The tampon is cylindrical, the human vagina is not
June 3, 2015 9:00 AM Subscribe
A lot of people argued that [tampon use] was not only inappropriate because it might break the hymen, but it might be also pleasurable and might be a way for girls to experience orgasmic pleasure.A history of the tampon, in the Atlantic. In related news, as of July 1, feminine hygiene products will no longer be subject to federal sales tax in Canada.
Thank you, Canada! This is marvelous! (And I am too much of a wuss to try the DivaCup, though I have really wanted to for forever now.)
posted by Kitteh at 9:17 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 9:17 AM on June 3, 2015
Diva cups are great but not for everyone.
Good for Canada, but boo for it taking so long.
In related news, yesterday, this nonsense from 4chan that showed up on a friend's FB page.
posted by emjaybee at 9:17 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Good for Canada, but boo for it taking so long.
In related news, yesterday, this nonsense from 4chan that showed up on a friend's FB page.
posted by emjaybee at 9:17 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Is there sales tax on feminine hygiene products back home in the US?
posted by Kitteh at 9:20 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 9:20 AM on June 3, 2015
ugh i've had people on my twitter timeline taking "feminists" to task for the free-bleed thing, refusing to believe me when i was like, "uh - that's a troll."
posted by nadawi at 9:23 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 9:23 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I find these retail sales tax exemptions to be odd. The trouble is that once you exempt one thing then everyone else wants their product to be exempted as well.
From the article: "Removing the tax is estimated to cost the government around $36 million." And yet most individual women won't save very much - maybe a couple dollars a year individually.
In 2012 this same government cut funding to women's health research: "Health Canada expects to save $2.85 million a year by eliminating the Women’s Health Contribution Program, which supports the work of four research centres and two communications networks across the country, by next March."
I mean, sure, everyone likes to save a few bucks here and there, but this is the direct outcome of Harper's continued cutting of basic science and public health research. This is not a good day for women IMO.
posted by GuyZero at 9:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [7 favorites]
From the article: "Removing the tax is estimated to cost the government around $36 million." And yet most individual women won't save very much - maybe a couple dollars a year individually.
In 2012 this same government cut funding to women's health research: "Health Canada expects to save $2.85 million a year by eliminating the Women’s Health Contribution Program, which supports the work of four research centres and two communications networks across the country, by next March."
I mean, sure, everyone likes to save a few bucks here and there, but this is the direct outcome of Harper's continued cutting of basic science and public health research. This is not a good day for women IMO.
posted by GuyZero at 9:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [7 favorites]
This was my favorite bit from the article:
Tampax Pearl was a hit when it went on sale in 2001—especially with young women. “My sons were teenagers back then,” [Jim] Keighley remembers. “They would bring girlfriends home to the house, and if they found out I made Pearl, they would say, ‘Oh, I love Pearl!’ My sons would just go nuts.”posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:26 AM on June 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
I find these retail sales tax exemptions to be odd. The trouble is that once you exempt one thing then everyone else wants their product to be exempted as well.
Sales tax exemptions are a begrudging acknowledgement that consumption taxes disproportionately affect the poor, and unemployed and try to fix a broken system.
posted by Talez at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2015 [20 favorites]
Sales tax exemptions are a begrudging acknowledgement that consumption taxes disproportionately affect the poor, and unemployed and try to fix a broken system.
posted by Talez at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2015 [20 favorites]
From the CBC article: Removing the tax is estimated to cost the government around $36 million.
Let me re-write that for you:
"Removing the tax is estimated to give back millions of dollars to the women we were stealing from."
Finished!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2015 [31 favorites]
Let me re-write that for you:
"Removing the tax is estimated to give back millions of dollars to the women we were stealing from."
Finished!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2015 [31 favorites]
Notable moments in tampon history:
Feb. 7, 1995: This photo by Robin Hollander, illustrating reporter Karen Houppert's story about toxic shock syndrome – "Pulling the Plug on the Sanitary Protection Industry" – appeared on the cover of the Village Voice in New York.
(The image features the lower half of a woman's body, with her legs positioned so you can see a tampon string. The picture isn't graphic, but it may well be NSFW depending on where you W. YMMV.)
Photographer Holland recalls the reaction:
Feb. 7, 1995: This photo by Robin Hollander, illustrating reporter Karen Houppert's story about toxic shock syndrome – "Pulling the Plug on the Sanitary Protection Industry" – appeared on the cover of the Village Voice in New York.
(The image features the lower half of a woman's body, with her legs positioned so you can see a tampon string. The picture isn't graphic, but it may well be NSFW depending on where you W. YMMV.)
Photographer Holland recalls the reaction:
"People were horrified. I think the reaction today would be similar. People are perfectly happy to see women as sex objects, but the actual biology of our bodies is apparently gross and unmentionable.”posted by virago at 9:34 AM on June 3, 2015 [17 favorites]
the reason to not tax tampons is because canada has a tax exemption specifically for essential items. menstrual products are essential items.
posted by nadawi at 9:34 AM on June 3, 2015 [27 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 9:34 AM on June 3, 2015 [27 favorites]
Diva cups are great but not for everyone.
Thank you. I love that they're an option for a lot of women, and I love the reduction in waste they represent, but they really really don't work for me.
(Well, they didn't: the whole question of menstruation is becoming a bit abstract for me now.)
posted by suelac at 9:35 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Thank you. I love that they're an option for a lot of women, and I love the reduction in waste they represent, but they really really don't work for me.
(Well, they didn't: the whole question of menstruation is becoming a bit abstract for me now.)
posted by suelac at 9:35 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Yeah I tried using a DivaCup for years and finally gave up because I was spending hours wrestling with the darn thing every month. I'll try again post-childbirth though--I did like not having to rely on tampons or pads.
posted by chaiminda at 9:37 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by chaiminda at 9:37 AM on June 3, 2015
And yet most individual women won't save very much - maybe a couple dollars a year individually.
I'm guessing you haven't bought pads lately.
1 bag @ $5 per bag...... $5 * 15% = $0.75.... per bag
1 bag = ~24 pads, so let's say 1 bag every month = $9 per woman per year
Menstruating Population of Canada estimated at 7.07 million women.
holy s* that's $63.6M a year! Highway robbery!
The trouble is that once you exempt one thing then everyone else wants their product to be exempted as well.
Tax exemptions on non-essential items. Tax my oreos, fine. DO NOT TAX MY TAMPONS.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
I'm guessing you haven't bought pads lately.
1 bag @ $5 per bag...... $5 * 15% = $0.75.... per bag
1 bag = ~24 pads, so let's say 1 bag every month = $9 per woman per year
Menstruating Population of Canada estimated at 7.07 million women.
holy s* that's $63.6M a year! Highway robbery!
The trouble is that once you exempt one thing then everyone else wants their product to be exempted as well.
Tax exemptions on non-essential items. Tax my oreos, fine. DO NOT TAX MY TAMPONS.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Time to DivaCup in menstruation related thread: 11 minutes.
posted by maryr at 9:41 AM on June 3, 2015 [28 favorites]
posted by maryr at 9:41 AM on June 3, 2015 [28 favorites]
the reason to not tax tampons is because canada has a tax exemption specifically for essential items. menstrual products are essential items.
More specifically, there are exemptions for a bunch of categories but the relevant ones are "basic groceries" or "medical devices". And I'm fine with putting hygiene products with all that. It all serves the same purpose of progressive taxation.
