# Ladies: periods and your skivvies \[tmi\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390 "2010-07-12T14:39:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/81 "2010-07-22T09:19:00Z")
I have leakage more than i’d like but i don’t have special period panties. Whenever i buy them off the rack from Walmart or Target - i have to look though them to get packs that have no pink or pale pastels, I’m not finding dark colors when i buy underwear ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/82 "2010-07-22T10:43:56Z")
Um, may I ask what a ‘skivvie’ is in your local lingo? 😕 Here in Australia (at least) it means a long-sleeved undergarment with a roll-top neck (worn on the upper half of the bod)…like the beatniks or the very cool hipsters used to wear in the late 50’s and 60’s. If I’m bleeding all over my SKIVVIE, I KNOW I’ve got major problems. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/83 "2010-07-22T10:53:51Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > It’s more often than never but less often than once a period. Maybe every few periods. Same. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/84 "2010-07-22T11:51:44Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Um, may I ask what a ‘skivvie’ is in your local lingo? 😕 > > Here in Australia (at least) it means a long-sleeved undergarment with a roll-top neck (worn on the upper half of the bod)…like the beatniks or the very cool hipsters used to wear in the late 50’s and 60’s. > > If I’m bleeding all over my SKIVVIE, I KNOW I’ve got major problems. > > 😃 Separated by a common language again, are we? In American English, “skivvies” are panties/underwear. While we’re on the TMI subject, I’ll interject a question: I’m one of those women with unGODly periods, not a good candidate for hormonal BC due to age and other health issues, and praying to any and all deities that I follow my mother’s lead (final period at age 42,) instead of her sister’s (still going strong at 57!) For now, though, I have 3 days of super-duper-extra-plus-major-league-grande tampon + pad + change every hour. The pad is not optional. After a couple of days, though, incidental contact between the adhesive on the pad and my skin causes contact dermatitis (like the periods weren’t enough. Sigh.) Any advice? Miracle products? Sympathy, at least? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/85 "2010-07-22T12:01:59Z")
Oh, the number of posts in here I’ve wanted to quote and say “Me, too!” after! I am one of those super tampon-overnight pad with wings and two pair of period panties during the day girls. I can’t take the pill anymore because of blood pressure issues.I’m 53 and nothing is slowing down…once in a great while I’ll skip a month, but then I’ll have two the next month. I asked my doctor about an ablation, but I have fibroids, and she said no. I don’t want to remove any major body parts this close to the end, and it’s still manageable, though a huge pain four days a month. The other three-five days are almost insignificant compared to the Stuck Pig days. Yes, over fifty and still doing the 7-9 day thing. Sigh. And due to anatomical issues and a dropped uterus, tampons are a hit and miss thing…at best they slow things down a bit, but sometimes they get totally bypassed. And just now? Stepping from the toilet to the shower? Clean up in Aisle Four! I don’t exclusively wear black undies at this time, but I do have a really dark towel because drying off after a shower is problematic, too. And we will not discuss clots and their acrobatic abilities. Suffice to say I have stained the grout in a public bathroom I use frequently through no fault of my own. My son teases me about my huge purse, but how else to carry the spare panties, the supplies, the wet-wipes travel pouch? LOL. I enjoy being a girl! ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/86 "2010-07-22T15:12:48Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > I’m one of those women with unGODly periods […] Any advice? If you’re sure you never want to get pregnant going forward, you could look into an [endometrial ablation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrial_ablation). Otherwise, you could consider getting a [Mirena](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirena). It’s an IUD that contains hormones, but it’s safe for people for whom normal hormonal birth control is contraindicated. It seems like the way things usually play out is that you bleed/spot a lot when you first get it, but that your periods usually lighten or stop completely after your body adjusts. (And it stays in for five years.) You won’t be able to use one if you’re trying to get pregnant, but if you change your mind, you can pretty much get pregnant as soon as it’s removed. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/87 "2010-07-22T16:16:43Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Word, sister - that no period thing is AWESOME. Thirded. I finally got up the courage to say to my doctor, ‘‘I want to never have a period again.’’ I’ve been on NuvaRing for nine months now, the doctor told me to not even bother with the ‘‘waiting a week before inserting a new one’’ thing, so I just switch it out on the dame day and I never have a period. It’s really a beautiful thing. I’ve tried a ton of different BC methods to control major PMS/PMDD issues (ortho lo, Yaz, Mirena IUD, lo ogestrel) but nothing has ever worked this well. > [@](#): > > I’ve been thinking about it lately, though. I think my low libido might be related, but I absolutely positively do not want my periods back. God, what mess and pain in the ass! I tried a different pill, but no effect - on the other hand, my copay ended up cheaper, so win in the end. I just don’t know. I’ve kind of been considering the IUD, because it’d be a more cost effective solution (no problem with taking the pills) but then I might get the periods back plus any libido issues would continue. I know a lot of women who have had success with an IUD and love it. Many of them no longer have periods. My personal experience with Mirena was not so great, but I believe I’m in the minority. If you have a better libido without hormones, there’s always the ParaGard. Incidentally, I am going off NuvaRing next month because for the first time ever I actually want to make a baby. It will be my first time off BC in years. I’m a little bit terrified because I am not looking forward to being restored to my body’s natural hell cycle. I hope I get pregnant really fast. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/88 "2010-07-22T16:29:34Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Incidentally, I am going off NuvaRing next month because for the first time ever I actually want to make a baby. It will be my first time off BC in years. I’m a little bit terrified because I am not looking forward to being restored to my body’s natural hell cycle. I hope I get pregnant really fast. Shucks, I guess you’ll just have to try really, really enthusiastically, then. :snaps fingers: (IMO your partner should \*also \*be prepped to pamper the shit out of you while you’re menstruating, since you’re the one who has to do the hard part for both of you to get a kid out of it.) ---
**Author:** ![IaMoDiNaRy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IaMoDiNaRy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IaMoDiNaRy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/89 "2010-07-22T16:43:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **IaMoDiNaRy** > _Hopefully it will all be over soon._ > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > **HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA** hahahahahahaha. Hahahahahahahahaha. Hahahahaha. Hahahaha. Hahaha. Haha. Ha. Ha. Wheeeeeeeeeeewwwww. :wipes tears from eyes: > Oh wait… you were _serious_?! I did say HOPEFULLY!!! Maybe I’ll be lucky like my Mom and older sister… they didn’t have too many problems and I haven’t, either, so far. Knock on wood !! No hot flashes, no night sweats, only mild mood swings. Probably the only thing I’ve dealt with so far is my boobies feel like somebody ran over them with an eighteen wheeler during the night and they hurt if I breathe too hard. :(☹ Oh and my hair seems to get more oily. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/90 "2010-07-22T16:48:31Z")
> [@IaMoDiNaRy](#): > > I did say HOPEFULLY!!! It’s my impression that menopause usually takes years. (Running gag in my family: my cousin was getting sick of her mother constantly talking about menopause, so she decided that every time my aunt mentioned it, she (the cousin) would talk about pooping. “I had the worst hot flashes last ni–” “I POOPED IN MY HAND!!!”) > [@](#): > > Oh and my hair seems to get more oily. 😕 Hormone imbalance? I think having more testosterone can cause that? Or something? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/91 "2010-07-23T03:41:31Z")
Heavy, heavy periods, with bad cramps, vomiting, fever and other, less glamorous, side-effects. Every year I ask my doctor if I can get a hysterectomy, and every year she says no. The Diva cup really helped with the cramping, I don’t know why, but it is still painful. There is always overflow and staining during the day, and lets not even talk about overnight. Depends. Honestly, they make my life bearable. The blood never gets out, onto clothes or into the bed, and I just throw them away and get a fresh clean pair. And someday, God willing, I’ll make it to menopause. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/92 "2010-07-23T04:09:51Z")
Never. Well, twice to be honest. I got my first period around the age of 12 or 13. I’m now 32, so let’s say almost 20 years. Roughly, that’s 240 periods. I probably skipped a bit more than 30 of those by taking the pill straight through. In that time, I’ve had a leak twice. So, 2 out of around 200. I have an awesome (if unnecessary) reproductive system. Rarely ever get cramps, periods are a breeze - over in three days and not heavy at all. Only one mild symptom/side effect of my cycle, which is actually beneficial. I’m very lucky in that department, and wish you all could share that luck, instead of some of these horror stories I’m reading! ---
