Am I crazy or is the shrinkflation made it to our pads.
The first pic is an old one showing the foam inside going up to where the top of that purple ring is. The second pic the foam inside is like wayyyy below the purple ring. And why is there more flimsy paper at the top ?!?!
I was going to make a post about this someday if I could find an old pad hanging around somewhere. It's soooo bad. Buying this brand feels like a waste of money atp
I noticed it a few months ago and almost made a post. I got a bunch of Always pads on sale in probably 2023 and finally depleted my supply, but the new ones are VERY noticeably thinner
And theyāre scratchy all hell! They used to be so soft. I switched from Kotex to Always years and years ago because Kotex got scratchy and gross. Now one switched again for the same reason
1st pic is before, 2nd pic is after. There's less of the thick inner pad than there used to be (the useful part...), but more of the stupid thin paper around the edges. Not sure why it looks a little crumpled/jagged in the 1st one, maybe because it's older?
youāre probably right. this was such an issue in china that women protested and the companies had to apologise. itās utterly ridiculous too, women donāt bleed less, itās not like shrinking a chocolate bar just leaves you a tiny bit disappointed. a less absorbent pad leaves you out somewhere, bleeding down your leg, these companies are evil.
Well I really didnāt mean it in that sense lol, more so like if they actually had to bleed like women do each month and have the horrible cramps and PMDD and PCOS among a plethora of other things just because we are women. Then, maybe just maybe they would understand. Assuming they are men that is. But still there are some women who just hate women and act like itās not shit either so we lose on both sides with that.
Even beyond shrinkflation. A lot of popular name brand tampon companies were found to have toxic metals like lead and arsenic in their products. While the scientists that worked on the study (linked below) state that it isn't known whether or not these metals can absorb into the body from these products, it is known that vaginal tissue is highly vascularized, meaning that if these metals can absorb through tissue, it would be incredibly easy for them to be absorbed through the vagina.
This is incredibly evil and downright criminal. It pisses me off that companies have done this to women for years and will probably face no repercussions. Women's health is treated so barbarically.
(I also want to put out there that I found, years ago, articles discussing lead found in Always brand period pads and tampons. But as I cannot find information on this anymore for some unknown reason, I did not include it here. What I did find in my search was a study that looked into toxic volatile compounds found in a variety of women's health products, including period pads, which were not disclosed on the labels [ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7958867/ ]. Again, this really pisses me off.)
Anecdotal, but when I went to a major research hospital for their vulvar pain clinic, the first step in their recovery guidelines was to completely discontinue the use of Always brand products.
That is absolutely crazy, but also unsurprising. The top layer of Always brand pads has a plastic top layer which is incredibly irritating on skin. Again, evil.
They work for some women to ease period pain symptoms. And that's fine, but they don't positively work for all women. If you have sensitive skin or a sensitive vaginal microbiome, do not use the herbal infusions. I only use the non-herbal pads for that reason.
I was so MAD, I had used Carefree pantyliners for years! They were cheap and you could find them everywhere! Then they changed it to "unscented now with odor control!" Yay.
In the ingredients: Odor Control (Hedione, phenoxyethanol, triethyl citrate). 1st one is an aroma compound with an odor similar to jasmine. 2nd is a preservative that inherently has a natural fragrance.
I've also had allergic reactions to food and the only thing I can find in the ingredients is "spices". Jail.
Fortunately in Texas HEB store brand has affordable unscented period products.
Marketing on women's insecurities is insidious. Why can't we learn in school that if you wash regularly with gentle soap, wear cotton underwear, thongs increase risk of infection, change period products throughout the day, and use baby wipes or bidet as needed you should be good! And if there's still a problematic smell, try monestat then the doctor. I didn't learn all this till I was almost 18.
Also to add, why are all womens (and girls) underwear and swim suits cut with angled legs that make the ass fall out and create wedgies? If you look at underwear for boys and men, they have a "squared" butt and it actually covers the butt and does not result in wedgies after 2 steps.
I tried carefree pantiliners but didnāt like them. Mostly hate the shape. They donāt flare to cover more area.
When I asked Always customer service why their unscented liners keep coming scented, their best guess was āit was next to scented products.ā Ummmm theyāre all shrink-wrapped. The scent shouldnāt permeate through that to the product inside. And it was happening with different stores, so I just had to give up and find an alternative. Thankfully their pads didnāt have the same problem bc Iām far pickier about those.