But this is the government that closed 12 of 16 offices for the department of the Status of Women In Canada.
Call me cynical if you like.
holy s* that's $63.6M a year! Highway robbery!
So since the government themselves only estimates a savings of $36M it's like $5 per woman. And I buy pads sometimes but sure, not that often I guess. Certainly I'm not the one who uses them.
posted by GuyZero at 9:42 AM on June 3, 2015
More specifically, there are exemptions for a bunch of categories but the relevant ones are "basic groceries" or "medical devices". And I'm fine with putting hygiene products with all that. It all serves the same purpose of progressive taxation.
But this is the government that closed 12 of 16 offices for the department of the Status of Women In Canada.
Call me cynical if you like.
holy s* that's $63.6M a year! Highway robbery!
So since the government themselves only estimates a savings of $36M it's like $5 per woman. And I buy pads sometimes but sure, not that often I guess. Certainly I'm not the one who uses them.
posted by GuyZero at 9:42 AM on June 3, 2015
Sales tax exemptions are a begrudging acknowledgement that consumption taxes disproportionately affect the poor, and unemployed and try to fix a broken system.
A far better solution is to provide direct subsidies to the poor, the unemployed etc. This just put money in the pockets of a lot of people who really don't need it, as well as the ones that do.
posted by yoink at 9:43 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
A far better solution is to provide direct subsidies to the poor, the unemployed etc. This just put money in the pockets of a lot of people who really don't need it, as well as the ones that do.
posted by yoink at 9:43 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
That is the better solution. However, wholesale change can be very difficult to achieve, so we get a second best result tinkering with the existing system.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:45 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Chrysostom at 9:45 AM on June 3, 2015
24 pads in a month? Not for anyone I know.
Yeah, 12 is more likely.
(Unless you're buying really shitty pads, which is possible, I suppose.)
posted by maryr at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015
Yeah, 12 is more likely.
(Unless you're buying really shitty pads, which is possible, I suppose.)
posted by maryr at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015
The things that are and aren't exempt from GST is treated as an attempt to differentiate what is a necessity and what is something you could choose to do without. See for example that groceries are exempt but restaurant food is not, and in groceries, things like candy or carbonated beverages aren't exempt.
And yeah, the reason there's an exemption specifically for essential items is a begrudging acknowledgement that taxing essential items would be a greater burden on the poor. Sometimes it can get caught up in judgment of whether the poor are spending their money on the "right" things. But this specific change I think is the right choice.
posted by RobotHero at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
And yeah, the reason there's an exemption specifically for essential items is a begrudging acknowledgement that taxing essential items would be a greater burden on the poor. Sometimes it can get caught up in judgment of whether the poor are spending their money on the "right" things. But this specific change I think is the right choice.
posted by RobotHero at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
....but it might be also pleasurable and might be a way for girls to experience orgasmic pleasure.
There's so much wrong with this objection I don't even know where to start.
posted by zarq at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015 [11 favorites]
There's so much wrong with this objection I don't even know where to start.
posted by zarq at 9:46 AM on June 3, 2015 [11 favorites]
I guess I bleed a lot because I go through more than 12 pads a month if I am using them exclusively.
posted by jeather at 9:48 AM on June 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by jeather at 9:48 AM on June 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
24 pads in a month? Not for anyone I know.
Yeah, 12 is more likely.
(Unless you're buying really shitty pads, which is possible, I suppose.)
Or you have to use two because one is insufficient/not long enough. Which happens, especially when you lie down to sleep.
(Sorry for TMI, any dudes, but then, you clicked on a tampon discussion, so....)
posted by emjaybee at 9:49 AM on June 3, 2015 [15 favorites]
Yeah, 12 is more likely.
(Unless you're buying really shitty pads, which is possible, I suppose.)
Or you have to use two because one is insufficient/not long enough. Which happens, especially when you lie down to sleep.
(Sorry for TMI, any dudes, but then, you clicked on a tampon discussion, so....)
posted by emjaybee at 9:49 AM on June 3, 2015 [15 favorites]
Tampax’s telescoping applicator made it possible to insert a tampon without the dreaded self-touching—though it didn’t do much to assuage fears of accidental virginity loss, which, despite evidence that the hymen doesn’t necessarily break as a result of sex or tampon use, still persist in some parts of the world today.
When I was a volunteer in Peace Corps Georgia we were told not to let anyone know if we used tampons because supposedly only women who had had sex were able to use them without pain (and if we weren't married, being assumed a virgin was very necessary).
posted by chaiminda at 9:49 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
When I was a volunteer in Peace Corps Georgia we were told not to let anyone know if we used tampons because supposedly only women who had had sex were able to use them without pain (and if we weren't married, being assumed a virgin was very necessary).
posted by chaiminda at 9:49 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I find these retail sales tax exemptions to be odd. The trouble is that once you exempt one thing then everyone else wants their product to be exempted as well.
Exemptions are based on the basic principle that things that are necessities should not be taxed both because it can create hardship (Which is what is referenced in "individual women don't save that much") but also because it's the fact that it's impossible to cutback on necessities and that consequently necessities constitute a greater proportion of poor people's spending that makes sales taxes regressive. If everything one had to buy were sales-tax free, the tax wouldn't be regressive.
"Removing the tax is estimated to give back millions of dollars to the women we were stealing from."
Taxes are not stealing. I enjoy the tremendous benefit of living in a safe, stable, relatively compassionate society thanks to the taxes I pay. And because I am enjoying it more than a lot of people as demonstrated by my income and consumption, I pay more. I enjoy more; I pay more. Seems reasonable to me.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:52 AM on June 3, 2015 [12 favorites]
Exemptions are based on the basic principle that things that are necessities should not be taxed both because it can create hardship (Which is what is referenced in "individual women don't save that much") but also because it's the fact that it's impossible to cutback on necessities and that consequently necessities constitute a greater proportion of poor people's spending that makes sales taxes regressive. If everything one had to buy were sales-tax free, the tax wouldn't be regressive.
"Removing the tax is estimated to give back millions of dollars to the women we were stealing from."
Taxes are not stealing. I enjoy the tremendous benefit of living in a safe, stable, relatively compassionate society thanks to the taxes I pay. And because I am enjoying it more than a lot of people as demonstrated by my income and consumption, I pay more. I enjoy more; I pay more. Seems reasonable to me.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:52 AM on June 3, 2015 [12 favorites]
Certainly I'm not the one who uses them.
not only for menstruation
posted by twist my arm at 9:53 AM on June 3, 2015
not only for menstruation
posted by twist my arm at 9:53 AM on June 3, 2015
I didn't start using tampons until my late teens and man, it was such a relief from the bulky mattress of pad between my thighs.
