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. ;)

Specializes in ED.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents.....

if you do find that you have leaked a little you can pour peroxide on the blood and it will practically disappear. Yes, that leaves a damp/wet area on your pants but you can possibly use a hand dryer if you need to.

I know this would require you to actually remove your scrubs but I'm sure you could put on a pair of green scrubbies for a little while if need be. You can simply explain that a patient got blood, urine, or threw up on you. :D

But for the record, on LONG shift/clinical days I ALWAYS make sure to use the bathroom at least once an hour and i keep a tampon in my pocket at all times. I also use a liner for back up. I can honestly say that I have never been "too busy" to potty and other nurses usually understanding.

meredith

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Specializes in CTICU.
SingDanceRunLife said:
Yes. Lucky you for not having a heavy flow. I'm 19 and I've had a heavy period since I started at 11.

Hm... I don't recall mentioning the state of my flow, but apparently you can tell by my post... clever! :confused:

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Specializes in NICU.

How do you maintain not having leakage issues?

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ghillbert said:
Hm... I don't recall mentioning the state of my flow, but apparently you can tell by my post... clever! :confused:

It was implied in your post. You asked (rather incredulously, per my interpretation) if anyone really ever experienced leakage problem. I took that to mean you have a lighter flow then, compared to some of us, as you apparently never have any leakage issues, and it looks like I wasn't the only one who interpreted your post like that.

If you bleed every month like an immediately postpartum mom, occasionally passing golf-ball sized clots, you typically have some leakage issues. Some of us experience a decent drop in our hemoglobin each month. I have to take iron supplements and be careful of my diet, otherwise I'll be down in the 10s and 9s. My periods only last for 3 or so days, but they are super heavy. I wear a super tampon and a pad, and for a 6 hour time period every month, I'm changing them both every hour or even more frequently. As I age, I notice this has lessened; so I'm hoping my periods, like many other aspects of my life, continue to improve with age. And no, there is, according to the multitude of tests I have had over the years, nothing medically wrong with me. Due to my family's cancer and stroke history, I choose not to take oral birth control, which short of a hysterectomy is pretty much my only option.

If you do bleed like that every month and do not have any leakage issues ever, then please share your secrets of success ;).

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Thankfully my school has us wear navy scrubs...but I do work at a hospital as a nurse tech and we can wear whatever we want. I generally stick with darker-colored scrub bottoms during "that time of the month." If you have no choice, what about some spandex shorts to wear underneath? They don't have to be spandex. I used to be in taekwondo (that was about 7 years ago lol) and our uniforms were white. When I went to class on my period days, I had these form-fitting gray shorts that I would wear underneath, just in case. Never had an issue!

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I am about to start nursing school and was wondering the same thing since I will have to wear light blue scrubs. Thanks for all of the great advice!

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Specializes in CTICU.
BluegrassRN said:
It was implied in your post. You asked (rather incredulously, per my interpretation) if anyone really ever experienced leakage problem. I took that to mean you have a lighter flow then, compared to some of us, as you apparently never have any leakage issues, and it looks like I wasn't the only one who interpreted your post like that.

Oh my god, people, get over yourselves. I was surprised that SO MANY people who answered had leakage issues, when per my post, it has never happened to me nor anyone I've ever worked with that I knew about... that's all. No criticism implied, although apparently some was taken. Who knew it was that big of a freaking deal?

BTW, the secret is Australian pads. Light years ahead of the US equivalent imho. The customs staff must think I have big problems since I pack so many packs into my luggage every time I visit my family.

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Hello ladies

I had a ablation about 6 months ago for heavy bleeding, and had my tubes tied

I haven't had anything since then :))))). but I saw these and thought maybe they would work.

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@ghillbert:

Sorry to ruffle your feathers. It wasn't a criticism...just an explanation of a previous post and an ongoing conversation. You seemed put out with the frowny face, I just thought I'd clarify since you seemed confused/miffed. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted anything or that my response came across as anything other than light-hearted banter and some back and forth conversation about periods. I thought we were having a casual conversation, no offense was intended. Goodness.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.

I was also surprised that so many people seem to have problems! I guess I should consider myself very fortunate, but I have no tips for you though! lol

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I use the diva cup and LOVE it!! I have never had a leak, and I have been using it for about 5 years now. I don't have to wear anything with it, but don't have an unusually heavy flow either.

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ghillbert said:
Oh my god, people, get over yourselves. I was surprised that SO MANY people who answered had leakage issues, when per my post, it has never happened to me nor anyone I've ever worked with that I knew about... that's all. No criticism implied, although apparently some was taken. Who knew it was that big of a freaking deal?

Well, people who don't have problems with this issue are probably not reading this thread!

(Tampon + 2 pads, myself.)

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