Feminine Protection Usage

I first started with disposable pads, then switched back and forth between those and tampons. I started having several abnormal pap smears and developed rashes whenever I would use disposable pads. I switched to reusable cloth pads about a year and a half ago, and it's the best choice I've made! My periods are much more tolerable now, my flow is less and I have less cramps. I also love how much money I've saved, and the fact that I'm not filling up the landfills.

When I first got my period I used pads... but I quickly started using tampons, never had any trouble with them. I've always hated pads, how they feel like you're wearing a diaper and it's a lot more messy I think. Tampons keep everything clean! Sometimes I'll wear a pantyliner too just in case but other than that tampons are definitely for me.

Unlike many people who started with pads and later moved on to tampons, tampons were the only option for me from the beginning. I was older than most when I first started menstruating so I was well informed and more mature about the "putting a tampon in" deal. That plus the fact that my first period arrived the day before a championship swim meet lead me quickly into the realm of tampons. I used tampons during the day and pads at night for about six years until recently when I heard about the DivaCup. I've used it for a couple of cycles now and though it still takes me a couple of minutes to remove, wash, and re-insert, the small amount of extra time is nothing compared to the security and convenience of 12 leak free hours of protection. I know I must sound like an infomercial but it is truly the best period purchase I have ever made.

I started with pads (got my first period at 11) and used them consistently until about three years ago when I started using tampons intermittently. I thought tampons were better than sliced bread for a while, until I started having more painful cramps, lots of leaking, and general discomfort.

About a year ago, a good friend of mine introduced me to the Diva Cup. I was a little grossed out by the idea of a re-usable menstrual device at first, but once I got the hang of it, I absolutely loved it. I completely forget that I'm menstruating! I will NEVER go back to disposables.

I started with tampons and loved it for the convenience and ease of use, used them until I got a depo shot from hell and had to stop using them, now I use disposable pads, thinking of switching to homemade reusable ones...

Started with store-bought pads. Tried using tampons for sport but found them scratchy when I have a light flow. Started getting recurrent yeast on the pill in college and switched to all-cotton natural disposables, which were all right but pretty bulky. Tried disposible cup with disastrous results - leaking when reclining due to the angle of my uterus - and then switched to reusable pads. Sew them myself from dark colored flannel. Used to pin them to my underwear at first, but found it wasn't really needed. It stays in place. I'll still use some of the disposables when I'm travelling or exercising with more than a light flow, because it's a bit of a hassle then. The newer disposables are less plasticty and irritating than a few years ago.