I’d been intending to try O.B. tampons for some time, and I finally ran out of Playtex, so I went out and bought some O.B.s for the first time today.
I’m never using anything else, ever. I love them. I can’t believe I waited so long to try them. They’re better for the environment, more comfortable, easy to use, and discreet.
Okay, I’m done. I just wanted to share my joy.
They’re all I’ve used for years now - with most of the other kinds I used, I either got the dreaded wicking down the string or they just seemed to expand up and down instead of side to side.
ob just seem easier to get to the right spot and they stay comfortable. Plus, I almost never get serious leaks.
And I admit that I love that they are so small that I can slide two or three in a pocket.
OBs are great, except that I can’t use the ones without applicators, and I think they’re phasing out the ones with them. AAAGH!
I read one of the threads about tampons, and had decided to give OB a try…but when I went to my trusty Wal-Mart to get some, they only had the non-applicator kind.
Now, somebody in the thread mentioned that they did make ones with applicators. So I was excited at the prospect of leaving Tampax and its inevitable wicking; everyone said, “No, OB doesn’t have that problem! It’s wonderful! Join the OB party!”
sob
I just don’t think I can do a tampon without an applicator.
Are they really phasing out the applicator kind? Is there no hope for me? How the hell do you use a non-applicator tampon? Do you just…you know…give it the ol’ college try with your hands?
If anyone would care to explain it to me, I’d love to get the 411. 
The no-applicator thing is no biggie, I promise. You unwrap the tampon, swirl the string around to widen the base a bit, and rest the tip of your middle finger in the resulting indentation. Then you just slide it in like you would an applicator. Instead of pushing the plunger, you just extend your middle finger. You can use another finger if that’s more comfy for you. After all, it doesn’t have to go that far; it’s not like you’re digging for gold or anything.
The first time I got my period, my only option in the house I was visiting was non-applicator OB. They’re not as scary as you think… but they can occasionally be a little more complicated when you’ve gotten used to the applicator.
I’m another Dope-inspired O.B. convert. When I stocked up for my last period, I bought a box of them. I loved them so much I had to force myself to alternate with the Tampax to get the old stock used up. And while I wasn’t really enthusiastic about not having an applicator at first, I discovered that I was very willing to trade that for convenience and comfort. And the OB tampons stay in place, where the others always started the trek downwards long before their time.
As sucky as periods are, I was actually fairly happy last month (nobody lost any limbs).
When I used tampons, I used OB. (I use the ring for birth control, and the two together aren’t so comfy, plus I only flow for a day or so…)
OB all the way. Applicators are a big waste of time and paper. Try them out, it’s not hard at all.
When I used tampons, I used OB. (I use the ring for birth control, and the two together aren’t so comfy, plus I only flow for a day or so…)
OB all the way. Applicators are a big waste of time and paper. Try them out, it’s not hard at all.
Back when I used tampons, I used OBs. And I’d pull the string to one side, then the other, then 90 degrees from the original pull. Sort of an X motion, to flare the base a bit better. I found that OBs expanded in width more than length, as others have said. Men might not really understand why that’s important, but most tampon-using women do. Anyway, I was able to keep a discreet little zipper bag filled with OBs in my purse, Just In Case. It was about the size of a deck of cards, and I was able to fit about half a dozen tampons in it. I’d have only been able to put two or three applicator tampons in it.
I am not an OB convert yet. I flow rather heavy for the first few days and I can’t imagine not having an applicator between me and my…well, you get the drift. Are all of you “converts” in the light flow category?
I’m one of those people who never used OB because of the “no applicator? ew!” factor.
Then about three months ago I switched to the Keeper. :\ Figure that out.
I started using OBs this summer after I got the surprise visit at work and that’s what was in the machine in the bathroom. I was an immediate convert. They are amazing. I was never comfortable with applicator tampons, maybe I’m… um… shallow, or something, but it always felt like they were in too deep and stabbing me in the bladder or something, but with the OBs you just poke 'em up in there and they settle in perfectly. And the lack of leakage is just marvelous.
I was also very hesitant about the whole no-applicator thing at first, cuz I figured out of the whole month that’s the time when you really don’t want to be sticking your fingers in there… but it’s really not bad at all. Of course, I’m also incredibly lax in the whole germophobic ickiness thing - Hell, I sit my ass directly on public toilets and use my hand to hit the flusher. But Ruby, I’m pretty damn heavy for the first few days and I don’t really have a problem with it. I just make sure to wipe thoroughly before putting it in, and then wipe your finger off with TP before you leave the stall, and wash vigorously with soap and water afterwards.
I luvs my OB tampons. (Wearing one right now!)
Before I got spayed, I had a very heavy flow, with lots of clots. Eventually, I had to switch to pads because of the clots, but before they became such a problem, I was able to use OBs. Heck, you have to wash your hands ANYWAY. And I didn’t find that my hands got any messier than they did when I pulled the tampon out. Just wipe well before you put a new OB in.
Alright, you gals have talked me into it. I’ll buy a box of the damned things the next time I’m at the store, and give 'em a whirl.
I don’t like tampons and never got the hang of the applicators, so I’m someone else who swears by OBs. They’re about as comfortable as a tampon can get, and the “ick” factor doesn’t seem any worse than anything else involving menstruation. I use them if I’ll be swimming or hot tubbing, and they hold up well. As for the flow factor, let’s just say I’ve been known to mutter something about “bleeding like a stuck pig!”
CJ
Not the first couple of days. It’s really not that messy. You wash your hands when you’re done, but I’d do that anyway, so it’s not a big deal. I’m pretty easily grossed out, but it’s never messy enough to bother me.
I’m confused. What does OBs stand for?
stupidgirl indeed.
o.b. stands for “ohne Binde” (“without napkins” (napkin = pad) in German).
They were the first tampons I ever tried (and I waited a long time to try switching from pads, I was/am 21), and there was a bit of a learning curve, heh. But after using them, going to a Tampax sucked ass, I tell ya.
Oh, wait, I do have one complaint about them. If I’m not flowing heavily enough (I have heavy flow the first few days and then it tapers off), it can be a bitch trying to put one in after the one you take out isn’t completely full. Thank God for the new “silk ease” ones they have, but I’ve only seen them in regular absorbancy so far.