#tbt Sneak a Peak of My Journal!!!

Ah, the teenage years. Seven years of glasses, acne, braces, and hormones. My teenage years are pretty well documented as I've kept a journal since I was a sophomore in high school. The last time I visited home, I brought back all of my old journals so I could read them. Besides giving me a good laugh, my journals give me a new sense of perspective. When you're fifteen (♩somebody tells you they loooove you, you're gonna believe them♬), there are certain situations you find yourself in that leave you believing that nothing could possibly be any worse than that day, week, or moment. It isn't until years later when you crack open the binding of an old journal are you able to see that everything turned out okay. 

As I put my journals away onto my bookshelf here in New Hampshire, I suddenly recalled that I had made an entry right after I discovered my septate hymen. Below, I'm sharing that entry with all of you. Please note the raw emotion and melodramatic undertones.

Ahhh, teen angst...

The denial is pretty apparent. "I mean, I could get that skin removed but ew no" really sums up my general feelings at the beginning. It makes me laugh now, almost 6 years later, because I really assumed that I would 1) never have to take care of it 2) that it would somehow break on its own and 3) that I would somehow still never be able to use tampons.

 In any case, I'm happy to be past 2009.

Pads vs. Tampons

It's the debate that begins the moment you get your period: pads or tampons? We all make a choice (unless the choice is made for you - thanks septate hymen) based on personal preference, what's currently in stock at your house, your daily activities, etc. If you haven't made the choice - or are thinking of switching - I'm here to facilitate the debate because I've been an active user of both.

First up, #TeamPad. 

#TeamPad 

                       Pros                                                     Cons
- You don't have to stick anything up your vagina.       - Wet diaper feeling.
- Easier to tell when it's time for a change.                       - If you leak, clothes will be ruined
- Reeeally easy to use.                                                                   - Leaking means having to clean up your                                    - Compact                                                                                              entire crotch.
                                                                                                                  - Wrappers make loud noises in public                                                                                                                                                              bathrooms.
                                                                                                                  - Can't flush them.
                                                                                                                   - Can't sit how you want with one on.

Verdict: Pads are great if you're just getting used to having Aunt Flo visit. They're really easy to use, too! However, getting used to having a wad of cotton in between your legs is a little strange not to mention that it constantly feels like you wet your pants. I recommend Always pads or something with wings or you'll be faced to buy new underwear every month. Get free samples and coupons for Always pads here!

Next up, #TeamTampon.
                                           

#TeamTampon

                        Pros                                                     Cons

- Once in, you can run, jump, swim, cartwheel, etc.                 - You have to stick something in your                                   -You always feel dry!                                                                             vagina.

- Flushable - no more looking for a trash bin!                             - You'll need a lot of different sizes                                                                                                                                                                      depending on your flow that day.

                                                                                                                            - A little more difficult to know when it's                                                                                                                                                           time to change...

                                                                                                                          - Pantiliners aren't always reliable for                                                                                                                                                                  backup if your tampon does leak.

Verdict: Tampons are f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!!! The cons might outweigh the pros here, but I mean, come on, did you expect anything involving periods to have a lot of pros?! I keep a lot of each size on hand because I found that I prefer different sizes on different days. I highly recommend Tampax Pearl tampons because they are super easy to use! Whatever you use, I would stay away from cardboard applicators because those don't insert pleasantly...Tampax Pearl luckily has these thin plastic applicators so you don't have to worry about that! Click here for free samples and coupons!

The Winner: TAMPONS!!!!! Being a girl means getting a period so you might as well make that week once a month as easy and dry as possible and both of those things can be accomplished if you use tampons! I swear, they almost make you feel as though you're not menstruating!