So, warning, I've got my period.

[conuly]

And I know some people find that a gross and/or disgusting subject. I don't exactly get it. Firstly, it's blood, it's not more or less disgusting than a nosebleed or a cut on the finger. Secondly, despite what some people think, it's no more disgusting when people know about it (it leaked) than when it didn't. That doesn't refer to me, actually, but a recent post in a certain comm I read. No, not childfree this time. Third, I assume that everybody reading my journal knows that the vast majority of adult, pre-menopausal women get their periods. So if you know I have it, big deal, it's nothing you didn't know before. _{Of course, this coming from a person who calls all such equipment "you-knows" is pretty rich, I know, I know.}

However, because some people have issues with natural functions and the body have a higher ick factor than I do, the rest of this post is now open to your brave eyes.

When I found out I had my period, I was at Jenn's house. Of course, I have no pads. She only had tampons. I hate tampons except when I'm at the beach. I just don't like 'em. Limited experience, but I have read more than enough about TSS to panic my obsessive little mind. So I thought, dang, time to use toilet paper, uncomfortable when it's this light but at least I won't stain my pants. I *like* my clothing to be unstained, at least sometimes. And I'll go home early. But then Jenn, my wonderful sister, just handed me a cut up... I think a cut up cloth diaper. Something like that. And now I'm thinking along lines I'd thought before. Regular. Pads. HURT. And they're expensive. And they HURT. And they're bad for the environment. And they give me a rash, and they collect moisture, and they often leak anyway, and they HURT. I swear, it's diaper rash. DIAPER RASH. I couldn't use disposable diapers as a kid either, now that I think about it (nor most cloth ones, nor diapers washed in the wrong detergent, nor diapers wet for more than a minute... there's a reason I went around bare-butt naked all the time), so why I should use disposable pads, I don't know.

The initial investment is going to be expensive. That's the only problem. Well, that and choosing a company. If I had more money, I'd do a comparison. So, anybody wanna give me an early birthday gift? *grins idiotically*

Comments

[feathered.livejournal.com]

I'd consider it, but my parents have high ick factors. It simply is not okay to talk about such things in my house. They'd want to know how I was spending my money, and I'd have to tell them, and they'd be horribly, deeply disturbed and upset to find out I was buying cotton pats for a friend. I don't think it'd go over well.

But, I sympathise. I hate them too. When I move out, I am so looking into buying nondisposables for myself. I read a big article on the different brands in Ms. magazine, I think it was, and have wanted some ever since.

[conuly]

I wouldn't accept from you anyway... I still haven't sent your scarf, for crying out loud! And it's finished, and I feel guilty daily.

[aquamizuko.livejournal.com]

I used to wear pads and they started giving me a nasty rash too. =\ So I use tampons now.. The joys of being female, huh? XD

[conuly]

Pads ALWAYS gave me a wash, and fell apart.

Tampons have a TSS risk. There's other options, like cotton tampons (only slightly better, I think), sponges, or menstrual cups.

[aquamizuko.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know they do.. That's why I didn't start using them until recently. >_< *is a hypochondriac* I think you're okay if you change them fairly often though, and don't let them get completely soaked.. And I dunno where I'd find most of that other stuff.. I almost never buy things online except for my LJ paid accounts. =\

[joeymew.livejournal.com]

Meh. Periods happen. Just part of life as a female. I happen to be on mine at the current moment, not that it's important. I just felt like saying it to blurt.

Anyway, I seriously didn't know there were nondisposable pads. I just thought there were the disposable kind. I'm going to have to look into that now. Ah, the joys of growing up without a female figure during puberty.

[conuly]

1. Health stores
2. Buy online :)

http://www.keeper.com/
http://www.y2kwomen.com/keeper/snail.htm

http://www.pandorapads.com/sponge.htm
http://onewoman.com/redspot/sponge.html (interesting info... you can also get sponges from art supply stores)

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp46527_333181_sespider/natracare/organic_all_cotton_tampons_with_applicator_regular_absorbency.htm

http://www.hipusa.com/eTools/webmd/A-Z_Encyclopedia/toxicshockbasics.htm

[conuly]

Most people don't know about reusable pads, though I wonder what they think people used way back when.

[literalgirl.livejournal.com]

Funny. I'm on mine too.

I am a hardcore tampon girl, but I change 'em so often I really am not concerned about TSS.

I am interested in the Keeper, but I am so messy I have a hard time envisioning that being anything like efficient. I can just see having to shower twice a day! I bleed so heavily that I often bleed through a super plus and also use pads on my worst days (this can be like, in an hour, not from not changing often enough).

There is a community you might want check out - I think it's called menstrualhut (if that is a bad lj user tag, it's something like "menstrual hut", maybe an underscore, maybe not). Vagina Pagina is a groovy community too.

Toodles!

[conuly]

Damn, what is this, blood week?

