Allergic to Sanitary Pads/Tampons?!

[Kree]

Is this possible?
To be allergic to the sanitary pads..That is, it causes itching etc.

[free spirit]

Yes.  There are all cotton pads that can be used. I don't remember what they are called.

[AndiJ78]

I had heard about this a while ago, some women having allergic reactions to the rayon that is used in some tampons and pads, there are product alternatives out there (pads/tampons that are rayon free, the diva cup/instead cup as mentioned above), but it may take some looking. I agree, the idea of having to wash them makes me cringe a little as well.

Andi

[needshelp]

I had that problem for yrs, was told it was just me lol. Glad to hear someone else has the same issue. Thankfully i no longer have that problem though. I did try the cup for a few months, it works but can be messy if your cycle is heavy.

[rusalka]

Me too! and my sisters.  It is not only rayon but the perfumes they put in things.  Some toilet paper has the same effect.  There are some pads that are cotton but changing often even when your flow is  light helps to prevent the rash also wear skirts instead of trousers so the air circulates and always cotton knickers and no pantyhose unless you cut the middle section out. It creates a sweat and traps moisture which can give you the rash.  Good luck!

[kenziesmom]

If you go to a health food store, many carry disposable pads and tampons that are cotton.  They are a little pricier, but may be worth it because they don't have perfumes, dyes or chemicals.  I've been looking into it myself, because I have vulvar vestibulitis.  Good luck.

[deeg57]

I always felt like I had a yeast infection after my period.  Found out it's the perfume/scent they use.  Try the non-scented tampons and napkins and see if that helps.

[sandi101]

I have the solution!!!!!....Maxim brand organic and natural tampons, pads, and pantiliners. They are made from cotton and are completely chemical and synthetic free. The big brand names on the market shelves use chemicals and synthetics in their products because they are faster and cheaper to make, but they don't think about the small percentage of women that get irritated from these materials, let alone the environmental impact these materials can have (but that's another story). Maxim brand products are made from cotton and are hypoallergenic. They changed my life!!! Try them out...you can buy them on www.****.com.
Let me know how it works

[wendyrx]

I have to say, I can't help but laugh at the comment to just change your pad/tampon frequently. I'm sorry, but if you are allergic to rayon... you don't just get a rash.. you get a rash that itches intensely.. and if you have made the mistake of attempting to use a tampon...your vagina swells up AND all the moisture is sucked out.. this happens so fast and is so intense.. is unbelievable!! So, when you try to remove it.. dear God, it feels like the tampons is literally ripping out all the mucus membranes of your vagina!! Its painful beyond belief. I'd almost rather have another baby! No joke!!

Those of you who are just irritated by perfumes, etc rather than having an allergy to rayon, you'll know for sure which it is thats irritating you by the difference of not just an itchy rash.. but as you just read.. the swelling is one of the major indicators! (Unless of course you happen to be THAT allergic to the perfumes, or whatnot)

I personally I figured it out at 19 yrs of age, when my husband bought me a beautiful matching skirt and top..and for my birthday party, I wore the top with jeans..I was itching like mad all evening.. not knowing why, and not wanting anyone to notice.. then when they all left and i went to change for bed.. I had mirrored closet doors, and when I took off the top, thats when I discovered a rash covering me! But only where the top was.. it literally ended at my wrist, and the neckline, and down to my waist! But no where else.. so we knew it was the top for sure! Which was 100% rayon.

Worst partf all this is.. I didn't even realize tampons were rayon til about 2 years later..I just thought I wasn't using tampons properly or something.. and since I never bought tampons- only pads, how was I to know?! But one day at my mom's house.. we all do this.. but I was reading the back of the box of my mom''s tampons.. and thats when it his me like a ton of bricks!!! lol

My poor young naive self just assumed I was just one of those unlucky girls that get a lot of yeast or bacterial infections down there.. ha! if only i knew! i could've saved a LOT of $!! Anyways.. here's the worst part.. if you try to remove the tampon, it feels like your ripping your vagina out, because its literally stuck in there! (of course i dont mean stuck permenantly.. but it certainly feels that way!!)

ANYHOW, For my area.. You can get 100% cotton tampons with or wothout applicator as well as pads Though I'm unsure about the pads being 100% cotton as they just say 100%natural- and since the make me itch, obviously i stick with the tampons. I get them in the natural section at Fred Meyer. Owned by Kroger(google them.. they own stores all over the country) Shockingly.. this is the ONLY store I can find them in.. from seattle to everett! Not even Rite Aid or Walgreens..Not ONE of the big chain drug stores, NOR do any of the big chain Grocery stores!! Thankfully since natural products are getting more and more popular, there's a good chance they'll start popping up in more store than just the ones owned by Kroger.

FYI.. I happen to be a pharmacy technician.. and a regular part of a tech's job, is reordering drugs or personal products every day... and believe it or not.. the distributer we used for ALL of our stock... did not have so much as ONE brand of non-rayon tampons or pads! Crazy!
(btw, I have not worked in the rx field for a couple years.. this doesnt really have anything to do with the topic- Just figured I ought to mention this as things MIGHT have changed since I last worked fulltime in a Pharmacy)

But the brand I've been using for years.. is Natracare.
They're 100% cotton, certified organic, and non-chlorine bleached,
You can check them out on why organic tampons *******. (remove the spaces of course.)

if anyone has an ?s for me.. and can't get in touch here.. you can email wendyrx at gmail *******. *hopefully none of this gets edited out.. its impt info for a lot of women!*

[kerisue]

I have used all types of tampons and pads.  I am getting so frustrated I get a yeast infection every month.  I can't take no more.  Now I get extremly emotional just thinking about it. HELP nothing works. Please email me at ***@****

[brandspeterz]

I recently developed this problem since having my daughter 1 yr ago. Dr.s can find no yeast or bacterial infection and have offered no solution, it was actually my husband whom suggested that I may be allergic to the materials in tampons, ***** that he figured it out before I did.
Thanx for the brand names for natural products, gonna give them a shot. Hope they work.

