If they call it a 420, does that mean it is made of hemp?
There are lots of reasons to use pads, aside from heavy flow that overflows even a super tampon overnight (which is certainly an issue for lots of people). For example, while using certain vaginally inserted medications; after pregnancy or certain gynecological medical procedures; or while treating some infections.
For that matter, I had some serious leg surgery a number of years ago and was bedridden in the hospital. It would have been very difficult to contort myself in such a way as to insert a tampon. And for that matter, I got my period unexpectedly in the hospital and was given what sounds like one of the pads described in the thread - it was all they had handy, and someone had to go get it from an obstetric ward.
And some women just find pads more comfortable. Or useful as backup protection even with a tampon, such as overnight or when you won’t necessarily have bathroom access every time you feel like it.
You really should talk to your doctor. Bleeding heavily is not good for you nor is it normal. There are many approaches available today to drastically reduce or even totally eliminate menstrual periods. I’ve been enjoying their effects since I was 12 and most women I know have as well. We really don’t understand it when women talk about menstrual cramps and the like. Spoiled brats I guess.
:rolleyes: Seriously?
They were first developed as a type of bandage for wounds.
Ok, I’m not a heavy bleeder, but I’ve had what RivkahChaya said, where the underwear gets stained but the tampon has failed to absorb. Thanks RivkahChaya, I’ve thought I was weird in that way for a long time! 
And I’ve also had a tampon last me a weekend (never again). But you know? I regularly use pads. I like them, they’re simple and a good pad (I’m an Always brand or store knock off brands with wings gal) works for me. I like tampons (OB), and use them on occasion, but like was mentioned, even if you want to use them, there are times you can’t. I think spamforbrains, you should consider yourself lucky that you have not been in those situations.
I seldom get cramps, and they’re very mild when I do, but most of the women around me and in my family do get cramps. Therefore even though I’m happy during my period (and even sometimes I perform better athletically), I empathize with women who say that it hurts them.
I’m also very lucky in that, sometimes, I can reach to the toilet in time for most of the discharge to end up there. So some days, even if I’ve had a lot of flow, one pad can last me throughout the day, because most of the flow has ended in the toilet at once.
Using drugs (hormones) to control menstrual flow is awesome, and I’m glad it is available to many women. It is also, though, a choice. And in some cases it may carry some risks or side effects that a woman may not want to experience. And others may not have the budget for it (if their plan does not cover for it), or may do a cost-risk analysis and decide that they’re more hassle and expense than the pros (for their lives).
Yes, heavy bleeding is bad and women should check out what is going on, as it is a health issue. But tampons vary in absorbency (just like menstrual flow varies in fluidity), and I guess also in how comfortable a woman is with leaving the tampon in. Therefore while I had no problem (once) having a tampon for a whole weekend, there are days that I’ve gone through 2 tampons in a short period of time, where I would only have needed one.
And all that is fine and great and awesome. Your tone, spamforbrains, truly is condescending and lacking empathy towards other women.
We also don’t necessarily bleed in the same way throughout our period. My flood changes drastically from day to day and from hour to hour. one day of staining, one day of Carrie’s prom, 3 more days of staining. I adjust protection to the need of the day.
This is true too. And also from one period to another.
I’m not a candidate for what I assume you mean is hormonal birth control. I get very bad migraines, and hormonal BC is contraindicated.
TMI ALERT: I don’t get a heavy flow, there’s jut a lot of mucous, of something-- maybe provoked by the tampon, maybe just the way my endometrium works, I don’t know, but a tampon won’t soak it up.
I’m glad someone else said it first, but yeah.
And FTR, nothing wrong with my ladyparts. I’ve been tested. I also had a baby, and I got pregnant on pretty much the first try (my husband had been back from Iraq for two weeks when I got pregnant).
Well bless your heart.
I don’t get bad cramps so much, but I often get migraines. Don’t ever tell a migraine sufferer they’re a “spoiled brat”. Oh, and I have epilepsy, and until my meds were properly adjusted, my seizures were much more frequent. Fun times all around!
(I’ll get really heavy bleeding for the first day or so, that’s it)
the first thought I had when I saw the big ones was that there must be some awful big women over there and then I thought, its Japan, I thought they were all short and skinny there so…:smack:
So I finally clicked and watched the video. The 420 pad is the same size I use. I’ve always had a heavy flow and I popped out 3 kids. “They” always said having kids would make my period be lighter but “they” were wrong.
Nowadays I have either a crampy chunky period or a murder bed for 4 days straight period. On the murder bed days I use about 7 or 8 of the mega pads. With lots of sitting and flowing on the toilet.
I can’t wait for menopause to get here.
Have you looked into uterine ablation? I’ve known women who said it gave them their lives back after several years of having to plan around debilitating periods.
Not all women are you. Good for you that those other approaches work for you, but they don’t work for all women.
But hey, thanks for the condescension!
You’re right that super-heavy bleeding bordering on hemorrhaging may need intervention. What I think most of us are referring to is the one or two heaviest days of a perfectly normal period. If they can be managed, why take medication you don’t need?
There are plenty of people for whom these methods don’t work, have contraindications, or have intolerable side effects.
The lack of empathy you have expressed here is stunning.
You should expand your circle of friends. I was born in the 80s and knew lots of girls with heavy periods. Religion-based shaming led (and still leads) many parents to naysay birth control, even just to control the bleeding and cramps. And birth control/IUDs are also not options for everybody, for many MANY reasons (only one of which, but the most important, being personal choice).
say no to religion.
Tell it to the 13-year-old whose parents nix hormonal BC for her cramps and bleeding, because it “might give her ideas.”