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

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