Luckily for me, I am no longer especially heavy/long when it comes to my periods, so that's not a worry.

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

Don't have any comments on the pads. I just wanted to say I agree with what you say about periods. I used to have friends who referred to their periods as "George." "Oh, George arrived to day," or "George is scheduled to come next week." I have no idea why they didn't just say, "I got my period today." You can't just say, "George arrived today, so I have cramps!" or somebody's going to think that something awfully weird is going on.

[conuly]

*giggles* The Museum of Menstruation's website has an interesting story from a guy who's mother and older sisters called their period "Senor Rojo". He grew up thinking they all knew this guy who kept visiting, but he never met!

Apparently, one euphimism is "falling off the roof". I wanna use that one just for the sillyfactor.

So, I fell off the roof today.

[joeymew.livejournal.com]

I've always liked 'the crimson wave' as a euphimism. It's always made me laugh.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

I'm a pad girl-- I can't use tampons/cups or anything else that goes up the hoo-ha. I've been looking into cloth pads (someone on vagina_pagina was selling plaid ones!) but so far I haven't foun any that I'd like. And yes, I look into them solely for the environmental factor.

Luckily I'm going to a liberal, all women's college. So if I get cloth pads that need a-washing, only most of them would be squicked, not all. And I'm so with you about the fact that it grosses people out. I've been bleeding out the cooter since I was 12! If I'm not used to it by now there's something wrong with me.

I like saying "the painters are in" myself. :D

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

I think this testimonial on the Pandora Pads page says it all:

"Pandora's are the most comfortable, and well designed pads I've ever worn.  (And as a 40-year-old woman who has never even tried to tolerate tampons, I've worn a lot of pads.) . . . Connie is a wonderful person, too!"

Eh, and if you don't want to decide based on that, I guess a good place to start is by asking people who have used them to get an idea of what's hot and what's not. Then again, different things seem to work for different people so...

I haven't any experience with any of these manufacturers. For reasons above and beyond my control I have not had a need for their products. :)

[nightsea.livejournal.com]

Seems this really is blood week.. god I hate cramps.

Anyway, I refuse to use tampons too, for the same reason.. paranoia about TSS. About a year ago I took a chance and actually bought the Keeper. I hear that it works great, but I'm still a virgin and trying to insert it just.. no. It wasn't going to happen, and it probably won't happen until after I'm married.

I do have a friend who uses the Luna pads, and she swears by them, so I hope that helps.

[dandelion.livejournal.com]

I'm on too, three weeks late as if you care(which is really odd, since for years and years now I've been very regular. Silly thing.) I looked into nondisposables, but how'd you cope with changing them? I could not handle it if someone opened that carry case and found these bloody pads inside...so I'll stick to my Alldays. Which, actually, now come with a "cotton like topsheet" and are very comfortable.

[conuly]

That. Would scare me. Seriously.

[conuly]

Use a plastic bag? Like I said, mine isn't that heavy anymore, I rarely have to change it more than once during the day anyway.

[dandelion.livejournal.com]

I have to change mine several times, so 'tis annoying. Though it'll be very easy to get hold of these washable ones, because they sell them in Boots(and they don't look that expensive). Maybe I'll try them.

[meteorie.livejournal.com]

I really really hate pads. I really really really hate them. I like lighting them on fire for fun. Seriously, I want to get that new birth control pill.. no, not for birth control, so that I only have to have my period four times a year.

But damn, those pads are expensive..

[feathered.livejournal.com]

I'd consider it, but my parents have high ick factors. It simply is not okay to talk about such things in my house. They'd want to know how I was spending my money, and I'd have to tell them, and they'd be horribly, deeply disturbed and upset to find out I was buying cotton pats for a friend. I don't think it'd go over well.

But, I sympathise. I hate them too. When I move out, I am so looking into buying nondisposables for myself. I read a big article on the different brands in Ms. magazine, I think it was, and have wanted some ever since.

[conuly]

I wouldn't accept from you anyway... I still haven't sent your scarf, for crying out loud! And it's finished, and I feel guilty daily.

[aquamizuko.livejournal.com]

I used to wear pads and they started giving me a nasty rash too. =\ So I use tampons now.. The joys of being female, huh? XD

[conuly]

Pads ALWAYS gave me a wash, and fell apart.

Tampons have a TSS risk. There's other options, like cotton tampons (only slightly better, I think), sponges, or menstrual cups.

[aquamizuko.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know they do.. That's why I didn't start using them until recently. >_< *is a hypochondriac* I think you're okay if you change them fairly often though, and don't let them get completely soaked.. And I dunno where I'd find most of that other stuff.. I almost never buy things online except for my LJ paid accounts. =\

[joeymew.livejournal.com]

Meh. Periods happen. Just part of life as a female. I happen to be on mine at the current moment, not that it's important. I just felt like saying it to blurt.