[Zarita]

Thank you for the suggestions. My reaction is so quick and severe when using tampons that I get fever within 15 minutes. So I stuck with certain brand of pads. But lately I've been starting a swiming and would love to continue so without a monthly interruption.

[twin1846]

Just to let you know that you can buy online maxi pads and tampons that are 100% cotton that will not make you break out. I have the same problem with the name brand pads because of the amount of plactic that is used in them. You can go to drugstore.com,the pads and tampons are called seventh generation. They are perfume and cholerine free. I have used them now for the past several years and not had a problem since. I researched this for several months and drugstore.com was the cheapest place you can get them, If you send 25.00 or more you do not have to pay shipping.

[3littlewomen]

I just had a baby and I've been using the hospital brand peri pads for 2 weeks now and there's bumps and an itching sensation beyond belief. I can't find the all natural pads and the flow is too heavy for tampons right now... Help!

[lovely2481]

help i have a problem. every month at the time my period comes i get a rash on my vagina. i get little bumps on the outside where the hair line is and it gets really red and sometimes tends to bleed. i dont know if its the pads i use or what?

[Maggie7762]

I recently found out what was used in most pads and tampons and even clorine is used.  All kinds of chemicals like "some kind of Polymer", rayon, clorine, perfume, etc" and so I set out to find !00% cotton.  I went first to www.Maximhy.com and found out what they supplied and what was in them and they are the best I can find.  Every place that I checked in town did not carry them, so I spent several hours searching for the cheapest and best site.  Here is what I found.  If you go to www.drugstore.com they have several kinds and the ones that I usually spend $7.00 a box for are only 5.95 here.  Also if you  buy $25 of supplies there then the shipping and handling is free.  Please try it out.  I hate for anyone to have the constant irritation I have  had with regular pads I usually buy in local stores.  I have two different drug stores locally that said they would check into it and try to see if they can start offering them at their stores so let your pharmacy know what you need.  Since this is "green" product and biodegradeable it is also a Good thing. Good luck everyone.  Hope this helps.

[jennifer722]

this *****. i have this rash / swelling / irritation thing for like a year now. ive seen a lot of gyns and none helped really. i had tests and no its not an infection. not really an allergy either. at least for me. mine happens even when i wear tight jeans so i didnt trouble to change my pad brand. i doubt ill find the purecotton anyways. (im not in the states)
i think my situation is about the genitals natural bacterial flora, the acid / alcaline balance. somehow its gone crazy. (i had laser epilation a while ago, but this started years after that..) it gets worse when i drink coffee and eat acidic food. sometimes not. cant really see what does it specificly. most of the days its hard to walk let alone having any sexual relationship. i dunno what the hell this is. i must be cursed. it also ***** cause this is such a personal problem. cant really talk with anyone. glad to see some other people w similar problems...
wherever i look its the same old simple solutions like dont use anything w perfume, nylon etc.. of course im not doing any of those.. but still im not "healed"
send me a message if you have a solution :/

[Look_for_help]

Jennifer have had the same problems. I cut gluten from my diet and found some relief.  Also i used culturelle probiotic . Hope this helps you. Good luck to you.

[Zandalee]

Women are getting horrible painful rashes that bleed on the vulvar area, me included of course, and believe it is the purple dye they are putting inside the pad to make it look pretty.  The truly horrible thing about this is that it has been going on since 2008.  It seems to be all different styles of liners too.

[tammi123]

the always maxi with leakguard has chemicals that are so strong they cause itching and eventually burning after wearing them repeatedly. The chemical is then absorbed into your body, causing you to feel badly...and even get headaches.

[Bunny873]

I have had allergic reactions to Always, to the point my skin was sloughing off so I switched to Stayfree. Then they started using the same dryweave and it caused irritation too. The pads and charmin tissue also caused an allergic reaction in my urethra that I struggled with for a year. I took every antibiotic thinking I had a UTI! It was the pads and tissues. Been looking for perfume free pads and tampons so I will try those suggestions.

[angelbug]

   I have urinary stress in continence so I have to wear a pad every day whether I'm on my period or not. I started with poise but found it to be irritating so I switched to serenity which was fine for awhile but now since they switched the name to tena  i think they changed how they make the pad. I never thought to check the ingredients. I thought It was a yeast infection at first because I get those from time to time but when I use the over the counter medications it goes away for awhile and then comes back. i then started using diaper rash cream I figured if babies get diaper rashes from wet diapers maybe i had pad rash lol! and it works for awhile until just before my period starts and then raw soreness comes back and the intense itching and fishy smell. its embarrassing. I just want to get rid of it. does anyone know of 100% cotton incontinence pads I could buy to see if maybe that will stop the madness?

[SomethingsWrongWithMe]

I have this problem, too. I don't use scented pads, but I still get irritation sometimes. I use diaper rash cream to soothe the affected area.

[VISHAL66]

COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFO ABT MAXIM BRAND PRODUCY..............?

[36sharon]

I used tampons maybe for the first ten years of my period and use to wonder why I always itched. Come to find out. I was alergic to them. They caused me to get infections. Now I use Always and I have to worry about that.

[DinkyStinky]

how do you get rid of this rash/intence itching ? from rayon ?