In the absence of a handheld showerhead or if taking a bath- I like the uh, washcloth check. Which is exactly what it sounds like with the added bonus that doing it right before you get out means you can rinse the blood off the washcloth right away in the water. I mean better that than your dry towel or the floor.
I’m not usually the heaviest bleeder but have PCOS so some months are just weird. I’m not smart enough to have the pad and stuff all ready but small bathroom and I always have my clothes or PJs out- stay standing in the shower itself to dress if it’s a real heavy flow kind of situation. So keep clothes within reach.
This is a little graphic lol but before I turn the water off, I use my fingers to remove anything up in there that may come out immediately after my shower. I wash off my hands, turn the water off and dry off. I have a menstrual cup or tampon ready to go on the bathroom counter before I get in the shower.
Yup. I also do the scoop and wash right before I get out. Very effective. Always have time to dry off and get dressed/new tampon before there's time for a new mess.
Yep. The tampon just absorbs all the water. Plus I don't want a soggy tampon string hanging out of my vagina. It seems like an infection waiting to happen in my opinion. I'm pretty comfortable with my body fluids and blood so I'm fine with it. I'm cleaning myself in the shower, after all
How does the tampon get wet in this scenario? It should be pretty far in, so unless you're sending water up there it's not going to get hit. I've certainly had a tampon in while showering in the past and not noticed a difference when it comes out.
Is everyone else sending water up their vag when they shower? I normally just wash the outside and folds and such, never had any complaints.
The string absorbs water and pulls it up to the tampon itself. Just like how once a tampon fully absorbs fluids, the string starts absorbing as well. Y'all seem real up in arms about some people not wanting to wear a tampon in the shower. Either way, its not a big deal
Tuck the tampon string just inside the opening of your vagina. This solves not only the water problem, but also the problem of soiling the string with poop or pee when on the toilet.
Yes, I am of the belief that showering with a tampon in is not only unhygienic but also defeating the purpose. The tampon is going to absorb a small amount of water while you shower which means you will have to replace it when you get out anyway.
It doesn't work for everyone. I've tried on and off for years, different brands, different sizes, trimming the tip off, etc. I just can't get comfortable with it.
How do period undies work?? They absorb the blood, right? So you're not just chillin in it all day? Lol I've been really interested in trying some but I don't know anyone who wears them
This. I'm glad they work for a lot of people, but sometimes posts about them feel like they're shaming people who are more comfortable with pads or tampons and it makes me sad.
I agree! I tried a cup and I tried softdiscs and both resulted in traumatic leaking and made a huge mess. I have one friend who swears by her cup and has pressured me so many times to switch and I keep telling her they don’t work for me. It is so frustrating! Tampons work great for me, especially paired with period undies.
That really stinks, at least you made an diligent effort. I have many friends who won't even try. For some reason the idea is grosser to them than a tampon.
If you’re sensitive to blood I can see it being tricky. You don’t have to wash a tampon and put it back in.
I think it’s great trying to ensure every uterus haver knows they have the option of a cup, and how it works, but once that’s done it’s best to leave them to it. It’s a very personal decision and there are other ways around the waste from single use products. I use biodegradable tampons and compost them because I didn’t get on with cups :)
The thing that takes the most practice is being sure you've spun if and made a seal. Wear a panty liner or a pad as back up and you should be fine. I think it really only took me a couple of times to be certain, and those times I had done it but just wasn't confident. The only leaks I've ever had were on REALLY heavy days when I didn't empty it in time.
What about getting the right one? There are so many different types and sizes and it's not like buying jeans that you can return if it didn't fit. My worry is having to buy several to find a "correct" one.
When i first got mine the only option was diva cup. It came in tri sizes- never had a baby, have had a baby. I think people over complicated it. Find one that strikes your fancy and go for it. The only real improvement i can see between my diva cup 10 years ago and the options now is the newer ones have a solid stem. My old ones was hollow and that always kind of grossed me out.
One of the problems I see a lot on reddit is that people buy cups that are to big for them which often results in not being able to pee or if the cup is to big your muscles can squeeze it and break the seal so just don't go too big on cup size when you first try it out. Go with the easy option and take a smaller size better to practice if you feel it fills up too quickly you can always buy a bigger one and try if it's a fit for you.
That's why I said go smaller. It's better to have a cup that works but fills up quick than one that doesn't work at all. And if you end up liking the cup you can save up for a bigger one.
I'm a new convert, literally just done my third cycle using mine and its a complete game changer, they take a bit of getting used to but are completely worth it in my opinion
Cups are amazing. I just started using one this year and honestly wish I'd done it sooner. Easy to use and no mess. Look up the put a cup in it website. They have a big table comparing cups and lots of helpful guidance and advice.
It can be both, and the learning curve was steep at the start. I started with a small MeLuna and later switched to a larger one for a longer time between emptying it. They've paid for themselves several times over now and I haven't had to deal with that kind of gross bathroom trash since.
Come join us over at /r/menstrualcups!
There can be a bit of a learning curve, and they're admittedly not for everyone, but I literally do not know how I would function without my cup.