I buy my tampons at Costco because I hate the panicky feeling of not having anything in the house when Crampy Fun Times start. (Note: they are NOT fun.)
posted by Kitteh at 9:54 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
I buy my tampons at Costco because I hate the panicky feeling of not having anything in the house when Crampy Fun Times start. (Note: they are NOT fun.)
posted by Kitteh at 9:54 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
yeah I was thinking 3 a day times 7 days = 21 pads
I don't know what the average length is so I just rounded up. Even 4 a day for 5 days is still 20 pads.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:54 AM on June 3, 2015
I don't know what the average length is so I just rounded up. Even 4 a day for 5 days is still 20 pads.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:54 AM on June 3, 2015
not only for menstruation
THAT IS NOT HOW PADS WORK! The sticky side is not absorbent, you idiots.
posted by maryr at 9:56 AM on June 3, 2015 [22 favorites]
THAT IS NOT HOW PADS WORK! The sticky side is not absorbent, you idiots.
posted by maryr at 9:56 AM on June 3, 2015 [22 favorites]
So since the government themselves only estimates a savings of $36M
I read that as savings initially but it says that's how much it will cost them... I thought this meant how much it will cost them to implement all the changes (eg. changing the computer system) but yeah it's unclear.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:56 AM on June 3, 2015
I read that as savings initially but it says that's how much it will cost them... I thought this meant how much it will cost them to implement all the changes (eg. changing the computer system) but yeah it's unclear.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:56 AM on June 3, 2015
And sorry, did not mean for my 12 estimation to be judgmental. Please take no offense to my personally based extrapolation. (Also, I was not considering pantyliners in my estimation which would probably be considered "pads" in this case)
posted by maryr at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 9:57 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Huh. Even when my flow was heavier, I used 8 a month tops. Nowadays, I use 4. (Edit: that includes pantyliners.)
Hate tampons. Feels like I'm suffocating and plugged up. Was told growing up that pads were for beginners, but eventually I'd want tampons. Never happened. I keep a box of old O.B.s around (should've auctioned them when I had a chance) in case I want to go swimming, but that's it.
posted by Melismata at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2015
Hate tampons. Feels like I'm suffocating and plugged up. Was told growing up that pads were for beginners, but eventually I'd want tampons. Never happened. I keep a box of old O.B.s around (should've auctioned them when I had a chance) in case I want to go swimming, but that's it.
posted by Melismata at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2015
"Removing the tax is estimated to give back millions of dollars to the women we were stealing from."
Exemptions are based on the basic principle that things that are necessities should not be taxed ...
Taxes are not stealing. I enjoy the tremendous benefit of living in a safe, stable, relatively compassionate society thanks to the taxes I pay. And because I am enjoying it more than a lot of people as demonstrated by my income and consumption, I pay more. I enjoy more; I pay more. Seems reasonable to me.
Taxing an essential item, when essential items are supposed to be exempt from taxes, just because vaginas, IS basically stealing. If the removal of the tampon tax causes Canada's entire stable society to collapse and become Mad Max Fury Road I guess I'll eat my words.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:04 AM on June 3, 2015 [29 favorites]
Exemptions are based on the basic principle that things that are necessities should not be taxed ...
Taxes are not stealing. I enjoy the tremendous benefit of living in a safe, stable, relatively compassionate society thanks to the taxes I pay. And because I am enjoying it more than a lot of people as demonstrated by my income and consumption, I pay more. I enjoy more; I pay more. Seems reasonable to me.
Taxing an essential item, when essential items are supposed to be exempt from taxes, just because vaginas, IS basically stealing. If the removal of the tampon tax causes Canada's entire stable society to collapse and become Mad Max Fury Road I guess I'll eat my words.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:04 AM on June 3, 2015 [29 favorites]
Huh. Even when my flow was heavier, I used 8 a month tops. Nowadays, I use 4. (Edit: that includes pantyliners.)
LOL when I was a teenager it was more like 8 a day, sometimes two an hour, for seven straight days. God motherfucking bless the motherfucking Pill for ending that phase of my life.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:06 AM on June 3, 2015 [12 favorites]
LOL when I was a teenager it was more like 8 a day, sometimes two an hour, for seven straight days. God motherfucking bless the motherfucking Pill for ending that phase of my life.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:06 AM on June 3, 2015 [12 favorites]
I always love threads like this because it makes me appreciate how light and easy my period actually is, though it definitely felt like several days of torture as a teenager. Some people have a truly epic flow!
posted by chaiminda at 10:12 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by chaiminda at 10:12 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Meh. Using pads because reason. Two or three the first two days, then one a day until the end and my flow isn't particulary light.
/foul bachelorette frog
posted by ZeroAmbition at 10:15 AM on June 3, 2015
/foul bachelorette frog
posted by ZeroAmbition at 10:15 AM on June 3, 2015
(Is this a female version of "hey, mine is bigger than yours!")?
posted by Melismata at 10:20 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 10:20 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Of note, whether you use few pads or many in a given month, it isn't like pads are generally purchased individually. For example, I find these days that I use ~12-15 pads per month but that means I still have to buy a full $6 pack of...20? Maybe? I forget... every month, to avoid running short. Plus it's definitely not the sort of thing where you think "eh, if I run out, I run out."
So it does not seem ridiculous to assume that many/most women would be paying that tax once a month, or close to it, regardless of their individual monthly use.
Also what fucking stupid goddamn moron movie is that gif from, twist my arm? I must find these idiots and destroy them. With my uterus.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
So it does not seem ridiculous to assume that many/most women would be paying that tax once a month, or close to it, regardless of their individual monthly use.
Also what fucking stupid goddamn moron movie is that gif from, twist my arm? I must find these idiots and destroy them. With my uterus.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:23 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Can we please not say Divacup when we mean menstrual cup? There are so many brands out there. And the Divacup is one of the longest, so it doesn't always fit. I could certainly not wear a Divacup, but I lurve my Fleurcup.
Tampons were fine, but now that I've stopped using them... Huh. My cramps are a mere shadow of what they used to be. And I love the lack of waste.
It's great that we have more options nowadays. Reusable pads, disposables, menstrual cups, sea sponges... None of these options work for everyone who menstruates, and they don't have to. Choices are a Good Thing!
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [7 favorites]
Tampons were fine, but now that I've stopped using them... Huh. My cramps are a mere shadow of what they used to be. And I love the lack of waste.
It's great that we have more options nowadays. Reusable pads, disposables, menstrual cups, sea sponges... None of these options work for everyone who menstruates, and they don't have to. Choices are a Good Thing!
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [7 favorites]
The movie was Jupiter Ascending! It's amazing.
posted by jeather at 10:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by jeather at 10:24 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
twist my arm: "not only for menstruation"
When I had my C-section, one of the nurses gave me a big "super" menstrual pad and put the absorbent side against my incision scar and stuck the sticky side to my underpants. It works REALLY WELL! It stays put without having to tape the dressing to your body and it absorbs all the seeping ick from a half-healed incision. Plus it doesn't stick to the wound because of that top layer. A+++ WOULD WOUND CARE AGAIN.
(In fact I had a mole lopped off in an awkward spot on my shoulder where bandaids kept falling the hell off whenever I moved my arm, so I finally stuck a pantiliner to the inside of my shirt for a couple days until it quit needing covering.)
Don't forget, if you ever see someone bleeding heavily and you have a tampon in your purse, you can rapidly unfold it and use it to put pressure on the wound while absorbing significant amounts of blood! Tampon + duct tape = really quite good emergency bandage
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:25 AM on June 3, 2015 [24 favorites]
When I had my C-section, one of the nurses gave me a big "super" menstrual pad and put the absorbent side against my incision scar and stuck the sticky side to my underpants. It works REALLY WELL! It stays put without having to tape the dressing to your body and it absorbs all the seeping ick from a half-healed incision. Plus it doesn't stick to the wound because of that top layer. A+++ WOULD WOUND CARE AGAIN.
(In fact I had a mole lopped off in an awkward spot on my shoulder where bandaids kept falling the hell off whenever I moved my arm, so I finally stuck a pantiliner to the inside of my shirt for a couple days until it quit needing covering.)
