The Student Room Group

On my period during an exam.

Please keep anon, because it's quite embarassing to be asking this, thank you.

Basically, tomorrow I have a 3 and a half hour exam, and I've came on today, so tomorrow is going to be my heaviest day. Taking into account that I do not wear tampons, but only sanitary towels, do you think i'll cope for 3.5 hours without having to change? Also, the pain is usually unbearable the first couple of days, I can't concentrate, my back kills and I get stomach cramps frequently. What should I do about this if it's affecting my exam?

I realise this may seem like a totally ridiculous question and that I'm worrying over nothing, but I really don't want anything to affect my performance. Thank you for any genuine replies.

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If it affects your performance, tell your examinations officer - but really, there's not much anyone can do.
Reply 2
generalebriety
If it affects your performance, tell your examinations officer - but really, there's not much anyone can do.


And tell them why? Or just that I was feeling generally rubbish?
All would say is wear larger sanitary towels and take some Feminex tablets, they are especially designed for period pains, you wont be hurting after youve had a couple of them. They sell them near enough everywhere.
Good luck for your exam
Anonymous
Please keep anon, because it's quite embarassing to be asking this, thank you.

Basically, tomorrow I have a 3 and a half hour exam, and I've came on today, so tomorrow is going to be my heaviest day. Taking into account that I do not wear tampons, but only sanitary towels, do you think i'll cope for 3.5 hours without having to change? Also, the pain is usually unbearable the first couple of days, I can't concentrate, my back kills and I get stomach cramps frequently. What should I do about this if it's affecting my exam?

I realise this may seem like a totally ridiculous question and that I'm worrying over nothing, but I really don't want anything to affect my performance. Thank you for any genuine replies.

Try feminax. Go and buy some first thing. Have you tried tampons? Maybe it's worth trying cos you can't feel a thing. If not maybe wear a nighttime sanitary towel (lol they are large but high absorbancy)

I hate periods.

Also for a long time solution maybe speak to your doctor about the pill. I used to have horrendous pains but now only get a little nagging :smile:
Reply 5
I don't know if the exams officer would be able to do anything BUT to minimise pain during the exam I recommend buying a heat pad (usually used for muscle cramps) and sticking it on your stomach to help. Also, it's possible to take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time to minimise pain. Wearing towels is probably better for pain, and I think you'll be okay without having to change as long as you wear a high-absorbency towel. Perhaps consider the night-time version, definitely with wings, and you should be OK.
Good luck with the exam :smile:
Anonymous
And tell them why? Or just that I was feeling generally rubbish?

Nah, you can't get out of it by saying "meh, felt a bit rubbish", you have to have an actual excuse, I'm afraid.
Reply 7
Since you won't be jumping up and down I think pad-wise you're fine.
Can't you try tampons though, just this once? Try it today, to get used to it?

It would have been good if you'd known beforehand. There's pills that let you skip it. Not to mention 'the pill', which I'm on, which makes the pain a lot less bad without taking any aditional medication. I don't think making an exam on painkillers would go very well... I'd choose the pain over a fuzzy head.

You can bring a... what's it called, with hot water in it, maybe? (I just use water bottle myself.) To put on your belly. I doubt they'll think you'll use it to cheat ^^; And if the examinators are nice I bet they'd even re-fill it for you.
Reply 8
Quick point...can't you just ask to go to the loo half way through and change then?
Reply 9
amandacalifornia
... um, what? Get a big pad (sanitary towel?), take an aspirin/Midol, and you will be 100% fine for 4 hours. Is this your first period or something? Definitely not a big deal.

So says someone who clearly gets mild period pain! Before I went on the pill, I got it so bad I used to be sick and pass out... so you can't really judge.
Reply 10
Another victory for the male sex!
amandacalifornia
... um, what? Get a big pad (sanitary towel?), take an aspirin/Midol, and you will be 100% fine for 4 hours. Is this your first period or something? Definitely not a big deal.

I think you're being a bit insensitive, this is obviously a big deal to her.
Just because your periods dont cause you any trouble doesn't mean that everyone is as lucky. Some people have a really bad time whilst they're on their period.
Reply 12
I think I;ll buy some of these feminax first thing tomorrow. Quick question though, do they have any side effects? Or will I be absolutely fine?
Anonymous
I think I;ll buy some of these feminax first thing tomorrow. Quick question though, do they have any side effects? Or will I be absolutely fine?



You should be OK.

However, I recommend getting co-codamol instead; it's the same thing without the brand name, and a LOT cheaper.
I find co codamol-makes me really really drowsy and light headed so just be careful
Reply 15
Ice_Queen
You should be OK.

However, I recommend getting co-codamol instead; it's the same thing without the brand name, and a LOT cheaper.

Yeah, co-codamol's brilliant, it knocks out pain.
alice.eleanor.x
I think you're being a bit insensitive, this is obviously a big deal to her.
Just because your periods dont cause you any trouble doesn't mean that everyone is as lucky. Some people have a really bad time whilst they're on their period.


Well, I think you're being a bit oversensitive.

Of course my periods give me trouble. Sometimes I get such bad cramps I can barely walk. Would I use it as an excuse not to take an exam? No. This is not heavy-duty exercise. It's sitting down and answering questions. I've been nearly on my death bed and taken major exams like that. It's just part of life. S*** happens and you deal with it. I'm not going to pretend like getting your period is the end of the world. So I gave her advice. Take a midol and get a big pad. Someone else recommended going to the bathroom, too.
Reply 17
Ice_Queen
You should be OK.

However, I recommend getting co-codamol instead; it's the same thing without the brand name, and a LOT cheaper.


I was fine using feminex but co-codamol makes me feel all sickkk and sleepy. Maybe thats just me though..
Reply 18
amandacalifornia
Well, I think you're a bit oversensitive.

Of course my periods give me trouble. Sometimes I get such bad cramps I can barely walk. Would I use it as an excuse not to take an exam? No. This is not heavy-duty exercise. It's sitting down and answering questions. I've been nearly on my death bed and taken major exams like that. It's just part of life. S*** happens and you deal with it. So I gave her advice. Take a midol and get a big pad. Someone else recommended going to the bathroom, too.


Did I say I was using it as an excuse to get out of an exam? No. I was asking for advice for minimizing pain so that I could take the exam. Gosh.
Syndol + a pint of beer. You'll be fine.