Finding tampons in the Philippines
The other day I was telling my friend about how I lost my old posts from the old site because of what happened to the server… she then mentioned that she had just read about my write-up on tampons. She had also just referred a friend to my blog for research as she was having a hard time finding someone in manila who used tampons. ‘Try finding a store that actually sells the stuff!’ – is how I responded. It started me talking about tampons and how it basically saved me from all my monthly period woes. In the end I believe I was able to convince my friend to try it. So let me re-publish that post and hopefully I’ll convince more people so that in the future maybe even our sari-sari stores can sell them.
FEMININE HYGIENE It was that time of the month and I spent last wednesday at the mall frantically looking for man’s greatest invention for women. I spent almost 45 minutes combing the whole Glorietta mall looking for tampons. I was looking for a particular brand and type. And although I knew Rustans and other PX stores carried the product, I was disappointed when I came up empty handed after visiting these places. Its a fact that it is not commonly used by pinays but it was ridiculous that I couldnt find one store that sold it. I went to the last PX store I knew and was relieved to find they had Playtex- but only the regular one in 8-pc packs. I found myself buying boxes of it even though it wasnt the one I preferred. I wonder why there are no local manufacturers of tampons. Its a shame that it hasnt been embraced by Filipinas. I guess everyone has heard about the urban legend involving the tampon.
One day this woman was unfortunate to have her tampon get stuck inside her. It was on the same day that she had plans to go on a blind date. She quickly rushed to the hospital where the Gyne happened to be an attractive man. She had no choice but to allow him to grope inside her just to get the tampon out. She went home after to prepare for her date. In the evening her doorbell rang signalling the arrival of her blind date. She opened the door and her mouth fell……..standing outside was her blind date……the Gyne!
And thats just one. I myself did not care to use it for fear of it getting stuck inside me. So its really a blessing that a friend convinced me to use it. And now Im sorry that I had to spend 20 years of my menstrual life without it. Benefits:
- Makes daily activities a lot easier to do
- Imagine not feeling the bulk of a pad or feeling like there’s something sticking between your legs
- Imagine not having to worry about stains
- Imagine being able to run without fear of your pad falling off
- Imagine being able to participate in sports without having to feel constricted
- Imagine being able to go swimming without fear of your period leaking once you get out of the water
- Imagine being able to wear a thong even during your period! (greatest benefit)
Downside:
- Hard to find as only PX stores or Rustans sell them
- One box of 8 is more expensive than 6 packs of Whisper pads
Here are the different tampons Ive seen sold here and that Ive tried:
TAMPAX are the most expensive of the lot but work best for me. Even their regular ones beat the supers of the other brands. Plus its environment friendly using cardboard applicators.
PLAYTEX are 50% more cheaper than TAMPAX but are also 50% less absorbent. Perfect for lighter flows. Not environment friendly as its applicator is made of plastic.
OB TAMPONS…..umm…..umm….I still have the ones I got for free at a badminton tournament (it was included in the freebies) stashed at a drawer somewhere. It has no applicator plus its too small for comfort (well personally – its size makes me doubt its effectivity).
So for all ladies out there….go out and try it. Dont worry about TSS. Get yourself educated to make your worries disappear and start getting comfortable about having your period every month. Pads are so last season. Tampons rock!
(C)
** Pictures courtesy of their website.
i googled “tampons philippines” and i found this! thanx a lot! iv been meaning to try tampons especially this summer since my period makes it a point to annoy me whenever we hit the beach. ugh. i hope i find one at rustans robinsons’ place. thanx again. awesome post.
Hi gaile. Thanks for dropping by and I am glad I found another soul who actually uses the stuff. Here are the places where you can try to find them – Rustan’s supermarket, Shopwise, S&R, JMJ in Robinsons Galleria, PX store in Glorietta or even sometimes PCX stores.
Hi, I googled “tampons Philippines” too and found this blog. Picked up some from JMJ yesterday. Thanks for your help! I’m from Australia and spending 6 months in Ortigas while my boyfriend works here. If I’d done my research better, I would have brought a heap from home. I’ve found that blogs like yours are the best way to find out stuff about the Philippines so keep up the great work! Thanks!