Don't forget, if you ever see someone bleeding heavily and you have a tampon in your purse, you can rapidly unfold it and use it to put pressure on the wound while absorbing significant amounts of blood! Tampon + duct tape = really quite good emergency bandage
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:25 AM on June 3, 2015 [24 favorites]
[ To clarify, the gif is stupid because the STICKY SIDE of the pad is attached to his wound, not the absorbant side. Not only pointless, bc not absorbent, but actively harmful to the wound. ]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:27 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:27 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ahahaha, I lied. I just did math. I went through more like 60 tampons a month. I'm so fucking happy that period (LOL) of my life is over. Bless the mirena and the divacup.
I feel that way about my Seasonique. Ten days a month of ouch and blood and ouch and migraines and ouch...gone. Now it's 3 days of minor discomfort and blood every three months. With the added bonus of no more menstrual migraines, better mood, and really nice skin. (And thanks to the ACA, I no longer have an outrageous out of pocket expense for the Seasonique! Thanks, Obama!)
Now if menopause would just hurry the fuck up...
posted by MissySedai at 10:29 AM on June 3, 2015
I feel that way about my Seasonique. Ten days a month of ouch and blood and ouch and migraines and ouch...gone. Now it's 3 days of minor discomfort and blood every three months. With the added bonus of no more menstrual migraines, better mood, and really nice skin. (And thanks to the ACA, I no longer have an outrageous out of pocket expense for the Seasonique! Thanks, Obama!)
Now if menopause would just hurry the fuck up...
posted by MissySedai at 10:29 AM on June 3, 2015
If the removal of the tampon tax causes Canada's entire stable society to collapse and become Mad Max Fury Road I guess I'll eat my words.
*begins welding spikes to dune buggy*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:30 AM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
*begins welding spikes to dune buggy*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:30 AM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
use scratchy cardboard applicators instead as they are more terrifying.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2015 [13 favorites]
I would super love if this didn't become a discussion where we prove to men that menstruation products are essentials that are super expensive and annoying. Like, maybe we could take that as a given?
Aw, we should give them a little more credit than that. If men don't agree with us when it comes to issues that directly affect our biology for decades on end, don't you think it might just be a friendly, helpful, totally-not-condescending sign that women are wrong? Occam's razor!
That's why I recommend asking your doctor ifbirth control is right for you menstruation products are essentials. Then ask your boss. Then ask your boss to ask his priest. Find a Boy Scout and see what he thinks...
Some people have a truly epic flow!
For serious. HBC makes me a fucking lunatic, tampons and menstrual cups require a flow that is... significantly different than mine, and disposable pads make me feel like I'm wearing a goddamn diaper. BRING ON THE MENOPAUSE. Until then, I'm sticking with reusable pads, lovingly handmade by this wonderful Etsy seller. The flannel ones are super-comfortable, they get swapped out a few times a day and, after a quick soak/rinse, chucked in the wash with the rest of my laundry... and, most importantly, talking about them grosses dudes out like NOTHING ELSE, which is always a win.
Sisters can always feel free to hit me up for disposables, though; there's nothing worse than starting your bloodrayne unexpectedly early, so you'll never catch me without a few of each.
posted by divined by radio at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2015 [18 favorites]
Aw, we should give them a little more credit than that. If men don't agree with us when it comes to issues that directly affect our biology for decades on end, don't you think it might just be a friendly, helpful, totally-not-condescending sign that women are wrong? Occam's razor!
That's why I recommend asking your doctor if
Some people have a truly epic flow!
For serious. HBC makes me a fucking lunatic, tampons and menstrual cups require a flow that is... significantly different than mine, and disposable pads make me feel like I'm wearing a goddamn diaper. BRING ON THE MENOPAUSE. Until then, I'm sticking with reusable pads, lovingly handmade by this wonderful Etsy seller. The flannel ones are super-comfortable, they get swapped out a few times a day and, after a quick soak/rinse, chucked in the wash with the rest of my laundry... and, most importantly, talking about them grosses dudes out like NOTHING ELSE, which is always a win.
Sisters can always feel free to hit me up for disposables, though; there's nothing worse than starting your bloodrayne unexpectedly early, so you'll never catch me without a few of each.
posted by divined by radio at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2015 [18 favorites]
My period has always been irregular since it started, and as a teen, the Pill didn't help to regulate it and it made me ill, so I just...lived in horrible tension never knowing when my period would start. (Yes, I have been checked out many times since then. My bits are tickety-boo.) At least at 38, it's become every 6 to 7 weeks, which is such a goddamn relief to at least know when life will suck for seven days.
posted by Kitteh at 10:36 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 10:36 AM on June 3, 2015
use scratchy cardboard applicators instead as they are more terrifying.
The cardboard ones are at least consistent. The plastic ones, every once in a while, would pinch! And they did it just infrequently enough to get my guard down!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:37 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
The cardboard ones are at least consistent. The plastic ones, every once in a while, would pinch! And they did it just infrequently enough to get my guard down!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:37 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
that is the one thing i don't love about tampons - having larger inner labia + applicators means the occasional pinch no matter how careful i am.
posted by nadawi at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by nadawi at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2015
I've never understood tampon applicators. My finger always worked just fine. And it's washable.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
if tampex did applicator-less tampons i'd buy 'em in a second.
posted by nadawi at 10:39 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by nadawi at 10:39 AM on June 3, 2015
there is often no hand soap in public restrooms, and i am way more worried about washing my hands before insertion than afterwards.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:40 AM on June 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 10:40 AM on June 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
Mine used to be a mystery too, then a little while after childbirth, bam, regular schedule. Childbirth: it's like a reboot for your ladytimes! Sometimes. Or it can totally fuck them up, that happens too!
In conclusion, uteruses are a land of contrasts. And if women ran the world we've have whole swathes of science dedicated to decoding menstruation and figuring out how to either stop it altogether or make it much less of a pain for all women everywhere. As it is, science limps along and we make do.
posted by emjaybee at 10:41 AM on June 3, 2015 [6 favorites]
In conclusion, uteruses are a land of contrasts. And if women ran the world we've have whole swathes of science dedicated to decoding menstruation and figuring out how to either stop it altogether or make it much less of a pain for all women everywhere. As it is, science limps along and we make do.
posted by emjaybee at 10:41 AM on June 3, 2015 [6 favorites]
Thanks for all the reminders that it's not all bad being over 55.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've tried o.b. but I really prefer plastic applicators to anything else. I didn't like reusable cups at all. (Lately I've had worse cramps so I am on pads, which are the least annoying in that case.)
posted by jeather at 10:45 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by jeather at 10:45 AM on June 3, 2015
I never loved tampons, LOATHE pads, never tried the Divacup or any of the other reusables, but a friend of mine turned me onto Instead (now called the Softcup I guess) and that thing changed my life. It doesn't ride in the vagina, but up high under / around the cervix like a diaphragm. I find it so comfortable I forget it's in. Because it's collective, not absorptive, it handles clots and sudden gushes really well. But best of all, I can empty it without removing it!! I just bear down when I pee and it squeezes and empties into the toilet, and then I kegel real hard and it snaps back up behind my pubic bone. Once a day in the shower I take it out, rinse it out, and replace it. LOVE IT.
