People say their tampons and pads have been shrinking, but there might be something else going on.

A variety of medical conditionscan cause a heavier flow, ranging from hormonal imbalances to cancer.

These are not accurate anymore because you shrunk them."

Melissa pointing at a chart showing the various tampon sizes ranging from light to ultra

Melissa told BuzzFeed that she thought something was wrong when her period seemed to get heavier.

She explained, “I started suspecting that something was amiss toward the end of last year.

When her period started again, Melissa still had tampons left over from an earlier bulk purchase.

Person holding a menstrual pad and tampon, symbolizing choices in feminine hygiene products

Its not right.”

The opaque part is the part that actually soaks stuff up."

Our pads are available in multiple absorbencies designed to fit different needs, body types, and flows."

Comment saying It's not just Tampax. I realized lately I thought I was bleeding more. Found an older tampon and realised the difference is massive

It’s possible that some of these people may actually be experiencing a heavier flow.

With so many choices on store shelves, it’s easy to grab the wrong box.

But there’s another factor that can’t be ignored.

Pads have also gotten shorter, thinner, and don't stick at all and I thought I was just going insane

Plus they now put 36 instead of 40 in their large box and 2 less in the small box

I can't stand it here. I got an IUD because I thought I was having major blood loss during my cycle. I should sue

Text from a social media post reads, "My diva cup has never failed me," expressing satisfaction with a menstrual cup product

Two tampons with applicators next to two unwrapped tampons on a patterned surface

Boxes of Playtex Sport tampons highlighting '360' design and 'Odor Shield' feature, in a multipack of 36 and 32 counts

Woman holding two maxi pads, one with much less absorbent filling

Chart comparing Tampax tampon absorbencies for different menstrual flows, light to super plus

Woman holding a tampon that's been dipped in red liquid