No one has ever said pads were disgusting or anything like that. I think tampons are disgùsting as you have to insert them into your body.. anything going there I find stressful or painful.

If you are going swimming maybe pads are not a good idea. I know some sportswomen muck about with their cycle by taking the Pill to avoid having their period during match times. That surely can't be healthy. I suppose you could continually take the Pill to stop having one if you wanted, but as I say I would feel less of a woman not having one.