This is all pretty much a thing of the past since I had my Mirena put in, though -- I barely menstruate at all any more, it's really just a slight staining on the TP every 28-30 days. Boy do I love that thing. (And now, an unrelated but deeply necessary hate-shout-out to the consulting nurse whom I called when I had a quite startlingly severe mittelschmerz episode, MUCH worse than my typical pain, bad enough to wake me up yelling in the middle of the night, who wanted to have an EXTENDED conversation about whether I was planning on replacing my Mirena when it comes due in December and whether I was sure it was the right birth control option for me now that I've developed hypertension and whether I'd talked to my doctor about that and whether I maybe hadn't better let her transfer me to the scheduling department so I could schedule that appointment, until finally I was like "Excuse me but can we please have a conversation about the 8/10 terrifying abdominal pain I am experiencing RIGHT NOW and not what my birth control choices will be in six months?!" For extra bonus grar, it turns out the Mirena is the long-term contraceptive of CHOICE for women with hypertension. Man, fuck that lady.)
posted by KathrynT at 10:53 AM on June 3, 2015 [10 favorites]
This is all pretty much a thing of the past since I had my Mirena put in, though -- I barely menstruate at all any more, it's really just a slight staining on the TP every 28-30 days. Boy do I love that thing. (And now, an unrelated but deeply necessary hate-shout-out to the consulting nurse whom I called when I had a quite startlingly severe mittelschmerz episode, MUCH worse than my typical pain, bad enough to wake me up yelling in the middle of the night, who wanted to have an EXTENDED conversation about whether I was planning on replacing my Mirena when it comes due in December and whether I was sure it was the right birth control option for me now that I've developed hypertension and whether I'd talked to my doctor about that and whether I maybe hadn't better let her transfer me to the scheduling department so I could schedule that appointment, until finally I was like "Excuse me but can we please have a conversation about the 8/10 terrifying abdominal pain I am experiencing RIGHT NOW and not what my birth control choices will be in six months?!" For extra bonus grar, it turns out the Mirena is the long-term contraceptive of CHOICE for women with hypertension. Man, fuck that lady.)
posted by KathrynT at 10:53 AM on June 3, 2015 [10 favorites]
Tampon cases for your purse. Like pillboxes or compacts ... and ADORABLE! Never worry about random loose tampons falling out while you dig for your wallet again!
Personally I carry Hot Canary.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:57 AM on June 3, 2015
Personally I carry Hot Canary.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:57 AM on June 3, 2015
I hate the Pearls. Hate 'em a lot. But I also go through way more than 12 pads a month... God, I hope my doctor agrees that I should get the Mirena...
posted by sarcasticah at 10:58 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by sarcasticah at 10:58 AM on June 3, 2015
KathrynT - ugh! that's awful! i wonder if she's anti-choice, they can have a weird thing about iuds.
posted by nadawi at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by nadawi at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2015
jeather, tampon-Smaug is fluffier than I'd have expected.
"I will not part with a single one!"
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
"I will not part with a single one!"
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
i wonder if she's anti-choice
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was it. Hellaciously inappropriate. At least it only took ONE firm redirect (after several soft attempts) to get her off the subject.
posted by KathrynT at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was it. Hellaciously inappropriate. At least it only took ONE firm redirect (after several soft attempts) to get her off the subject.
posted by KathrynT at 11:05 AM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Thank you, Too-Ticky. The Diva Cup didn't work for me either -- but the Lunette is awesome! (Well, was awesome, I'm also enjoying the Mirena life right now.) It's a "menstrual cup", and there are many brands out there, all with different shapes and flexibilities.
posted by antinomia at 11:06 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by antinomia at 11:06 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Again, I'd love to try a reusable cup but they are just costly enough I am gun-shy about experimenting with them. Then anything that would make my period slightly less unpleasant is probably worth dropping money on.
posted by Kitteh at 11:08 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 11:08 AM on June 3, 2015
Again, I'd love to try a reusable cup but they are just costly enough I am gun-shy about experimenting with them. Then anything that would make my period slightly less unpleasant is probably worth dropping money on.
Softcup makes disposable cups, which you can spend less money on (I think they're like $9-10 a box), and play around with to see if cups are right for you! As others mentioned above, it sits a bit differently inside than something like a Diva Cup.
There was definitely a learning curve (get some pantyliners for your first month) but it's *amazing*. 12 hours without changing, and I'm surprised nobody's mentioned that thanks to the angle they sit at you can have sex with them in!.
posted by damayanti at 11:16 AM on June 3, 2015
Softcup makes disposable cups, which you can spend less money on (I think they're like $9-10 a box), and play around with to see if cups are right for you! As others mentioned above, it sits a bit differently inside than something like a Diva Cup.
There was definitely a learning curve (get some pantyliners for your first month) but it's *amazing*. 12 hours without changing, and I'm surprised nobody's mentioned that thanks to the angle they sit at you can have sex with them in!.
posted by damayanti at 11:16 AM on June 3, 2015
Then anything that would make my period slightly less unpleasant is probably worth dropping money on.
Bourbon helps a lot.
posted by MissySedai at 11:18 AM on June 3, 2015 [9 favorites]
Bourbon helps a lot.
posted by MissySedai at 11:18 AM on June 3, 2015 [9 favorites]
the right dosage of weed edibles maybe work even better than bourbon.
posted by nadawi at 11:19 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 11:19 AM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
i do them both though just to make sure.
posted by nadawi at 11:19 AM on June 3, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 11:19 AM on June 3, 2015 [13 favorites]
When I was in high school and the GST was introduced, there was a 1-800 number you could call to find out what would be taxed. I called about feminine hygiene products and asked to lodge a complaint about the sexism. I also asked to lodge a complaint about birth control and condoms. The rep on the phone was fairly snotty to me. I guess I was just some stupid kid tying up their time by calling to ask about taboo products. I was serious, though, and very upset about what I saw as taxes on basic necessities that should be considered health care products.
Being a teen, though, I did ask if the food exemption for 6 items applied to edible condoms. But that was only after they were snarky.
I'd like to know why it took the government close to 25+ years to catch up to the insight of a bright high school student.
posted by acoutu at 11:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Being a teen, though, I did ask if the food exemption for 6 items applied to edible condoms. But that was only after they were snarky.
I'd like to know why it took the government close to 25+ years to catch up to the insight of a bright high school student.
posted by acoutu at 11:38 AM on June 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Thankfully, Canada sells some nice muscle relaxers OTC so that's my current go-to when the cramps hit.
posted by Kitteh at 11:46 AM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 11:46 AM on June 3, 2015
Is there sales tax on feminine hygiene products back home in the US?
Sales taxable items and rates vary from state to state and sometimes from city to city within the same state. So in some places they are exempt and in other places they are taxed.
I doubt that this could be effectively legislated from the federal level because states, counties, and cities won't want to cede any of their sovereignty for setting their own sales taxes. Fully eliminating the tax on feminine hygiene products in the US might require approaching hundreds of different governments.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2015
Sales taxable items and rates vary from state to state and sometimes from city to city within the same state. So in some places they are exempt and in other places they are taxed.
I doubt that this could be effectively legislated from the federal level because states, counties, and cities won't want to cede any of their sovereignty for setting their own sales taxes. Fully eliminating the tax on feminine hygiene products in the US might require approaching hundreds of different governments.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2015
Of the 46 US states (and DC) that impose a sales tax, only 5 exempt sales of tampons and pads: Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These products are subject to sales tax in the remaining jurisdictions.
posted by melissasaurus at 12:27 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 12:27 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
24 pads in a month? Not for anyone I know
Hello, my fibroids would like a word.