Anyway, I seriously didn't know there were nondisposable pads. I just thought there were the disposable kind. I'm going to have to look into that now. Ah, the joys of growing up without a female figure during puberty.

[conuly]

1. Health stores
2. Buy online :)

http://www.keeper.com/
http://www.y2kwomen.com/keeper/snail.htm

http://www.pandorapads.com/sponge.htm
http://onewoman.com/redspot/sponge.html (interesting info... you can also get sponges from art supply stores)

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp46527_333181_sespider/natracare/organic_all_cotton_tampons_with_applicator_regular_absorbency.htm

http://www.hipusa.com/eTools/webmd/A-Z_Encyclopedia/toxicshockbasics.htm

[conuly]

Most people don't know about reusable pads, though I wonder what they think people used way back when.

[literalgirl.livejournal.com]

Funny. I'm on mine too.

I am a hardcore tampon girl, but I change 'em so often I really am not concerned about TSS.

I am interested in the Keeper, but I am so messy I have a hard time envisioning that being anything like efficient. I can just see having to shower twice a day! I bleed so heavily that I often bleed through a super plus and also use pads on my worst days (this can be like, in an hour, not from not changing often enough).

There is a community you might want check out - I think it's called menstrualhut (if that is a bad lj user tag, it's something like "menstrual hut", maybe an underscore, maybe not). Vagina Pagina is a groovy community too.

Toodles!

[conuly]

Damn, what is this, blood week?

Luckily for me, I am no longer especially heavy/long when it comes to my periods, so that's not a worry.

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

Don't have any comments on the pads. I just wanted to say I agree with what you say about periods. I used to have friends who referred to their periods as "George." "Oh, George arrived to day," or "George is scheduled to come next week." I have no idea why they didn't just say, "I got my period today." You can't just say, "George arrived today, so I have cramps!" or somebody's going to think that something awfully weird is going on.

[conuly]

*giggles* The Museum of Menstruation's website has an interesting story from a guy who's mother and older sisters called their period "Senor Rojo". He grew up thinking they all knew this guy who kept visiting, but he never met!

Apparently, one euphimism is "falling off the roof". I wanna use that one just for the sillyfactor.

So, I fell off the roof today.

[joeymew.livejournal.com]

I've always liked 'the crimson wave' as a euphimism. It's always made me laugh.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

I'm a pad girl-- I can't use tampons/cups or anything else that goes up the hoo-ha. I've been looking into cloth pads (someone on vagina_pagina was selling plaid ones!) but so far I haven't foun any that I'd like. And yes, I look into them solely for the environmental factor.

Luckily I'm going to a liberal, all women's college. So if I get cloth pads that need a-washing, only most of them would be squicked, not all. And I'm so with you about the fact that it grosses people out. I've been bleeding out the cooter since I was 12! If I'm not used to it by now there's something wrong with me.

I like saying "the painters are in" myself. :D

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

I think this testimonial on the Pandora Pads page says it all:

"Pandora's are the most comfortable, and well designed pads I've ever worn.  (And as a 40-year-old woman who has never even tried to tolerate tampons, I've worn a lot of pads.) . . . Connie is a wonderful person, too!"

Eh, and if you don't want to decide based on that, I guess a good place to start is by asking people who have used them to get an idea of what's hot and what's not. Then again, different things seem to work for different people so...

I haven't any experience with any of these manufacturers. For reasons above and beyond my control I have not had a need for their products. :)

[nightsea.livejournal.com]

Seems this really is blood week.. god I hate cramps.

Anyway, I refuse to use tampons too, for the same reason.. paranoia about TSS. About a year ago I took a chance and actually bought the Keeper. I hear that it works great, but I'm still a virgin and trying to insert it just.. no. It wasn't going to happen, and it probably won't happen until after I'm married.

I do have a friend who uses the Luna pads, and she swears by them, so I hope that helps.

[dandelion.livejournal.com]

I'm on too, three weeks late as if you care(which is really odd, since for years and years now I've been very regular. Silly thing.) I looked into nondisposables, but how'd you cope with changing them? I could not handle it if someone opened that carry case and found these bloody pads inside...so I'll stick to my Alldays. Which, actually, now come with a "cotton like topsheet" and are very comfortable.

[conuly]

That. Would scare me. Seriously.

[conuly]

Use a plastic bag? Like I said, mine isn't that heavy anymore, I rarely have to change it more than once during the day anyway.

[dandelion.livejournal.com]

I have to change mine several times, so 'tis annoying. Though it'll be very easy to get hold of these washable ones, because they sell them in Boots(and they don't look that expensive). Maybe I'll try them.

[meteorie.livejournal.com]

I really really hate pads. I really really really hate them. I like lighting them on fire for fun. Seriously, I want to get that new birth control pill.. no, not for birth control, so that I only have to have my period four times a year.

But damn, those pads are expensive..