Mandi – I am glad to help you out. JMJ is one of the stores that still sell tampons but you must admit, they put out a higher price for it since these are not readily available in our local stores. I had boxes sent from the states so I am fine now… for a while anyway. Hope you enjoy your visit to the Philippines!
what is px? they said tampons are available in other watsons branches as well.
gl – px pertains to a store that sells imported items. The only tampons they sell in watsons is the ob brand which does not have an applicator. S&R sells tampons. They have the playtex and tampax brands.
i only got to see this now. my mom frequently sends tampons from new york (tampax super, they saved my life because i always have heavy periods so i need a tampax super and an overnight pad at the same time) but since my mom’s staying here, my reserve is depleting (i only have less than 30 tampons left all in all). i’ll check those stores out. thanks for the info!
ria – I actually buy my stash from SnR which always has them. You can also check Metro Grocery at Market Market.
oh cool.. thanks for replying! i wonder if they have tampax super or any other tampons with super absorbency
i’m glad to know that i’m not alone, since every girl i know that finds out about the fact that i use tampons freaks out and says “Ouch hindi ba masakit yan?”
about the tampons, it’s not very expensive naman?
ria – They have this box that has all variants from light to super. I know what you mean by finding out there are others here that use tampons. I have the same dilemma at work when I ask someone else for one. They look at me like Im an alien or something. At SnR its a bit expensive since they sell tampax brands but they also have playtex which are cheaper.
[...] the topic was about tampons and how there seems to be very few people in the country who actually use them. They asked out loud [...]
*googled: where to find tampons in the philippines*
…and found this article. Dang. I’m getting a little frustrated because I can’t find anything here in Laguna. I first tried Tampax Pearl from my cousin from CA and, just like she said, I feel like not going back to using pads when I started using the lifesaver tampons! *sighs*
Hi! i googled “tampons philippines” and i found this article. uhm, just wanna let you gals know that tampons are now available in SM hypermarkets..(well, not so sure if all SM super&hypermarkets have them though coz i bought mine in SM City Fairview.) however, the only brand available that time was playtex so that’s what i bought. try rustan’s fresh in Katipunan or shang.. i think i saw other brands of tampons there.
hope this helps. 
oh wait, if by any chance you’d like to buy tampons from the US, please email me at jo.glamourclub@gmail.com coz im planning to ask my aunt to send me lots of tampons come january 2010. *note, im not selling here, im just trying to help you gals in the same way that you can help me save on the shipping cost. thanks!gb y’all and merry christmas! 
Jo Garcia – Thanks for the tip and the offer! Girls and gals, better take advantage of the opportunity provided by Jo. Cheers!
I’m a mountaineer, but luckily i have never climbed mountains during my period. But a scheduled trip is nearing, and it’s right smack on the dates of my expected red time. I dread the thought of having to climb with bulky napkins… so like everybody else, i googled “tampons philippines” and here i am.
you lifesaver, you
you are definitely right! there’s nothing to worry about. i’ve recently started using tampons and they are so great! so comfortable and convenient compared to napkins. i used playtex gentle glide; its so easy to apply.
I just returned from a 2 week trip from the Philippines and just happened to start 3 days before we left for home. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any tampons, anywhere. Mercury Drug, Watsons, Hypermarkets, none of them carried tampons, in fact, when I asked the clerks, they all looked at me like I had antennae growing out of my head. Next time we go, believe me, I’m taking plenty of tampons just in case. I can’t understand why or how these women can go without wearing tampons, unreal.
By the way, can someone tell me why tampons are so rare over in Asia?
heather – You should have tried Rustan’s supermarket or Metro Market Market where they sell boxes of tampax. To answer your question about why its rare in Asia – I guess its because we are just so used to sanitary pads and have not been introduced to tampons at all. I am one of those fortunate to have tried them and am not going back to using pads.
But yes, next time you visit, bring tons of tampons! 
Carla – Glad to help. Good luck on your trip!
i have been a tampon user since i was 14 and i’m already 30. every time people ask me, why tampons? i tell them, why not? TSS? If not unlikely, probably Filipino women would have a low incidence of this because we are very good with hygiene. i change my tampons every 8 hours.when women sit in corner because they can’t move freely due to period, i can swim, run, jump or whatsoever. i would agree on the part that tampons are hard to find here in the Philippines, not to mention too expensive. i get to buy my supply in bulk (usually around 88 to 100 pcs/box)when a relative goes home here or my when my dad goes abroad. It’s enough to cover my year’s supply.probably tampons are unheard of here in the Philippines because of the concept of sticking up something inside and might get stuck further. one tip girls: in inserting tampons, if you inserted it right you’re not supposed to feel anything. one can sit without feeling anything inside. just determine if one is a heavy bleeder or not since common types are the regular and super absorbent (for heavy periods). my dad is leaving next month, if somebody is interested i can help out. I am from Davao, just cover the price of the box of tampons plus the freight. trust me, i know the feeling when one runs out of supply. and believe me, once on tampons?girl you’ll never go back. Just email me at mayfairsnitch@yahoo.com if you’re interested