Irregular periods and pads?
I have really irregular periods, and I use pads all the time as tampons don't seem to work for me, but when I use pads I get really itchy and sore, what can I do to stop this?
Answers:
If your menstrual cycle is irregular have you done anything about this?
Try taking to your doctor for help in regulating your menstrual cycle; of course be aware a lot of doctors avoid curing the problem by putting women onto hormonal birth control [which does not regulate your menstrual cycle] rather than running tests or treating the problem. You can use tracking methods such as Fertility Awareness Method to determine why your cycles are irregular and give you some control in that using this method will tell you when to expect your period. Other ideas would be to use Evening Primrose Oil or Black Cohosh tablets daily to help regulate your hormones that control your menstrual cycle.
If you are using commercial pads then this is perfectly normal to be itchy, this is because of the materials which they are made from and their potential to cause infections.
Commercial pads contain bleaches and chemicals to make them whiter – this is the only reason they use these manufacturing methods, in making them 'whiter than white' it is implying menstruation is dirty furthering taboos regarding menstruation that keeps women believing only 'whiter than white' products will do and so keeping their customer base strong.
These chemicals and bleach cause problems;
-Your vagina has natural flora (bacteria) that help keep it healthy, chemicals in or around the vagina can interrupt natural vaginal PH, this in turn leads to an imbalance in the vagina's natural flora leading to certain bacteria or yeast to overgrow leading to infections such as bacterial vaginosis or thrush.
-Your vagina is made up of mucosa that does not have the protective layer as skin does so the chemicals can make their way into the body much easier than they would do if they had just come into contact with your skin.
-Chemicals used can irritate the skin or cause allergies, the mucosa is more sensitive than skin, tampons also cause vaginal splitting and irritation that can further irritation and risk of infections.
Commercial pads are also made from synthetic material such as the paper pulp that makes up the main part of the pad, gel as the absorbent core and plastic backing, all together this means that not only are the plastics irritating but they all prevent aeration – when your vulva is not well ventilated it means it remains moist and warm and so the perfect environment for yeast to multiply leading to yeast infections.
As a side note commercial tampons carry similar problems as well as general problems tampons cause for vaginal health – they prevent the vagina from cleaning itself, give bacteria a place to multiply fast, fibre loss and vaginal splitting, thus why commercial tampons are considered the most harmful out of over twenty different menstrual options. If considering an internal menstrual option you may want to consider menstrual cups such as Mooncup, Divacup, Keeper, Lunette, or Instead as they carry far less risk, you can also wear them at night and before your period is even due so to avoid blood on your underwear if your period comes on when you don't totally expect it.
If you are going to use pads then it would be a lot healthier and help you avoid the itching (whether due to chemical sensitivity or the pads causing yeast infections) by using safer pad options. Organic pads are disposable like commercial pads, but they are made with natural materials so they let a lot more air get to the vulva preventing yeast infections, they are also not treated with chemicals or bleach so they avoid infections and chemical sensitivity. Cloth pads are reusable, they have benefits of organic pads in that they are not made from synthetic materials or treated with chemicals or bleach – you can also make your own pads, or you can get padded panties where it is essentially a pad built into underwear.
Pad options;
http://www.natracare.com – Organic tampons and pads.
http://www.lunapads.com – Cloth pads, padded panties, etc.
http://www.gladrags.com – Cloth pads.
http://urban-armor.org/urban-armor - Cloth pads.
http://www.hagrag.bigstep.com – Cloth pads.
http://www.reddyspads.com – Cloth pads.
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf - DIY cloth pads.
http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters/pads.html - DIY cloth pads.
http://www.stewardwood.org/resources/DIYwashabletowels.htm - DIY cloth pads.
http://www.divacup.com – Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.mooncup.co.uk/wc.php?u=33 - Silicone bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.menses.co.uk – Rubber bell-shaped menstrual cups.
http://www.softcup.com – Soft plastic diaphragm-shaped menstrual cups.
Have a Brazilian
I think you should take a professional advice in this case, you might be allergic to the composition materials of the pads (?)
Keep hypoallergenic baby wipes in the toilet and use them all the time. Also try a bit of baby barrier cream after you wash.
Change the pads regularly. Like every 3 hours
. . . have you seen the tv.ad for the new Tampax Compact with fragrance? They're amazing - I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day, now I get by on one box of Compact . . .
Make Sure you change your pads regularly and wash the area well when changing them. It could be some allergic reaction as another respondent has already suggested.Advise consult your GP. or Practice Nurse about this They might be able to advise on alternative pads as well as treatment.
Maybe you should change the pads more regularly..or put tissue on top of the pad.
try using different brands of pads, try them all if necessary, i found always irritating, i think its something to do with the bleaching agents they use.
you may also want to try and sort out your menstrual problem as this is clearly not normal.
Yes I have the same problems, but try to keep it at bay mostly by changing the pads as often as you can and washing with cold water after each trip to the loo as creams just seem to make it worse
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