tampons - applicator or no?

[Anonymous]

I used to use tampax with cardboard applicator, because that's what my mother used.

After my first child was born, I couldn't use them anymore, because they expand length-wise and would slip out of me. I needed something that got wider as it got wet. That led me to OB, which are non-applicator.

Full disclosure, I do not wash my hands before inserting a tampon, unless there is a reason to think they are especially dirty (e.g., if I went straight from gardening to the bathroom to change a tampon, I would definitely wash hands thoroughly first!). I do, of course, wash my hands afterward. There usually is very little blood on my hands. I use one finger on one hand to insert the tampon, so only one finger might get bloody. If I am in a public toilet stall, after inserting the tampon, I wipe my finger on some toilet paper, flush, and then exit the stall using the fingers of my other hand to open the door. Then straight to the sink, where I turn on the water with my "clean" hand.

As an aside, it is odd to me that anyone thinks they always need to wash their hands before inserting a tampon. Do you always wash your hands before sticking your finger in your mouth to, say, bite your nail or pick something out of a tooth? Do you wash your hands before masturbating? Must your sex partner immediately wash his/her hands before touching you or inserting a finger in you? Does your DH always wash his penis before he inserts it in you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear more about the cups. I'm intrigued by the idea of less waste. Does CVS carry a decent selection?

For Diva Cups, there are just two types -- one for women who haven't had kids, and one for women who have had kids. I saw both types at my local CVS the other day. Can't say enough about how much I love the cup.

Diva Cups are expensive at CVS -- maybe around $40? I'd get them online. It pays for itself over time, since you can just reuse it every month.

thanks! I'll check it out. Any downsides?

If not, maybe we should all switch to them. Less waste flushed down our sewers...probably tampax wants us to keep buying their products month after month.

[Anonymous]

I've never tried using a non applicator. I like my applicator !

[Anonymous]

I really wanted to like the cup, both from a waste and hygiene point of view. Unfortunately, I could never figure out how to get it in in a comfortable way. I think it works for a lot of people, but not me.

I *do* swear by non-applicator tampons. I remember going for a walk with my father near the Chesapeake after hurricane Hugo. There were all these strange "things" washed up on the beach. Lots of trash that I recognized, but also these "pods" that were unfamiliar. At the time, my father just hedged about what they were.

In retrospect, they were LOTS of tampon applicators. I don't know if it was sewage overflow, or trash, or what, but they were all over the vegetation, and side of the bay. No more applicators for me, ever.

[Anonymous]

I tried OB, Tampax and Playtex while I was in college. What I found with OB (no applicator) was that my finger didn't feel long enough to get the tampon high enough - I couldn't get it into the right spot.

I've used Playtex for years (with applicator) and am happy with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I much prefer the non-applicator ones. Less waste and I can get it in exactly the right spot.

Not at all gross, just wash your hands.

+1

+2. As it happens, I normally wash my hands before and after I use the restroom. If I'm in a public stall and there is any blood when I change it out, I just wipe it with some tissue and then wash my hands. Easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I remember going for a walk with my father near the Chesapeake after hurricane Hugo. There were all these strange "things" washed up on the beach. Lots of trash that I recognized, but also these "pods" that were unfamiliar. At the time, my father just hedged about what they were.

Not Hugo, but I remember walking along a bay/beach a few years ago and being shocked at how many tampon applicators were scattered around. It is probably a bigger issue than we realize.

[Anonymous]

I love my diva cup. It does take a tiny bit of getting used to at the beginning. You have to learn to insert it properly. But it's great. I put it in right when I feel my period is starting and then forget about it until evening. I do need to empty it out every 5-6 hours on my super heavy day (just one) but normally it's fine overnight too.

[Anonymous]

I love my OBs, it's nt gross to me at all. They never leak and they're so discreet. Almost nothing to throw away. I first tried them in college when I was in the desert in Egypt and unexpectedly got my period. A German tourist gave me one and it was such a lifesaver, I always had a positive association with them and eventually switched when I was back in the u.s.

[Anonymous]

How to get the diva cup out without spilling blood everywhere? That was my issue when I tried it.

[Anonymous]

I only use OB non applicator ones. I started when I was a peace corps volunteer and wanted to bring a 2-year supply without taking up much space in my luggage. A decade later I am still using them because they take so little room in the bathroom and I like not having to worry about disposing of extra packaging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How to get the diva cup out without spilling blood everywhere? That was my issue when I tried it.

I sit on the toilet, grab the bottom of the cup with two fingers and pull out. I then tip the contents into the toilet bowl. If I'm at home, I then rinse the cup out in the sink and put it back in. If I'm out and about, I wipe the top off with toilet paper, make sure the little holes are clear and put it back in.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for OB. I like how small they are and that they don't create additional waste. They fit so well, don't leak, and I also feel that I'm able to control the tampon's placement better with my finer than with an applicator. I usually do wash my hands beforehand (especially if they are dirty or it's been a while since I washed hands). If I get any blood on my finger after inserting, I wipe it off with a bit of toilet paper and then use my other hand to open the stall door and turn on the sink. Easy peasy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear more about the cups. I'm intrigued by the idea of less waste. Does CVS carry a decent selection?

For Diva Cups, there are just two types -- one for women who haven't had kids, and one for women who have had kids. I saw both types at my local CVS the other day. Can't say enough about how much I love the cup.

When I was a super-hippie (that is, when I had all the time in the world on my hands) I used a sea sponge. You buy a standard sized sponge, cut it up into strawberry-sized pieces, and pop em in. Back home, wash with soap and warm water and dry. Reusable for many, many months, with very little footprint, and they're more comfortable than tampons, IME.

That is insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear more about the cups. I'm intrigued by the idea of less waste. Does CVS carry a decent selection?

For Diva Cups, there are just two types -- one for women who haven't had kids, and one for women who have had kids. I saw both types at my local CVS the other day. Can't say enough about how much I love the cup.

When I was a super-hippie (that is, when I had all the time in the world on my hands) I used a sea sponge. You buy a standard sized sponge, cut it up into strawberry-sized pieces, and pop em in. Back home, wash with soap and warm water and dry. Reusable for many, many months, with very little footprint, and they're more comfortable than tampons, IME.

That is insane.

Why? If it worked for her? It's also the methodology used by women for centuries, other than gross rags.