Which tampons should I buy for... visiting women?

[sistawendy]

You guys all know that since I lack a uterus, I don't need feminine hygiene products, at least not since a few months after surgery. [Poll #1982373]Naturally, I'll want to get an assortment of sizes. The SS taught me that I can get such an assortment in one package.

Comments

[leenerella]

Well, everyone's going to have a preference that isn't going to be what you've got stocked, and people just have to deal. Non-applicator items take up the least amount of space - space that is yours to live in, so there's my vote. And a travel-sized pack of pads is cool if you can find one. They come in handy for leaking ladies, and there is more than one way to leak, says this mom...

[leenerella]

PS: In the name of all that's holy, make sure whatever products you get are UNSCENTED!

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. I'd forgotten that the unholy kind exist.

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

Goodness, they are so expensive and you'll ever go through a whole box. Just ask for one from a few of the bleeding ladies you know and you'll get a variety of good quality ones. They likely have one in their car or handbag anyway.

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

Since everyone likes different things - I don't stock extra. They can use what I have or we can stop by a store and they can get what they want.

You may be missing that most women carry some feminine hygiene products with them if they are near their cycle. I have some that just live in my bag...

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

It sounds perfectly reasonable to me for you not to stock extra, but for trans women none extra means none at all. The nearest drug store is what, 15 blocks from my place? Oy.

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

Ah - okay. The things you learn. I 2nd the recommendation of going with a basic maxi pad - because everyone can use a pad but not everyone can use a tampon.

[bork.livejournal.com]

I think you'd be good with a small box of applicator tampons, small box of thin unscented pads with wings (OMG GET THE WINGS), and a small box of unscented panty liners. They're all individually sealed, won't exactly go bad, and every woman has their own preference.

Plus, cycles can creep up on people, or happen by surprise. Having a couple things so that they can go until the next day, on on their way to the store, would be convenient.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

This sounds comprehensive, and it incorporates both the Siren's and leenerella's suggestions. You win at internet, feminine hygiene division.

[gement.livejournal.com]

Seconded. Dear god yes on the wings.

I personally recommend that the small box of applicator tampons be cardboard, but that's an utterly personal preference from someone who hasn't actually used one in a decade. (I switched to cup with an occasional pad.) One more place where extra plastic in the world is unnecessary.

another country heard from

[maellenkleth]

Keep a variety of them at home, because there's a wide range of personal choices and needs involved. Amen to the 'unscented' and 'wings' comments, too.

Now, from the trenches as t'were: keep a couple of regular tampons and a pad in **your** purse. Yahh, you won't be needing them yourself, but, but..... I have lost count of the number of times that some poor girl in the next loo cubicle over has voiced the plaintive hope that somebody, anybody, within earshot, might happen to be carrying a spare. Trust me, tampon dispensers **do** run empty. :/

Re: another country heard from

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

I was on depo for a decade or so before chemical menopause, thus no periods, & I've never kept tampons on hand for friends. My BFFs always seem to be on the rag when they visit (coincidence? something I bring out in them? dunno), & the random ancient maxipads I carelessly have in the back of a drawer are fine if they happen to not carry their own. IME, gals BYO if it's that time of the month!

[dagard.livejournal.com]

Obviously, I have *no* skin in this game, so treat this as "oh the CIS boy is chiming in"...


That being said, sampler packs. R preferred tampons, but they had to be like, the size of my pinky. Others, pads (unscented, wings) and they were happy happy people. (Really handy for those unexpected 3 day stayovers)

It's not a huge expense, it's damn cordial of you for ladies spending the night, and it's just the right thing to do. You always prepare for the worst, if you're gonna have guests.


I mean, why do you think I have medical gauze and tape, plus liquid stitches and enough candy to give an 8 year old diabetes? (Ok, there's a couple other reasons for the first two...)