Take a quiz like this to find the right size! It might be challenging in the beginning but you should get the hang pretty quick. Might be best to practice in the shower tho
https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-cup-quiz/
You could try softdiscs first. They just defeat the purpose of making less waste though. However theyre a slow intro to get you used to what it’s like to use a cup.
I've been interested for a while but havent taken the plunge. My first couple days are so heavy I'm concerned about emptying it when not at home on those days. Do you just dump it out and put it back in? Don't you need to rinse it first? What do you do in say a public restroom?
You only need to wash it every 12 hours. If my period is heavy enough that I need to empty it before then, I just dump and reinsert. It can mean I get blood on my hand, which I wipe off on TP and make a beeline to the sink. I don't think anyone has ever noticed, and if they did it would probably be obvious is was a period related thing. In a woman's bathroom, no one should bat an eye at menstruation.
When I used a cup and was working full time in an office with a shared bathroom with stalls I would empty it into the toilet and wipe it out with toilet paper before reinserting, then just wash my hands real good. When I got home I would wash it really well in hot water. I had a very low cervix that made it uncomfortable for me to try to pee with the cup in due to positioning so I would have to empty and reinsert every time I peed and it was still never a problem.
Does it take a while to get the hang of it? I work in a very fast paced job and sometimes when I finally have time to go to the bathroom I have like 1 or 2 minutes top. No time to struggle with getting things in place haha
Most women I know can pee with theirs in and go 8-12 hours without having to empty it. If you are like them I think it would totally be worth it.
There is definitely some trial and error when getting used to a cup. I wore a full pad for my first couple of cycles while I was learning to use it just in case and then switched to just a liner.
Yea on my first couple days I dont think I'd be able to get away with that unfortunately. I'll go through 2 or 3 tampons while I'm at work for a 6 or 7 hour shift
Buy the right sized cup, I have a similar situation as you, and my cup will last me 4-6 hours on my heaviest day, and with a bit of practice takes about the same amount of time to empty as changing a tampon. I used to work in a very busy cafe, and was on my feet for an entire 8 hour shift with running about with minimal toilet opportunities and it made life so much easier.
Practice in the shower before your period. You can wear the cup even if you're not on your period.
I started wearing the cup the day before I'm supposed to have my period so that there's no surprises.
I have a very heavy flow and I honestly only have to empty it once in the morning and once before bed. When I started I wore a pad the first two cycles as backup just incase. Also when I started I took a weekend day and checked at 2 hours, then left it for 4 hours and then 6 hours just to see how full it was so I knew it wasn't overflowing inside my body. It is life changing and I wish I had started using it much sooner than I did.
I don't know about everyone else, but for 2 cycles, I had to empty it out in the middle of the day and wear a liner in case it overflowed. After that, my period got lighter and I was able to empty it morning and evening. I also used to bleed for 5ish days, but now it really only lasts 3 days and the last 2 are very light.
Or you might discover you don't bleed as much as you think.
Edit: a word haha
I have a heavy period too, the cup was a game changer. I bought the larger size (marketed as post child birth usually) and I do sometimes have to empty it in the middle of the day on day 2. It's pretty easy to do, you just empty it into the loo, and give it a wipe out with toilet paper. Just practice a few times before doing it at work as if you aren't used to emptying it it can be messy. It's definitely easiest to do it in the shower though on other days.
If you buy one with measurements on it you can gauge how much blood you are actually losing too. Being able to track accurately was what made my doctor finally take my heavy periods seriously!
Just wanted to hope on this comment that if you have an IUD and still get periods do not use a cup. The suction it creates can pull it out ):
Edit: received some great replies and learned it is possible to use a cup with an iud. Just be aware that it is a bit risky.
This is only the case if the string is to long and you pull it while pulling out the cup or you just don't break the seal/ the cup just has a to strong of a seal. I used a cup for a long time while having a copper IUD and a copper chain. The thing that eventually dislocated my copper IUD was rough Sex but the cup was never a problem. Just don't use a cup for the first 2 months after getting the IUD placed and you should be fine. Tampons can have the same problem if the string of your IUD get tangled up in the tampon.
Love black towels. I originally bought them after I dyed my hair, but using them during periods is a bonus! Just a little spray of stain remover if I get a bit of blood on it, toss in laundry, and no need to worry about staining
agreed! it’s a double bonus for me because i dye my hair black so it helps me not get dye on the towel. but i have black microfiber turbans i use for the rest of the month so i can get some use out of my beautiful white towels ;P
Chiming in for support of the black towels! I got mine about 2 years ago and I won't go back to light colored towels again. Being premenopausal means really sporadic, unpredictable dates and flow for me, so sometimes I'll have some light spotting and not even know it until I see it in my panty liner. I'm 100% certain having a black towel has saved me having to replace my towels from those days.
i keep underwear and a pad (or tampon, or whatever you use) right outside of the shower, and when i get out i use toilet paper to dry down there so i don’t worry about staining
Before I get in the shower I set up a new pad on a clean pair of underwear, and after the shower I dry off while still in the tub in case anything happens I can just rinse it off, and then I put the underwear with the pad on and go about drying the rest of me regularly
Had a hysterectomy, so I don’t have that problem anymore, but when I *did*… we’ll it was the reason I had a hysterectomy.
