Real embarrassing question

[hibiscus09]

Okay, some of these stories are pretty funny. My sister-in-law actually called me about 3 years ago and asked me if I thought it would be okay for her daughter (who was on the swim team & 13 years old at the time) to use a tampon. She was worried it would mean her daughter wasn't a virgin anymore. LOL I told her that wasn't what would make her daughter not a virgin any more.

Anyway, back to the tampon while exercising question. I just take scissors & cut the string off of my tampon (I leave about 1/4 inch of string) and have no problem whatsoever pulling it out by that string. It's not going to get lost -- it can only travel so far.

[Ali]

Re: Keeper
I've been using mine since '98. Its wonderful when I'm riding or swimming because everything is tucked inside (no worries about escaping strings). Its also great when I first get my period because I'm not having to run to the bathroom every 2 hours like I had to when I used tampons.
It takes a lot of the hassle out of having my period when I'm backpacking as I don't have to pack out used tampons, which always made me nervous when I was in bear country. I use it all the way through my period and find that it doesn't dry me out like tampons used to!
Overall I've been very happy with it, but this is just my 2 cents worth.

Ali

[karen_fish_bio]

For what it is worth, I usually just use a regular tampon, but often ride a lot longer than the tampon is sufficient for... the pad in my shorts doubles as a maxi pad back up...and litterally: it all comes out in the wash. As crazy as this sounds, if the tampons are causing problems...just go with out. You are wearing black shorts and its not like you are risking riuning your favorite pair of Victoria Secret lacy drawers... The idea of intentinally doing nothing seems really odd to me, but how is that different than wearing a tampon for 6 hours on a day that calls for a fresh one every 2?
Another thought about the "cup" things is that a regular contraceptive diaphragm works like that too.
Karen

[annie]

Originally posted by karen_fish_bio
As crazy as this sounds, if the tampons are causing problems...just go with out.
Karen [/B]

Karen, LOL! If I went without, there would be days when the blood would be running down my legs! No bike chamois would be sufficient. On days when there's a really light flow, I do sometimes go without and when I get home, make sure I soak those particular shorts in cold water before I wash them. Works like a charm. Hang 'em up out in the sunshine and they are good to go.

[linkbeak]

I have a related question -- I can't wear anything internally. After giving birth to two big boys, even with years of Kegel exercises, tampons, diaphragms, or keepers just don't stay put. So I'm wondering what peoples' experience has been with using pads while riding. I'm afraid it would irritate, but maybe not? My solution for short rides is just to not wear anything and assume that with the chamois and black shorts, nothing would show through. But I don't know how well that would work if my period coincided with a multi-day tour. Thanks!

[Biking Kitsune]

I just quit depo-provera this january, and while I was awaiting the return of my period, I found this forum and first heard of 'instead' and 'keepers' ... I got the video for 'instead' and the little gift box they send. It took 8 months after that, but I finally got my period, and Instead proves to be as good as you ladies have said it is... (tried tampon/pad for a day and all I can say is "I WANNA GO BACK TO INSTEAD!!!" as soon as we have the $$, I'm ordering my Keeper, darn it! (and I'm telling all my friends for that matter!) freedom like this cannot be ignored! SPREAD THE WORD, LADIES!!!

[yogabear]

Hi ladies,

Everyone here is so awesome to recommend different things and ideas...I am never embarassed though by bodily function type of things and I actually love them LOL...ok, maybe love is too strong of a word.

I had a surprise yesterday when I was at the Vans Warp Tour concert...my period started like 4-5 days early! Luckily, I found a gal who could give me one of her extra tampons. Thank goodness. I don't wear tampons unless I am riding and I have noticed the string is sooo annoying, so thanks for the person who recommended giving the string a bit of a trim.

I am lucky to only have two days of heavy flow. I have then 2-3 very light days. I am 32 so I have noticed my period has become lighter, but I know that could change. I like the idea of the Keeper, but I don't think it's for me. I like to know what my flow is doing and how much, etc. I practice fertility awareness method of birth control so I like to be in tune with my body...It's how I am, but I think the Keeper seems like a good option for many.

I will ride with a tampon when my flow is heavy but I usually don't wear anything when it's very light or scant...it does wash out well. Off the bike, I prefer pads so I know what is going on with my flow.

LOL at Veronica's Mom!

Happy Ridin',

Lisa

[coolbeansbikes]

I like the idea of the Keeper, but I don't think it's for me. I like to know what my flow is doing and how much, etc.

Actually, now that I'm using it, I am much more aware than I used to be... and it's great even on those days when it's practically nothing ...

[MightyMitre]

I'd have to agree. I've used the keeper for 2 years and it's a lot easier to keep track of your flow because rather than being absorbed in to a pad etc, everything is collected so , should you really want to - !! you could actually measure the amount.

I was reading on one website about a woman who collects hers and uses it to fertilise her garden plants! Not sure thats for me though.

[smurfalicious]

Wow, I can't believe that no one has mentioned sea sponges! I can't speak from experience, because the so called "natural" food store in town can't be bothered to keep them in stock, but from what I've been told, they rock. You just squeeze it out, give it a good rinse, and put it back. Every now and again it needs to be washed, and most places sell them in kits with tea tree oil for that purpose.

Now, I spent a year stripping and if you think I could afford a week off every month, you're nuts. What we gals did, was cut our strings all together. It's a little weird at first, but you just hook your finger around it and pull it out.

My problem is that I'm a little more uh, moist than most and my poor chamois is suffering. Is anyone else similarly afflicted? I was thinking about getting some Luna Pads, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of the wicking/cooling properties of my chamois.

Argh!

love and cookies
-smurf

[CorsairMac]

Holy Toledo what a wealth of information! I was amazed to hear about the Keeper!! News to me but thanks for the website link - went there right away and am going to try the Divacup. Like some of you - I'm in the mid-40s and my periods are very spastic now, anywhere from light to the Mississippi and who Knows when the next one will show up. I'm very excited about the keeper because I can keep one with me at all times now and never have to worry "gee, did I remember to leave some tampons at work?" etc etc. Once again - as I keep saying - you all ROCK! I LOVE this forum! As for the yeast infections, either try taking acidophulous (ok...I can't spell it) or increase it. It'll help to restore the "natural" bacteria in your body. Thanks again for all the awesome advice and the website.

a potentail keeper convert

[mandigreene]

Quite interesting, thanx for the info, I'm gonna post another "personal" question here (Tips/Tricks), thanx!

mandi

[SadieKate]

Ok, since we're asking embarrassing questions. Does anyone who uses the Keeper/Diva/Cup have problems with removal? I stopped using a diaphragm because it meant my hubby and I had to perform fantastic and mortifying feats of engineering to remove the thing so now I use tampons. But these irritate during a ride so I go without which is generally fine ("it all comes out in the wash). But I also go fishing all day when tampons are just . . . well you know. Can those of us with weird anatomies get the Keeper out without extra assistance?

[coolbeansbikes]

no trouble here ... just try it a few times before you decide to adjust the length of the end (you can shorten it by cutting it, but you can't make it longer afterwords ..)

[RoadRaven]

Um... here's another option (I have never heard of "the keeper")

I tried using maternity pads as well as super tampons (2) - but that was useless...

But near the pads, are pads for incontinence - and I wondered... so I picked up a pack of those at the chemists (explaining to the girl it was for cycling, not cause I was incontinent)

Excellent
Highly absorbant, as you would expect, and they are the same shape as the chamois, so they "fit" really well. They are not bulky.
Only drawback is they do soak up the sweat as well, but I use two tampons and one of those and I'm good for a couple of hours!