girl products question (you know the icky ones)

[lauren grier]

what product/brand do you use for tampons or whatever?

the combination of copper iud + coumadin = the most horrifyingly heavy periods on the planet.. I've been considering a cup but i'm unsure if they could really handle this level of bleeding (seriously. it's horrible).

Also, if you use tampons what brand do you use.. I've been using tampax since i started getting periods but i'm rather displeased lately.. i don't know if they've changed or if it's merely a problem with how much i'm bleeding but blah .. Esp with those plastic applicator ones-- they just do not absorb well at all. The cardboard ones are a little better for whatever reason, but if you're going through as many tampons as I am you don't really want to be stabbing yourself with cardboard that many times either..

[pewtertm]

I've used o.b. since I was in middle school...I found that it protected things a lot better than tampax...and I despise pads. BLECH!

[hollyxann]

I use the tampax pearls...supers. I have bad periods too. And I always back up with panty liners. I used to use Kotex and I like them too. But I've been on a Tampax kick lately.

[jessica31876]

I get ultra absorbancy in playtex.

http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Gentle...3547910&sr=8-1

If I cannot find them I use super plus because I have really heavy menstrual cycles too.

I found these at vitamin shop and I swear they make my periods shorter and the cramping virtually disappear. It is like a miracle pill LOL

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/e...sp?id=OON-1003

[YepBrook]

My periods have really changed for the worse since my daughter was born. It's craziness! On really bad days, when I'm home, I wear an overnight pad because I just can't take changing tampons a million times before lunch. lol. But when it comes to tampons, I have given up on Tampax. They leak. And Playtex is OK but they are a little uncomfortable for me. This is what I use for super duper heavy days: Kotex at the suggestion of a friend. I had never tried Kotex before, but they're great.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by jessica31876

I found these at vitamin shop and I swear they make my periods shorter and the cramping virtually disappear. It is like a miracle pill LOL

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/e...sp?id=OON-1003

I can't take cramp bark (or high amounts of ginger for that matter) bc of the coumadin.. ><
generally speaking i can't take anything anymore

[mariewilcox]

As I have it perimenopause and am headed into menpause I've had heavier periods at times and switched from Tampax to Playtex Sport - I love them about as much as a woman can love any such product. Seriously though, much more protection than I had been getting with the Tampax.

[Jenn Barrette]

I used o.b. for years (currently have Mirena IUD and don't get my period anymore).

[NeverendingJen]

I'm about to attempt using the diva cup. I've heard rave reviews from all my friends who use it even with heavy cycles. I'm rather desperate as my cycles are so bad that the highest absorbancy in any brand isn't working for me anymore,

[Darcy Baldwin]

I'd go with a cup, too, la. You can always use a pad as a backup until you get confident in how often you need to empty it.

And Marie, doesn't it suck?! I've been suffering for about 2 years now, and hope that it will begin to decline at some point soon

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by NeverendingJen

I'm about to attempt using the diva cup. I've heard rave reviews from all my friends who use it even with heavy cycles. I'm rather desperate as my cycles are so bad that the highest absorbancy in any brand isn't working for me anymore,

i read that the diva cups are harder (the material ) than some of the other brands .. well, I read it on one site LOL that might just be that one persons feelings.

[heathergw]

yeah... a cup holds way more than a tampon... plus, I swear my periods are heavier when using tampons or pads... I think there is some chemical in them that makes it happen... my cycles totally lightened up after a couple cycles with the diva cup

[carriesmom]

I used to use Tampax Pearl but I have used Kotex too. I have Mirena now and no periods.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by heathergw

yeah... a cup holds way more than a tampon... plus, I swear my periods are heavier when using tampons or pads... I think there is some chemical in them that makes it happen... my cycles totally lightened up after a couple cycles with the diva cup

comparatively.. like how much does it hold (you know, like... you change a tampon every 3 hrs but now you empty the cup every.. X?) i'm not even getting a full hour out of a super so .. yes

[heathergw]

super tampon every 2-3 hours... diva cup 3-4 times a day

[Darcy Baldwin]

neither Diva or Mooncup list the specific amount a cup holds, but you can know that it's going to get you through more than an hour that a pad can hold. It's meant to hold for up to 8 hrs, but even with a really heavy flow, it can hold about an ounce at a time.

[MamaBee]

Having worked for the fine people that make kotex... I'm branded.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

neither Diva or Mooncup list the specific amount a cup holds, but you can know that it's going to get you through more than an hour that a pad can hold. It's meant to hold for up to 8 hrs, but even with a really heavy flow, it can hold about an ounce at a time.

i googled and it said 25-30 g/ml. Supers are 12 -- so itd get me to 2 hrs at least i guess..
though i'm not sure that's a very exciting improvement ^_^

[Darcy Baldwin]

It is, la, trust me LOL

I'm not under the medicine flow like you, but the perimenopause thing for me has been awful. I was in the hospital last spring because I thought I was going to bleed out, so now I know to just deal with it, so I completely understand. Any relief is good. I'd still wear a backup until you get used to how it's going to work for you when you start.