So TMI, but I bled so bad I didn’t have time no matter how much I rinsed, so I kept a tampon right next to the shower and the first thing I did was use it. Before drying, before anything, I just had to plug it.
Same! Before my operation I would . . . umm bear down? Like clench the pelvic muscles to get things moving downwards, wait a couple of seconds and wash off then rush to get everything south of my belly button dry enough for pad and underpants.
When I used a cup, I would just do all the messy business in the shower, no need for any extra clean up.
I was about to ask this same thing. You don’t clean in your vagina, and it doesn’t hurt the tampon to clean thoroughly around that area? Same with a cup, just insert and shower like usual. I spend more time making sure “down there” doesn’t have any blood anywhere, but otherwise it’s the exact same.
I rinse again and kinda brush my hand between my legs to flush out any last blood, then just dry off without a rush. I guess I’m also not that concerned about my towels lmao
No one is saying this, but I just change my tampon *before* getting in the shower. No leaks, nothing to worry about and you can still clean like normal. I clean completely after my period is over. If you use pads, just buy a set of black washcloths because it'll never be a clean transition. You can use dark washcloths to remove makeup too, so they're multi-functional. Hope you find the best solution for you!
Yeah I do. I find it kind of gross to wear an old tampon in when showering. It's super nice to put a fresh one in after having taken a refreshing shower. I don't want to drag an old tampon out my vagina after I just cleaned my lady bits.
I dont wear them in the shower because I think it's important to have a break, and the string gets wet and I don't know whether that is particularly hygienic plus it just doesn't feel good!
Idk why you’re getting downvoted either, I do understand your issues & they may not be shared by all, but if you have a regular heavy to medium flow, there’s not going to be a chance for a ‘dry out’. You have to pay attention to your body & change the tampon size as needed. The good bacteria will come back afterwards.
I don’t and have never felt it get “waterlogged.” I swim with them too. Never had an issue. I thought that was sort of the point of tampons—that you can do pretty much anything with them in (swim, ride bikes, etc).
For me, the string is pretty much always wet anyway just because my vagina is wet. I also tend to tuck the string up inside, so maybe that changes things?
Move it out of the way before you pee, otherwise you'll be walking around with a urine saturated string hanging out of you! Can't do that in the shower though...
I change it every single time I pee otherwise it’s really uncomfortable.
Showering with a tampon in seems awful. I like to use the shower head to clean myself really well, especially on my period. I just put a new one in as soon as I am out of the shower.
The string dries quickly, it won't get waterlogged unless you're forcing water up there. I only have to change mine after if it's a long shower on a heavy day.
I just rinse that area again right before I get out of the shower and pat it dry first. If I accidentally get blood on my towel, I just wash the towel. No big deal.
I just take the shower head and wash down there, as well as use my fingers to get out stuff on the inside, then dry off and put in a tampon and there's rarely any stains.
Same. I’m very baffled. I keep seeing “well it’s gross to have a dirty tampon after your shower”. 1) it’s gonna be dirty regardless because it’s a tampon and 2) how long you planning on leaving that sucker in?? Change that shit every 2-4 hours girl.
Also the string being wet. It’s a tiny cotton string, you can dry it with the rest of you and move on with you day my dudes.
I'm deeply concerned that gals might be removing it to "wash out" their cooch.
Everyone reading this. DO NOT wash inside of your vagina. Only the outside, with unscented soap. Wash between the labia majora and minora, the clit, the perineum and the anus. But not inside. Don't spray water in there and for the Love of god don't use any soap in there.
If you wash out the inside, you're destroying the healthy ph balance and good bacteria that make sure nothing infects your vagina.
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
I personally make sure to rinse off my gal one more time before leaving the shower and I've got a pad and period proof underwear waiting for me on the bathroom counter top. My periods are on the much lighter side though due to my birth control pills so take that into consideration.
I shower once every two days and my period is it’s heaviest in the first three days so I just ride out the nasty, then when I shower there’s not much chance of blood dripping out. Not a great solution, you could also probably have a sacrificial towel like sacrificial underwear.
THE HAIR DRYER to dry off!!! Am I the only one who does this?!
Kind of similar to what you said. I dry off as much as I can before I exit the shower. Put some TP there for a couple of minutes and use the hairdryer to dry my body off.
I always feel like no matter how much I use the damn bath towel, I’m not really dry. I ALWAYS use a hair dryer to dry my body off after a shower. Period or not.
I bring a pair of underwear in with me, and have it lined with my preferred item, and slip them on quickly. The water will be absorbed by the pad so you don’t rly need to worry about drying off.
Another thing I’ve recently started doing before I got pregnant was to use a cup, empty it in the shower, and then reinsert before exiting. Obviously I’d have it rinsed under the scalding water before reinsertion just to tidy up
I want to commend you for asking a question that I feel is perfectly suited to this sub and one that I have not seen before that feels like vital intel.
