Personal "feminine" questions..

[Dee74]

Sorry for making another thread, but I thought it would be best so that everyone would see it. And I'm also sorry if this is too personal. I understand totally if you want to keep it private :)

Ok, here goes nothing..

What kind of "feminine products" do you use during that time of the month? Since I've been having bladder issues, I haven't been able to use tampons anymore. They give me constant pain in my urethra.. not to mention, insertion and removal :( Major ouch factor.

But I HATE pads with a passion. For one, I have a very heavy period. It's really gross feeling at times. Usually I have to wear a tampon and a pad together (one of the reasons my doc suspects my endometriosis is back). I'm also very sensitive down below and pads seem to make me itchy and irritated. I don't know if it's the brand, or the friction, or what.

I've heard alot about menstrual cups. Has anyone ever tried these? I don't know if they would be any more comfortable to me than tampons or not.

Also, do you use soap to cleanse down below? I've also heard that you're not supposed to, but I just don't feel CLEAN unless I use it. I don't use it every single day, usually every other day unless I'm on my period, then it's an every day thing. I use ivory soap, which is supposed to be mild, but I'm wondering if maybe it could be causing me irritation? I've used it for years and years.. heck I've always used soap down below, but within the last few months, I've been having so many issues in the nether regions. I don't know what is causing what besides the IC!!

Again, I'm sorry if this is too personal or if it's already been discussed. I just thought maybe it was a worthy subject.. maybe we all have SOMETHING in common you know?

[Imustpee]

Go see your gyn and get on CONTINUOUS BIRTH CONTROL PILLS! You will be in control of whether you want to have a "Pill period" or not. When on the pill, it keeps your body from releasing an egg..no egg, no buildup of the uterine wall, so no need for a pill period. I have been period free for 3 months and it;s WONDERFUL...No cramps, no smell, no mess, no PMS...none of it..I plan on staying on the C.B.C.P. until I am 52, then I will be in menopause..I am planning on NEVER having another period again.. :)

[Mishka]

Hello,

I can't use tampons, they are sooo uncomfortable. I have vulvar vestibulitis, so it really hurts. Pads also really irritated me, my skin would get all red and raw.

I bought luna pads, which are flannel pads. They are GREAT. I have no irritation, and they are SO comfortable. It was kind of weird washing my menstrual products the first time, but now I love it because I know there are no chemicals, dies etc in there, and they are so soft after being in the dryer :) You also use liners with them so if you have a heavy flow you could double up on the flannel liner.

You can go to www.lunapads.com to check them out. They also sell sea sponges and menstrual cups, with lots of info on all these things.

As far as soap, I just use Ivory and gently wash. I don't try and clean "inside" at all, that will irritate.

[Dee74]

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't clean inside. I have always been told NOT to douche or anything like that. It's just that lately I've been hearing that even using a gentle soap on the outside is a no no :hmm:

I'm heading out to my gyno in just a bit, so I'll definately ask her opinion on everything :)

Keep goin with the replies though. I'm curious as to what everyone else uses. Just to see if there's any connection whatsoever, at least with urethral pain.

[lab queen]

I don't really have trouble with anything irritating me "down there" but I use Instead, a disposable cup kind of device and I find it works well. I buy them at Walgreen's. Also since my diagnosis and reading the literature I was given I decided to use fragrance free soap, I had some Bath and Body Works shower gel blender base, the kind you are supposed to add fragrance oil to, I just didn't add the fragrance and have been using that. I hope this helps a little.

Melinda

[VickiB]

I've been somewhat in the same boat. Tampons cause irritation, I hate pads with a passion, and my period has become so heavy that both tampon (super-duper-plus) as well as pads are a necessity. My Gyno after a thorough check up suggested a hysterectomy, but I don't want to go that route as menopause is just around the corner. I've always been reluctant to take BC pills, though the thought of no more periods is extremely enticing!

I did try the menstrual cups when they first came out, and my periods were not so heavy at that time. My experience was that it leaked, requiring a pad anyway, and extremely messy when removed. 'Course there's always the possibility it was that particular brand I tried, or that I inserted it incorrectly or something?

I do intend to check out the Luna Pads Mishka mentioned. Not only could that be very cost effective and less irritating, but an environmentally friendly alternative.

