Tampons or Pads? What Is Your Preference?

I think I asked my mom for tampons by my 2nd period.
I think the term "sanitary pd" is an oxymoron! Blecch.

.

I only use Tampons - Playtex. I have very light periods, so regular/lite tampons work fine for me. I agree that I feel sloppy and gross, no matter if I take showers twice a day, with pads. With a tampon, I can forget that I'm having a period. I even insert the string, because I can't stand feeling that there.

My mother had never used a tampon. I absolutely hated having a period at first. I actually quit swimming lessons, that I loved, because my mom had no clue how to deal with a period and go swimming... I finally got up the nerve to ask my mom if I could get some tampons. I had read about them in a magazine, probably. Never looked back!

I have always used pads (yes, I hate them too!) but TSS was something that was stressed when I first need to use something and the thought of putting a tampon in was scary for a young girl even without TSS.

I use a "keeper cup" (google it) and really like it in place of tampons. It is much more comfortable and environmentally friendly. I also use Glad Rags (google them, too) instead of disposable pads/liners. I developed an allergy to something in mass market disposables and cannot use them. They are more comfortable, too.

ok this may be tmi but it all depends on my flow of the month... sometimes i am flowing non stop and need both, or sometimes if it is "chunky".. you know what i mean, eew.. then i use pads... or if it is light then just tampons... but never cardboard applicators, oh eew, has to be plastic applicator and i do not like wings on my pads or liners, those are uncomfortable too!! my mom definitely did not direct me with my product usage, she tried to give me an economy sized box of carboard applicator tampons after she went through the change.. and a package of pads with wings.. lol

Diva Cup all the way!

Try Infinity by Always.

i hate tampons, they hurt, I don't like having to do gymnastics on the toilet seat to insert them, I LOATH the feel of pulling them out. Pads are much more comortable to me, and i don't have to worry about them slipping or leaking.

Mom used Ob and I never could get the hang of those things. I've tried others and still haven't found anything to be comfortable enought to make me forget i'm using it.

Diva Cup! So much nicer than either tampons or pads.

I'm allergic to disposable pads, so I have some mama cloth pantiliners for backup.

In Jr. High, High School and College I always wore tampons. Ever since I had my son I can't wear them anymore. I wear pads, Always Infinity. I LOVE them and will never try anything else. I wish I could use a Diva Cup, but sadly can't use that either.

I wear pads. I'm a dancer and dance teacher. I wear pads still! I use to wear tampons when I was younger. I had so many problems with that. Pads aren't as sloppy and gross as you may think! Get an over-sized pad and change them often! I get the Stayfree ultra thin with wings for overnight and I use those all the time both day and night. My periods are soooooo heavy anyhow. They are really comfy and I am very picky!

Good luck!

I have a pretty heavy period. If i wore tampons in the 1st two days, they would be flooded out. TMI, i know, but that is my issue. I make sure i wear tampons if i am planning a "fun" night. Other than that, i dont mind pads. I take showers and a ton of relaxing baths.... so i am pretty clean. If i feel too "sloppy and gross", i jump in the tub, pull the shower head down and clean up. That is honest for ya :)

I use pads for safety reasons. I do use Tampons for swimming and for teaching dance. My nutritionist recommended me not to use Tampons because of the chemicals in them.

Pads always made me feel like I was wearing a diaper. My mom wouldn't buy tampons for us, though - she was paranoid about TSS. When I had a job and was able to buy my own supplies, I switched to tampons - tried several brands and ob was my favorite. Later, when the cup came out, I used it sometimes.

ETA: I was amazed when once a friend asked if I had a spare tampon and I handed her an ob - she looked at it and asked, "How am I supposed to put this in?" I told her, 'You just push it up with your finger." She was aghast - "Stick my FINGER inside me?" I said "Yes. Just like you do when you masturbate." She looked at me as if I had just popped out of a pod. Apparently she had never masturbated.

to get you thru the next 2 months....here's a new name for them: horse saddle!

Yes, they're gross....but unfortunately the only means possible for many women....due to many different conditions & issues. Me, included.

File this one under TMI. Pretty way out there question! :)

@ G W - How rude! If you're going to skip it, then skip it!
ETA: I didn't mean to attack you! I'm so sorry, that was not the goal! I was just trying to defend the original poster. I didn't want her to feel bad, and I don't think it's a weird question.

I like to use both - double up - extra protection!

I don't have to worry about this anymore!! YAY!!!!! Had a hysterectomy at the beginning of the year and now I'm done!!!

During the summer - if I had a cycle - it was tampons...other than that - pads.

Pads. Tampons stop my periods for some reason. Always has a awesome pad called infinity. They are made of something that makes it to where u can't feel any moisture. Literally! Give them a try
Good luck.

Tampons!!! Period.

((I was heartbroken to find they don't work for those first few days after birth. Although if I could have found one the size of Chicago...I woulda tried it!))

Like you, athlete.

The closest I've come to a pad in 9 years is the emergency TP or papertowel on the way to fetch more!!!

Most women in my family preferred pads. God alone knows why. Ick. Although, if I ever had to go back to them (used the my first 2 or 3 periods, and those first couple days after birth) a brazillian is in my future!!! Dried clots and hair? No. Absolutely not. (Can ya tell I have sensory issues?) And don't even get me started on the smell.

