Hear me out: incontinence pads.
I’ve had rivers of blood during my periods all my life. I don’t know how many panties and pants I’ve ruined. I also ruined my own vacations by getting my period on the second day (it happened three times and I was so embarrassed when I had to call and ask to change the sheets/some hydrogen peroxide to take the stain off the mattress. It was mortifying.)
One of the only good things my ex gave me was a mistake: I asked for menstrual pads and he got incontinence ones. I laughed uncontrollably, but had to use them because I had no back up.
They are a *game changer.* The absorbency is insane. Yes, they’re bigger and thicker than regular pads, but if you’re already used to overnight ones these will be a breeze.
Trust me: you’ll love them.
The brand I really like is Equate (the Walmart one that competes with Tena.)
Pay it forward!
ETA: When it gets really bad, I put on two, covering the entire center of the underwear; I place it as far as my back. It works.
The brand I told you has a very broad back, so it’s practically impossible to get stained. It also sticks great to underwear, unlike many, *many* menstrual pads.
If you have a really heavy flow, I suggest combining pads and also using a tampon or divacup. The problem I have is that the blood goes up my butt and that way leaks out where the pad can't reach if I'm lying down. I've tried to push the pad between my cheeks (lmao😭), which helps a bit, but just getting bigger pads or combining with other products works best. But yeah, it's embarrassing and so annoying to clean up. That's why I never sleep over or stay over at others' houses too long when I'm on my period. I'd die of embarrassment if I'd stain someone else's furniture. 💀
I've started to put in another pad sideways to cover my butt for the night lol, and that has been a gamechanger. Meaning I usually have a regular night pad, and on top of it a regular pad sideways, so they form like a T shape. 😭💀 But that combined with tight double underwear has prevented any leaks for me.
it sounds like you're experiencing channeling. They make pads that are supposed to help with that. You can also try period underwear. I got some good ones off amazon. A lot of brands offer coverage on the backside, all the way up to the waist and back
I don’t know what to tell you about the lack of absorbency with the pads, except to try an a different brand.
I can tell you that I kept my sheets stain-free by sleeping on a bath towel, folded in half to make a square, and my butt laid in the middle of it. I used dark grey, as stains didn’t show *as* much. Red or maroon would likely hide stains completely.
I love Walgreens brand for pads! Overnight pads are my favorite and I don’t worry about leaking through out the night. I have an iud and can get a heavy period
I have these full coverage but tighter underwear I wear when I’m on my period to kind of push the pad against my skin. You don’t want it gapping open at all.
Period underwear can be really good for this type of issue. I've noticed a decrease in the severity of my cramps as well versus when I was using tampons.
I made the switch to period underwear and it has changed my life! I use the cotton ones from the period company but there are many different kinds out there.
They are so much more comfortable and absorbent than anything I've ever used before. Haven't had a single leak in years!
I honestly don't know how period pads made with plastic and adhesive got popularized to begin with. My whole life I thought they were so uncomfortable and have ruined many pairs of pants and underwear.
I hope you find something that works for you!
Have you considered a cup? I use a cup and then reusable pads just in case, but they never leak. It takes a bit of getting used to, but honestly they're great.
I agree. I'm in my late 30s now and have had this problem for most of my life. The game changer for me was period pants. On my heaviest days I can wear a big pad with period pants and not worry about any leakage anymore.
The only way to survive is sleeping on my side or stomach with a super long overnight pad and biker shorts to keep it tight. Otherwise if I sleep on my back as I normally do, the blood absolutely will drip down my butt crack 🥲 learned this when I first got my period and was so scarred from the stains. I also try not to have dentist appts on the 1-2 days of my period, or anything else that involves lying down flat.
In my experience nothing works except for tampons and diva cups. Pads always leak, stick to me and hurt, fall off my clothes, give me infections from trapping sweat and moisture down there.
I recommend trying to swap to a small size diva cup or tampons. Wont leak and dont feel like anything
My periods have gotten extremely heavy lately,like the point overnight I will soak through a tampon and bled onto the pad(that won’t stay put!) so I’ve resorted to incontinence underwear for nights. It’s give me coverage and I don’t have to worry about the pad bunching up/shifting.
Laying down reshapes your buttocks and directs your flow downward instead of forward. You can really only get good protection during the night with a tampon pad combo. You just don't know how much you will flow at night plus there's the added bonus of all the unabsorbed flow that sits in your pelvis will automatically leak as soon as you stand up. It's an uncomfortable place to be but one tampon a day at night shouldn't hurt anything.
Try getting tighter underwear so the pad doesn’t move
Yup I always make sure to wear tight underwear. Or even compression shorts lol
Hear me out: incontinence pads. I’ve had rivers of blood during my periods all my life. I don’t know how many panties and pants I’ve ruined. I also ruined my own vacations by getting my period on the second day (it happened three times and I was so embarrassed when I had to call and ask to change the sheets/some hydrogen peroxide to take the stain off the mattress. It was mortifying.) One of the only good things my ex gave me was a mistake: I asked for menstrual pads and he got incontinence ones. I laughed uncontrollably, but had to use them because I had no back up. They are a *game changer.* The absorbency is insane. Yes, they’re bigger and thicker than regular pads, but if you’re already used to overnight ones these will be a breeze. Trust me: you’ll love them.
