I'm one of those folks that's gotten to live in both the pre-tech and post-tech boom world. My childhood was spent outside, doing homework with pencils, typewriters and physical books. Eventually we started using computers more in school and by high school we were using the Internet for everything.
The Internet isn't the only 'technology' that has completely changed our lives. I've been having periods for over half my life and as every woman knows, periods fucking SUCK!!!! Thankfully, if you pay attention to these things, you'll notice people are constantly coming up with new ways to make our periods less awful.
I thought it'd be good to share with the other ladies on here a couple of the awesome products I wish had existed or I had known about years ago that have made my periods more manageable and invite you to share yours.
So here we go...
THINX PERIOD PANTIES
These are great!! They're comfortable and they provide me with a sense of ease with their leak proof material. Some women use them in place of tampons or pads on lighter days.
I use them as back up for my Diva Cup or tampons when I am sleeping so I don't accidentally leak all over the bed I share with my boyfriend of I have a sudden gush. I also sleep in them if I think I feel my period coming on but it hasn't shown or I'm not sure, just in care is comes in the night.
I use them as back up on long drives as well and wear them during sports when I'm on my period, as they help me feel dry and clean down there.
DIVA CUP
Oh God do I ever wish I'd known about these babies years ago!!!!! Iheard of them a couple years ago but thought they sounded uncomfortable and weird so I didn't bother. Then I kept hearing women rave about them on feminist forums and other woman friendly Internet forums and decided to give it a try about a year ago.
OH MY GOD IT IS SO FUCKING AMAZINGGGGGG!!!
I'm not even kidding. These things are the bomb once you figure out how to place it properly (which, admittedly, does take some practice).
What I love most is that you can leave it in for up to 12 hours!!!!!
It sometimes will take me a few tries to get it places just right, so trying to put it in in a hurry can end quite poorly, but once it's there I can forget about it for hours and hours.
As a highly active woman, this thing has been a life saver. I no longer have to say no to going on hours' long hikes because there won't be a sanitary place to change my tampons every 0.5 to 4 hours.
The other great thing is how much waste I'm no longer putting into landfills every month. Not to mention I just feel CLEANER than with pads or even tampons.
The downside is if you need to dump and rinse it while you're not at home. I always carry a spare tampon just in case it gets uncomfortable during the day or there is some other reason I need to take it out and can't put it back in (Eg. Can't clean it). In that case, I'll just dump it in the toilet, wipe it off with toilet paper, wrap it in toilet paper and put it in my purse. Kinda gross but whatever. I have almost never had to do that. Like I said at the beginning, it can stay in for 12 hours so I never have to take it out at work.
Sometimes it'll get a bit out of place when I pee or poop but it only takes a little twist with my finger to get it back into a comfy position.
Livia (Coming Soon)
I can not WAIT to try this product!! Hopefully it isn't too long before they hit the market because I'll be at the store buying one ASAP.
It basically is a tiny device that you can use to deliver little electrical pulses or vibrations to relieve pain without medication. As someone who tries to avoid using painkillers as much as possible but always gives up mid-day 1 of my period, this is an exciting possibility!
Thinx + Diva = No More Sleepless Nights!
For me, there have been lots of different benefits to using both Thinx period panties and the Diva Cup, but the biggest relief for me has been finally being able to sleep soundly and not worry about leaking in the night. By using these two products together I no longer fear waking up in a pool of my own blood.
I highly recommend BOTH of these products to ANYONE who has ever leaked or feared leaking in your sleep, on road trips, at work our anywhere else, and to anyone who, like me, enjoys being active and hates having to turn down activities that would require you to be away from a bathroom for a couple hours while on your rag.
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