Women need feminine hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary pads to manage their periods, including organic and natural options. These can be purchased from large supermarket chains, drug stores, natural food stores or online.
Effective menstrual hygiene practices can help avoid yeast infections and reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections.
Menstrual pads
Menstrual pads are made of an absorbent material and placed inside underwear to collect menstrual flow. They come either disposable or reusable, with different sizes tailored for heavier or lighter periods and even the option of deodorant to mask odor. You can find these in supermarkets or online. Reusable menstrual pads provide an economical alternative; either purchased premade from stores or made yourself using instructions found online.
Girls and women use menstrual hygiene products to effectively manage their periods and minimize risks such as sexually transmitted infections or bacterial vaginosis (Sweetman & Medland 2019). Without access to such products, however, many girls and women face shame and discomfort due to taboos surrounding menstruation as well as associated stigmas surrounding it.
Tampons
Tampons differ from pads in that they are placed inside underwear rather than placed on top of it, being inserted directly into the vaginal canal and consisting of cotton-based material packed tightly into tent or cylindrical shapes with strings for stability and control. As medical devices they are regulated by many governments including in the US.
Affordable menstrual pads come in various absorbencies and sizes, and can usually be found in the feminine hygiene aisle of most convenience stores. While you can use them during light or heavy periods, for optimal use they should be changed every 4-6 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome.
Women often find tampons to be more comfortable than other forms of menstrual protection products like sanitary pads and cups, and are easier to transport around with them in their bags or purses, making tampons even more convenient.
Reusable cotton pads
Reusable cotton pads offer an eco-friendly alternative to disposable menstrual pads. Made of soft, absorbent cotton and fleece material for ultimate comfort against skin contact, these pads also come with a protective cloth pouch that can be sealed shut to avoid leaks during travel or storage.
Reusable cotton pads are not only eco-friendly, but also safer than disposable ones. Without harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals and easy care instructions for laundering with regular laundry detergent, reusable cotton pads can be stored away safely between uses in an airtight container.
Reusable pads offer women an effective solution for period poverty or “period insecurity”, in which women struggle to afford expensive disposable pads. Reusables are cheaper than their disposable counterparts and don’t collapse when wet – reducing period poverty significantly.
Incontinence products
Dependent upon your loved one’s specific needs, incontinence products such as pads, panties and pull-up pants designed to absorb urine leakage can include pads, panties and pull-up pants in various sizes and levels of absorbency, so they can be worn day or night to provide maximum protection.
Underpads (chux) can also help protect bedding, chairs and cars by sitting on the floor and absorbing leakage to absorb spills on them. Made from disposable, ultra-absorbent materials for ease of disposal.
Other incontinence products include urethral inserts, which fit inside the urethra like tampons to stop leakage of urine from the urinary tract. Urinals also come in handy for urinary incontinence relief; there are different shapes and sizes specifically tailored for women or men available on the market. Utilizing incontinence supplies may help decrease odors while keeping skin clean and dry as well as increasing dignity.
Yeast infection products
Many women suffer from yeast infections caused by Candida, a species of fungi. Although yeast normally colonizes vaginal and vulvar areas, an overgrowth may cause irritation as well as thick, sticky discharge from these locations.
Antifungal agents clotrimazole or miconazole can help eliminate yeast infection symptoms by killing its source, killing off yeast growth. Creams, ointments or suppositories containing these antifungals may be applied directly or used as a suppository; some even come equipped with an anti-itch formula to soothe any discomfort caused by itching.
There are also natural products on the market designed to combat yeast infections, such as those containing probiotics to restore balance within your vulva and restore good bacteria levels. However, these should be used as supplements rather than replacements of antifungal medication.