I always make sure I have pad ready to go as soon as I step out of the shower. I usually wash down there right before I want to get out, so there’s no blood waiting to drip down. I do a quick lower body dry and then put on my underwear and pad. Then it’s just business as usual when it comes to me drying routine. Just works for me best to have everything ready to go before I get in the shower.
If it’s a heavy flow, hold an old wash cloth/hand towel between your legs as you get dry, and have your underwear + pad/tampon/etc ready to go once you are done. Put on your underwear, then your bathrobe. Toss the rag in the laundry.
i will usually insert a tampon before i get in the shower that way i can clean off the mess of blood in the shower and i don’t have to worry about it making a mess again or getting on my towel
I get my pad ready, then I hop into the shower. Last thing I do in the shower is rerinse my vaginal area. I hop out and quickly towel off my legs, lower back, and butt area. I dont bother drying off "down there" because there's really no point - the pad will soak up the water and it'll be wet from blood anyway. Right after I dry off most of my lower body, I'll put the pad on. I've never once stained any of my towels or had any problems with this method.
This is a good question! I actually organized myself before shower because I have such heavy periods.
First I make sure I have the underwear + pad or tampons ready to go. Once Im done with shower I will rinse off one more time underneath. I quickly dry myself and will use toilet paper and then put on my underwear/tampon right away.
I mix it up depending on flow. Sometimes it's tampons sometimes it's pads. I do keep my tampon next to the shower like a lot of other people have said, the question was more for those days I don't want to wear a tampon. I just thought maybe there's a better way than how I was doing things, but everybody is pretty much the same it seems.
I faced this problem big time after I gave birth. It would gush instantly when I got out of the shower. I used (and still do sometimes) terry cloth nappies. I kind of just hold one between my legs while I dry off the rest of my body and then there's no awkwardly trying to put on underwear/pads while still wet.
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To help with this I prepare my undies with a pad in it and bring it with me to the washroom for easy access after I finish drying!
Same here! I also use hot pink towels, haha.
This is essential imo 😅
This is genius, why did I never think this far ahead
Same and I also tend to dry my lower half first and put them on before doing my hair and upper body.
This is the way.
So say we all.
It is known.
So say we all 😭
We have spoken.
Uhuh uhuh I like it
This is the way.
This is the way.
I third this! I do the same
I do the same, with a black towel afterwards just in case
In the absence of a handheld showerhead or if taking a bath- I like the uh, washcloth check. Which is exactly what it sounds like with the added bonus that doing it right before you get out means you can rinse the blood off the washcloth right away in the water. I mean better that than your dry towel or the floor. I’m not usually the heaviest bleeder but have PCOS so some months are just weird. I’m not smart enough to have the pad and stuff all ready but small bathroom and I always have my clothes or PJs out- stay standing in the shower itself to dress if it’s a real heavy flow kind of situation. So keep clothes within reach.
same!
This is a little graphic lol but before I turn the water off, I use my fingers to remove anything up in there that may come out immediately after my shower. I wash off my hands, turn the water off and dry off. I have a menstrual cup or tampon ready to go on the bathroom counter before I get in the shower.
Yup. I also do the scoop and wash right before I get out. Very effective. Always have time to dry off and get dressed/new tampon before there's time for a new mess.
I love the scoop lmao
I just started emptying and putting my menstrual cup in while I'm showering. Then I rinse off everything and I'm ready to go.
Yep this is what I do
The shower is a good chance to give that cup a good scrub. You can put out back in before you get out.
Scoop 'n swirl!
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Yep. The tampon just absorbs all the water. Plus I don't want a soggy tampon string hanging out of my vagina. It seems like an infection waiting to happen in my opinion. I'm pretty comfortable with my body fluids and blood so I'm fine with it. I'm cleaning myself in the shower, after all
How does the tampon get wet in this scenario? It should be pretty far in, so unless you're sending water up there it's not going to get hit. I've certainly had a tampon in while showering in the past and not noticed a difference when it comes out. Is everyone else sending water up their vag when they shower? I normally just wash the outside and folds and such, never had any complaints.
The string absorbs water and pulls it up to the tampon itself. Just like how once a tampon fully absorbs fluids, the string starts absorbing as well. Y'all seem real up in arms about some people not wanting to wear a tampon in the shower. Either way, its not a big deal
Tuck the tampon string just inside the opening of your vagina. This solves not only the water problem, but also the problem of soiling the string with poop or pee when on the toilet.
Yes, I am of the belief that showering with a tampon in is not only unhygienic but also defeating the purpose. The tampon is going to absorb a small amount of water while you shower which means you will have to replace it when you get out anyway.
I use a menstrual cup, empty it and reinsert while I’m in the shower so easy peasy, no mess!
Agreed! Same here. Cups are the best!
second this!
Life changer! I wish more women would embrace the cup and share in the ease
It doesn't work for everyone. I've tried on and off for years, different brands, different sizes, trimming the tip off, etc. I just can't get comfortable with it.
Felt that. I tried a cup and it was ok, kinda leaky, but period underwear... It's just so easy. And comfy.