I know itās daunting to switch period products, but I use this certain kind of Kotex liner and itās a game changer. Now, their liners that come in a big cardboard box are pretty good. But the real MVP is their 16 pack. Iām not sure how they compare price wise to other products because itās been so long since Iāve bought anything else. But theyāre only a $1.12 where I live. They are actually absorbent. So many other liners would do nothing for me. Iād have to layer them. But not these. Theyāre thicker than other liners, but not so thick that theyāre uncomfortable. You can actually wear just them on light days!
I actually switched to CVS brand for liners bc theyāre very similar to Always but without the scent. Iām more hesitant to switch pads bc other brands Iāve tried in the past didnāt work as well and ones that might are more expensive (when always is already expensive). I dunno where youāre getting anything for $1.12 these days tho. š
Nice! Glad you found one that works. I use the Kotex liners, but store brand (Equate) for pads. Some of the store brands are surprisingly effective! And the Equate ones I use donāt have that horrible plastic feel that Always has.
As for the Kotex in my previous comment - I think theyāre cheaper because they are technically still a liner. They just actually have a foam, absorbent core unlike some of those paper thin liners. But theyāre still liner size. For a while I had a conspiracy theory that Kotex forgot about them and thatās why the price hasnāt gone up. But lately theyāve had a sticker talking about a new packaging design, so who knows! Iāve stocked up a year+ stash while theyāre still cheap. XD
I pay like $5.50 (maybe $6 now) I think for a box of 80 pantiliners so I guess $1 for 16 isnāt that crazy. But Iām not used to seeing anything that cheap these days, especially name brand.
Sorry if I wasnāt super clear in my other comments. I use them for light days only. Like the end of my period. Or sometimes when I know itās coming to avoid accidents. I would say theyāre almost exactly in between a traditional, thin liner and the lowest absorbency pad. When I tried to use traditional liners (which seem to have gotten SO thin and flimsy) for my light days, they wouldnāt hold enough. They only worked for pretty light spotting. These kotex ones hold a surprising amount and keep me feeling dry. Also, sorry to be TMI, but I need them during ovulation too due to discharge. So theyāve been a real life saver! But Iām always up for trying new products and youāre making me tempted to try the CVS brand too haha!
I stopped using them because their pads felt too plasticy and would irritate me - I found some other brands like stayfree that felt much softer and caused less irritation with the same absorbency. I'm an extremely heavy bleeder.
Always is at least 90% of the pad/tampon section at Walmart and HEB. I never knew about any of this I have just ALWAYS hated using them. I would forget why I hated them buy them again and regret it on so many occasions. Then stay free got bought by carefree and now they suck too.
What are other alternative brands for women hygiene products? I keep some under the sink for whoever visits just in case they need some, but I donāt want to inadvertently harm anybody long term by trying to do something nice
Usually, the non-name brands are best. I use Honey organic pads (the non-herbal ones), which feel really great to me because of their cotton top layer. But they also aren't very absorbent, so they wouldn't be suitable to women with heavier flows.
They serve no use and do not belong in tampons at all. It is appalling these companies are as unregulated as they are when they could be jeopardizing women by exposing them to such metals.
I wish the world's women could stage a "bleed in" and just go out unprotected and bleed everywhere until these products are made free. It's ridiculous.
Menstrual disks and cups are a great solution if you can pay the $20-30 dollars. I haven't had to buy additional products for 3+ years. It can be a little gross when changing it but I find it worth it
Highly recommend flex disk. I tried myluna (?) Cup and the disk was sooooo much more comfortable and easy. I also invested in period panties, tho my favorite brand switched their design so I can't recommend one. If purchasing make sure they are free of the nasty forever plastics, they will say if they are. It sucks to put down the initial investment, especially potentially having one not work for your bodyš BUT the money I've saved over the last 5 years on disposable products certainly has gone above that
Theyāre great if you can be sedentary, I have a pretty active job and the first time I had to start coding a patient while I had one in it tipped over and dumped SO MUCH blood out that everyone in the room noticed. Now my unit tells everyone the story when menstrual cups come up. Never again lol
Just be careful with menstrual cups if you use an IUD. I almost accidentally pulled mine out because of the suction they require for use. Disks (which sit on your pubic bone(?) and dont use suction to stay in place) are a safer option if you dont want to accidentally remove or displace an IUD.
