Tampon shortage

[picaflora]

Jun 16, 2022 14:47:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jun 16, 2022 13:43:10 GMT -5 picaflora said:

For those that want to try/add more period underwear, Hanes (and I think Jockey too) make them. They don't have as many cuts/styles but they DO come in multi packs and are cheaper than Thinx. I can attest that the Hanes ones hold up just as well as Thinx. And you don't have to order them online. You should be able to find them at most targets, Walmart's, and dept stores.

Dumb question about period underwear: how do they work? Are they absorbent, like a pad? They don’t feel wet? Do they have to be washed specially? I don’t really understand them, but I’d love to try something reusable and I don’t think I’m ready to try a cup.

I don't find them to hold as much as a pad or tampon, but are great for light days or as a backup. They absorb like a pad, and they don't feel wet (to me). In fact, I also like them for hot humid days if I'm going to be outside alot to help keep things dry/cooler.

I rinse them out in the sink, and then wash them with everything else.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Jun 16, 2022 14:47:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jun 16, 2022 13:43:10 GMT -5 picaflora said:

For those that want to try/add more period underwear, Hanes (and I think Jockey too) make them. They don't have as many cuts/styles but they DO come in multi packs and are cheaper than Thinx. I can attest that the Hanes ones hold up just as well as Thinx. And you don't have to order them online. You should be able to find them at most targets, Walmart's, and dept stores.

Dumb question about period underwear: how do they work? Are they absorbent, like a pad? They don’t feel wet? Do they have to be washed specially? I don’t really understand them, but I’d love to try something reusable and I don’t think I’m ready to try a cup.

I tried Thinx brand, and I found that if I wore them by themselves on heavy days, they would eventually feel wet and I would not enjoy the feeling.  But I love them for overnight, for working out (and then changing out of them), for light days, and for backup with a tampon on heavy days.

And yes, you rinse after wearing and then you can wash regularly (but hang to dry).

[mrsukyankee]

And now I know to bring tampons with me to the US. Was planning on buying there (if need be) but I'll bring some just in case.

[af1212]

Jun 17, 2022 3:46:23 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

And now I know to bring tampons with me to the US. Was planning on buying there (if need be) but I'll bring some just in case.

When I first read about this shortage a week or so ago I got nervous and bought a month supply from target. They had all of the varieties I am used to. I have also looked at every store I have gone to since then. They have all had tampons.

So I’m sure this is a real shortage but I don’t think tampons are completely unavailable in the US.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jun 16, 2022 14:47:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jun 16, 2022 13:43:10 GMT -5 picaflora said:

For those that want to try/add more period underwear, Hanes (and I think Jockey too) make them. They don't have as many cuts/styles but they DO come in multi packs and are cheaper than Thinx. I can attest that the Hanes ones hold up just as well as Thinx. And you don't have to order them online. You should be able to find them at most targets, Walmart's, and dept stores.

Dumb question about period underwear: how do they work? Are they absorbent, like a pad? They don’t feel wet? Do they have to be washed specially? I don’t really understand them, but I’d love to try something reusable and I don’t think I’m ready to try a cup.

If they feel wet, you change them, just like a pad! I rinse them and then wash them, hang to dry. 

I've tried a bunch of different kinds, and Thinx are best I've found. 

I also like reusable pads, as the plastic nonsense on regular pads irritates the shit out of my skin. I have tried a bunch of those too, and Pink Lemonade brand are the best I have found and Glad Rags are, by far, the worst. 

[litebright]

Jun 16, 2022 14:47:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jun 16, 2022 13:43:10 GMT -5 picaflora said:

For those that want to try/add more period underwear, Hanes (and I think Jockey too) make them. They don't have as many cuts/styles but they DO come in multi packs and are cheaper than Thinx. I can attest that the Hanes ones hold up just as well as Thinx. And you don't have to order them online. You should be able to find them at most targets, Walmart's, and dept stores.

Dumb question about period underwear: how do they work? Are they absorbent, like a pad? They don’t feel wet? Do they have to be washed specially? I don’t really understand them, but I’d love to try something reusable and I don’t think I’m ready to try a cup.

They are absorbent. IME they don't feel particularly wet, but I only wear them on very light days/at the very end of my period.

I tried them for daytime use and did not like having to put on a new pair of underwear so often. I WFH and so it was at least doable, I wouldn't want to be having to swap undies if I was out using a public bathroom, working at an office, etc. 

[jennyparnassus]

Jun 17, 2022 6:33:55 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jun 17, 2022 3:46:23 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

And now I know to bring tampons with me to the US. Was planning on buying there (if need be) but I'll bring some just in case.

When I first read about this shortage a week or so ago I got nervous and bought a month supply from target. They had all of the varieties I am used to. I have also looked at every store I have gone to since then. They have all had tampons.

So I’m sure this is a real shortage but I don’t think tampons are completely unavailable in the US.

I haven't bought tampons since YE 2020 because I had a lot of money left in my FSA account because I had intended on using that money to pay for stuff that I ended up putting off due to the pandemic. So, I spent all of that money on feminine products so I wouldn't lose the money in my account. I'm still going through my stash from 2020, so I haven't bought any myself since 2020. However, my sister in Eastern Pennsylvania reported to me that it has become harder and harder for her to find the very specific brand of tampons that she personally prefers. Not impossible, just more difficult. This is my sister's personal situation, I realize that people in other areas might have a completely different situation. 

I was under the impression that part of the issue that is concerning people is the price increase. I mean, inflation is happening and lots of stuff are going up in price. For me personally, if I need to purchase tampons again in the future and they cost a few dollars more than they did when I last bought them in 2020, it's no big deal to me. However, for people with much less flexibility in their budgets than I have, it is a problem. 

Also, I'm thinking about organizations that provide these to underprivileged woman and girls, and also about places such as women's shelters that stock these products. I am thinking that even when these products are on store shelves, it's become more expensive for these places to purchase the items. 

[af1212]

Jun 17, 2022 8:31:21 GMT -5 jennyparnassus said:

Jun 17, 2022 6:33:55 GMT -5 af1212 said:

When I first read about this shortage a week or so ago I got nervous and bought a month supply from target. They had all of the varieties I am used to. I have also looked at every store I have gone to since then. They have all had tampons.

So I’m sure this is a real shortage but I don’t think tampons are completely unavailable in the US.

I haven't bought tampons since YE 2020 because I had a lot of money left in my FSA account because I had intended on using that money to pay for stuff that I ended up putting off due to the pandemic. So, I spent all of that money on feminine products so I wouldn't lose the money in my account. I'm still going through my stash from 2020, so I haven't bought any myself since 2020. However, my sister in Eastern Pennsylvania reported to me that it has become harder and harder for her to find the very specific brand of tampons that she personally prefers. Not impossible, just more difficult. This is my sister's personal situation, I realize that people in other areas might have a completely different situation. 

I was under the impression that part of the issue that is concerning people is the price increase. I mean, inflation is happening and lots of stuff are going up in price. For me personally, if I need to purchase tampons again in the future and they cost a few dollars more than they did when I last bought them in 2020, it's no big deal to me. However, for people with much less flexibility in their budgets than I have, it is a problem. 

Also, I'm thinking about organizations that provide these to underprivileged woman and girls, and also about places such as women's shelters that stock these products. I am thinking that even when these products are on store shelves, it's become more expensive for these places to purchase the items. 

Of course! I was just specifically addressing the PP concern that if she traveled to the US she would need to bring her own tampons from the UK.