Oh, wait, no they don't. Because menopause, hurrah!
posted by jokeefe at 12:32 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Hello, my fibroids would like a word.
Oh, wait, no they don't. Because menopause, hurrah!
posted by jokeefe at 12:32 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
My periods are generally miserable affairs--like all of us, really--that I have started to pine for menopause, despite that having its own set of craptastic feels.
posted by Kitteh at 12:36 PM on June 3, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 12:36 PM on June 3, 2015
As the father of a ten year old daughter who is heading blindingly fast into puberty, I have to say I appreciate this thread. So that I have some idea of what to expect when menarche hits, and I don't do something like this dad.
posted by TedW at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by TedW at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
And now I see I made a similar comment a few below the one I linked to. Clearly originality is not my strong suit.
posted by TedW at 12:42 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by TedW at 12:42 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
I think that goes with the Dad thing.
posted by maryr at 1:05 PM on June 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by maryr at 1:05 PM on June 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Again, I'd love to try a reusable cup but they are just costly enough I am gun-shy about experimenting with them.
Yeah, this is my issue. I shelled out for a DivaCup, and after spending a good hour contorting myself into all manner of positions and folding it up in any number of ways, I could not get it to work right for me, and it's put me off spending money on any other reusable cups. It's not like you can pass the cups on to someone else if they don't work out for you, because even if you boil and clean it, it seems pretty gross to expect someone else to use it after it's been in your vagina.
Though not even tampons are comfortable for me, so I suppose I should resign myself to being stuck with pads.
posted by yasaman at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this is my issue. I shelled out for a DivaCup, and after spending a good hour contorting myself into all manner of positions and folding it up in any number of ways, I could not get it to work right for me, and it's put me off spending money on any other reusable cups. It's not like you can pass the cups on to someone else if they don't work out for you, because even if you boil and clean it, it seems pretty gross to expect someone else to use it after it's been in your vagina.
Though not even tampons are comfortable for me, so I suppose I should resign myself to being stuck with pads.
posted by yasaman at 1:31 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
To anyone either thinking about getting a menstrual cup or having trouble getting a menstrual cup to work for them, I highly recommend this youtube channel wherein British little girls embarrass you by knowing more about this stuff than you do.
I had a "Keeper" ~15 years ago but found it painful to get out and stopped using it. I tried a diva cup recently and had the same issue. British little girls to the rescue! I was pulling it out wrong. Now I couldn't be happier. They also review all the different cups (not just thumbs up/thumbs down, but how flexible is it, size, shape, easy to get in, easy to get out, etc. etc.).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:00 PM on June 3, 2015 [10 favorites]
I had a "Keeper" ~15 years ago but found it painful to get out and stopped using it. I tried a diva cup recently and had the same issue. British little girls to the rescue! I was pulling it out wrong. Now I couldn't be happier. They also review all the different cups (not just thumbs up/thumbs down, but how flexible is it, size, shape, easy to get in, easy to get out, etc. etc.).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:00 PM on June 3, 2015 [10 favorites]
Again, I'd love to try a reusable cup but they are just costly enough I am gun-shy about experimenting with them.
Not to hard-sell anything, and I totally get that it just doesn't work for a lot of people, but there are some good resources at this livejournal community. If you have specific concerns, they might be able to help, or someone might have asked a similar question before. Nobody there appears to be shy about graphic detail (which is great!) so even the most specific questions get a pretty good response. They even have a bunch of different ways to fold the cup that work better or worse for different women. On the other hand, they might be a little aggressive about the idea that there is One True Cup that is perfect for you and not as open to the idea that it doesn't work for everyone (just like tampons and pads don't work for everyone). On preview, that youtube resource looks fantastic too!
posted by dialetheia at 2:02 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Not to hard-sell anything, and I totally get that it just doesn't work for a lot of people, but there are some good resources at this livejournal community. If you have specific concerns, they might be able to help, or someone might have asked a similar question before. Nobody there appears to be shy about graphic detail (which is great!) so even the most specific questions get a pretty good response. They even have a bunch of different ways to fold the cup that work better or worse for different women. On the other hand, they might be a little aggressive about the idea that there is One True Cup that is perfect for you and not as open to the idea that it doesn't work for everyone (just like tampons and pads don't work for everyone). On preview, that youtube resource looks fantastic too!
posted by dialetheia at 2:02 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
TMI: All commercial pads result in LABIAL BLISTERING for me. I was never a pad person but would use them for backup overnight. OB was a fantastic product for me up until 5-7 years ago when something about the product changed (think they added a wicking layer) and my body went, "yeah, we're not doing those anymore." I'm not constructed right for divacup. Instead were a pain to get seated properly.
I'm 42 and my cycle is all kinds of super not hilarious now. Last year my average cycle was 73 days. Now my cycle is averaging 23 days. Fuck yeah, I have no idea when period will be. I'm averaging a mothereffing pack of 48 tampons a month, though. I never know when I'm going to experience what looks like a homicide scene in my pants.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 2:19 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm 42 and my cycle is all kinds of super not hilarious now. Last year my average cycle was 73 days. Now my cycle is averaging 23 days. Fuck yeah, I have no idea when period will be. I'm averaging a mothereffing pack of 48 tampons a month, though. I never know when I'm going to experience what looks like a homicide scene in my pants.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 2:19 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
TedW, don't know if there's a mom/lady person in the picture who already has all this taken care of, but it never hurts to keep Midol on hand and also heating pads (good for back or front cramps); these are non-embarrassing things you can do for her when the time comes. Besides just letting her take it easy for a few days. Those first few years of it, my period hurt a lot and I was really miserable, and it got better later, and apparently that's a normal thing (hormones: magical!). Also you should have some regular pads and pantiliners (basically: small pads for when not much is going on/you're also using a tampon but might have leaks) in the house for when stuff starts to happen, preferably in her bathroom in a discreet place. Always brand are good, they're not too bulky and scary-looking.
Also if she ever asks you to go buy her pads/tampons, take the empty box from the previous batch (or the top of it) with you, because there are dozens of types/brands out there. Then you can find the one she likes to use.
If you are in charge of buying her clothes, here is something I wished a woman had told me: black underwear doesn't show bloodstains and is the perfect period underwear. Seriously. This information would have changed my life, or at least meant I bought a lot less underwear.
posted by emjaybee at 2:22 PM on June 3, 2015 [20 favorites]
Also if she ever asks you to go buy her pads/tampons, take the empty box from the previous batch (or the top of it) with you, because there are dozens of types/brands out there. Then you can find the one she likes to use.
If you are in charge of buying her clothes, here is something I wished a woman had told me: black underwear doesn't show bloodstains and is the perfect period underwear. Seriously. This information would have changed my life, or at least meant I bought a lot less underwear.
posted by emjaybee at 2:22 PM on June 3, 2015 [20 favorites]
Also if she ever asks you to go buy her pads/tampons, take the empty box from the previous batch (or the top of it) with you, because there are dozens of types/brands out there. Then you can find the one she likes to use.