**Author:** ![Acantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@Acantha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acantha)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/93 "2010-07-23T04:29:06Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > If you’re sure you never want to get pregnant going forward, you could look into an [endometrial ablation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrial_ablation). > > Otherwise, you could consider getting a [Mirena](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirena). It’s an IUD that contains hormones, but it’s safe for people for whom normal hormonal birth control is contraindicated. It seems like the way things usually play out is that you bleed/spot a lot when you first get it, but that your periods usually lighten or stop completely after your body adjusts. (And it stays in for five years.) You won’t be able to use one if you’re trying to get pregnant, but if you change your mind, you can pretty much get pregnant as soon as it’s removed. I went to the doc begging for an ablation when they finally discovered the hormonal imbalance and put me on progesterone. I would have been happy with the ablation, but the progesterone is clearing up a lot of weird things I’ve had going on for years, so better late than never, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/94 "2010-07-23T04:34:32Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > _sighs_ The morning was so good - I didn’t think I’d have to change my pad at lunch even! And then I blew my nose. And the dam broke - most horrible feeling ever. Isn’t that the worst? Like spilling soup in your lap. Makes me want to go back in time and smack that (20-something) guy who thought women could just ‘hold it in.’ ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/95 "2010-07-23T05:35:45Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > This is why my “period panties” are all black. > > \*\* sympathy at \*\*Kushiel \*\*\*\* This is why I have a good selection of “junk” panties. I’m hoping this will soon be a thing of the past though. I’m at the age where Mother Nature has other plans for my hormones and girlie bits. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/96 "2010-07-23T05:48:57Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > I voted “almost every day.” The first thing I’m going to do when Flo is gone for good (I’m 51, fer cryin’ out loud! How much longer can this go on??!??). Me too! Are you being hassled by the super-irregular thing too? Nothing for three months and then for 6 weeks several weird little “mini visits”? Grrrrrrr… Yeah, I’m ready to say goodbye to Charlie (the nickname for Aunt Flo that my best friend and I chose in HS), and HELLO to Mr. Menopause. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/97 "2010-07-23T15:35:15Z")
> [@The\_Punkyova](#): > > Every year I ask my doctor if I can get a hysterectomy, and every year she says no. 1.) Why are you _asking_? 2.) Why haven’t you found a new doctor yet, since this one is apparently an arrogant bitch who thinks she can tell you what to do with _your own body_? ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/98 "2010-07-26T00:16:55Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Women who’re reporting really heavy flows: Are you on any kind of hormonal birth control? If not, have you ever considered using some to try to lighten the flow and/or stop it completely? Care to share why or why not? My really heavy flow was due to fibroids, taking out the uterus was the only solution. It sounds like the doctor needed a reason other than just the pain and copious blood of my periods to justify the surgery. On the paper work the hysterectomy was to alleviate the anemia the bleeding caused. ---
**Author:** ![luv2draw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/99 "2010-07-26T02:46:07Z")
Oh wow! Reading this reminds me how glad I am that I am on the other side and don’t have to worry about such things anymore. Ladies, you don’t know what a hassle it was until that part of your life is over. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390/100 "2010-07-26T03:55:22Z")
> [@The\_Punkyova](#): > > Depends. Honestly, they make my life bearable. The blood never gets out, onto clothes or into the bed, and I just throw them away and get a fresh clean pair. > > And someday, God willing, I’ll make it to menopause. Oh, yeah…I wasn’t sleeping at night on the heaviest days over the last few years, because I was so worried about making a mess…or being fine all night but ruining everything first thing in the morning when I roll over and sit up. So I borrowed a pair from my elderly mom, and I now can sleep soundly through the night and not be fearful in the morning…to the point that, for my birthday, I bought myself new, beautiful expensive (to me) sheets and I don’t change the bed to the ratty ones for that week. And oddly enough, since I’ve been doing this, I haven’t had a nighttime spillover, maybe because I AM sleeping more soundly. So one pair can be used (over my panties and pad, of course) for the whole couple days I need it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-periods-and-your-skivvies-tmi/546390.md?page=6)