Tampons,maybe a panty liner with it. I cant stand pads.

i used tampons from my second period on i HATED pads they felt like diapers and i felt soo gross in them so i only wear tampons

I use pads every month. I haven't found a comfortable tampon and I dont like the idea of chemicals being placed inside my body, so I'll keep using pads.

I hate pads because I don't like sitting in my flow, but I hate tampons because they hurt me (tilted uterus) and I hate pulling out a dry one. Enter the menstrual cup (I use Mooncup), and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Such a perfect alternative to pads and tampons. It's safe, effective, and comfortable! I will never go back to pads and tampons.

Pads only. Tampons have always ranged from really uncomfortable to downright painful for me. I always feel them and they are always miserable. When I went in for my first pelvic/PAP I learned that I have a retroverted uterus, which may be one of the reasons for that discomfort.

My mom used tampons and told me they might be less painful after I was married. They are still just as bad. I will admit they can be uncomfortable, but I'm completely used to them and sprinkle a little baby powder on them if things are really heavy.

since i've been on the pill my periods aren't heavy enough to warrant using either. but before, they were SUPER heavy - i would wear a normal, or slightly larger sized tampon, with a panty liner or sometimes even a regular pad.

When I was 12 in a half,when I started my first "period",my mom only let me and my sister use pads. We was virgins still and didn't want us to use tampons until after we were virgins. I think I was like 17 or maybe 18 when I start using tampons but use pads/pantyliners as a back up. Right now I use both.(Pads and Tampons) Some months I use just pads(which I don't like) and some where I use them both.I like tampons alot better because I feel "cleaner" compared to just using pads.

I remember my mother having both at home. I started using tampons within a couple of years after getting my period and never went back to pads except for postpartum. I am 44 now and done with periods (yay). My 16 year old daughter uses only tampons.

I use both. On heavy days I use tampons on lite days I use panty liners. I would say I have way more lite days then heavy. Maybe One heavy day a cycle. When I have one at all. My mom didn't influence me because by the time I first got my period she had stopped having one all together and it was whatever I felt comfortable with.

Of your choices, I prefer pads. No one influenced me. But I just started using the Diva cup, and I think I'll be sticking with that from now on.

I tried using tampons all through high school and college, I played softball and other sports, but I would always end up doubled over with cramps. As soon as I put a pad on instead I didn't even know I was having a period.

Always ultra pads are the best to use, if you have to use them.
I used tampons my whole life, pre kids that is. Now they slip down a bit, due to a change in my anatomy and are just not comfortable.

As an adult, I use tampons. I like them over pads because I don't like having the blood against my body. I have sensitive skin and have developed irritations from it as well. The most I will use is a panty liner.
Here's a funny story. I had to take my mom shopping before a pool party. Before we went shopping I had told her I started my period that morning. When we got back and I changed into my swim stuff she asked me how exactly I intended to go swimming. She about fell over and let out this huge gasp when I told her I used tampons.
Needless to say my mom ONLY used pads, and would never think to ever use a tampon...so no, she didn't influence me. =)

no offense but this is one of the more bizaare jff questions I've seen...I think I'll skip answering this one LOL

edit @Erin...I'm sorry you misunderstood my tone, there was no rudeness intended...I was simply saying this was pretty different from the normal JFF questions, did you not notice the LOL at the end indicating I thought it odd but funny? Sheesh, so quick to jump on the bandwagon and attack...have a pleasant night

I know I am in the minority here, but I can't stand tampons!!! I don't like anything artificial in my lady parts and so I prefer pads and light flow pantiliners to tampons. As for my mom, no she didn't influence my decision---I figured it out on my own. I tried tampons when I was younger but they were very uncomfortable--so I have stuck with pads for the rest of the time.

I used tampons all through out high school and college mainly because I was an athlete. I only use them now when I go swimming. My sister had tss a few years ago and now I am very leary to use tampons at all.

When I was in h.s, college & the military I used tampons only (when I had a period...I was on the depo shot for a long time & had no period - perfect while doing training/missions in the army). Now that I've had kids they hurt, absolutely painful so it's pads only. I have heard a number of good things about the diva cup though so I may look into that.
No influence from my mom - she didn't even know I started my period until the 3rd or 4th cycle. I read the little insert in the tampon box she had in the bathroom.

Hi--
I'm not particularly fond of either choice, but I use pads. Tampons give me cramps and pads don't. I use tampons if I'm in a situation that calls for them (going swimming, for example), but otherwise I use the bleach free pads.
J.

i use both. i used to have such heavy periods that just a tampon wouldn't work for me. it has gotten better the last few years but i guess i am scarred for life. i use both.

I know it was not a choice but my vote is a Diva cup for sure! They rock. Hated tampons. Hate pads. Both are not healthy. Tampons for me are uncomfortable and pads make me irritated. And both cost money to be simply tossed into the trash.
C.

Pads, I have a tilted uterus and tampons are super painful. Even my doc told me that tampons would probably be a bad idea.

ob, and pads as back up if I need them. I hate applicators. I'd like to try the diva cup, but haven't yet.

My mother used pads with a belt! Ick!