Time of the month in light colored scrubs

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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. ;)

This is an interesting thread topic. Personally I'm really fortunate to have an insanely light flow and my period only lasts 2 1/2 days, and I never bleed at night. I typically use 2 regular tampons and 2 mini-pads through my whole period. But that hasn't always been the case, only since I started birth control. So I'll keep these replies in mind for when I go off of it, just in case it goes back to the way it was before :lol2:

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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.

Oh my goodness, yes they do. You are lucky you have not had these problems! I had terrible periods from the time I was 11 until I was about 32, when I finally had a hysterectomy and am so pleased I did. I've been in nursing school for the past year and don't have to worry, but if I'd gone to school while still menstruating, boy would I have had a problem. We have dark green scrubs so there's some "cover" there, but it would still have been bad and I would have been in the bathroom every hour at least. I can really sympathize with the ladies who have this problem, especially if they have to wear white.

ETA: I never had access to Australian pads. Any way to order them online for women with this problem? Of course hysterectomy is not the answer for everyone, but it was the answer for me since BCPs failed to control it and it was actually getting worse as I got into my late 20s and early 30s -I'm talking 2-week heavy periods coming every 2 weeks.

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I have a bleeding disorder, my blood is pretty much as thin as water, so yes that time of the month is wonderful(sarcastic.)

I have not started clinicals but I do believe they wear white scrubs. Yuck. Anyways, I plan on wearing a super heavy tampon, and 2 pads, one lining regularly and one on the back. I also plan on wearing tan or white leggings underneath. I can't say I haven't considered an adult diaper(a suggestion from a person I know with hemophilia.) lol. I'd rather do that than risk a leak.

I'll go to the bathroom as much as I can, however, I don't want to be neglecting my duties because of feminine issues.

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Specializes in CTICU.
Kringe38 said:
ETA: I never had access to Australian pads. Any way to order them online for women with this problem? Of course hysterectomy is not the answer for everyone, but it was the answer for me since BCPs failed to control it and it was actually getting worse as I got into my late 20s and early 30s -I'm talking 2-week heavy periods coming every 2 weeks.

Not sure, they are called Libra Goodnights and come in flex, ultralong, extra thin, extra thick, etc. I have tried US pads but just haven't found any as good as these. Libras also come in regular, super, invisible etc.

Libra Pads Goodnights 10 - ePharmacy

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Yeah, some women are fortunate enough to never give this stuff a second thought and others have their lives ruled by it. When I was young, my flow was horribly heavy and I sometimes would have to go to the restroom every half hour to stay on top of it. I had terrible anemia and debilitating cramps too. Since I've been on the pill, I rarely have to worry any more, except on rare occasions, but the idea of being slammed with patients all day and doing strenuous work at times, made me nervous. But with all the great tips on here, I'm sure I'll do fine. Thanks!

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Specializes in Cardiology.
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 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.

I've used this product for several years. I LOVE it. I would recommend it to anyone! I wanted to get something similar years ago, but am allergic to latex so had to wait until I could find a safe alternative. I was actually just considering getting another one so I could be sure to always have one in case I somehow lose it while traveling. I once forgot to take it to work with me and had to use a tampon- I HATED going back. In the two years I've had it, I've never had a leak, and probably only used about 10 liners (just to be sure.)

Love, love, love the Diva Cup. Got mine from a distributor on eBay- it was about $20 and more than worth every penny, as I haven't bought any products since then.

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Specializes in Hospice & Palliative Care, Oncology, M/S.

Although we wear navy blue scrubs, I still have to be careful for the first couple of days. I don't use tampons because of my IUD, but I DO use the overnight Always Infinity pads for clinical days. I make sure to use the bathroom at least once every couple of hours, and keep an extra pad in my pocket.

I also wear support hose, so that helps catch any smaller leaks.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

This thread makes me so glad I haven't had a time of the month in a couple years and never will again.

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Hello ladies!

...just your average every day guy checking in to see what's hap

BluegrassRN said:

If you bleed every month like an immediately postpartum mom, occasionally passing golf-ball sized clots

*stops dead in tracks*

*backs out of room very slowly*

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Specializes in OB.
Koyaanisqatsi said:
Hello ladies!

...just your average every day guy checking in to see what's hap

*stops dead in tracks*

*backs out of room very slowly*

Oh my goodness I haven't laughed this hard in weeks! LOL thanks for the smile!

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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.

Same here, not even following child birth. I guess we were really lucky.

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Just putting it out there that the new line of Kotex products -- U by Kotex has great pads! They are the most comfortable pads I have ever tried, and, they actually do absorb and keep the top layer dry! The tampons aren't anything special except that they are small so they're easy to keep in pockets.

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