I also have a heavy flow and can't use sponges.  I don't really like working during my period as I am a grumpy cow, and never feel comfortable.

Ditto here. Just the idea of trying to get sexy makes me 

Hi,
I can't work the first couple of days of my period - too heavy flow  and pain and my body just doesn't feel up to being groped by strangers as everything is just too tender - my nipples get really sore and just want to cosy up on the sofa nursing my stomach cramps and watching Friends!!! But after a couple of days I use a sea sponge from Boots - I boil it after buying to sterilise it, cut it into appropriately sized pieces and tend to arrive at the appointment with a tampon inside me, then go to "freshen up" and stick the sponge up there just before any action to minimise the risk of accidents!! I've only had an accident once as I had a heavy flow still and the piece of sponge was quite small - luckily it was a regular so he didn't mind.
No infections thus far (touching wood - no pun intended!!!  )
I find they are most comfortable and easiest to insert if you rinse them with hot water first, then squeeze the water out and get it up there as far as you can  Also when they are damp like this you can get a larger piece of sponge inside you without discomfort, whereas if they are bone dry they're a bit scratchy and uncomfortable to insert.
Hope this helps!
 

I've got an implant, and guess which way it effected me? Yup, had my period 2 weeks out of every 3 for the first year! The second year I did go ten months with nothing but I also went dead skinny and didn't feel sexy. I refuse to let my period get in the way of earning money though. I used to have a lot of leakages (nice) and used distraction techniques, low lights whatever I could think of, even denying it could possibly be me and must be the client on a couple of drunken occasions I'm not proud of.

Then I discovered I was using the wrong type of sponge. The ridiculously expensive natural sea sponges (soaked in boiling water then squeezed really tight before using) work a treat for an hour or two and have never let me down to date. You can use quite a big one because they squeeze down very small and feel like "you" when they're inside. And now I don't ever have to have clients leave thinking there's something terribly wrong with them!

About 3 and a half months ago I went on the Cerazette mini pill as back up to condoms.

I now have 2 periods per month   The first when the monthly pack of pills ends ( I continue onto the next without a break ). This lasts a week-10 days and then, when my old monthly cycle is due again, I bleed heavier for ANOTHER week  

It is so frustrating as I am a lifelong mini-period gal - 2-3 days max and a light flow at that..

I never wanted to go on the pill as I liked the way my hormones naturally ebb and flow during the month ( being like a cat on heat for the first 2 weeks or so.. )

The thought of a condom split and the possible repercussions keeps me taking it for now...

I forgot to add; I never stop working throughout any of this. I do what someone else suggested, turn up using a tampon ( which seems to keep back the flow more than pads - even when you remove it for a while ). Then I switch to the triangular make-up sponges which I have pre-boiled and use lube to insert. I am not advising this for other girls though as they can be tricky to grab hold off ( I'm small and know the depth I can get to..ahem!   )
Always remember to take nappy bags along if on an outcall - you don't want evidence floating around after you have left..!  

re: COILS ... I've copied over (below) a post I made elsewhere on this forum...


MIRENA - that's the coil that CAN stop you bleeding, but if you're sensative to hormones it might not be a good choice. I gained weight with mine, but it did stop me bleeding for about 2 years.

If you have the COPPER COIL (I have this now, but can't think of a brand name) you WON'T stop having periods, and can cause longer/heavier bleeds, with breakthrough bleeding between periods. As I do   

You can be at higher risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with either coil, as the cervix isn't completely tight shut and the strings can harbour bacteria. So if you catch an STI, you're at increased risk of it spreading to your womb/fallopian tubes etc.

The strings can sometimes be felt by sensative partners, and if your vagina is short when not aroused, they *could possibly* be felt near the entrance, if your dr hasn't cut them back enough. I had to have mine cut to less than an inch, as the strings were THERE whenever I used a tampon or went to the loo. So if you feel they're too long, go and get them trimmed.

Hope this helps 

Sounds like your choices are the 'it's x and y only this week' or making a feature of it an offering period play...

I wish sponges would work for me my periods are too heavy,guys could cop on anytime.
As for a coil I had a Gynafix two years ago,had it removed after 3 months,as bleeding lasted longer,and spotting in between,horrible.I've just started my course of Yasminelle to postpone my montlhy cycle,will sort me out for a while.
I've recently read about Naproxen,painkiller that lessens bleeding and shortens time of the month.It may be worth a try.

I also have really heavy periods, and have to take a few days off  I can use a sponge for the last 2 days, because my flow is much lighter. I'd have an accident otherwise.