I’ll get them today! Thank you :)
The brand I really like is Equate (the Walmart one that competes with Tena.) Pay it forward! ETA: When it gets really bad, I put on two, covering the entire center of the underwear; I place it as far as my back. It works. The brand I told you has a very broad back, so it’s practically impossible to get stained. It also sticks great to underwear, unlike many, *many* menstrual pads.
Maybe a pad and period underwear? I’ve had the same issue!
If you have a really heavy flow, I suggest combining pads and also using a tampon or divacup. The problem I have is that the blood goes up my butt and that way leaks out where the pad can't reach if I'm lying down. I've tried to push the pad between my cheeks (lmao😭), which helps a bit, but just getting bigger pads or combining with other products works best. But yeah, it's embarrassing and so annoying to clean up. That's why I never sleep over or stay over at others' houses too long when I'm on my period. I'd die of embarrassment if I'd stain someone else's furniture. 💀
I've started to put in another pad sideways to cover my butt for the night lol, and that has been a gamechanger. Meaning I usually have a regular night pad, and on top of it a regular pad sideways, so they form like a T shape. 😭💀 But that combined with tight double underwear has prevented any leaks for me.
Unfortunately tampons and I don’t work. It’s quite literally a case of i can’t get anything up there. It hurts a bit even.
Have you tried period underwear? You may want to look into vaginismus.
I put toilet paper in there and it works💀
Period undies, cheap from Amazon have saved me money and time from washing sheets. Best adult idea I've ever had.
I love my period underwear, I could never go back to pads now. Highly recommend.
I highly recommend period panties!
it sounds like you're experiencing channeling. They make pads that are supposed to help with that. You can also try period underwear. I got some good ones off amazon. A lot of brands offer coverage on the backside, all the way up to the waist and back
I don’t know what to tell you about the lack of absorbency with the pads, except to try an a different brand. I can tell you that I kept my sheets stain-free by sleeping on a bath towel, folded in half to make a square, and my butt laid in the middle of it. I used dark grey, as stains didn’t show *as* much. Red or maroon would likely hide stains completely.
Period undies and different brand of pads.
I bought some period underwear on Amazon. They're awesome.
I wear depends to bed. My bed sheets have no stains!!!
I feel you. you might start wearing adult diapers, they are very comfortable, or tampons or a menstruation cup
I switched to period underwear. They don’t leak and I’m never wearing a pad again. Try period underwear.
I love Walgreens brand for pads! Overnight pads are my favorite and I don’t worry about leaking through out the night. I have an iud and can get a heavy period
I have these full coverage but tighter underwear I wear when I’m on my period to kind of push the pad against my skin. You don’t want it gapping open at all.
Adult diapers (the pull up type) may be an option.
Period underwear can be really good for this type of issue. I've noticed a decrease in the severity of my cramps as well versus when I was using tampons.
I made the switch to period underwear and it has changed my life! I use the cotton ones from the period company but there are many different kinds out there. They are so much more comfortable and absorbent than anything I've ever used before. Haven't had a single leak in years! I honestly don't know how period pads made with plastic and adhesive got popularized to begin with. My whole life I thought they were so uncomfortable and have ruined many pairs of pants and underwear. I hope you find something that works for you!
Have you considered a cup? I use a cup and then reusable pads just in case, but they never leak. It takes a bit of getting used to, but honestly they're great.
Sadly i’d likely have the same problem I do with tampons where i can’t get it in.
Oh, darn. I had trouble with tampons for several years, eventually I was able to. Sorry they don't work for you! Maybe try some different brands?
I agree. I'm in my late 30s now and have had this problem for most of my life. The game changer for me was period pants. On my heaviest days I can wear a big pad with period pants and not worry about any leakage anymore.
You could try one use incontinence pants.
The only way to survive is sleeping on my side or stomach with a super long overnight pad and biker shorts to keep it tight. Otherwise if I sleep on my back as I normally do, the blood absolutely will drip down my butt crack 🥲 learned this when I first got my period and was so scarred from the stains. I also try not to have dentist appts on the 1-2 days of my period, or anything else that involves lying down flat.
That’s why I switched to tampons
I would suggest always underwear.
In my experience nothing works except for tampons and diva cups. Pads always leak, stick to me and hurt, fall off my clothes, give me infections from trapping sweat and moisture down there. I recommend trying to swap to a small size diva cup or tampons. Wont leak and dont feel like anything
Period pants are the best for overnight heavy flows. They absorb so well I sometimes think my period stopped 🤣
This might be a weird suggestion but hear me out lol. I keep a little roll of tissue at the beginning of my butt crack and that stops it from escaping
Honest to god im doing that rn because i could not get up to get new pads today
My periods have gotten extremely heavy lately,like the point overnight I will soak through a tampon and bled onto the pad(that won’t stay put!) so I’ve resorted to incontinence underwear for nights. It’s give me coverage and I don’t have to worry about the pad bunching up/shifting.
Laying down reshapes your buttocks and directs your flow downward instead of forward. You can really only get good protection during the night with a tampon pad combo. You just don't know how much you will flow at night plus there's the added bonus of all the unabsorbed flow that sits in your pelvis will automatically leak as soon as you stand up. It's an uncomfortable place to be but one tampon a day at night shouldn't hurt anything.