Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the cup ladies! Before I got a mirena I used a cup. Do it! It's life changing.

I used to use a cup but my periods got too heavy in peri and it consistently started to leak.

Then that cup doesn't work for you. It's definitely trial and error finding the right one. Discs don't work well for me but they are perfect for my friend. Luna cups work well for me. I tried 4 before I found this one. It's the most comfortable, easy to get in/out, and most importantly doesn't leak at all. Especially on my heavy days.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been an ongoing issue for the past year or so. Whenever I see 40-count regular absorbency o.b., I buy every box in stock because I know it could be months before I see any again. Giant, Harris Teeter, Target, CVS, and Amazon are consistently out.

I use the OB tampons and have noticed the same thing.

Same. Where are my OBs!!!!

You better pray because my holy grail Kotex Security became scarce and then I found out they stopped production. Devastating blow.

Omg no!! I hadn't seen them for awhile but stupidly assumed it was just another shortage. Whyyy.

Yeah I haven't been able to find kotex since last year. I've tried a bunch of different brands on Amazon. Currently using Lola, which is similar and has a plastic applicator, which i find much more comfortable than cardboard.

Anonymous wrote:I can’t for the life of me get the cup to sit right consistently although it does help on the heaviest night.

there are different types of cups, since not everyone's body is the same. I had good luck with the Instead SoftCups when I had (terrible, heavy, clotty) periods. I could empty them just sitting on the toilet and doing kegels, and then just would use a finger to re-seat it behind the pubic bone if it slipped forward while emptying. Truly life-changing, in that even on the heaviest days all I needed to do was go to the bathroom once an hour, and not take 10 heavy-duty tampons with me to work or whereever.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the cup ladies! Before I got a mirena I used a cup. Do it! It's life changing.

Isn’t it messy to take out?

If it is you can wash your hands easily!

But if you aren't careful it can be a real pain to use in a public restroom. Like it can spill everywhere.

Yeah, absolutely not on the cups for me. Not creating another pseudo crime scene in the work restrooms.

*another* crime scene??

The most useful tip I ever received on DCUM was about the cup! I switched and have never looked back.

I have Saved so much money and never have to worry about having a tampon supply on hand. I don’t have to worry about used tampons and the trashcan.

There is a steep learning curve but, once you get the hang of it it’s miraculous. It is not messy to take out, does not leak and can last all day. If I have extra heavy flows I may have to empty it out once mid day. Easy.

Anonymous wrote:The ultra which I need is out of stock everywhere. Good thing I previously hoarded them in 2020. I kept a 6 month backstock just in case. Now I’m dipping into my ‘stock’.

I recall talkig with someone who had an overseas posting to a tropical location. They had a house with just one air conditioned room and they used that for storage of groceries and supplies, because even things like the coatings on cardboard tampon applicators can degrade in humid conditions. Who knew....

The ultra which I need is out of stock everywhere. Good thing I previously hoarded them in 2020. I kept a 6 month backstock just in case. Now I’m dipping into my ‘stock’.

I am obsessed with this because I am a journalist who uses o.b. or cardboard tampax, and every time I go to a store, whether it be in NY or CA, the shelves are empty. And Amazon has delivery dates of months out. But when I ask the companies, they say there's no problem. But clearly there is, right? If anyone who has encountered an o.b. or tampon shortage might be willing to talk to me, I will try to get to the bottom of this! alana.semuels@time.com

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weird, I thought it was just me. I was searching for cardboard applicators because I hate the plastic for environmental reasons and they are nowhere. Ended up accidentally buying four cases instead of four boxes on amazon.

OP here -- yes!! Finding cardboard applicator is next to impossible. It kills me to think of putting all that plastic into landfills. I may just break down and get them from Amazon even at the ridiculous markup.

Does anyone have a sense of why this shortage has been ongoing for months? I get the global supply chain issues, but this seems strange.

Tampons (and other insertables) can worsen cramps anyway. Period under ftw.

Rite Aid has tampons with the cardboard applicator.

I got a cup. It was a bit of a learning curve. Also, since I’m in peri my periods are shorter but extremely heavy, and so I was emptying all day long. At least I have an alternative. I hate pads.

If you have surplus tampons, your local shelters would very much appreciate them!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I won't use them with applicators and have been having a hard time finding OB for two months now. Tampax and playtex everywhere, but OB has become the unicorn in my area, even online.

OB has had production issues for years, pre-pandemic.

Uggg will be awful if OB closes shop. Best tampons ever.

Yes, I have several cups but OB tampons are more comfortable and easier.

Sam's Club has plenty. You do not need a membership to buy online. You will pay a little more than a member but it's a need so get some.
I knew about this shortage I think this past fall. It's the cotton. Same reason clothing you like is getting hard to find. There is no supply chain problem. It's strictly the cotton. I bought my DIL a huge supply. She probably thought WTH is she sending me all this product ? She recently thanked me.
My advice ? Get what you need now before it gets critical. The prices are rising too. Shocking. If I come across anyone needing and can't afford I'm buying some for them.

Anonymous wrote:Get the cup ladies! Before I got a mirena I used a cup. Do it! It's life changing.

I used to use a cup but my periods got too heavy in peri and it consistently started to leak.