Pearl vs. "Regular"

[ourika.livejournal.com]

Ok, I do NOT use tampons (and if I did, I wouldn't use tampax!), but I'm wondering if anybody knows what the difference is between regular tampax tampons and tampax pearls? Is it just that they've got some spiffier applicator and packaging? I tried to figure it out on the tampax website, and that seemed to be all that that was so special to make a big deal about it on tv and everywhere.

Comments

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

Regular Tampax:

Cardboard applicator, unscented, expands width and lengthwise pretty evenly (as far as I know), plain removal string

Pearl:

Plastic applicator, unscented and scented versions, expands mostly widthwise, braided absorbent string.

I use both regular Tampax and Pearl occasionally, although I'm trying to give up on the whole tampon thing. I *always* leak. No matter how high up there I get them, even if I'm barely bleeding enough to soak a light or regular tampon... I *will* bleed through. Ever since I could use a tampon (12 years old or so), I've always worn a tampon and pad at once. Just one won't cut it for some reason, even if my flow is light.

Sorry, completely unrelated tangent :)

[ourika.livejournal.com]

So the main, important difference is that it expands only width and not length, too.

Tangent: have you considered menstrual cups if you want something to insert so you don’t need to deal with just pads? (Ok, I admit it, I’m _really_ pro cup ;-)

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I'm wary of shelling out $30 for a DivaCup when it may leak just as bad as or worse than tampons and Instead cups.

Sure, they're good for the environment, and they're cheaper in the long run, and they don't absorb... but if they leak, I don't care about any of that -- I'm sticking with Instead and pads if that happens. ;)

[consectari]

Well, I don't know about the DivaCup but the Keeper offers a full refund for a certain amount of time if you don't like it. I think I heard that the DivaCup has the same offer.

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

That's a good point. Maybe I'll go for it once I get out of my $500 debt. :)

[consectari]

Good luck with that!

[ourika.livejournal.com]

Keeper has a 3-month trial period and you can get your money back.

DivaCup has a 1-year trial period and you can get your money back.

[ourika.livejournal.com]

Fair 'nuff. I leaked with my keeper sometimes. That's why I'm switching to DivaCup - I've heard the seal "snaps" better b/c it's stiffer (no idea if it's true or not). I found that, for me, that it was still better than with Insteads. I would leak some, but not in GUSHES. Most of my leaking would be when it filled (I bleed way more than "normal" (filling a keeper in an hour) and there was no where for blood to go. I paid for a keeper within two periods of what I would have paid for pads and instead.

[ourika.livejournal.com]

From what I’ve read, the “it leaves stuff inside you” forwards are urban legend. I think I remember seeing stuff about it on various discussion boards as well as http://www.snopes.com (btw, I love snopes for urban legends… sometimes I just go check-em-out for fun!).

But yeah, I hate tampons and won’t use them. I’m still fascinated by everything to do with a woman’s vagina, though, so I had to ask. I don’t know why. Freak, I guess :-)

[ourika.livejournal.com]

Lets hear it for the freaks!!!!! Go us!

[squixy.livejournal.com]

DO NOT USE PEARL!!!

A friend of mine told me that they're woven more loosely and can leave excess material in you vagina, from personal experience!

(I should probably make a post about that.)

[suma.livejournal.com]

also just to add (I found this in the memories so excuse the lateness :P) a friend of mine used them and said never again because the braded string irritated her vagina. they look kinda iffy anyway. :)

[ourika.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thanks for adding something. This is in the memories? Wow.