vaginapagina | Menstrual product poll

Menstrual product poll

Out of my own curiosity I'd like to know what menstrual products women in this community use, so I've created a poll, the results are friends only so only other members should be able to view your answers if you wish to vote, the results aren't for anything in particular, this is only for my curiosity.
I've taken a look at the community FAQ to see if this violates any rules, I couldn't see anything however if the community maintainers wish to take this post down then I have no objections at all in it being removed.
Poll put behind cut for those who'd rather not see it publicly displayed.

[Poll #199050]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Insteads aren't re-usable.

Damn it, I knew I'd get something wrong...I was being distracted by scary films - doh!
Hopefuly others will sort of...I donno, not notice it ;o)
Thanks for commenting on that mistake though!

techinally they aren't, but a lot of women wash them out after they use them, and then reinsert them. But you can only do that a couple of times.

I've never tried re-using them. The little insert specifically says NOT to, because it can cause infections. Hm.

I admit it. I’m an Instead re-user. I use the disposable menstrual cups most of the time, but I keep Instead around for intercourse. I also keep one in my car, desk, and purse “just in case.” But those things are EXPENSIVE! So if I’m just emptying it, I will usually re-use it 1-2 times. I am _very_ careful to thoroughly wash it. I make sure to wash carefully around the rim which seems to be the most difficult part to make sure is clean. I figure that if I’m willing to re-use a Keeper or a DivaCup with just a rinse (although I wash it most of the time, if I’m in a rush or a public bathroom, I’ve been known to just rinse) then there’s no real good reason that I won’t re-use an Instead.

I figure that they’ve probably got that warning to cover their butts in case someone doesn’t wash it well or tries to reuse it for a month or something. And, I think the reason that they’re disposable is that after a couple of washings, they seem to be more “worn out” (although I’ve never used it till it fell apart or leaked or anything).

Now I've always thought that, other menstrual cups can be used with just a wipe down, although the insead are a little more...delicate...by all accounts there wouldn't be much to stop them being re-used.

I reuse them, when I use them at all (generally when I'm soaking my sponges or when I'm having intercourse). The infections come from dirty hands and/or from the proccess of taking them out - the Insteads themselves will not cause any problems. The solution is to wash your hands very well before taking it out (which wymyn should always do before removing anything in our cunts), wash them carefully with warm water and soap, and be sure to keep your hands and the Instead as sterile as possible.

Never had any problems.

Just out of curiosity, how does someone make their own homemade tampons?

I clicked “other” because I also keep a few disposable pads around. They’re the natracare brand (just like the tampons) and aren’t the “regular” Always or Kotex or store brand ones that you’ve got listed.

I marked that I used Instead. I’m an Instead re-user, but only once or twice. I don’t keep the same one forever!

You can use an old unbleached cotton sheet for homemade tampons. All you have to do is tear it into strips - I usually make mine something like 1 1/4 x 8 inches for average size, then a bit wider for heavier days and thinner for lighter - and roll them up.

I've been using these for about seven months, I absolutely love them.

Do you wash/reuse them afterwards, or do you think them out?

*nods* Yep, wash them afterwards and just keep reusing.

I have another question (please forgive me if I'm annoying you!). Do you sew them up once they're rolled (so they stay rolled)? Or do you tie a string to them to make them easier to remove? Or do you just sort of shove the rolled up strip inside and then pull it out (where I would assume it became unrolled as it's removed?)

I think this is a really great idea. I've got a friend who doesn't like that she uses disposable products, but she really _likes_ tampons and doesn't want to switch to a sponge, cup, or cloth pads. I am going to mention this to her.

Oh, no, you're not annoying me at all. :)

Nope, I don't sew them. They usually stay rolled once they're inside. I've never tried tying a string to one, but I'm sure that would be easy enough, I've never had any trouble removing them without one though.

If I have a really, really light period the tampon'll come unrolled when I remove it, otherwise the blood pretty much holds it in the roll.

I'm the same way, I'm not a big fan of pads and I have tried the MoonCup but I much prefered these tampons to it. It takes a couple months of experimenting to get the sizing just right, but they really do work wonderfully. I hope your friend will have luck with them also!

Can I ask you a question then....doesn't it hurt?
I mean tampons are quite painful for some, usualy a case of using the wrong size for their flow...but with tampons they are shaped for easy insertion, but hommade ones surely don't - how do you cut down the chance of it hurting when putting them in?

Putting them in pain-free is pretty much second nature to me now, I think it just takes some time to get used to.

When I first started with them, I'd always lay on my back and then just basicly pop one in, it just barely touches the opening then.

I wouldn't mind trying that actualy, although I use my cup there might be cases where I don't have my cup on me and I like to try new things, something like home made tampons might be an idea - wish I had thought of that this month, my broken cup has caused me a lot of hassle this month.

The other user replied to that question, however I'll put my bit in, I have heard of women making their own tampons (thats how I came to find menstrual cups) and there are a few differant ways of doing it, really I'd imagine as long as it is a clean material it wouldn't take much, after all tampons are plugs...fabric plugs.

Well there you go, thats why I put other and please specify, I didn't know you could get disposable pads like that - now I had wondered, but I hadn't found any - so cheers for that.

I use sea sponges and sometimes regular disposable pads. I don't like using those pads, and I've been looking for a cheap UK source for reusable pads, if anyone has a site :)

I don't know any sites for them in the UK, however you could always make your own, they shouldn't be too hard to make.

I got mine from Moon Mammas (http://www.moon-mammas.com/index.htm). They're great, and less expensive than anywhere else I've seen. Kirsty does a great range of funky fabrics.

thank you!

i said "none" and "Sanitary pads/towels (e.g.. Always, Bodyform, stores brand, etc.)" because my period is extremely light -- barely even there. plus, it onlys lasts two to three days. so sometimes I just don't use anything :/

I use either OB tampons with no applicator or a Keeper, not both at the same time or anything. It depends on what situation I'm going to be in - if I can't have privacy to deal with my Keeper, and if I'm not sure that I'll be able to clean it well, I use tampons. Or if I'm just lazy, because the Keeper's very hard to remove for me, and slightly painful. (Not suction-painful, just too much pressure in the outer area of the vagina) I use the Keeper a lot when my flow's just starting or ending, or when I'm in a "blood is cool" mood.

You for got all cotton organic pads. Natracare makes them and there are I few other brands too, I think.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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