Time of the month in light colored scrubs

Nursing Students General Students

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This is a 'personal' question for the female nurses... It seems in school and professionally, most nurses wear light blue scrubs and the school I'm looking into requires them. Typically during 'that time of the month' I wear dark pants just on the off chance that there may be an accident. I can only imagine when you are on a long shift and taking care of people, possibly doing strenuous transfers and such, it can be harder to get to the bathroom as often as needed and an unwanted incident could occur. Professionally, do most of you have the latitude to wear dark scrub bottoms and if you can't, what do you do?

Sorry for asking a 'gross' question that people aren't really 'supposed' to talk about, but I'm trying to figure out the logistics of our annoying monthly situation. You're all nurses or nurses-to-be, so I figure you should be able to handle personal questions like these, if anyone can. ;)

Eeek! I didn't even think of this! Good question...

I have heard some good things about something called a "diva cup" (I can't remember the webiste, but it's probably divacup.com or something like that, you can google lol). It's supposed to last 12 hours without leaks.

I haven't tried it yet, but most of the reviews I've read say that it really works.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Do people really have this much of a problem? I have to say, I'm 35 and I don't think I have ever had a leakage issue in public.

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ghillbert said:
Do people really have this much of a problem? I have to say, I'm 35 and I don't think I have ever had a leakage issue in public.

Unfortunately yes. Clinicals are pretty demanding and regardless of what protection I wear if I don't get to the bathroom every 45 minutes that first day and a half. DISASTER.

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I have really crappy periods, with about half a day of extremely heavy bleeding. I can't make any other suggestions, except that ibuprofen can somewhat reduce your flow, so take it on those clinical days.

In addition to all the awesome advice you have been given, know this. You are going into a field dominated by women, most of whom either currently have or sometime in the past had a bleeding uterus. And, an added bonus, these people (male and females) with whom you are working are pretty damn comfortable with the human body. It's totally acceptable to say "Uh, I need a quick break to change my tampon, or pretty quick-like here I'm going to look like I'm auditioning for a remake of Carrie." We're cool with that.

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heatherhammy said:
Eeek! I didn't even think of this! Good question...

I have heard some good things about something called a "diva cup" (I can't remember the website, but it's probably divacup.com or something like that, you can google lol). It's supposed to last 12 hours without leaks.

I haven't tried it yet, but most of the reviews I've read say that it really works.

The DivaCup, an innovative menstrual cup the best alternative to Tampons and Pads

Menstrual Cups, Period Products, Feminine Menstruation Products - Softcup

I used the Instead Softcup for a while. Unfortunately, I have a retroverted cervix and it didn't fit properly...every time I sneezed I'd have to run to the bathroom to clean up.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I have been having periods with light to medium flow for the past 18 months, so I no longer worry about messy accidents these days. My uterine arteries were embolized in September 2008, and this resulted in significant lightening of my menstrual flow.

However, prior to this time, I was having heavy periods due to large fibroid cysts. I would wear an overnight maxi pad along with a super-plus absorbency tampon to ensure that there were no leaks or accidents. The tampon usually became soaked in 2 to 3 hours, so I would change it. Due to the double protection of a super maxi pad and a super plus tampon, I never had any accidents while wearing light colored pants.

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I use a diva cup, and have had the same one for 10 years. I do wear a lightdays pad with it, as it is possible for it to leak on my heaviest day. If I am going somewhere where I could experience an embarrassing moment, I wear an overnight pad w/wings along with it just in case. Usually not needed, I just like the added protection. One handy thing about it is you don't need to "get your purse" to go to the bathroom, as it simply needs to be emptied and reinserted.

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I'm gonna have to go ahead and step out of this thread.

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Specializes in NICU.

Love the use of the term 'hemorrhaging'. I got lucky and we have to wear dark blue scrubs--much harder to detect issues.

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I've got a pretty heavy flow too since having kids, and scrubs are so thin, well, even the darker ones aren't very forgiving, to say the least. On at least one day, I can overflow a super-plus tampon in 1-2 hrs, so backup is a necessity (I use a pad or liner, depending on the day). Especially when I'm working and running my butt off, it seems like it's even worse.

I like the idea of the bigger size scrubs with an extra layer underneath. I may try that. And I have also heard great things about the diva cup as well and have had plans to get one for awhile. At least then I know I could make it til lunch time without having to worry about running to the bathroom every 5 mins!

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ghillbert said:
Do people really have this much of a problem? I have to say, I'm 35 and I don't think I have ever had a leakage issue in public.

Yes. Lucky you for not having a heavy flow. I'm 19 and I've had a heavy period since I started at 11.

I've had no experience with scrubs...but at my old job, I had to wear tan pants. Definitely wear a pad (super or overnight for added protection in the front and back) AND a tampon...and spandex shorts underneath to both add another layer and hold everything in place. Kotex Security tampons are great, and fairly cheap as far as tampons go.

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This was something I had to figure out to. Our uniforms are all white (evil in my mind) & I tend to be really heavy for about 3 days of my period. I wear a pair of leggings under my scrub pants for 2 reasons, white is see through it no matter how you cut it & it's an extra layer of protection. I also keep an extra pair of leggings, underwear, & scrub pants with me during those days & get to the bathroom anytime I have "that" feeling. Good luck with styaing ahead of this problem & kudos to you for thinking about it. It's a valid point to ask & good question.

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