Vicki

[vm]

I think Dove soap is even less irritating than Ivory. I am thinking a dermatologist told me that once.... Could be wrong.

I use tampons and pads. Not at the same time - but I switch off. During parts of my period I can use tampons with no problem, but then it's almost like I need to give the area a break and I switch to pads. I can use the Super Plus tampons some of the time ---- other times I need to use the absolute smallest.

[ICNDonna]

I don't know if this would apply to your problem, but I have children with skin problems and the dermatologist told me to avoid using soaps, especially ivory, on their skin because it is extremely harsh. His advice was to use detergent, not soap, to wash clothing. We finally ended up using Neutrogena, which is neutral (neither acid or alkaline) for body cleansing. There are several different "allergy" soaps on the market, and all are very gentle.

Donna

[Stella1609]

I've had the same problem with tampons forever. I've tried and tried to use them, but they just hurt :-/. I still keep some on hand in case I'm swimming or something. I use Kotex ultra thin and have pretty good results with those (especially now that they have the velcro tabs).

I also wash with Dove soap :). Some soaps, and almost all body washes/bubble baths/etc. irritate me "down there."

Laura

[kadi]

I use Kotex ultra thin for stress incontinence (very mild). Also have been using the pill continuously. Not getting a period has been a lifesaver, both in terms of not flaring the IC & not having cramps. Cetaphil has worked for me instead of soap, very gentle & also good because the IC meds dry my skin badly.

[icnmgrjill]

Ivory can be VERY irritating "down there." I use DOVE soap with great success... and have never had a problem with it. The bar though, not the liquid soap which has more perfumes, etc.

I also went through a phase where using pads were very irritating. That's when my vulvodynia was on overdrive. So, I actually tried using soft flannel pads... which I still use at night every now and then. Cotton flannel is not irritating... but it can move around. Gladrags sells them... and I go for the organic cream color.

But, for the most part, I use Always pads.... They have two thicknesses.... I like the superthin LONG pads during the day... and the thicker night time pads for nights. I also have a very heavy period for a few days and these pads just work really well for me personally. Might be worth trying.

Also, just having something as simple as a perineal wash bottle(filled with room temp water) in your bathroom so that you can rinse yourself off after using the facilities and/or changing pads is VERY soothing.

Great questions and I'm glad you posted them.

Jill :)

[laura dove]

ok ladies'

Synthetic hormones have been found to be very irratating to ic.
The cups are anatomically pushing against your bladder. OUCH.
Use a gentle noncomodermic cleanser like cytaphyl mixed with
warm water and apply via a small bottle wth a nozzle at the end.
An external douche, if you will. If you use a tampon change it($$$)
after you pee to avoid bv. As archaic as they seem, pads are the
safest bets.Kudos to the fancy ones..

[ICNDonna]

When my youngest was a baby and first had an allergic skin reaction, our pediatrician said that Ivory is probably the most irritating soap there is. And I had been washing his clothes in Ivory Snow.

Donna

[Berkshire Road]

You know, it's a website about bladders, for heaven's sakes! What could really be too personal after that? :)

Just for the record, for me the least irritating pads are Stayfree. They have some kind of liner on top that keeps the moisture away from the skin, but it's not as harsh as the Always brand. I like the ultrathin overnight with wings.

[hdb1982]

I use johnson and johnson baby soap for body wash down there. I get the sensative skin with no fragrance and have 0 problems with irritation. i can use tampons so no help for you there, sorry

[Claredale]

I don't know if this would apply to your problem, but I have children with skin problems and the dermatologist told me to avoid using soaps, especially ivory, on their skin because it is extremely harsh. His advice was to use detergent, not soap, to wash clothing. We finally ended up using Neutrogena, which is neutral (neither acid or alkaline) for body cleansing. There are several different "allergy" soaps on the market, and all are very gentle.

Donna

I know you have eczema issues too. I had horrible flares throughout my childhood. The only soap I could use was Ivory. Anything else, especially detergent would flare me up. I couldn't wear gloves either. When I first got married and didn't have a dishwasher, I thought it best to wear gloves since dish washing soap was irritating. I ended up having a huge flare on my hands, especially my right hand. I lost 3 fingernails and my fingerprints are unreadable. We immediately purchased a dishwasher! When I got a job at a bank, I was fingerprinted on 3 different occasions and they finally determined that my middle finger, my ring finger and my pinky were illegible as far as capturing a print.

