ow

[ecrivaine.livejournal.com]

okay, so i hate wearing tampons, but i also hate bleeding all over in the night, and not being able to sleep on my back when i have my period. Does anyone have any suggestions for tampon-alternatives? I use pads, too, and I still "spill."

Comments

[ecrivaine.livejournal.com]

yes, tampons and pads. I need the backup.

[seren.livejournal.com]

Have you thought about getting a Keeper?

[ecrivaine.livejournal.com]

well, I don't really know much about it, just a vague description. How does it work?

Re:

[seren.livejournal.com]

I don't have one so I'm not too sure, but I think it's a rubber cup that you put under the cervix, and it catches the blood. It lasts longer than tampons without needing to be changed, and then you just rinse it out and put it back in. I guess it could be seen as gross.. I haven't quite decided if I'm going to try it yet ;) I know what you mean about the lying on your back thing though.. it's impossible to sleep without leaking :|

[kangaroo.livejournal.com]

basically what seren said.

i've had mine for about a year now. i like it so much that i bought one for my friend for her birthday :) (and she loves it too i do believe).

it's wonderful not having that horrible damp feeling you get with sanitary towels. no worries about throwing stuff out either. it does take a little while to get used to, as with anything really, but once i got used to it away i went. :)

[ecrivaine.livejournal.com]

How far up does it have to go? I fear that would be my problem, getting it in right and up far enough, etc.

[kangaroo.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, it doesn't go miles in or anything :)

It sits just inside, very low down but obviously not so it's sticking out. If you see pictures of it, when you first get it there's a 'tail' bit to make it easier to get it out at first, but I chopped all of this off because it was uncomfortable when I was walking about.

You can't feel it once it's in, but I must admit that it took me a while to get used to it and I kept having to readjust it until I was comfortable/couldn't feel it. Now I've been using it for a while it goes in and out no problem ;)

I'm not sure how much detail to go into! Don't know how much is too much, if you see what I mean! Hope this helps though.

Katie

[kangaroo.livejournal.com]

Have a look at http://www.keeper.com - I ordered mine from here for about 30 UKP as I recall. Lots of testimonials on the site.
A lot of money, yes, but it lasts for 10 years or so apparently, and if you find it's not for you then you can return it for a refund.

I admit that it took me a year of thinking about it before I finally ordered it - then my friend took one night to think it over and decided she wanted one!

Presumably if you do a web search for 'menstrual cup' or similar you'll find other places to buy it from as well.

[michelleh324.livejournal.com]

i have recently discovered night time pads. they are longer and bigger. no more leaks! yay.

[sashajohnston.livejournal.com]

They're like wearing a nappy though, they're so thick and yucky.

[ecrivaine.livejournal.com]

yeah, i don't like them, and i still sometimes bleed on my underwear or pajamas, and onto the sheets. bleck.

Re:

[michelleh324.livejournal.com]

well, thats the best i can offer you. i don't use tampons - yet. but lucky for me, i don't bleed much at night. hahahaha. good luck!