Do you remember when and why you picked your feminine hygiene product of choice and why you chose it? A lot of us choose tampons or pads based on an early recommendation from a trusted source like our moms or friends.
While a lot of times mother does know best, the menstruation market has exploded in recent years, and now a girl has SO many options (beyond the standard pad and tampon), all of which can be delivered right to her doorstep. So don’t be a slave to routine. Which one is best for you? Explore, and find out!
Disposable Sanitary Napkins (Aka: Pads, Menstrual Pads, Sanitary Towels)
What they are: Sanitary napkins are pads worn in your underwear, and they are designed to capture blood flowing from the body. Most pads have an adhesive strip that secures them in place when attached to underwear. Pads are made of a variety of materials including cotton, wood pulp, gels, and plastic, and they can vary in length, width, thickness, and shape (some have wings to provide extra stability and to prevent leaks) to accommodate your flow.
How often to change them: Every 4-8 hours unless you have an extra heavy flow that is saturating your pad more quickly.
Pros: Pads are easy to use. You don’t have to learn how to insert them like tampons, and you also don’t have to worry about getting toxic shock syndrome (a rare bacterial condition sometime occurring with tampon use) from wearing them.
Cons: Pads can be bulky and uncomfortable, and they can also create extra heat and stickiness in your nether regions due to extra padding and friction. They can also have an odor once they become saturated with blood. Furthermore, if you are sensitive to scents and different materials rubbing against your skin, you might experience some discomfort with certain brands. You also can’t swim in a pad. (Well, you can, but it’s not recommended.)
How to choose: Picking the right pad might take some trial and error. When choosing the one for you, think about how heavy your flow is, if you want wings or not, and if you want organic/non-toxic. The organic/non-toxic options can be gentler on your skin, but they can also be more expensive.
Reusable (Washable) Sanitary Napkins.
What they are: Washable pads are made from cotton and some have wings with snaps to secure them to your underwear. You use them the same way you would a disposable pad except that when you are done, you throw them in the wash.
How often to change them: Every 4-8 hours unless you have an extra heavy flow that is saturating your pad more quickly.
Pros: Washable sanitary napkins can be gentler against your skin and are not treated with chemical scents as disposable pads are. They are also better for the environment than other feminine products.
Cons: Like disposable pads, you can’t swim in these. Also, if you’re out on the town and need to change, figuring out what to do with a used pad can be a little messy.
Where to get them: You can buy them at some health food stores and online.
Interesting fact: Reusable sanitary napkins may seem weird to people now. However, before the invention of the familiar throwaway pads that line drugstore aisles everywhere, cloth was all women had.
Tampons
What they are: Tampons are compact, cylindrical bunches of absorbent material that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. They are available with or without an applicator. Those without an applicator are inserted by pushing them into the vaginal canal with one or two fingers. Tampons sold in the U.S. are most commonly made from cotton or rayon (another absorbent material derived from wood.)
How often do you change them: Every 4 to 8 hours, just like pads.
Pros: Tampons are less bulky than pads, and so many women find them more comfortable. It’s that “you-don’t-even-know-they’re-there” feeling. Because they are “tucked in” so to speak, they can cut down on odors. Tampons also offer a more private form of protection because they are smaller than a pad and easier to hide on your way to the bathroom.
Cons: You may need to use a pad with a tampon if you have a heavy flow. Pairing two forms of protection can also be a good idea if you are new to using tampons and figuring out which absorbency will work best. Tampons come with the (rare) risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. Good menstrual hygiene can reduce the risk even further, but it is a good thing to be aware of.
How to choose: As with disposable pads, you have a variety of options regarding brand and material, organic or not organic. But you also have the added option of applicator vs. no applicator. Applicators make tampons easier to insert for a lot of people. Others opt for tampons without applicators because they are even smaller, easier to hide, and because they require less packaging, provide a greener option.
Common misconception: A lot of girls worry that tampons can get lost “up there.” But this is not the case. On rare occasion, a tampon string can come loose, or it can enter the vaginal canal, making the tampon difficult to retrieve. But, it is not lost forever! The farthest a tampon could go is a little deeper into the vagina because it is too large to fit through the opening of the cervix. If this happens and you can’t get it with your fingers, a doctor can help you out.
Menstrual Cups
What they are: Menstrual cups are small, flexible containers, made from rubbery materials. They are inserted into the vagina during menstruation. They stay in place because of suction to the vaginal walls, and they act to “catch” menstrual fluid. Most menstrual cups are reusable. Once removed and emptied, they can be washed and used again.
How often do you change them: At least twice a day, every 12 hours.
Pros: Menstrual cups offer a “greener” way to manage your period because most are reusable, and some are biodegradable.
Cons: Diva cups can be difficult to insert and can cause discomfort for women who have not had children. In addition, as with reusable pads, they can be difficult to change or clean in public places.
Ask your doctor: If you are interested in using a menstrual cup, talk to your doctor about it. Proper usage and hygiene are key with this feminine product, so make sure you have all the facts and get all your questions answered.