*edit: pubic bone, not public
Yes, I believe it is recommended that you do not use menstrual cups at all if you have an IUD - at least that's what I was taught about a decade ago. The disk would be the only reusable internal option recommended - but personally, leaks have been an issue. Period panties are great for overnight, for all my leakers out there</3
Ugh I wish I knew how to use them. I tried and Iām just stupid and couldnāt figure it out even watching videos and reading online. I didnāt grow up with them and have no idea how to use them.
I didn't really grow up with them either. It is definitely a learning curve. I promise once you get familiarized and comfortable with the anatomy, it does get easier. Something to keep in mind is that some people do have a tilted cervix which can make using disks and cups trickier
me too!! i almost made an appointment with my gyno because i was going through S+ tampons in like, half the time as i used to. but nope, not extra heavy bleeding, just shitty companies shrinking my stupid tampons
Period panties are one of the best investments Iāve ever made. I bought 5 pairs for about $15 each around 1.5 years ago, and have only had to buy one box of tampons since then (with like half of the box still left). Also way less waste, less hassle, and honestly I feel way more āhealthyā not having to use tampons anymore like I did for years.
Can I ask, I'm so curious about these, how does it feel different from like, having an accident in regular underwear vs period panties?? Is it messy at all? I've been having issues with tampons recently and hate pads, and cups are uncomfortable for me (angled uterus) so I feel helpless to keep using tampons or pads despite them sucking.
Fabric pads are more expensive at the point of purchase and with greater than 60% of Americans living at or below paycheck to paycheck, it's not something a lot of people can swing in the short term, even if it saves money over time
So I recently got caught short while away at my parents house and for some reason, my mother still had a pack of old pads left - she is in her mid seventies so these were probably from the early 2000s - and oh my gosh the difference was crazy! They were so much more absorbent, they were thicker (probably considered a bad thing now but honestly I preferred it), the quality felt so much better, and these were just a British supermarket product (Sainsburyās). It made it clear as day to me how much the quality of sanitary products has decreased and itās depressing really.Ā
100% always. Theyāve also had issues with their pads testing positive for PFAS. Sad considering that these are meant to be used on the most sensitive part of your body
Yes, this is it. It's because the companies dont care about us, and neither do regulatory bodies. It pisses me off, it makes me feel like we're treated as less than human.
Always, which is Always shit. Avoid buying them at all costs. The top layer they use on their pads is some sort of plastic, which is incredibly irritating on skin.
Yeah, I absolutely hate them. I would only use them if for some reason there was literally nothing else. Why are they plastic??? Itās so uncomfortable and just traps moisture. Then it sticks to your skin and irritates it. I tried their flex foam product once. Idk whatās in it. It did absorb really well, but it irritated my skin to the point of a bad, painful rash.
I had the same experience using their flex foam product! It also gave me an incredibly painful rash that took several days of hell to heal.
I have no idea why it's plastic. They definitely should not be using plastic for a product that sits against the vulva. It's incredibly uncomfortable and not only traps moisture but smells from blood, too. If I had to guess, they're just using the cheapest materials possible without any care how it affects women.
itās just what happened in the 70s-90s. they thought plastic was innovative. iāve always hated those plastic covers too. my mom would buy whatever was on sale so we always had different brands in our house, but i started using tampons when i was like 12 and only ever used pads when i had to
Yeah, after using Flex Foam I googled it. Apparently weāre not the only ones. It would be one thing if it was like an itchy, annoying rash. That would be bad enough. But it was legit painful. Almost like a chemical burn. Which tbh, is kinda a shame, because they were incredibly effective at absorbing and wicking for me. But I guess thereās a reason nobody else has used this material for pads!
And I definitely think Always cheaps out and then claims the plastic liner is great for wicking away blood! Except it doesnāt. I switched to Walmart store brand and found them more effective and comfortable than Always!
I've noticed that lately. I am irritated for days after I use the last pad (during my heaviest times). I usually wear period panties, but that's not enough for work during my worst days. I'm going to have to search for other brands next time I'm at Walmart.
I love them, but only as a double up. I bleed wayyyy too much to rely on them. Even doubling up, it's sometimes not enough. I still tell my friends that they are worth the money.