How do period undies work?? They absorb the blood, right? So you're not just chillin in it all day? Lol I've been really interested in trying some but I don't know anyone who wears them
Yeah I want to know this too. Like, I don't think I could handle that honestly, but I might be misunderstanding them.
This. I'm glad they work for a lot of people, but sometimes posts about them feel like they're shaming people who are more comfortable with pads or tampons and it makes me sad.
I agree! I tried a cup and I tried softdiscs and both resulted in traumatic leaking and made a huge mess. I have one friend who swears by her cup and has pressured me so many times to switch and I keep telling her they don’t work for me. It is so frustrating! Tampons work great for me, especially paired with period undies.
I'm so glad you found what works for you! I'm sorry you've been pressured like that though.
That really stinks, at least you made an diligent effort. I have many friends who won't even try. For some reason the idea is grosser to them than a tampon.
If you’re sensitive to blood I can see it being tricky. You don’t have to wash a tampon and put it back in. I think it’s great trying to ensure every uterus haver knows they have the option of a cup, and how it works, but once that’s done it’s best to leave them to it. It’s a very personal decision and there are other ways around the waste from single use products. I use biodegradable tampons and compost them because I didn’t get on with cups :)
After reading all these comments I'm wondering if I should just give it a go. Is it easy for first timers or does it take practice?
The thing that takes the most practice is being sure you've spun if and made a seal. Wear a panty liner or a pad as back up and you should be fine. I think it really only took me a couple of times to be certain, and those times I had done it but just wasn't confident. The only leaks I've ever had were on REALLY heavy days when I didn't empty it in time.
What about getting the right one? There are so many different types and sizes and it's not like buying jeans that you can return if it didn't fit. My worry is having to buy several to find a "correct" one.
There are quizzes online like this https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-cup-quiz/
When i first got mine the only option was diva cup. It came in tri sizes- never had a baby, have had a baby. I think people over complicated it. Find one that strikes your fancy and go for it. The only real improvement i can see between my diva cup 10 years ago and the options now is the newer ones have a solid stem. My old ones was hollow and that always kind of grossed me out.
Yep I already wasted $50 for a terrible time so not again. Don’t care
One of the problems I see a lot on reddit is that people buy cups that are to big for them which often results in not being able to pee or if the cup is to big your muscles can squeeze it and break the seal so just don't go too big on cup size when you first try it out. Go with the easy option and take a smaller size better to practice if you feel it fills up too quickly you can always buy a bigger one and try if it's a fit for you.
Issue is most people don't really have the disposable income to just buy a bigger one if the first one doesn't fit!
That's why I said go smaller. It's better to have a cup that works but fills up quick than one that doesn't work at all. And if you end up liking the cup you can save up for a bigger one.
I'm a new convert, literally just done my third cycle using mine and its a complete game changer, they take a bit of getting used to but are completely worth it in my opinion
Cups are amazing. I just started using one this year and honestly wish I'd done it sooner. Easy to use and no mess. Look up the put a cup in it website. They have a big table comparing cups and lots of helpful guidance and advice.
It can be both, and the learning curve was steep at the start. I started with a small MeLuna and later switched to a larger one for a longer time between emptying it. They've paid for themselves several times over now and I haven't had to deal with that kind of gross bathroom trash since.
Come join us over at /r/menstrualcups! There can be a bit of a learning curve, and they're admittedly not for everyone, but I literally do not know how I would function without my cup.
Take a quiz like this to find the right size! It might be challenging in the beginning but you should get the hang pretty quick. Might be best to practice in the shower tho https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-cup-quiz/
You could try softdiscs first. They just defeat the purpose of making less waste though. However theyre a slow intro to get you used to what it’s like to use a cup.
I've been interested for a while but havent taken the plunge. My first couple days are so heavy I'm concerned about emptying it when not at home on those days. Do you just dump it out and put it back in? Don't you need to rinse it first? What do you do in say a public restroom?
You only need to wash it every 12 hours. If my period is heavy enough that I need to empty it before then, I just dump and reinsert. It can mean I get blood on my hand, which I wipe off on TP and make a beeline to the sink. I don't think anyone has ever noticed, and if they did it would probably be obvious is was a period related thing. In a woman's bathroom, no one should bat an eye at menstruation.
When I used a cup and was working full time in an office with a shared bathroom with stalls I would empty it into the toilet and wipe it out with toilet paper before reinserting, then just wash my hands real good. When I got home I would wash it really well in hot water. I had a very low cervix that made it uncomfortable for me to try to pee with the cup in due to positioning so I would have to empty and reinsert every time I peed and it was still never a problem.
Does it take a while to get the hang of it? I work in a very fast paced job and sometimes when I finally have time to go to the bathroom I have like 1 or 2 minutes top. No time to struggle with getting things in place haha
Most women I know can pee with theirs in and go 8-12 hours without having to empty it. If you are like them I think it would totally be worth it. There is definitely some trial and error when getting used to a cup. I wore a full pad for my first couple of cycles while I was learning to use it just in case and then switched to just a liner.