Before she starts, just bring a selection of different tampons. It took me about 18 months to get into tampons (my mother was very pro tampons), and when I finally decided it was time (on vacation), it took me an entire box to figure it out properly. This isn't uncommon (if you're crampy you get all tensed up and it's harder, at the end of your period you can be a bit dry and it's also harder), so don't show any surprise if she needs more immediately.
posted by jeather at 2:27 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
Before she starts, just bring a selection of different tampons. It took me about 18 months to get into tampons (my mother was very pro tampons), and when I finally decided it was time (on vacation), it took me an entire box to figure it out properly. This isn't uncommon (if you're crampy you get all tensed up and it's harder, at the end of your period you can be a bit dry and it's also harder), so don't show any surprise if she needs more immediately.
posted by jeather at 2:27 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
emjaybee, as a similarly clueless father of 7 year old daughter, and someone who will eventually have to think about about this stuff, THANK YOU.
posted by zarq at 2:29 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by zarq at 2:29 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
TMI
It is not TMI. I am so weary of women writing "TMI" when writing here about periods. People will talk about all kinds of junk and yet as soon as menstruation comes up it's TMI, TMI, TMI, sorry men, TMI. Men are not delicate flowers. They can read the word "tampon" and not crumple.
> Time to DivaCup in menstruation related thread: 11 minutes
Previously.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:20 PM on June 3, 2015 [14 favorites]
It is not TMI. I am so weary of women writing "TMI" when writing here about periods. People will talk about all kinds of junk and yet as soon as menstruation comes up it's TMI, TMI, TMI, sorry men, TMI. Men are not delicate flowers. They can read the word "tampon" and not crumple.
> Time to DivaCup in menstruation related thread: 11 minutes
Previously.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:20 PM on June 3, 2015 [14 favorites]
Well, it wasn't TMI, but the phrase "labial blistering" did make my eyes water a little.
I love my Mirena and do not even have any menstrual products in my house. I had pretty easy periods as these things go, just a little lower back soreness I didn't realize was catamenial for years, but I definitely went through at least 3/4 of a box of tampons and a half dozen pads a month. I preferred to change my tampon every few hours because I was a little scared of TSS (the history article didn't address the fact that one reason Rely was a problem was it was so absorbent you could leave it in for 8 hours, which is a lot of bacterial doubling times. I wonder about this with cups and diaphragms, but of course they just hold fluid and if you keep them clean they don't have much surface area to support growth.)
posted by gingerest at 4:03 PM on June 3, 2015
I love my Mirena and do not even have any menstrual products in my house. I had pretty easy periods as these things go, just a little lower back soreness I didn't realize was catamenial for years, but I definitely went through at least 3/4 of a box of tampons and a half dozen pads a month. I preferred to change my tampon every few hours because I was a little scared of TSS (the history article didn't address the fact that one reason Rely was a problem was it was so absorbent you could leave it in for 8 hours, which is a lot of bacterial doubling times. I wonder about this with cups and diaphragms, but of course they just hold fluid and if you keep them clean they don't have much surface area to support growth.)
posted by gingerest at 4:03 PM on June 3, 2015
The corpse in the library: "TMI
It is not TMI. I am so weary of women writing "TMI" when writing here about periods. People will talk about all kinds of junk and yet as soon as menstruation comes up it's TMI, TMI, TMI, sorry men, TMI. Men are not delicate flowers. They can read the word "tampon" and not crumple."
If I didn't want to read about it, I wouldn't have clicked on it. I occasionally read these posts out of curiosity about something intrinsic to womanhood that I really know almost nothing about. I don't have daughters. It's not an open topic for discussion with my wife, aside from exact instructions of which brand and styles to buy. I sure as hell never talked to my Mom about it. Women should be able to freely discuss menstruation with other women. Men should mostly (or maybe completely) stay out of it. I'm stunned that there are men who think they know enough about this subject that they have the confidence to instruct women about it. It must be amazing to know everything about everything! Except you don't.
posted by double block and bleed at 4:36 PM on June 3, 2015
It is not TMI. I am so weary of women writing "TMI" when writing here about periods. People will talk about all kinds of junk and yet as soon as menstruation comes up it's TMI, TMI, TMI, sorry men, TMI. Men are not delicate flowers. They can read the word "tampon" and not crumple."
If I didn't want to read about it, I wouldn't have clicked on it. I occasionally read these posts out of curiosity about something intrinsic to womanhood that I really know almost nothing about. I don't have daughters. It's not an open topic for discussion with my wife, aside from exact instructions of which brand and styles to buy. I sure as hell never talked to my Mom about it. Women should be able to freely discuss menstruation with other women. Men should mostly (or maybe completely) stay out of it. I'm stunned that there are men who think they know enough about this subject that they have the confidence to instruct women about it. It must be amazing to know everything about everything! Except you don't.
posted by double block and bleed at 4:36 PM on June 3, 2015
Somehow I was expecting more information about the history of tampons and other tools of the trade, to to speak, not a description of emptying a cup with kegels. I'm not complaining, just explaining how the discussion could strike someone as not quite what it says on the tin.
posted by wierdo at 5:28 PM on June 3, 2015
posted by wierdo at 5:28 PM on June 3, 2015
I never liked the Pearl - not only all the plastic waste, but the pinching, and also, I found they weren't as absorbent, for some reason. I stayed with "traditional" Tampax for the longest, and only this past year switched to OB. Wish I'd done it 20 years ago. They are much more absorbent, and more comfortably fitting (see: vagina, not a cylinder). Don't know why they always seemed so strange when I was young, vaguely Euro or something.
posted by Miko at 7:11 PM on June 3, 2015
posted by Miko at 7:11 PM on June 3, 2015
OB was a fantastic product for me up until 5-7 years ago when something about the product changed (think they added a wicking layer) and my body went, "yeah, we're not doing those anymore."
I'm not sure about in the US, but in Canada you can buy OB with or without that layer. The ones with the layer are called "ProComfort" the ones without that layer are still just regular OB. You can buy OB without that layer here. The link says Superplus, but they have all sizes.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:15 PM on June 3, 2015
I'm not sure about in the US, but in Canada you can buy OB with or without that layer. The ones with the layer are called "ProComfort" the ones without that layer are still just regular OB. You can buy OB without that layer here. The link says Superplus, but they have all sizes.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:15 PM on June 3, 2015
24 pads in a month? Not for anyone I know.
Holy sweet jeebus, after my second kid, I could go through 8 pads a day, and that was supplementing with tampons. I love you, hysterectomy without oophorectomy. I love you so much.
posted by headspace at 7:40 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Holy sweet jeebus, after my second kid, I could go through 8 pads a day, and that was supplementing with tampons. I love you, hysterectomy without oophorectomy. I love you so much.
posted by headspace at 7:40 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Somehow I was expecting more information about the history of tampons and other tools of the trade, to to speak, not a description of emptying a cup with kegels. I'm not complaining, just explaining how the discussion could strike someone as not quite what it says on the tin.
Please, if you have anything to add to what the article talks about, feel free!
I stayed with "traditional" Tampax for the longest, and only this past year switched to OB. Wish I'd done it 20 years ago. They are much more absorbent, and more comfortably fitting (see: vagina, not a cylinder). Don't know why they always seemed so strange when I was young, vaguely Euro or something.
Heh. As it happens, I was introduced to OB while a teenager in Germany. Scarletta showed up much earlier than expected, and my host sister did not have any pads. "Jesus Christ, those make me feel like an infant in a diaper. They're bullshit!", she told me. (I learned then that OB was invented and launched in Germany!)