And if you're having any 'issues' with the umm. moisture for such a long period on any other part of your body (think along the lines of diaper rash - I know it's awful, but it can happen when you have to go so long), a cup REALLY helps that, too.

[heathergw]

and consider the cost too... you only have to buy one cup vs. thousands of tampons... and I had way more leaks from using a tampon than I did with the cup

[LenaGardner]

I don't have a say anymore but I have a friend who gives rave reviews about the diva cup.

[BrattyMeg]

ugh am I the only girl with an IUD that still gets a period? I'm more regular now that I have one (have had one for about 8 months) than before when I was just on the pill.

I use Kotex too I've used them for years..can't stand Tampax anymore

[lovely1m]

Originally Posted by FlirtatiousBrat

ugh am I the only girl with an IUD that still gets a period?

No, you are not. I still get one every single month, too. For the first 2.5 years I had the IUD, it was much, much lighter than it used to be, but then suddenly got to being normal flow again (scared the hell out of me, had to call my ob/gyn). I even got it while breastfeeding though, its a stubborn period.

I have never heard of a diva cup before. Interesting.

I used Playtex. I have had heavy periods most of my life and this has always worked for me.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by FlirtatiousBrat

ugh am I the only girl with an IUD that still gets a period? I'm more regular now that I have one (have had one for about 8 months) than before when I was just on the pill.

I use Kotex too I've used them for years..can't stand Tampax anymore

i have an iud :P

[nun69]

I think I am going through that stupid pre meonpause thing and it SUCKS...I use Playtex Pearls Super and I really like them....

[BrattyMeg]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

I have never heard of a diva cup before. Interesting.

me either..glad i wasn't the only one

[BrattyMeg]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

i have an iud :P

lmbo you know i posted that and got up..then was like wow Meg you are a dumbass b/c the whole point of the thread was about an IUD and a period...

i win the moron award today

[mariewilcox]

And Marie, doesn't it suck?! I've been suffering for about 2 years now, and hope that it will begin to decline at some point soon

Yes, yes it does Darcy! I started having hot flashes when I was about 44 (so I've been living with those over 4 years now). My doc finally put me back on the pill to control the bleeding and to protect against uterine and ovarian cancer (both of which my mother had at age 49 - which I will be on my next birthday), so that helps a lot with the irregularity and heaviness, but I could do without the other symptoms!

[lauren grier]

so you two are telling me im going to bleed even *more* when i'm older... *glares at uterus*

[pewtertm]

Originally Posted by FlirtatiousBrat

me either..glad i wasn't the only one

Add me to the uninformed LOL

[BrattyMeg]

The Diva Cup sounded interesting (not sure in a good way) to me so I went researching..has amazing reviews on Amazon which kinda shocked me. Not sure I could get behind it though sounds so uncomfy and messy to me? Shrug..I shouldn't knock it til I try it

I tried using Nuva Ring for 2 months before I got my IUD and didn't like it either..must have issues sticking junk up my hoo-ha

[NeverendingJen]

everyone tells me divacup is one of those you have to get used to. I've held off for a few years but desperate times call for desperate measures.

[kscwgirl]

I use playtex sport. Mine is so bad, I go through a super-plus in an hour. :/

My doctor has no idea what's wrong either.. she offered exploratory surgery.. which i declined...b ut some months.. i wish for a hysto.

[Melissa Bennett]

Add another one who has never heard of the diva cup. I too am in the *awesome* (major sarcasm) throws of perimenopause. Mine have gotten so bad that back in September my hemoglobin level was down to 7.1 and my doctor said if it dropped any more I would need a transfusion. I am actually looking into and debating uterine ablation because of my age and I have never been able to have kids. It would be nice to be done with this period thing.

[knlchevys]

I am oblivious to this cup too. I actually had ablasion done at the first of the year. LOVED it. So worth it!!

[KyRainbow]

Originally Posted by knlchevys

I am oblivious to this cup too. I actually had ablasion done at the first of the year. LOVED it. So worth it!!

I have a fybroid tumor...so my doctor is talking about doing one of those...the other alternative is a hysterectomy...joy...

La...can you take progesterone? Thanks to the fybroid, my periods have gotten WAY heavier in the last couple of months, and the dr put me on progesterone to attempt to lighten them and (hopefully) shrink the tumor.

[lauren grier]

nope i can't take it :[

melly i have anemia too -- so each month is a let's see how bad it gets moment.. ^_^ it's great.

[mariewilcox]

I am actually looking into and debating uterine ablation because of my age and I have never been able to have kids. It would be nice to be done with this period thing.

Julie - my sister (41) just had an ablation this past Thursday. I've thought about it but my periods have never been as bad as hers so I haven't gone that route.

[kim21673]

I used Tampax Super...have for years. I aslo have to use a light pad as a backup b/c I have super heavy flows.