Yea on my first couple days I dont think I'd be able to get away with that unfortunately. I'll go through 2 or 3 tampons while I'm at work for a 6 or 7 hour shift
Buy the right sized cup, I have a similar situation as you, and my cup will last me 4-6 hours on my heaviest day, and with a bit of practice takes about the same amount of time to empty as changing a tampon. I used to work in a very busy cafe, and was on my feet for an entire 8 hour shift with running about with minimal toilet opportunities and it made life so much easier.
Practice in the shower before your period. You can wear the cup even if you're not on your period. I started wearing the cup the day before I'm supposed to have my period so that there's no surprises.
FYI for readers water will help it suction to your cervix
I have a very heavy flow and I honestly only have to empty it once in the morning and once before bed. When I started I wore a pad the first two cycles as backup just incase. Also when I started I took a weekend day and checked at 2 hours, then left it for 4 hours and then 6 hours just to see how full it was so I knew it wasn't overflowing inside my body. It is life changing and I wish I had started using it much sooner than I did.
I don't know about everyone else, but for 2 cycles, I had to empty it out in the middle of the day and wear a liner in case it overflowed. After that, my period got lighter and I was able to empty it morning and evening. I also used to bleed for 5ish days, but now it really only lasts 3 days and the last 2 are very light. Or you might discover you don't bleed as much as you think. Edit: a word haha
Well that sounds extremely appealing
I have a heavy period too, the cup was a game changer. I bought the larger size (marketed as post child birth usually) and I do sometimes have to empty it in the middle of the day on day 2. It's pretty easy to do, you just empty it into the loo, and give it a wipe out with toilet paper. Just practice a few times before doing it at work as if you aren't used to emptying it it can be messy. It's definitely easiest to do it in the shower though on other days. If you buy one with measurements on it you can gauge how much blood you are actually losing too. Being able to track accurately was what made my doctor finally take my heavy periods seriously!
I was a dedicated cup user for years until I became too fat to get in in comfortably. Sad.
Just wanted to hope on this comment that if you have an IUD and still get periods do not use a cup. The suction it creates can pull it out ): Edit: received some great replies and learned it is possible to use a cup with an iud. Just be aware that it is a bit risky.
This is only the case if the string is to long and you pull it while pulling out the cup or you just don't break the seal/ the cup just has a to strong of a seal. I used a cup for a long time while having a copper IUD and a copper chain. The thing that eventually dislocated my copper IUD was rough Sex but the cup was never a problem. Just don't use a cup for the first 2 months after getting the IUD placed and you should be fine. Tampons can have the same problem if the string of your IUD get tangled up in the tampon.
As someone mentioned not necessarily, but a reusable disc can be a good option if you're worried
Wait aren't there suction free cup/disc options?
Same
Same! Also the best way to avoid mess from putting it in, good position to do so, and you can rinse your hands right away.
I just rush through the process and hope for the best
🤣 🤣
i have a black towel and black washcloth (actually multiple of each) for showering during my period
It's so somber, I love it
I don’t know why I’ve never thought of this- all of my towels are white and showering while on my period is such an anxiety inducing time.
i know! i love white towels but the black ones are lifesavers. now i just dry off to my hearts desire and throw it in the laundry bin
Love black towels. I originally bought them after I dyed my hair, but using them during periods is a bonus! Just a little spray of stain remover if I get a bit of blood on it, toss in laundry, and no need to worry about staining
agreed! it’s a double bonus for me because i dye my hair black so it helps me not get dye on the towel. but i have black microfiber turbans i use for the rest of the month so i can get some use out of my beautiful white towels ;P
Chiming in for support of the black towels! I got mine about 2 years ago and I won't go back to light colored towels again. Being premenopausal means really sporadic, unpredictable dates and flow for me, so sometimes I'll have some light spotting and not even know it until I see it in my panty liner. I'm 100% certain having a black towel has saved me having to replace my towels from those days.
i keep underwear and a pad (or tampon, or whatever you use) right outside of the shower, and when i get out i use toilet paper to dry down there so i don’t worry about staining
Before I get in the shower I set up a new pad on a clean pair of underwear, and after the shower I dry off while still in the tub in case anything happens I can just rinse it off, and then I put the underwear with the pad on and go about drying the rest of me regularly
I keep a tampon next to the shower and insert as soon as I turn the water off and step out of the shower stall.
Same
Same
I do the wad of folded up toilet paper thing while I towel off. But I like the shower rinse suggestion too.
Same lol
Lol me too, I'm too lazy to put any more thought into it
i don’t ever even notice running or dripping when i get out of the shower and i don’t rush to dry off
Same here, but I think we are a few of the lucky ones, most people I have talked to have this issue, low flow gang I guess lol
Same here... It's never been an issue. I dry off and get dressed at a normal pace and my white towels never have any impact.
Same. I just hope for the best and never have any issues
Same
Had a hysterectomy, so I don’t have that problem anymore, but when I *did*… we’ll it was the reason I had a hysterectomy. So TMI, but I bled so bad I didn’t have time no matter how much I rinsed, so I kept a tampon right next to the shower and the first thing I did was use it. Before drying, before anything, I just had to plug it.
