An intimate care product designed specifically to keep your vulva healthy and comfortable is key to maintaining optimal wellness. Excessive cleansing may strip away essential good vulva bacteria that promote health, leading to irritation.
Consider selecting an absorbency rating appropriate to your flow rate in order to minimize Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risks and regularly change to prevent leaks and stains.
Pads
Pads (commonly referred to as sanitary napkins or menstrual pads) are rectangular pieces of absorbent material designed for menstruation blood collection. You can attach one inside your underwear for convenient and comfortable menstrual blood collection during light to heavy periods. They come in various sizes and absorbencies that meet individual needs.
Many of the women in our AWHS study reported using one or more menstrual products, such as regular tampons, sanitary napkins or pads, panty liners, or reusable period underwear. Some reported using combinations of these items but not simultaneously.
Feminine hygiene products have revolutionized the lives of millions of women around the globe. Through education and outreach programs, feminine care product adoption and menstrual health literacy continue to improve. Furthermore, research into early detection methods for irritation has produced more effective yet sensitive feminine hygiene products.
Tampons
Tampons are cylindrical units made of absorbent material designed to be placed inside the vagina during menstruation in order to collect menstrual blood and absorb it quickly and comfortably. While most people start off using pads, many girls transition over to tampons because they are more comfortable and can continue playing sports or going swimming while menstruating.
Some tampons feature an applicator to ease insertion, while others come equipped with a rounded shape for enhanced coverage. Both versions can be made from cotton or rayon and FDA-approved. When using tampons, read and follow all directions carefully and always wash your hands prior to and after inserting. Never flush used tampons down the toilet as this could clog pipes or lead to water contamination issues.
Tampons are medical devices, meaning they must go through stringent clinical safety testing before being made available for sale to the general public. Offering feminine care products in your workplace shows employees you care about their health and wellbeing while simultaneously creating an inclusive culture promoting gender equality.
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are reusable silicone or rubber devices you insert into your vagina to collect period blood, unlike pads or tampons which must be changed frequently and may lead to irritation or Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Capacity depends on its size; small cups usually hold 25 millilitres while larger ones can store up to 30 millilitres or more. If latex sensitivities are an issue for you, opt for non-latex menstrual cups; for maximum comfort look for ones with soft rims that won’t rub against your vagina.
Before using your menstrual cup for the first time, ensure it is clean by washing with warm water and fragrance-free soap. Wetting the rim with either water or personal lubricants to facilitate inserting is also helpful, while boiling will sterilize it after each use. When finished using, store your cup in an airy cloth bag/case until next month’s period arrives – then store and dry afterwards for future use!
Menstrual discs
Menstrual discs may seem intimidating at first, but with practice they become straightforward. First ensure your hands are clean before touching the disc (you may squish it down to its size as needed). Insert it at an angle that directs it toward your tailbone and behind your pubic bone – some companies even offer specific cleanser for their products to keep germs at bay and neutralize vaginal pH levels.
Flex is one of the leading brands, offering both disposable and reusable options, as well as offering subscription service so you don’t ever run out. IUD compatibility and heavy flows are no problem for them either! Softdisc by the same company makes similar products and both may reportedly reduce cramps by sitting in wider part of vaginal fornix instead of canal, where traditional tampons apply pressure that worsen uterine cramping.
