Feminine hygiene products such as tampons, pads and liners provide protection for women during their menstrual cycles. There are a range of sizes and options to suit different flows and preferences.
Today there are also options for reusable period products, applicator-less tampons and menstrual cup subscription services which deliver directly to your doorstep.
Tampons
Tampons are designed to absorb menstrual blood during your period. There are various sizes and absorption capacities to suit different flow rates; less mess than pads is created when inserting one, and they allow more physical activities such as sports or swimming to take place without fear of contamination from pads. Most modern tampons are comprised of cotton or rayon blend materials subject to stringent inspection standards for manufacturing standards; to avoid irritation or pain during insertion always wash your hands prior to inserting a tampon.
Some women may prefer reusable protection such as cloth pads or menstrual cups for both cost savings and environmental reasons. When purchasing pad and tampon variety packs, finding one with your ideal flow size should be easier; you might even discover new brands or scents!
Pads
Pads (also called sanitary pads) are narrow pieces of absorbent material designed to capture menstrual blood during your period. Available in various sizes for heavy or light periods, some pads even feature wings to fold over your underwear and prevent leaks and stains. Though some pads can only be used once before disposal is required; others can be washed and reused many times over.
Tampons are cotton-based products shaped like plugs or tent-like tents with strings attached at their bottom ends, designed for girls during menstruation. When placed inside of vagina, these absorb any menstrual blood that flows in.
Girls who use tampons typically like them because they are easy to use and don’t appear as noticeable under clothing, though some find tampons may lead to toxic shock syndrome if used incorrectly, along with not being suitable for physical activities like swimming and being less comfortable when worn under tight or minimal clothing.
Liners
Feminine care products like liners offer light absorbency and allow women to use these feminine hygiene products both everyday and when their periods become light or irregular. Liners tend to be thinner, narrower and shorter than pads, making it easy for them to fit into various underwear styles and fits more seamlessly than their pads counterparts.
Liners can also be used to remove vaginal discharge from tampons or pads before disposing, in order to minimize staining risk. Most liners are composed of wood pulp harvested through sustainable forest practices; furthermore, some models may even feature adhesive contact that minimizes skin adhesion.
Pads, tampons, panty liners and other feminine hygiene products come in various sizes to meet every menstrual cycle’s unique needs. Many women opt to purchase variety packs of pads or tampons in order to meet all their feminine care needs throughout their menstrual cycle – something not covered by insurance policies.
Underwear
There is a range of feminine hygiene products on the market today, including disposable absorbent pads and tampons that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PPFAS), linked to health concerns including hormonal disruption, decreased fertility, high blood pressure during gestation, developmental delays and low birthweight in newborns and even increased risks of certain cancers.
Pads are adhesive strips of material that attach directly to the underside of your underwear and act as sponges, soaking up menstrual blood and vaginal mucus during menstruation and vaginal discharge. Some pads come equipped with “wings” that can fold over edges to secure placement and help prevent leaks.
Some women prefer disposable protection options such as tampons or pads that can easily be removed and disposed of, while others opt for more eco-friendly options like menstrual cups or period underwear that save both money and the environment. No matter which product you select, changing it every 3-4 hours will ensure odor and stain prevention.