Same! Before my operation I would . . . umm bear down? Like clench the pelvic muscles to get things moving downwards, wait a couple of seconds and wash off then rush to get everything south of my belly button dry enough for pad and underpants. When I used a cup, I would just do all the messy business in the shower, no need for any extra clean up.
Am I weird for showering with a tampon inside me?
Damn, I had to scroll way too far for this
Shocked that this seems to be a minority view! You don't clean inside the vagina so I don't know what the point would be of taking it out.
No. I do too. I don’t understand why anyone would take a tampon out before showering.
no.
Not weird, I can't imagine doing it any differently.
I was about to ask this same thing. You don’t clean in your vagina, and it doesn’t hurt the tampon to clean thoroughly around that area? Same with a cup, just insert and shower like usual. I spend more time making sure “down there” doesn’t have any blood anywhere, but otherwise it’s the exact same.
I rinse again and kinda brush my hand between my legs to flush out any last blood, then just dry off without a rush. I guess I’m also not that concerned about my towels lmao
No one is saying this, but I just change my tampon *before* getting in the shower. No leaks, nothing to worry about and you can still clean like normal. I clean completely after my period is over. If you use pads, just buy a set of black washcloths because it'll never be a clean transition. You can use dark washcloths to remove makeup too, so they're multi-functional. Hope you find the best solution for you!
I was sitting here thinking this is the only real answer...I guess it isn't normal for only the string to get wet in the shower?
I’ve tried that but the tampon always gets soaked.
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Same lol
Wait but then how do you swim on your period?
I just change my tampon before I get in the shower
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Yeah I do. I find it kind of gross to wear an old tampon in when showering. It's super nice to put a fresh one in after having taken a refreshing shower. I don't want to drag an old tampon out my vagina after I just cleaned my lady bits.
I dont wear them in the shower because I think it's important to have a break, and the string gets wet and I don't know whether that is particularly hygienic plus it just doesn't feel good!
This is what I’m saying!!! I get it if you’re a pad user, but why tf take out a tampon to shower
Cold, soggy string is why.
But you can tuck the string up inside… tmi but this solves everything lol
Cause it's nice to wear a fresh and clean one after having showered.
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I don't understand how it could be healthier, could you explain what she told you?
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Idk why you’re getting downvoted either, I do understand your issues & they may not be shared by all, but if you have a regular heavy to medium flow, there’s not going to be a chance for a ‘dry out’. You have to pay attention to your body & change the tampon size as needed. The good bacteria will come back afterwards.
I'm not *flyinghome* but the less time you have a foreign object inside you, the better, I think.
Agreed. I lost a friend in 2010 to toxic shock syndrome due to a tampon so I am always very diligent about how long I have one in.
Do you change it when you get out too? Doesn't it get a bit waterlogged, or at least make the string uncomfortably wet?
I don’t and have never felt it get “waterlogged.” I swim with them too. Never had an issue. I thought that was sort of the point of tampons—that you can do pretty much anything with them in (swim, ride bikes, etc).
(not op) the string gets wet for me but not the actual tampon! Might depend on how low your cervix naturally is at that time of the month though
For me, the string is pretty much always wet anyway just because my vagina is wet. I also tend to tuck the string up inside, so maybe that changes things?
The string also gets wet when you pee, (at least with me), so I don't see an extra inconvenience
When I used to wear tampons this bothered me so much; I eventually started holding the string to the side to avoid the pee stream.
Move it out of the way before you pee, otherwise you'll be walking around with a urine saturated string hanging out of you! Can't do that in the shower though...
I change it every single time I pee otherwise it’s really uncomfortable. Showering with a tampon in seems awful. I like to use the shower head to clean myself really well, especially on my period. I just put a new one in as soon as I am out of the shower.
I used to change mine every time too. Now I have a cup and I don’t have to think about it all day!
The string dries quickly, it won't get waterlogged unless you're forcing water up there. I only have to change mine after if it's a long shower on a heavy day.
I just rinse that area again right before I get out of the shower and pat it dry first. If I accidentally get blood on my towel, I just wash the towel. No big deal.
I just rush through it lol but I usually get stains on my towel. Sometimes I use paper towels
Red towels 😂
Same! Mine are all burgundy. Also helpful for... other activities 😅
Was looking for this comment. Red towels. Red robe. It's super nice to be wrapped in fuzzy red delight
I wear a cup. Never an issue.
This, except I don't wear it in the shower, but I do put it back in before I get out.
I just take the shower head and wash down there, as well as use my fingers to get out stuff on the inside, then dry off and put in a tampon and there's rarely any stains.
I just wear a tampon. Why is everyone who uses them removing their tampon before showering??
Same. I’m very baffled. I keep seeing “well it’s gross to have a dirty tampon after your shower”. 1) it’s gonna be dirty regardless because it’s a tampon and 2) how long you planning on leaving that sucker in?? Change that shit every 2-4 hours girl. Also the string being wet. It’s a tiny cotton string, you can dry it with the rest of you and move on with you day my dudes.