That was a smidge under 30 years ago. Dog bless Dr. Judith Esser for making my My Body Is Being An Asshole time so much easier to contend with for so long.
posted by MissySedai at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Please, if you have anything to add to what the article talks about, feel free!
I stayed with "traditional" Tampax for the longest, and only this past year switched to OB. Wish I'd done it 20 years ago. They are much more absorbent, and more comfortably fitting (see: vagina, not a cylinder). Don't know why they always seemed so strange when I was young, vaguely Euro or something.
Heh. As it happens, I was introduced to OB while a teenager in Germany. Scarletta showed up much earlier than expected, and my host sister did not have any pads. "Jesus Christ, those make me feel like an infant in a diaper. They're bullshit!", she told me. (I learned then that OB was invented and launched in Germany!)
That was a smidge under 30 years ago. Dog bless Dr. Judith Esser for making my My Body Is Being An Asshole time so much easier to contend with for so long.
posted by MissySedai at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've been interested in the various cups, but I have an IUD and those won't work with together. I've tried OB but I've never liked putting them in; both with those and the cardboard tampons tend to get stuck. I adore Pearl.
I remember the day I first tried a flat pad. I had to go to the nurse for supplies and she gave me one. When I realized it was more than a pantyliner, I never got a thick pad again.
posted by stoneegg21 at 8:27 PM on June 3, 2015
I remember the day I first tried a flat pad. I had to go to the nurse for supplies and she gave me one. When I realized it was more than a pantyliner, I never got a thick pad again.
posted by stoneegg21 at 8:27 PM on June 3, 2015
I've been interested in the various cups, but I have an IUD and those won't work with together.
I have an IUD and my OB/GYN said cup away! and I use the Softcup that sits right up under my cervix even.
posted by KathrynT at 9:22 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have an IUD and my OB/GYN said cup away! and I use the Softcup that sits right up under my cervix even.
posted by KathrynT at 9:22 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have a Mirena, and I use a DivaCup! The lovely NP who inserted my Mirena told me it'd be no problem, and she was right. My period has mostly stopped now though.
I'm also a fan of reusable pads -- I stocked up on a few different brands when I was going through an unfortunate yeast infection phase a couple of years ago. They're so much more comfortable than normal disposable pads! Holy mother of god, I never want to hear the crinkle of a pad wrapper or experience the pubic-hair-stuck-to-pad phenomenon again. And the cloth ones are pretty easy. I never presoaked them or anything. I just fastened them on themselves, threw them in my hamper, and then unfolded and washed with normal laundry. I didn't let them sit for weeks or anything, but they seemed to do just fine.
posted by Ragini at 11:38 PM on June 3, 2015
I'm also a fan of reusable pads -- I stocked up on a few different brands when I was going through an unfortunate yeast infection phase a couple of years ago. They're so much more comfortable than normal disposable pads! Holy mother of god, I never want to hear the crinkle of a pad wrapper or experience the pubic-hair-stuck-to-pad phenomenon again. And the cloth ones are pretty easy. I never presoaked them or anything. I just fastened them on themselves, threw them in my hamper, and then unfolded and washed with normal laundry. I didn't let them sit for weeks or anything, but they seemed to do just fine.
posted by Ragini at 11:38 PM on June 3, 2015
I haven't had a period for four years thanks to my wonderful implant (nexplanon, which I don't ever see mentioned on metafilter, I think its not common in the US for some reason*) but before then my periods were awful, and I didn't even realise just how awful they were until I hadn't had one for a while. However I was always tampons, always. Fuck pads.
*Okay, I know the reason because I worked at a family planning clinic for 3 years (its the most effective method but the breakthrough bleeding can be horrendous), but if it works for you it is WONDERFUL, plus you get to feel like an android because you have a thing in your arm and you can press on it and make it bulge out and it really appeals to my instinct to creep other people out. I'm not having pregnancy risk sex anymore but I still got my implant replaced because LIBERATION.
posted by litereally at 5:29 AM on June 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
*Okay, I know the reason because I worked at a family planning clinic for 3 years (its the most effective method but the breakthrough bleeding can be horrendous), but if it works for you it is WONDERFUL, plus you get to feel like an android because you have a thing in your arm and you can press on it and make it bulge out and it really appeals to my instinct to creep other people out. I'm not having pregnancy risk sex anymore but I still got my implant replaced because LIBERATION.
posted by litereally at 5:29 AM on June 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just yesterday I ran into SheThinx, which are I guess underwear you're meant to bleed into? Allegedly leakproof. Not absorbent enough to replace all other menstrual products for heavy flow, but an interesting development all around. A friend of mine has ordered and I'm holding my breath to hear how she likes 'em for lighter days.
posted by Andrhia at 8:55 AM on June 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Andrhia at 8:55 AM on June 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Those look really comfy. Initial outlay is a smidge spendy, but I can totally see them paying for themselves in the long term.
posted by MissySedai at 9:45 PM on June 4, 2015
posted by MissySedai at 9:45 PM on June 4, 2015
A letter to men, by a man using a maxipad. He keeps calling his ass a "down there" which is sort of distracting, though.
posted by jeather at 10:17 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by jeather at 10:17 AM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
Dan is pretty great! Mildly clueless, but sweet and well tempered. I enjoy his posts!
posted by MissySedai at 9:43 PM on June 5, 2015
posted by MissySedai at 9:43 PM on June 5, 2015
For the dads thinking about future purchases for teen daughters, a propos of that article:
"Ultra-thin" is the key term to look for, when buying pads.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:43 AM on June 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
"Ultra-thin" is the key term to look for, when buying pads.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:43 AM on June 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
So there's one small part of the debate that's noteworthy in a three steps forward, one step back kind of way: NDP MP Niki Ashton used trans-inclusive language when she introduced the motion to end the tax on tampons. Her speech to Parliament [video, transcript] opened with "Almost all women, and even a few men, are united in menstruation for most of their lives." And a bit later:
posted by Banknote of the year at 8:53 PM on June 7, 2015
This issue is clear and it is a matter of discrimination. Only those who menstruate are being taxed. Cisgender men get off tax free. The government is making $36 million every year exclusively off of women and trans men. To remove this tax would be to correct a clear case of gender-based discrimination.And while I'm thrilled that Ashton unapologetically included trans people in her speech, her phrasing gives the impression that trans men have periods for most of their lives; actually, testosterone therapy stops menstruation. I don't feel like her phrasing is massively problematic — since most trans men had to buy menstrual products before transitioning, even if they don't buy them now, and because some transmasculine people choose not to go on testosterone at all — but it still stings a bit.
posted by Banknote of the year at 8:53 PM on June 7, 2015
Trans men on T and everybody else who suppresses their periods medically or surgically for whatever reason. It overvalues the reproductive capacity of people assigned female (cis women, too) to say "most of their lives" when you mean "up to half their life expectancy." Her "almost all women" also devalues trans women and flatly omits non-binary people who menstruate.
But it's a three steps forward thing, though, as you say, and she's a mainstream feminist pol trying to be inclusive while righting a longstanding wrong of symbolic importance if limited practical significance.
posted by gingerest at 11:22 PM on June 7, 2015
But it's a three steps forward thing, though, as you say, and she's a mainstream feminist pol trying to be inclusive while righting a longstanding wrong of symbolic importance if limited practical significance.
posted by gingerest at 11:22 PM on June 7, 2015
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posted by nadawi at 9:12 AM on June 3, 2015 [33 favorites]