In my previous post, Let's Talk About Birth Control, I talked about my favorite and least favorite birth control options. 

This made me think, hey let’s talk about the other side of the time of month equation...pads, tampons, and cups!

Honestly, I don’t really love any of them. I’m still waiting for a better option. So if you know of one comment below PLEASE. 

But...these are my thoughts on what I’ve found so far and what I like and don’t like about each one. 

Across the board, I don’t use scented anything. I’m SUPER sensitive and I don’t need anything to irritate my skin and all more than it’s already going to. 

Pads

I don’t use pads. My periods used to be much worse so I would always use the pads with wings. Then they weren’t as bad so I would use the pads without wings. I sleep like a crazy person so I’d wake up with it like stuck on my thigh (seriously idk what the heck I do in my sleep). Also, I’d sometimes get a rash from the pad on the inside of my thigh from it rubbing on it. So yeah I haven’t used a pad for years and don’t plan on ever using one again. If you’re a young girl I probably would start with pads but if they irritate you...thank you, next. 

Tampons

Okay, this is my go-to. They can be irritating but not as irritating as a pad. I only use the Tampax Pearl ones and choose which one based on heavy my period is that day. I get their variety box from Costco so they last forever and I’ll also get some of their traveling ones so I can hide it in my little handbags. 

Get the Tampax Pearl variety box here!

Get the Tampax Pearl travel ones here!

Here’s a little PSA to moms/dads that have daughters. PLEASE teach them how to use a tampon. The first time I used a tampon (when I was a teenager) I spent the entire day being stabbed by the cardboard. I didn’t know you were supposed to take that part off. I just shoved the whole thing up there and thought that that pain was normal. IT WASN’T. I didn’t have YouTube back then but I still think a little explainer to your daughters could save them on some unnecessary pain. 

Menstrual Cups

I LOVE the idea of this. It’s environmentally friendly, it’s on-trend, and it’s pink. So I love all that and I was like okay this is going to be my go-to now. I ordered it on Amazon and for the first time in MY LIFE I couldn’t wait to start my period so I could try this bad boi out. 

This is the menstrual cup I ordered! 

It finally came, I was bleeding, and it was time for me to start doing my part in saving the world. I felt good.

THEN I read the instructions. BOIL IT. Like in the kitchen. Great...so I boil it (awkward) and then I’m like okay let’s get this in. 

Putting it in was a little weird. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos to make sure I didn’t mess this up (like the tampon situation). I found the best way to put it in was to fold it and then let it pop open inside of you. Okay, that was fine. 

BUT THEN it was time to take it out. That thing had a suction on the inside of me like a vacuum on full speed. I was trying to break the seal like the videos explained on YouTube but it seriously felt like my uterus was going to come out with it. Oh and by the way, to get it out, you’re digging in there to break the seal. IT'S MESSY. So I finally break the seal and it’s a bloody mess. Then I have to DUMP the blood from the cup in the toilet. THEN I have to clean this thing again so now I got period blood in the toilet, on my hands, and in the sink. It looks like a murder scene. 

I sigh, apologize to the earth and grab a tampon. 

Maybe next month I’ll try again I say. I haven’t tried again and that was about 6 months ago...SO if anyone has any better tips for this situation let me know in the comments. I’d love to help the planet but I’d also like to not be a bloody mess or have my uterus sucked out of me.

I hope this was helpful and somewhat entertaining lol

Let me know in the comments any stories you have on trying a tampon or cup for the first time! 

Love, 

Azalee