Time of the month in light colored scrubs

Updated:   Published

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. ;)

I'd double up by wearing a tampon and a pad and spanks or something to hold it in place, luckily we wear dark blue pants

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion.

For us perimenopausals, two words, endometrial ablation

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
cicatrixx15 said:
I'm going to order one today!

So I ordered one last month and this is the second month I've used it. I've gotta say.....I love it! I don't have smelly trash anymore, I don't have to spend money on tampons and pads every month (because of course tampons by themselves always tend to leak, and I can't use them either on light days.)

I'm so glad I ordered one. Ladies, you should try it. It's only like 25 dollars.

Tampons also made me cramp really bad and hurt when I pulled them out. The DivaCup doesn't hurt at all because it's made of silicone so it's soft and pliable. I will NEVER switch back to tampons and pads.

Another perk is going green ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

My school has us wear white scrubs and I have fibroids which just means, ah, gushing maybe? I know that's so gross, but really like every other month I have to sit with my feet up on day two. One morning I got ready for school, new pad, went got gas, got to school maybe 25 minutes, got out of my car, and ah, it was running down my leg and my black sweats were soaked! Oh that was a fun day! Luckily my bookstore sells clothes and luckily I had enough cash on me to pay their crazy prices! But, anyway, my point was to mention the pads called "Infinity" by Always. The overnight ones are awesome! I double up on my heavy days and have yet to leak yet. I'm going for a D&C, polypectomy, and uterine ablation procedure this Monday so with any luck I can go back in September with one less worry.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

Our scrubs are navy...but to answer the question, I use tampons. My flow is pretty light, so unless I'm REALLY not being cognizant with changing the tampon, leaks don't happen.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none.

Well I would do double duty as well. I use a tampon (Ultra absorbency or super plus because I have heavy periods) and then use a light sanitary napkin or pantie liner to control leaks. Then I would bring a spare pair of pants cause even with all of that protection nothing is guaranteed.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Neuro ICU.

I'll tell you what- I am soooo relieved to hear about everyone elses period problems. I seriously feel like I'm the only one sometimes!

I don't start my nursing classes til August, but I started Seasonique because I don't want to deal with the stress of bleeding through my scrubs EVERY month.

So far, I havent had any negative side effects & recommend it, if anyone else was wondering about it.

I also plan on doubling up as many other of you have suggested.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have to wear white pants for clinicals. A lot of the women have thrown fits and the school (after many many years) have agreed to change the uniforms for next year. However, this does not help us any. Personally what I have found to be helpful is using a tampon and a pad. that way if by chance I get held up and began to leak I have a pad as a back up. I have tried panty liners but those are too thin. I have not had a day that I could not get to the restroom at least once and this usually works for me. However, this also depends on your cycle.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Some things are just universal. for some archaic reason, my university still demands that we wear white.

I think that all you can do is use a tampon and pad. i don't think much of wearing extra layers underneath--- i'm one of those people who are overheated in shorts.

If you are working with a close friend, you could mention it to her if you're really worried.

I heard a story that a nurse sued a hospital in the US for forcing nurses to wear white--- is it true? Personaly Ithink that the white clothes should go the same way as the cap---a museum relic.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try having a nursing school that requires you to wear WHITE pants. I usually try to be overprepared, bringing extra tampons just in case anything were to happen.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find this puzzling in a way because back in the day we all wore white, all the time. Nobody thought it was such a problem. Any color can be bad if it is time for your "monthly gift". Just be extra careful with protection and pit stops. My student uniforms were pinstriped blue and white. Creepy, but they wore like iron and lasted the whole way through school. The only good thing about them was they had massive deep pockets. You could carry anything in there!

Still, I think nursing schools should go the way of the rest of nursing and let the white fade away with the past. Pick a color that anyone can wear- I suggest navy blue with a big fat emblem on the chest and arm so you can be easily recognized as students. Even a white top with blue pants isn't so bad. Navy has been associated with nursing for a long time. As long as you are easy to recognize and professional looking that is all that matters.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
choc0late said:
My school has us wear white scrubs and I have fibroids which just means, ah, gushing maybe? I know that's so gross, but really like every other month I have to sit with my feet up on day two. One morning I got ready for school, new pad, went got gas, got to school maybe 25 minutes, got out of my car, and ah, it was running down my leg and my black sweats were soaked! Oh that was a fun day! Luckily my bookstore sells clothes and luckily I had enough cash on me to pay their crazy prices! But, anyway, my point was to mention the pads called "Infinity" by Always. The overnight ones are awesome! I double up on my heavy days and have yet to leak yet. I'm going for a D&C, polypectomy, and uterine ablation procedure this Monday so with any luck I can go back in September with one less worry.

ChocOlate, Did your ablation work? I am having one at the end of August. I am so hopeful with starting school next month that this problem will be gone forever.

v

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion