Pantyliners?

I did a little search for this and I only found one or two opinions scattered through threads regarding other topics, so I thought I'd ask in a new thread. I figure it deserves its own thread for the new cyclists like myself. File this one in with the other "TMI" threads :o

What do you ladies do during your period? Not as far as what's inside (I converted to menstrual cups long before joining this forum), but for what's on the outside. I find that my cup leaks (or maybe I'm just too messy taking it out and putting it back in) just enough that I still always wear a pantyliner normally. But now I'm getting into cycling and I keep reading that it's bad to wear underwear, so I have to think it would be that much worse to wear a pantyliner, since those seem to harbor so much sweat and stinky stuff even when I'm not exercising.

So what's the verdict? Undies with pantyliner? Pantyliner straight on the shorts? Nothing? :eek: If you really wear nothing, do you do anything special at restroom stops? And do you do anything special for cleaning your shorts?

Whew, I'm glad this forum exists so I can post this kind of question without grossing too many people out. :) I'm hoping to ride 60 miles tomorrow. When I was in junior high and high school, I let my period keep me from doing way too many things, and I definitely don't let that happen anymore.

Whether I'm "supposed to" do this is another question (that I'm not seeking opinions on here) - but....

I find that with the Diva Cup - I'm good 8-12 hours (and I've inadvertently gone a bit longer than that). I usually only get leakage with an empty (and try to have wet wipes handy). So, I don't wear anything with the shorts - but I don't tend to leak and I wouldn't empty on a 60 mile ride. I've tried riding with panty liners, etc. at the beginning/end of a period and it has been a disaster for me. I think I might rather just use spot remover on the shorts....

I, too, use a Diva cup and although I sometimes have leakage, I don't use anything with my bike shorts. Usually I just rinse them out in the sink with a little soap after rides, but during that time of the month, I will just put some Shout on there, let it sit and then wash after each use, in case there was anything on the chamois. And I only ever ride with a black chamois now, so I guess I never really know if I leak.
I would forgo the pantyliner. Too much trouble.

Black Chamois? Which shorts? I like that idea:)

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Originally Posted by Blueberry

Black Chamois? Which shorts? I like that idea:)

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Shebeest Nirvana shorts. The less I see down there, the better. ;) No leg grippers or elastic waistband either. Me likey!!!!

hydrogen peroxide is a great blood stain remover :rolleyes:.......... and well this year at least the chamois in our team kits is red.....

(honestly I can't even imagine using a panty liner on a chamois - well actually I can imagine it and my imagination conjures up a rolled up liner creeping up my butt crack or some sort of horrific paper cut/saddle sore.....)

Okay, I think I will try it with just the shorts. Anybody have any horror stories or anything? :eek:

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Originally Posted by Espresso

Okay, I think I will try it with just the shorts. Anybody have any horror stories or anything? :eek:

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I think Eden's imagination is horrifying enough . . . :eek:

Yeah, no pantyliner. I've never yet had a problem getting the chamois clean.

To clarify: when I said horror stories I meant when not wearing a pantyliner. ;) I do bleed a lot on my heavy days, so I'm just a little concerned.

The horror story arises from wearing a pantyliner when biking; unfortunately, I have experience which informs me in this regard. Do.not.do.it.

Nope, no horror stories here. However, I don't ride on the heaviest days because it's a herculean effort to get myself off the couch on those. :( It is pretty easy to H2O2 things off the chamois, though.

Wow, I'm really glad this forum exists, too, because I am having the same dilemma! I am riding my first race next week, told people and THEN realized it will be the heaviest day of my period. I know riding 15 miles with a pad is going to be torture plus I know I won't make it an hour without needing to use a restroom. HELP!

I bought the diva cup once but I don't think I have it anymore. I found it way too messy but I'm gathering that is what cyclists use? Any other tricks?

Just jumping in to be smug. :)


Yay menopause!!!!!



That is all.


:D:D:D

///except for --- no panty, no liner, wash shorts after use.

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Originally Posted by hansbrea

Wow, I'm really glad this forum exists, too, because I am having the same dilemma! I am riding my first race next week, told people and THEN realized it will be the heaviest day of my period. I know riding 15 miles with a pad is going to be torture plus I know I won't make it an hour without needing to use a restroom. HELP!

I bought the diva cup once but I don't think I have it anymore. I found it way too messy but I'm gathering that is what cyclists use? Any other tricks?

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Tampons. I keep a spare one or two in my seat bag. (Tampax compax or whatever. I don't care for Tampax otherwise (too TMI?), but those are the perfect size for storing in seat bags.)

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Just jumping in to be smug. :)


Yay menopause!!!!!



That is all.


:D:D:D

///except for --- no panty, no liner, wash shorts after use.

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Just rub it in why don't you... :mad:

Enjoy your hot flashes!! ;) (oh wait, do those only happen during the transition?)

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Just jumping in to be smug. :)


Yay menopause!!!!!



That is all.


:D:D:D

///except for --- no panty, no liner, wash shorts after use.

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This :cool:

Hot flashes differ between women. I rarely have any at all, and I had a surgical menopause (I don't think that matters). My mother had bad hot flashes for 15 years...

Thanks guys!

I ended up not having a heavy day after all, so just shorts went just fine :)

I picked up some hydrogen peroxide, which I'm sure will come in handy in the future. Plus, I'm lucky that one pair of my shorts has a black chamois, so I guess that pair will kind of have a designated use now ;)

Thanks for the advice, and yay for TE!

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

Just rub it in why don't you... :mad:

Enjoy your hot flashes!! ;) (oh wait, do those only happen during the transition?)

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Pbbbbbbbt. :D Mine were very minimal, I was lucky. :)

I'm kinda looking forward to them. I'm always freezing- so the thought of being burning hot for minutes at a time is somewhat tantalizing. :D;)

I already have major night sweats, so I'm partway there. ;)

Really and truly, not all women get horrible hot flashes in perimenopause or menopause.

Have been lucky so far.

Horror stories?

just never buy a white saddle I guess.
you'll be the only one to see your chamois so black shorts are all that is needed.

if you get a leak, at the next restroom stop press out the chamois with some T.P. and you're good to go.

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Originally Posted by Espresso

Okay, I think I will try it with just the shorts. Anybody have any horror stories or anything? :eek:

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I have a pair of baggie shorts w/ seperate chamois liner that I wear during tom and I just put the pad on the chamois, it will be ok. Those particular shorts are bulky anyhow, so I don't notice much difference and it's discreet as well. This is pads and/or pantiliners. Jenn :rolleyes:

I guess it depends what kind of riding you do. I just commute and bike around town, at a relaxed pace. Panty liners are fine for me. I think if I had a race or tour, I would just skip my period altogether (oh, the magic of BC pills). Of course that won't work if you race often, but for a special event, screw bleeding.