allergy to menstual pads?

[troopingfairy]

hi. i will appologise now if this thread contains TMI.

I have been using Kotex mestrual pads every since i had my first period.

for a few months now, usually on the day my period arrives my entire 'down there' region comes out in huge welts which itch like crazy and stings when i go to the toilet or have a shower.

i find it hard now to walk through a shopping centre doing the grocery shopping and controlling myself so i dont itch. it sometimes gets to the point where i have to and some other shoppers are disgusted. yes, i feel humiliated, though it is just unbearable!

i wear menstual pads as tampons dont insert well for some reason and the pads must be thick as my periods are always very heavy.

one the period has ended, the welts disappear and the itching takes a few days extra to go away.

i do not experience this problem at any other time during my cycle.

i am wondering if it is possible to be allergic to pads? Every brand i see on the shelves these days have something in them and i am appaled to see that we have added so many chamicals to these things that are placed near the most sensative areas of our bodies.

does anyone else experience this pain or problem at all and what do you do?

ive been told by someone that maybe i should try taking anti-hystamines while i have my period to see if this helps?

i have a drs appointment tomorrow though i just wanted to see if there are any other sufferers out there?

[Ana Gram]

That sounds awful. But perhaps a simpler solution, rather than drugs, would be cloth pads or cup.

[MimiGrace]

i haven't had anything as severe as the reaction your describing, but i have difficulty using pads because i find they make my periods more painful.

i'm going to second chellegoths suggestions in using cloth pads or a cup (i especially recommend the cup - i can't use tampons at all, but the cup saved my life. so it can be inserted, even if tampons would normally hurt like nothing else.)
just pm me and i can send you some of the links i have :thumbsup:

[troopingfairy]

i'm going to second chellegoths suggestions in using cloth pads or a cup (i especially recommend the cup - i can't use tampons at all, but the cup saved my life. so it can be inserted, even if tampons would normally hurt like nothing else.)

hi there! i havent heard of the cup.. when i have tried tampons in the past i find that i am too dry down there and it makes it impossible to insert..? i kind of figure if i am already dry and its already hard to insert, that tampons will dry it out even more.. right?

wish i could use them to be honest as it would make life that much easier at period time!

how does the cup get inserted and how is it emptied etc?

[brogeybear]

Definitely seeing the DR is a good idea, but i will now "3rd" cloth pads! LOL Havent used a cup, hey if your brave enough (I cant work up the courage) I think it sounds great...google "munstraul cup" there are quite a few out there.

[Entropy]

I have the exact same problem with Kotex brand, that only started recently. I think they may have changed their manufactoring?

I've switched to another brand and there is no probs.

I wish I was brave enough for a cup - but just don't think I am quite there yet :)

[Mrs Nietzsche]

it sounds to me like you may be getting thrush when you get your period

[NonnyMouse]

I suffer this every time I'm pregnant, and believe it to be a sort of hormone-induced heat rash that only affects my labia, due to the increased blood flow to the region.

What helps is to use nappy rash cream. I tried thrush treatments and they didn't do much, but slathering on a thick layer of Sudocrem or similar really does the trick.

Also, I'd sugest making sure you wear cotton underwear, cloth pads, spend time each day with no undies on so the area can breathe, and also dry off with a hairdryer (on cool/cold) down there after you shower so that you get the labia completely dry before getting dressed again.

[MimiGrace]

hi there! i havent heard of the cup.. when i have tried tampons in the past i find that i am too dry down there and it makes it impossible to insert..? i kind of figure if i am already dry and its already hard to insert, that tampons will dry it out even more.. right?

wish i could use them to be honest as it would make life that much easier at period time!

how does the cup get inserted and how is it emptied etc?
It gets inserted by being folded in half (and then it opens up once you have it inside your opening).
All of the toilets in my house have a sink within reaching distance :p but my friend doesn't, so we keep a water bottle in their for the express purpose of wiping down the cup (although if you have wipes etc you can use them too, i prefer just rinsing it off after i use it).
This (http://www.labyrinth.net.au/%7Eobsidian/clothpads/Cups.html) site has a good comparison between the different brands, and a good 'how to' guide etc

