Embarrassing? (Ladies opinion)

Anne36, LPN · Jan 20, 2013

I can relate to that. If I were you, I would bring an extra change of scrub pants and underthings during that time. Ive leaked through my scrubs , but luckily they were a dark color.

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 20, 2013

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.

Stephalump · Jan 20, 2013

When in doubt, use double protection. Applies to many things. :) I use a tampon and a pad and I just change them routinely throughout the day at clinicals.

x_factor · Jan 20, 2013

I went through this, as we had to wear white uniform in the program I was in, and I hated it during that "time", especially since I have very heavy periods. I wore double protection, a tampon, and then a extra long pad. And to keep everything from shifting, I wore a flesh toned control top (basically the spandex tummy control undergarment) like this: Cupid - Light Control Brief with Tummy Panel 4-Pack Style 2106: Intimates : Walmart.com

It helped keep everything in place and no shifting whenever I was moving around or bending down. And then I would just change the tampon and pad a few times a day, depending on the flow. Thankfully, it all worked and I didn't have any problems.

traumanurse2b? · Jan 20, 2013

Our pants are white as well. I wear high absorbency and also a panty liner (we are required to wear nude full bottom undies). I never had a problem.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

Well i will tell you that it has never failed that I will start on clinical days..What I do is double up on protection, go to the bathroom frequently (as possible), and I wear black leggings underneath as well. So far so good and I graduate in a couple months :) Good Luck!

amoLucia · Jan 20, 2013

The suggestions by other posters are all fine but I would like to add that they make special protective underwear for urinary incontinence that might be appropriate to adapt/wear. I'm sure you could go on line but it might just be as easy to go to the store and check out a bag of those undies. They sell them in the same aisle just next to the monthly sanitary stuff. They also sell them in health catalogues. (They're white and disposable.)

Racer15, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

I always just wore a pad plus a tampon and went to the bathroom every two or three hours to double check. Never had any problems.

ER(notso)n00b, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2013

Extra protection, change frequently. I also have an app to keep track of my cycles so I don't get caught off guard. My uniform is white and I haven't had an accident yet. :)

Bouncyball · Jan 21, 2013

Keep plenty of pads/tampons in your clinical bag at all times. My period likes to randomly start a week early, or come back for a few days after my period ends. I got caught off guard once, and it will never happen again.

Skips, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2013

Wear a tampon with a liner underneath and don't forget to check frequently throughout the day. Also, you can wear leggings or something underneath your pants for extra protection. I always wore leggings underneath the white pants since I didn't want anyone to see my undies anyway. Same concept, different reason.