My periods last close to two weeks since having Derek.....I spot for 4-5 days and bleed heavy for at least 5-6 days....it SUCKS...and then they come every 21-24 days....SIGH. I feel like I am always on my period.

[abm234]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

what product/brand do you use for tampons or whatever?

the combination of copper iud + coumadin = the most horrifyingly heavy periods on the planet.. I've been considering a cup but i'm unsure if they could really handle this level of bleeding (seriously. it's horrible).

Also, if you use tampons what brand do you use.. I've been using tampax since i started getting periods but i'm rather displeased lately.. i don't know if they've changed or if it's merely a problem with how much i'm bleeding but blah .. Esp with those plastic applicator ones-- they just do not absorb well at all. The cardboard ones are a little better for whatever reason, but if you're going through as many tampons as I am you don't really want to be stabbing yourself with cardboard that many times either..

Lauren,

If you do NOT desire to preserve your fertility you could ask your ob/gyn if you would be a candidate for an endometrial ablation. You might get a lot of benefit from the procedure but pregnancy is contraindicated after ablation.

[Stacey42]

I used the Diva cup before I got the Mirena IUD to control my endo & it eliminated my periods entirely. 5 years and counting. no period. Awesomeness. It's suppressing the peri menopause symptoms as well. I'm going to be seriously bummed in 3-4 years when this one runs out.

The cup takes a couple cycles to get used to using, both from a physical standpoint and an 'ick' standpoint. You have to get a good seal or it will leak & sorting out how to get that seal takes practice but once you are used to it it's as easy as changing a tampon. Plus it lets you know just how much you are bleeding at any given point. Tampons & pads have maximum absorbancy totals but those are averages from lab tests. So you never really can be sure just how much you are bleeding. The diva cup has milliliter measurements on it so you can tell your doctor specifically how much blood you are passing on a day or hour or over the course of your period. Docs appreciate the specifics when they are trying to determine how much of a problem you are having.

[Angie4b1g]

I could hug my Mirena right now. I do not miss the days of heavy periods.

Mirena for life, or until they pull my uterus, whichever comes first.

[Tracie Stroud]

I love love love the Diva Cup! I use a combo of that and cloth pads. If I'm staying at home, I use cloth, if I'm going out I use the cup. I usually would change a super heavy tampon every hour or 2 at the most, but the cup lasts a good 6 - 8 hours. My periods have also gotten easier and lighter since I stopped using disposable things. I think the chemicals make the bleeding and cramping worse.

[xboxmom]

Lauren I have the copper IUD too. I have the worst cramps now and every other month I get that period where I don't even want to leave the house. I use the super plus tampax pearls with an over night always infinity pad. My tampons no mater what my flow is always seem to leak. My uterus is tipped and I am not sure if that has anything to do with it or not but I have just always leaked so I have never been the fortunate woman who can get away with just a tampon. Sorry to hear you are having such terrible bleeding issues during that time of the month. It's NEVER fun at all. I hope you can find a product that works best for you. I'd be interested to hear how you like the diva cup though. I am leery of using it though since tampons don't work all that well for me.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by xboxmom

Lauren I have the copper IUD too. I have the worst cramps now and every other month I get that period where I don't even want to leave the house. I use the super plus tampax pearls with an over night always infinity pad. My tampons no mater what my flow is always seem to leak. My uterus is tipped and I am not sure if that has anything to do with it or not but I have just always leaked so I have never been the fortunate woman who can get away with just a tampon. Sorry to hear you are having such terrible bleeding issues during that time of the month. It's NEVER fun at all. I hope you can find a product that works best for you. I'd be interested to hear how you like the diva cup though. I am leery of using it though since tampons don't work all that well for me.

ugh they're evil.. (the copper). I've been REALLY lucky and haven't had any cramps to speak of- I get pukey sick amongst other things but i think that's more the anemia than the period there.

I'm afraid of the cups bc of how much blood there is.. I can not stop imagining a huge bloody mess everywhere but if i suck it up and try one i will for sure let you know.

Originally Posted by abm234

Lauren,

If you do NOT desire to preserve your fertility you could ask your ob/gyn if you would be a candidate for an endometrial ablation. You might get a lot of benefit from the procedure but pregnancy is contraindicated after ablation.

I've been told no more children bc of all the medical stuff.. I just googled about the ablation business-- It's not.. impossible but it would be a big deal to do for me. I'd have a lengthy hospital stay etc etc because of my coumadin/clot history/clotting disorder. It's something to consider for the future.. but right now, and for the next long time i have no interest in being in the hospital again ^_^ Thanks for the suggestion though I will def keep it in mind in the future.

[KateD]

Tampons don't work for me, either. I've been thinking about getting a Diva Cup for a while now and I think I'm going to do it soon. based on what I've read, even people who can't use tampons can use the cup because of the way it seals. I'm hopeful. I'm also perimenapausal and have started having pretty nasty periods. I'm tired of being afraid to go out of the house 2 days a month .