Menstrual Products: A Guide
We all know the feeling of standing in the feminine products aisle, with a thousand different types of pads and tampons to choose from – scented or not, lite, regular, heavy flow, overnight, panty liners, applicator or no applicator, bleached or unbleached. Not to mention, there are several types of menstrual cups and discs now on the market, period panties, and more. Most of us have a favorite product or two that gets the job done, but as products become more available, you may be wondering what advantages they have. With so many choices, it can be a little overwhelming to even the most experienced of us, but here’s some key information that will catch you up to speed.
Tampons
Tampons are a popular choice for managing periods, especially in the Western world. They have a number of advantages: first, they’re easy to use. Depending where you live, tampons may be more likely to come with an applicator, which can be used for insertion, or without one, in which case they can be inserted using your fingers. Removal is as easy as tugging on the string and disposing of them properly. Second, tampons are discreet – no bulky pad under your leotard or bathing suit. For that matter, tampons are safe to swim in, which solves the soaked pad problem. They also come in different sizes to suit your body and flow. However, there are a few things to know. Tampons carry a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome if they aren’t used properly. They need to be changed at least every 8 hours to minimize risk, and you should wash your hands before and after changing them. Tampons also have an environmental burden, especially if they come with plastic applicators, and over time can be costly compared to reusable options.
Pads
Pads are another popular choice. They’re similar to tampons in that they’re easy to use and need to be changed regularly, but there are a few differences. Since pads sit in your underwear, they may look or feel bulky. They come in different sizes to suit your needs, but the more absorbent ones tend to be bulkier. Also, depending on your flow, they can leak or feel wet, which can be quite uncomfortable. They’re also not suited to swimming, as they’ll fill up with any liquid they touch, so many athletes find them less preferable than tampons. However, they don’t require insertion, which is important for women who aren’t comfortable with that aspect of menstrual hygiene. Pads also can be combined with other products as a “backup” against leakage, which can help you feel prepared for anything. Disposable cotton pads have environmental cost, but there are reusable ones available too!
Menstrual Cups and Discs
Menstrual cups and discs are increasingly popular, which means there are more shapes and sizes available now than even a few years ago. The main appeals are that they’re reusable and can be left in for longer than cotton products (about 12 hours). Because they’re reusable, they’re generally much cheaper over time, but they do have a higher initial cost. Because they’re silicone, there’s a much lower risk of TSS. The downside of menstrual cups and discs is that you will need to be comfortable touching your genitals and menstrual blood, because they need to be inserted and removed manually. There’s a bit of a learning curve to using them, but many women find that they leak less than tampons and pads, and are quite comfortable to use. Menstrual discs can even be left in during sex!
Period Underwear
Period underwear, aka “period panties”, are essentially absorbent underwear that act like pads but without the added product. They’re generally less bulky than pads, but otherwise similar – they can leak or feel wet, but can be great backups to insertable options, or even for days with lighter flow. Period underwear is relatively environmentally friendly compared to cotton products, and there’s very low TSS risk. As these are newer to the market there’s still some design flaws being sorted, but period underwear is rapidly improving in quality and availability – there’s even period swimwear on the market!
Ultimately, it’s up to you how you want to manage your periods. All of these are good options, but feel free to play around and find what works for you! The most important thing is that you feel prepared and able to manage your periods, your way.
Other questions? Drop them in the comments below and we’ll answer! Feel free to share your experiences too!