[troopingfairy]

i just cannot believe that these companies are putting so much chemical in something which sits near the most sensative area of the body!

i was appaled to see that libra and other brands now add aloe vera and scents to pads now so 'your period doesn't smell so bad'.. its rediculous!

i spoke to a lady the other day who said she is highly allergic to aloe and she used a friends pad and ended up in hospital because it was one of the aloe pads!

i have a tube of canistan cream at home which i tried using through my last period however it was horribly messy...! (sorry if TMI!)

im planning on going back to the dr as soon as my period returns so they can assess it better.. give me a better diagnosis.

the dr said it is possible it could be a yeast infection.. though i would have all symptoms with or without period.. though if it is that he said i may need to take medication when i have my period to control and ease it.. possibly for every period time, depending on how i go.

[Looshkin]

Thrush can be caused by a few things but definitely exacerbated by high levels of sugar.
Maybe try to cut out all sugars around this time, and take plenty of probiotics so the 'bad' bacteria is kept well under control.
Kefir is a great one, sort of like yoghurt.

You can also buy powders of different strains of good bacteria/pro biotics from health food stores that are much more efficient than something like inner health.

I would try that first and cloth pads/cup before taking medication every month.

A vinegar bath helps correct the PH and deters the growth of yeast and helps with itching immediately, a cloth pad with natural yoghurt on it, and/or natural yoghurt applied liberally will also help the itching as the 'good' bacteria destroys the bad stuff making you itch.

Also high doses of vitamin C, zinc and magnesium would help

[kuddles]

Cottons are a good brand. Some make me sore but cottons don't :)

[mim1]

I get a similar problem (but much, much milder) usually after I've been using the pads for a few days. I was SO worried that I'd have problems with bleeding after my ds was born as I knew I could need pads for 6 weeks. I did need them and somehow I survived.

I have changed brands a few times and that seems to help. I'd definitely use a different brand (or even another kotex type if they have different types) and see if that helps.

Hope you get it sorted it sounds horrid.

[CookiesRYum]

i have always had light periods so have never really used pads - just changed my nickers a few times a day

after my miscarriage I started using pads again and found my period was heavy and I had cramping - initially I thought this was becos of the m.c but after reading some threads on here I thought perhaps it was the pad itself..

so i brought some cloth pads and they have worked a treat. I have had two normal periods without pain that are getting back to lighter how they use to be.

i will never use plastic pads again - they stink, are itchy and probably toxic and create a lot of landfill..

ETA: I am pretty sure i was using the Kotex ones in the blue pack? I was in my sisters bathroom the other day and could smell them out - that's how strong they are.. YUK YUK YUK

[troopingfairy]

hi everyone!
well.. i tried in chemists, coles and woolworths.. no one seems to have these cotton pads or sell the natural ones? not that i know their name off hand :-/

i grabbed a pack of the Libra heavy pads and they seem to be working.. no rash or itching etc..

only thing is.. they come in packs of 12.. kotex came in packs of 18.. so i had to buy another pack of the libra this morning to make it through this cycle.. so its expensive, but atleast there's no rash :yelclap:

[brogeybear]

If by the cotton ones, you mean cloth pads, you pretty much need to buy them online. If you mean the Cottons brand, the supermarket should sell them, coles has them where I live, Woolies too. Glad rash has gone!

[NonnyMouse]

Here's a few links for you from a quick Google of "cloth menstrual pads".

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hs=58Q&q=cloth+menstrual+pads+&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryAU&aq=f&oq=

[kuddles]

These are the ones that I use. :) You can get them from coles or woolies etc.
http://www.cottons.com.au/home.php
HTH

[AM]

Cloth pads are wonderful! :)

[NonnyMouse]

These are the ones that I use. :) You can get them from coles or woolies etc.
http://www.cottons.com.au/home.php
HTH

If you write/email them you can get a free sample. I tried these and found they bunched up and were uncomfortable.