I was wearing a diaper under my clothes. Thank goodness for birth control that minimizes periods.
03/11/2010
Contributor: sarahbear sarahbear
Diva Cup. Occasionally with a pad if the flow is very heavy and I won't be near a restroom to empty/rinse it. I'm thinking of getting some Luna Pads though.
03/11/2010
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Tampons exclusively for the past 4 years. I've had periods since I was in the fourth grade, and I always felt sick and tired when I had to wear pads. Hated those damn things! And I had to wear one for an entire school day, because I didn't carry a purse and therefore couldn't change. 10 hours worth of period blood...not fun.

Tampons are a gift from God. I feel perfectly fine now thanks to them.
03/11/2010
Contributor: HisGirl HisGirl
Only Tampons,
I think pads are extremely unpleasant,unsanitary & to much to deal with.
03/12/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
I can't use tampons...they hurt me as well. I get terrible cramps when I have them in and I seem to bleed everywhere but ON the tampon, it will come out perfectly clean I am thinking of investing in some luna pads though.
03/12/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Jane
They hurt for me, that is - not to say they hurt for everyone
They hurt me too because they dry me out so much. It's extremely uncomfortable.
03/12/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
You can support handmade crafting as well by buying some off of Etsy (shameless plug for awesome site)

Here's a link to the search results I got for reusable menstrual pads. Some people have used some crazy weird fabrics to make these ... more
Thanks, I'll definitely check that out!
03/12/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
You can support handmade crafting as well by buying some off of Etsy (shameless plug for awesome site)

Here's a link to the search results I got for reusable menstrual pads. Some people have used some crazy weird fabrics to make these ... more
They do have a bunch of awesome ones, and they're less expensive than the Luna pads. I emailed one seller to get more info about the fabric, and I think I'll end up buying from her.

You know what else I found on Etsy? (totally off topic) Inexpensive wine bags aka dildo bags. Yay storage solutions!
03/12/2010
Contributor: Jade Jade
I've used tampons for years, pads make me itch and feel yucky. Although I might look into the Diva cup, I'm kind of curious now.
03/12/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
I can't walk around with a tampon in, makes me feel like I have a stick up my butt, LOL.
03/12/2010
Contributor: deceased deceased
I can always smell someone wearing a pad, no matter how frequently she changes it. Blood degrades so quickly when it hits the air, and the odor, like garlic, isn't always detectable to the wearer, but its detectable to people who are "Super sniffers" (according to Monell Labs).
I can also smell liver and kideny failure before they happen (they both smell distinctly different) and other states of physical health.
03/13/2010
Contributor: Jill Ingoff Jill Ingoff
Depending on the flow, I use lots of things, but mainly my beloved cup :o)
03/13/2010
Contributor: Jill Ingoff Jill Ingoff
Quote:
Originally posted by deceased
I can always smell someone wearing a pad, no matter how frequently she changes it. Blood degrades so quickly when it hits the air, and the odor, like garlic, isn't always detectable to the wearer, but its detectable to people who are "Super ... more
wow.. that's.. incredible.
03/13/2010
Contributor: Saraid Saraid
Diva Cup! I also can smell pads.

Seriously though, if you haven't tried a Diva Cup (or Mooncup, Keeper or other menstrual cup) I really encourage you to. They're much more comfortable, resuable, and you don't have to worry about nasty chemicals from the bleached cotton getting all up in your vagina.
03/14/2010
Contributor: Saraid Saraid
Quote:
Originally posted by LikeSunshineDust
I love my Diva Cup, and I'll never go back to tampons. I'm thinking of investing in some Luna Pads just for another option. They're reusable cotton flannel pads. link for more info.
Totally do! I use them the first few days before my period is supposed to hit in case it comes early and surprises me. I also use it for back-up on super heavy days. I have the smallest size of liner.
03/14/2010
Contributor: Ajax Ajax
I just wear pads because I find the tampons uncomfortable sometimes and I have to wear a pantie liner or thin pad with the tampon anyways because it always seems to travel down the cord. Seems altogether easier to just wear the pad.
03/14/2010
Contributor: Sassybunny85 Sassybunny85
I really like the easy and convenience of tampons, but with my endometriosis, it seems like I have more pain with tampon use than pad use. I've heard some women have the opposite issue though, more pain with pad use.
03/14/2010
Contributor: deceased deceased
Quote:
Originally posted by Jill Ingoff
wow.. that's.. incredible.
Monell Labs accepts volunteers for taste/smell experiments

link
03/15/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by LikeSunshineDust
They do have a bunch of awesome ones, and they're less expensive than the Luna pads. I emailed one seller to get more info about the fabric, and I think I'll end up buying from her.

You know what else I found on Etsy? (totally off ... more
I'm glad you found some other things on there

Check out teaman if you like tea. Absolutely fantastic stuff. I normally can't stand fruit flavored teas but his fruit flavored teas actually taste like fruit and I don't seem to mind those so much.
03/15/2010