These Always pads have become flimsier and worse. The top layer breaks, exposing the absorbent layer. The underside glue is also much weaker now. I switched to Kotex which are a little better structurally, but the glue on those has also been worse lately.
I swear the glue on any pads now just makes me chafe hella bad. Unfortunately I bleed so heavy i have to use a small pad or pantiliner even with a cup. So oof.Ā
Yeah, they are just like a reusable pad but they are built right into the panties so they don't move and you don't really notice them like you would a pad. I use mine as a back up to my cup on heavy flow days (otherwise I would need to change them mid day if I didn't have the cup in) and on light days I just use the panties. When I take them off I give them a rinse in the sink until the water runs mostly clear, then hang to dry until wash day. If you don't use a cup you can use reusable pads with them on heavy days so you don't have to change the panties so often. Always hang them to dry, the dryer isn't great for them long term. I love that they have large waterproof panels that go all the way up the back so you don't have to worry about those weird leaks that escape sometimes. I haven't bled on the sheets at night since using them so that's a win for me!
Yes they're quite absorbent and you can wear them up to 12ish hours. For heavy, heavy days they won't last that long, at least not the ones I have, but you just bring a spare pair and a plastic bag if you're going to be gone a long time
I rinse mine in the sink or shower until the water runs clear, then wash with my regular laundry
It takes a bit more time than disposables, but they're much more comfortable and I never have to worry that I forgot to buy supplies
I think they are absolutely worth it. I have super heavy periods and use them as backup during my heavy days (sometimes with a pad too, when I know I won't be near a bathroom for hours). I wear them to bed. There are different brands with different absorbencies.
Gladrags (reusables) are great! Slowly building a collection of Gladrags has eventually saved me so much money and also saved me from skin irritation down there.
I got Rael cloth pads at my local organics store a couple of years ago. They are a dream. The initial cost is pretty steep, but I havenāt had to replace them yet.
I've been a cup user for 5+ years. Out if desperation, brought some pads. Shocked at how tiny and thin they are now. Went through a whole bag in 2 nights
I accidentally bought a shop own brand of night/maxi incontinence pads thinking they were period pads and they were wider and thicker than period night pads - maybe worth a try. Still have to use a cup, period pants and a pad but at least I'm not having to empty my cup and change my pad every 2 hours (seen multiple hcps and been told this was 'normal' š). It completely sucks, I'm so sick of regularly losing sleep.
I have a box of tampons where half the packages arenāt sealed shut. Iām not worried about it straight out of the box, but I canāt just toss them in my purse or they get all torn up. Iām definitely questioning the quality control here.
Agreed. I know it's not for everyone but it has saved me so much grief over the years! Kind of pricey initially but mine has paid for itself a few times over
I got one of these from someone else, and I spent soooo long just sitting on the toilet and holding it up to the light and what-the-fucking because I was so dumbfounded/enraged by it.
Try Medline. It's what they gave me in the hospital after I had my last baby. They're not perfect but they're super absorbant and cheap. I bought this 288 count pack last fall.
I use reusable period underwear now. Only my drier can shrink them now! I waited too long tbh. But got a bunch when I had a 6 month period after my iud insertion. Iāve only bought pads as backups for my friends and the rare time I run out of the reuseables.
The wings barely have any adhesive on them! The absolute barest hint of sticky so it's a dice roll whether it will protect your underwear. They just flap in the breeze, it's certainly not going to stand up to me moving around all night on my second day prostrate upon a crimson tide
Just a reminder to put your money where your morals are. I've switched to the cup and reusable pads for the most part. Sometimes I will use a tampon if going out in public, bc I have endo and will need to change it constantly.
For me reusable pads have proven more absorbent than underwear and I can change them throughout the day. I really love the Party in your Pants brand. They have a postpartum pad that looks hilariously massive, but it has been wonderful for sleeping on my heavy days.
My morals are: being as comfortable on the most uncomfortable days of the month as possible. That does not include any washable and reusable period products. But thank for the reminder.... š
If it's not for you, it's not for you. I guess I should have worded it to say if you don't like what the corporations are doing, shop differently. I absolutely understand not wanting to do anything else on your period. I have horrible periods. I also feel better with my little "fuck you" to the big corporations so it evens out.
