People who menstruate require external feminine hygiene products such as sanitary pads, panty liners and tampons for proper sanitation of their period cycle. Furthermore, they require a safe space where they can wash their hands or change their underwear when necessary.
Panty liners or thick super or maxi pads should be used on days with lighter flow; change it every few hours and wear loose underwear to reduce discomfort.
Pads
Pads may be either reusable or disposable and typically made of cotton flannel, bamboo fabric or other types of cloth. There are different absorbency levels available: thin for light menstrual flow or “spotting”, regular, maxi/super, overnight and maternity pads.
Pads should only ever be used in conjunction with a menstrual cup or tampon and must be changed regularly – every few hours and before bed, as well as any time it leaks. Be wary when flushing used pads as these can clog toilets and cause unpleasant odors to form in them.
Conventional period products contain synthetic materials and toxic substances linked to endocrine disruption, cancer and other health concerns. They can contain pesticide residues from bleaching process plasticizing chemicals; fragrance ingredients which could irritate sensitive skin; as well as plasticizing coatings designed to make inserting and removing easier. Opting for less toxic alternatives helps mitigate these risks.
Tampons
Tampons are cylindrical-shaped plugs composed of cotton or rayon (or sometimes both), designed to sit inside the vagina and absorb menstrual blood. Most come equipped with an applicator to ease insertion and an eyelet string so they can be pulled out when it is time for replacement tampon. FDA-cleared tampons must undergo a bleaching process without elemental chlorine; this ensures no dioxin releases into the environment from this product.
Many women begin using tampons when their periods first start, as these items come with various absorbencies to accommodate light to heavy flows and can help prevent leaks. Tampons should be changed every 4-8 hours and your hands should always be washed before inserting one.
Some women may prefer less absorbent options like natural sea sponge tampons. Reusable and more comfortable to wear, they’re great reusable options but may require practice with insertion and movement as they cause different sensations within the vagina.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are medical-grade silicone reusable devices designed to replace pads or tampons in place of the period cycle. Featuring a suction seal that fits comfortably within the vagina, most women find insertion easier when squatting, although others may find alternative ways easier. As with all menstrual hygiene products, insertion takes some practice; like all products of its kind they require a learning period for optimal use; after each use must be emptied out, rinsed, sterilized before emptying it out again – something public restroom users may struggle with due to having to wash both before and after taking out this device if using one in public restrooms due to having to wash hands both before and after taking out menstrual cups from public restrooms.
Menstrual cups reduce waste from disposable products by decreasing the need for disposable pads and tampons each month, often lasting 10+ years and possibly being more cost-effective than purchasing an additional box each time.
Reusable Menstrual Underwear
Menstrual underwear offers an eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons. Similar to regular underwear, they feature an absorbent gusset designed to prevent blood leaks during use and are meant to be worn for the duration of an entire menstrual cycle – or on non-menstrual days too!
Period underwear that uses natural materials are different than disposable products, in that they wick away moisture from your vulva to help ensure dryness. They typically come in black to cover any bleeding and may feature an antimicrobial layer to fight odors and prevent bacterial growth.
Reusable underwear may appear intimidating at first, but once you learn its uses it becomes just as easy to use than pads or tampons. Furthermore, its longer term cost savings are substantial since just one pair could replace years’ worth of disposable products.
