What kinds of women's products are there for an American traveling to Italy?

Question

By women's products I mean that-time-of-the-month stuff. I prefer pads, not tampons.

I am going to Italy for almost a year and have limited space in my bags for excess toiletries, but I've been strongly advised by many different people to either (1) bring all the toiletries you'll need, or at least some! or (2) don't bring anything; it's all available in Italy.

I know that deodorant and toothpaste in Europe is different, but I'm looking specifically for FHPs (feminine hygiene products, specifically pads) in big Italian cities. Are there as many choices to choose from? Are there varied sizes? Wings? Are they expensive?

As many details as you can give (including specific examples) would really help, as I am somewhat particular about what I use, but also very limited in baggage space. Thanks!

Answer 1

My Dutch partner tells me that the bigger supermarkets in Italy (the ones found usually in shopping centres) often have a better selection of feminine hygiene products than what she's used to seeing in Dutch supermarkets. The range of products seems to me to be roughly comparable to what I recall from British supermarkets.

If you're VERY particular on what pads you use, then you'd obviously be safest bringing your own. But if you don't want to fill up a suitcase with a year's supply of them, then I'd suggest you just accept that you might need to try a few different locally available brands before you find one that's acceptable to you. Even if people were able to tell you the brand names of products available here, that wouldn't necessarily mean much. Companies do sometimes alter products to suit the tastes or needs of consumers in a particular country and, conversely, it's common for identical products to be sold under different names in different countries.

While smaller shops and the sort of mini-supermarkets you see in town centres have a very limited range of toiletries, the large supermarkets (found mainly in shopping centres) have a bewildering selection of things like toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, deodorants and feminine hygiene washes and douches.

Personally, I have a problem with antiperspirants since I've yet to find one sold here that actually works for me. That may be due to some peculiar Italian ideas about how sweat should be allowed to flow or something. In any case, I get friends to bring large quantities of an antiperspirant I like from Britain when they come to visit. If that sort of thing is important to you - and, from my olfactory observations it is much more important to Americans and Brits than it is to Italians - then I suggest you try to bring a good supply of your preferred brand. On the other hand, it's possible you might find one here that works for you. There is generally a fair selection of the stuff in larger supermarkets and farmacie.

Answer 2

Don't worry, Italy is well furnished with many different kind of pads and toiletries...

Answer 3

Oh my god...well...we are in Europe aren't we...loads of supermarkets you know...Here we are at least 30 millions of women so...you will find all sort of things a woman need...deodorants (we shower as well incredible isn' it?) pads of every size and price...small for light period...bigger for night period...as well as the "all day" pads...soap lots of variety (including the genitals one...is that funny isn't it?) I know i am going to SHOCK you we got the soap for genitals as well !! quite incredible as you wont find them ANYWHERE because only Italy use that fantastic useful thing called BIDET !!....We are desperate  when we go abroad as no way to find that sort of thing ! So plently of hygiene for women (and not just women) during the mestruate period...and every day life....you dont have to take anything with you dear...probably you will need to take something with you after leaving this place because you won't find those in your country!....cheers

Answer 4

You will find any and all toiletries you need here; tampons and pads included.  

Do not take up space in your luggage unless it is for a make-up or shampoo product that you MUST have a specific brand and don't know if you can find it here.  Maybe add a list of the brands of products you use so we can let you know if they are here.  Loreal, Garnier, Nivea, Pantene, just some of the few that are here that you will recognize.    Also nail polish remover is unneccesarily expensive here.  Besides that you will have access to anything you need.  It's not a 3rd world country!

Answer 5

Hi Andi!

Yes, in Italy you can find both pads and tampons. You can find pads with wings and with different sizes. And yes, there are different choices!. The price is not expensive; of course it dipends on the quantity  of pads, on the brand...As for deodorant and toothpaste you can find a lot of different choices. I think you don't have to worry about them ( pads, deodorant, toothpaste...). You'll find all of these things in Italy. I hope I helped you!

Bye and have a nice time in Italy!