Recently, disposable absorbent feminine hygiene products have largely replaced older methods for managing menstrual periods. This includes internal tampons, full-sized sanitary napkins or towels and panty shields.
While research on vulva microbiota remains in its infancy, maintaining healthy external vaginal flora is vital to maintaining proper vaginal pH levels and overall vulvovaginal health. Feminine hygiene products must be designed for gentle cleansing without disrupting normal flora balance.
Tampons
Tampons are an essential menstrual hygiene product used for absorbing blood and secretions during periods. Constructed of rayon and cotton materials, tampons have an outer applicator barrel designed to hold them while an inner tube helps insert them. When properly inserted, they expand within the vagina and a string extends out of it for easy removal; used since ancient times across cultures worldwide.
Women often utilize both pads and tampons during their periods, switching between pads near the beginning when their flow is heavyest and tampons when their flow diminishes later in the cycle.
Tampons should be changed every 4 to 6 hours to reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). They should never be flushed down the toilet as this can create plumbing issues and environmental concerns; rather they should be placed in a trash bin for disposal.
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups offer an eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads, providing easy use at an economical price with reduced waste creation. Made from silicone or latex material, menstrual cups can be easily inserted into your vagina for menstrual blood collection without creating waste like other options would do. Plus they’re easy for reusable use too!
Women may feel initially uneasy using a menstrual cup because it requires manipulation and contact with their genital area, but with regular training and practice can become more comfortable using one – it typically takes two to five cycles before getting used to using one!
Menstrual cups offer greater comfort because they do not cause vaginal dryness, plus they hold more fluid than tampons – perfect for heavy flow days! In addition, eco-friendly designs mean no plastic is consumed and they can be reused multiple times before needing replacing; while at the same time being safer as they don’t contain any bleaches or other harsh toxins that tampons do.
Underwear
As well as selecting comfortable cotton underwear, regularly changing and washing panties is also key to supporting vaginal health. Douching can have significant influences on vulvar skin microclimate, pH balance and aerobic bacteria growth – douching is also a popular feminine hygiene practice that may lead to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Feminine hygiene products play a pivotal role in women’s daily lives. From tampons and pads to menstrual cups, feminine hygiene products have long been an integral component of most intimate hygiene regimens; yet environmental and safety concerns surrounding such products has led to alternative feminine hygiene options being created.
Reusable fabric napkins can help reduce plastic applicators and synthetic materials that end up in American landfills, while sea sponge tampons and silicone cups offer alternatives with lower risks of toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, it’s essential that underwear be washed on a cold cycle using mild laundry detergent without dyes; hot water could kill some bacteria living inside of it that might otherwise remain.
Condoms
Condoms are widely distributed through distribution programs, but the stigma around periods and menstrual hygiene products often results in people not accessing necessary products when needed, leading to period poverty with consequent negative impacts on people’s health, education and career prospects. Female condoms consist of lubricated plastic sheaths or pouches with two ends: one closed and one open with flexible rings at each end. When inserting them, simply lubricate both ends before inserting it like you would a tampon into your vaginary cavity – pregnancy can be prevented as well as STIs; other forms of protection include male condoms, dental dams or diaphragms.
