Embarrassing? (Ladies opinion)

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Okay this is a lil embarrassing but it has been on my mind. I decided to post this in the nursing section with students who are already in the program. I am applying to nursing school right now and at my community college the nursing uniform is all white. I was wondering what to do during that time of the month? I know for me, sometimes I have accidental leakage. This could be stupid but please no mean responses.

If your period is regular and you know it should be coming, wear at least a pantyliner just in case. If you're already on it, wear a pad and a tampon if it's not too uncomfortable for you. And also bring an extra pair of undies and scrub pants, and of course try to make it to the bathroom every couple hours.

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We did not have clinical bags so I have a big lunch bag with pockets. I also double up on protection AND carry extra supplies in the pockets of my lunch bag. Everyone here has given you great suggestions. My nursing school scrub pants are green but would undoubtedly show leakage if it happened. This would probably be an issue with just about any color scrubs (except black).

Never think questions like this are dumb. Everyone goes through it and it is better to hear from the voice of experience.

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Not allowed to give medical advice here but I will share my experience. When I went on birth control pills 1) my periods got lighter, and 2) I was able to adjust start dates with the packages over a few months until I could tell exactly what day my period would start and end, within hours. No more periods on weekends, yay! If your flow is really that heavy and inconvenient, ask your gynecological caregiver (MD or ANP) for recommendations.

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I remember taking care of feminine hygiene while very busy at clinicals and when I returned to a patient's room, she said, "What smells like lasagna?" I looked puzzled for a minute and then relaxed when I realized there was no way it was me.

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I don't think this is an embarrassing question or anything you should feel ashamed of posting :)

While I don't have heavy periods myself, I know a few women who do, and they say that they have switched over the diva/moon cup because it holds a lot more of the flow for a longer time period (12hrs or so), versus pads/tampons that need to constantly be changed because of saturation. If you prefer to stick to pads/tampons: double up. Wear a tampon of the highest absorbency and pad. That way at least if the tampon leaks before you can get to it, you have a back=up!

Is it possible to go on the pill to decrease the heaviness, or possibly go on a specific pill to stop periods from happening except for only a few times/year?

Good luck. Sorry about the white uniform. What a ridiculous idea in a mostly female profession.

I am one with a heavy flow :( I have to use a pad and a super plus tampon. I try to to schedule work on day #2 of my period (never works) because during day #2 there is about a 12 hour period (convenient, huh?) where I bleed through BOTH the tampon and the pad at least 4-5 times. Sometimes within an hour of just changing it. Try warring two underwear, one bikini and one boy brief. The bikini has a pad, the boy brief a really thin pad or liner.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I don't think this is an embarrassing question or anything you should feel ashamed of posting :)

While I don't have heavy periods myself, I know a few women who do, and they say that they have switched over the diva/moon cup because it holds a lot more of the flow for a longer time period (12hrs or so), versus pads/tampons that need to constantly be changed because of saturation. If you prefer to stick to pads/tampons: double up. Wear a tampon of the highest absorbency and pad. That way at least if the tampon leaks before you can get to it, you have a back=up!

Is it possible to go on the pill to decrease the heaviness, or possibly go on a specific pill to stop periods from happening except for only a few times/year?

Good luck. Sorry about the white uniform. What a ridiculous idea in a mostly female profession.

http://softcup.com/about/product-info?gclid=CKCzi4j9-rQCFYKK4AodBDwA7g

^^I never heard of a moon cup before...interesting...I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about trying this...when I don't have to work though...Great ideas!!

I am currently on the birth control patch...this has actually slowed down my flow, and my periods are more predictable.

I was one who used TWO poised pads at one time...I'm down to a super 12-hr tampon and a panty liner, now...No leakage. No leggings or extra underlings needed :)

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Thank goodness my program requires navy blue pants... I feel for you ladies who have to wear white!

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our clinical scrubs are also white. I make sure and change my tampon each and every break, if I am worried before a break happens I just discuss it with the nurse I am working with that day. If you can't discuss your menstrual cycle with your clinical nursing staff then somethings wrong. I've never had a nurse tell me NO you can't go change your tampon. I usually use the heaviest flow tampon I can (ultra) that way I know it's unlikely I would ever leak. It's frustrating but hey we all have to deal with it.

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I haven't read the other responses yet, but here's my 2 cents. We also have head to toe white. Boo! Anyways, I will wear a big over night pad and tampon on clinical days while I'm on my period. I also go to the restroom frequently to check things. A change of pants is a good idea as well. There are also the Diva Cup that I know a few girls use. They can be used up to 12 hours!

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Specializes in Trauma.

Join your nursing student association. Ours recently changed our all white uniform to navy and ceil blue. Use your resources. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I had an extremely heavy flow during the last 10 years or so before I went through menopause, so the white uniform I wore in nursing school was a perpetual source of stress. I never did have an accident, but that was because I wore a super-plus tampon, a Poise pad, AND a Depends. Sometimes I still had to go change the tampon and pad every couple of hours, but I sure wasn't taking ANY chances!

Later on, I got smart after hemorrhaging and passing out at work (H&H was 6.8/23 in the ER, necessitating a transfusion) and had an endometrial ablation that ended most of this nonsense. But that's only good for when you've had your family and don't want/need a hysterectomy; it was great for me because I was over 40 and long through with making babies. The periods dwindled over about a 2 1/2 year time span, and by the time I was 46 or 47, I was done.:yes:

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We use light pink for our program, so whenever I have period I really have to be extra vigilant about my leaks!I usually bring an extra uniform in case!

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