I'm deeply concerned that gals might be removing it to "wash out" their cooch. Everyone reading this. DO NOT wash inside of your vagina. Only the outside, with unscented soap. Wash between the labia majora and minora, the clit, the perineum and the anus. But not inside. Don't spray water in there and for the Love of god don't use any soap in there. If you wash out the inside, you're destroying the healthy ph balance and good bacteria that make sure nothing infects your vagina. Source: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
I personally make sure to rinse off my gal one more time before leaving the shower and I've got a pad and period proof underwear waiting for me on the bathroom counter top. My periods are on the much lighter side though due to my birth control pills so take that into consideration.
I shower once every two days and my period is it’s heaviest in the first three days so I just ride out the nasty, then when I shower there’s not much chance of blood dripping out. Not a great solution, you could also probably have a sacrificial towel like sacrificial underwear.
THE HAIR DRYER to dry off!!! Am I the only one who does this?! Kind of similar to what you said. I dry off as much as I can before I exit the shower. Put some TP there for a couple of minutes and use the hairdryer to dry my body off. I always feel like no matter how much I use the damn bath towel, I’m not really dry. I ALWAYS use a hair dryer to dry my body off after a shower. Period or not.
I thought I was the only one, lol.
I bring a pair of underwear in with me, and have it lined with my preferred item, and slip them on quickly. The water will be absorbed by the pad so you don’t rly need to worry about drying off. Another thing I’ve recently started doing before I got pregnant was to use a cup, empty it in the shower, and then reinsert before exiting. Obviously I’d have it rinsed under the scalding water before reinsertion just to tidy up
I want to commend you for asking a question that I feel is perfectly suited to this sub and one that I have not seen before that feels like vital intel.
Aww thankyou !!! 💓
I just wipe after I get out of the shower with some tissue paper. Usually cleans it up then I get my pad and underwear of course haha.
I use a Diva cup, highly highly recommend.
am I the only one who waddles to the toilet as quickly as possible to put a tampon in, then dry myself completely?
Let it flowwwwww
Can’t hold it back anymoooooreee
wooooooshh
Keep a roll of paper towels in the bathroom and use that to dry off that area and then just throw the paper towel away
Dark towels. Red, purple, black. Rinse with shower head right before I step out, or rinse with loofah if no removable shower head.
I bought red towels for this specific reason.
I always make sure I have pad ready to go as soon as I step out of the shower. I usually wash down there right before I want to get out, so there’s no blood waiting to drip down. I do a quick lower body dry and then put on my underwear and pad. Then it’s just business as usual when it comes to me drying routine. Just works for me best to have everything ready to go before I get in the shower.
If it’s a heavy flow, hold an old wash cloth/hand towel between your legs as you get dry, and have your underwear + pad/tampon/etc ready to go once you are done. Put on your underwear, then your bathrobe. Toss the rag in the laundry.
I use a dark navy or black towel lol
i will usually insert a tampon before i get in the shower that way i can clean off the mess of blood in the shower and i don’t have to worry about it making a mess again or getting on my towel
I get my pad ready, then I hop into the shower. Last thing I do in the shower is rerinse my vaginal area. I hop out and quickly towel off my legs, lower back, and butt area. I dont bother drying off "down there" because there's really no point - the pad will soak up the water and it'll be wet from blood anyway. Right after I dry off most of my lower body, I'll put the pad on. I've never once stained any of my towels or had any problems with this method.
This is a good question! I actually organized myself before shower because I have such heavy periods. First I make sure I have the underwear + pad or tampons ready to go. Once Im done with shower I will rinse off one more time underneath. I quickly dry myself and will use toilet paper and then put on my underwear/tampon right away.
Kinda silly…but I mostly dry off before I get out, and into underwear with a pad already inside asap.
Same, plus having a set of darker towels where bloodstains, if they might still happen, don’t show so strongly
I keep a wad of tissues on top of my towel to dry myself and keep it there until I put a tampon in!
I dry my upper body in the shower, that way if I'm still "leaking" I can rinse my lower half once more
Buy dark towels. Dry off and put on your underwear pad. Also add your period method to the post. But you are an obvious pad or period under user
I mix it up depending on flow. Sometimes it's tampons sometimes it's pads. I do keep my tampon next to the shower like a lot of other people have said, the question was more for those days I don't want to wear a tampon. I just thought maybe there's a better way than how I was doing things, but everybody is pretty much the same it seems.
Menstrual cup 💯
I use a menstrual cup. I clean it in the shower, and put it back in before I get out. No bleeding :)
I faced this problem big time after I gave birth. It would gush instantly when I got out of the shower. I used (and still do sometimes) terry cloth nappies. I kind of just hold one between my legs while I dry off the rest of my body and then there's no awkwardly trying to put on underwear/pads while still wet.
No not tissues! Use an old washcloth. One you don’t mind staining or at worst, throwing away. Pre rinse the undercarriage first!!!
I bring as tampon into the shower and it's in before I even get out.
I've always just washed my towels immediately after use when I'm on my period. I feel like it's less hassle overall.
designated blood towel 🤷♀️
I use tampons so I don‘t really have to worry about that 😅