It appears that even Ezcema is a mystery!

Now almost 25 years later, I can use any soap product without any problems.

Tracey

[Nancy123]

I might not be as sensitive as everyone else, but I have been able to use Seventh Generation unscented cloth wipes. They are chlorine free and do not contain alcohol or synthetic ingredients. You can get them at the IC shop and I have found them in a organic store once.

I mainly use them during my cycle. I'm like you and hate pads, but tampons do cause me some irritation so I try to use them when I work and unscented pads when I am home.

[curlycue]

wow good luck

[cindydi]

I also get irritated down there. I use Natracare brand liners and pads. They also have a tampon which is 100% cotton. This might be less irritating. They sell them at whole foods or online. As far as soap Dove sensitive skin is what works for me.

[theclownster]

HI there! I have serious skin sensitivites and have broken out in unexplainable hives repeatedly that the doctors seem to think was an allergic reaction to something - they called it contact dermatitis. To make a long story short, I have to be completely careful with everything. After repeated trips to the doctor (prior to IC diagnosis) and me trying many different products, one of my doctor's suggested that I use DOVE soap. She said it was the best. I use the DOVE for Sensitive Skin that is unscented. I also use All Free and clear liquid laundry detergent and no dryer sheets by anyone in my household. We use Downy Free and Clear liquid softener (which was recommended by the same doctor who suggested the DOVE). The combination of all of the helps me tremendously. I always had problems with not feeling okay down there washing too and this is so much better. l also have to rinse very well down there or there's problems. I have a detachable shower head that helps with that tremendously.

In terms of pads, I use stayfree because they are made of cotton and do not have a plastic like top layer (like Always). The ones that have a plastic like cover are very uncomfortable (well to me anyways).

Good luck as you look for something that works for you.

Take care,
Jennifer

[clouddrifter]

Before my hysterectomy, I had painful periods due to endo. I started my period at age 8 and they were ALWAYS heavy. I tried tampons at age 13 and managed to use them for that one year - here and there - it hurt so bad I thought I was inserting them wrong - and finally I just gave up b/c I would become so swollen and irritated and I never touched them after that.
but yes, pads have been irritating too and I found that Always brand worked the best for me (still caused some irritation though just not as bad)- and the continuous birth control was a God send!(I used them for the four years prior to the hysterectomy. I think that is the best part about the hysterectomy now - not having to deal with those awful periods and the pads!!
As far as soaps go, I've always had a problem using Ivory. I bought some Pears soap and I don't have any reactions to it but i hate the smell of it! So i have been using Dove for sensitive skin. I cannot, however, use Dove shampoos & conditioners b/c they make my head itch like crazy! I use ALL free and clear laundry detergent and bounce free and clear doesn't seem to cause me any trouble. I make sure I wash my undies separately though from everything else and don't use a fabric softener on them. I was also told to use vinegar instead of bleach if I need to. I haven't had to try that yet - so I'm not sure how well that works. But you're supposed to soak it in the vinegar & water and then wash it.
When I wash down there - I feel gross not using soap - but sometimes its so inflamed and irritated that the thought of putting anything on there makes me cringe. I have a handheld shower attachment that I use and put on a gentle setting and I rinse it really really well with cool water. I use the soap on the outer parts though - just nothing in that vulvar area.

[NanaB]

I found that Ivory, and Dove soap down in that area are very irritating. I was told to use Oil of Olay body unscented soap, and it works very well with no irritation.
My niece told me that www.drugstore.com sells organic tampons which she uses because she gets irritated very easily. They sell regular, and super. I myself wouldn't know I haven't had my period in years due to hysterectomy.
NanaB:)

[pingpong]

I could have used some of this information during my last few years of perimenopause. Had my last period 3 1/2 years ago, and I don't miss it a bit. Even with the hot flashes, menopause is WONDERFUL!

[BBB]

That is one great thing about not having periods due to either reason! I can't believe how much not having a cycle also helped dealing with the IC.