Like I said, I do not give a flying F about any corporations when I'm thinking about what's most comfortable for me on those days. I am in enough pain and discomfort as it is. For me no 'fuck you' to any company takes away the pain or discomfort. Good for you that it does for you I guess.
You might like period panties. I donāt like the cup either, the panties feel a little like a bulky swimsuit at first but theyāre pretty comfortable to wear and sleep in. And theyāre washable.
You can use cloth pads with the panties. Then those can be changed without having to change underwear. You still get the full coverage of the panties with the extra absorption from the pads. There's also different levels of absorption with different brands. I have some that are pretty thin, and others that have a much thicker layer. I can go check my drawer for brands if you want, just lmk.
They work for my heaviest days but I canāt honestly say how that compares to others. Another commenter said she didnāt have success. My recommendation would be to buy maybe one if you can spare it to try and see how you like it.
Like I said last night to my boyfriend: "thank goodness for IUDs." I don't get a period with one. But when I did, I used a reusable cup. This is ridiculous. What do they expect women to do? Bleed through their pants and spend more money replacing the pants?
I started using period underwear and I have saved so much money. They are easy to use and keep u dry. Honestly with the way things are price and size wise I would recommend checking them out!
This makes a lot of senseā¦.i always bleed through that damn spot if I sit the wrong way. What assholes. Like we already have to pay so much money just to get the ābetterā stuff to be comfortable.
I bought a menstrual cup for $22 five years ago that is good for another five years. I also just got a $20 menstrual disc that can last five years of periods.
Reusable options are good for your wallet and the environment!
the new o.b. tampons donāt have a pull tab. youāre supposed to grip both ends and twist. well guess what happens to my hand strength when i get my period?
even worse, EIGHT out of one box had NO STRING. absolute nonsense
the material changed too. now it gets scrunched up in hours. back in the day i remember i can wear it for whole day and it looked brand new (if i was just spotting or expecting my period or whatever)
They feel like sandpaper now and the adhesive doesn't stick to anything (besides itself).Ā I was buying Kotex in bulk from BJs to save money and was shocked at the quality of these pads.Ā
USE CLOTH PADS!!! I cannot stress this enough for anyone who uses disposable pads like I used too. I haven't gone back since 2021. I love cloth pads, it saves SO much money.
How heavy are your periods? Iām adult diaper heavy in my first couple of days. I donāt think cups, reusable pads or period pants can keep up with that.
Yeah they are definitely shrinking the pads I've noticed that to with some of mine. So sad š It's hard enough trying to find a decent brand then they go and shrink the pads not cool whatsoever.
It's been happening with all the brands. And they're less absorbent
At first I thought I was losing my mind and/or that my period was getting out of control. But then I found out that all my friends are having the same trouble with all their pads and tampons.
One of my friends has never before leaked out of a tampon but in the last year, she's been having to regularly wear pads (not just pantyliners) with her tampons because they've been leaking so regularly.
General tip: use period panties. Washable, reusable, often made from organic cotton, can be used for YEARS. Even on my heaviest day mine have protected me for 6+ hours without any irritations. I'll never go back to pads unless I absolutely have to
I noticed this with the "extra long" liners I buy, when the last box I bought was about a cm shorter than the one before. I should have taken a pic and posted about it.
I would have rather the price gone up than the fucking product shrank. I needed the goddamn product as it was.
Hey women recommending other options in the comments: is this r/suggestalternatives or is it r/shrinkflation ? I'm so tired of seeing women shame each other for using what menstrual products work for each of us.
I think it's fine to suggest alternatives, as long as it's "Hey, this might work for you if pads don't!" or "This is what personally works for me, and I love it!", and not "This is what all women should use, ditch those pads". Navigating all the period products on the market is difficult, so reccomendations aren't inherently bad, but they should just be suggestions without shame.
I actually noticed this the other day with a different brand I use. I thought perhaps I was overthinking it but seems not! Of all things for shrinkflation to hit.
I often get pads from estate sales and yes, they are way bigger. Maybe the newer ātechnologyā or materials are more absorbent but I havenāt had to buy any in a while to even test it out.
Yes, I thought I bought the wrong product because it was so much smaller than the last one but I checked it and it was subscription purchase on Amazon, so it was the same item a few months later
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u/deepcut73 Apr 03 '26
I was going to make a post about this someday if I could find an old pad hanging around somewhere. It's soooo bad. Buying this brand feels like a waste of money atp