Menstrual hygiene products like pads and tampons are among the most-utilized in terms of menstrual hygiene products. Make sure that pads are changed frequently regardless of flow, and always wash hands after using or before sleeping with these items on.
Accessing toilet paper and soap should never be an issue; however, finding menstrual hygiene products may prove more challenging for some individuals. Let’s end the stigma surrounding these unavoidable biological needs!
Pads
Pads (also called sanitary pads) are narrow strips of cloth designed to absorb menstrual blood. Available in various shapes, sizes and absorbencies – some made of disposable materials that must be thrown away after one use; while others can be washed and reused several times – pads may feature flaps or “wings” at their bottom to help avoid leaks and stains in your underwear.
Women often prefer cloth menstrual pads as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to disposable pads, often sewn out of cotton flannel, bamboo fabric or hemp-cotton blends and sold in natural health stores or online.
An adhesive strip should always be facing upwards, when placing a pad in underwear. Pads should be changed about every 3-4 hours to prevent bacteria and odor build-up – this is particularly important during heavy flow days or overnight periods.
Tampons are small cotton plugs designed to fit inside the vagina and absorb menstrual blood. There are different sizes and varieties of tampons, including “super” varieties for heavier flows. Some feature an applicator to make inserting them easier; experts advise choosing those with minimal absorbency so as to lower risk of TSS.
Tampons
Tampons are small cotton balls designed to fit inside the vagina, and have become the go-to sanitary product. Available in various absorbencies for lighter or heavier periods and sometimes with deodorizing scents, tampons are incredibly popular sanitary products. But using too absorbent a tampon could cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), so selecting one with the lowest absorbency possible is key in order to avoid TSS and reduce odor and infection risks. Just like pads, changing them regularly to prevent smell or infections as well.
Prior to tampons being widely available, women would wear menstrual underwear made of socks, toilet paper, tissues or even rags during their period. A lack of adequate menstrual hygiene products could result in serious medical issues for the woman involved, including urinary tract infections, contact dermatitis, yeast infections and even toxic shock syndrome – potentially even leading to her death!
Many women prefer disposable pads and tampons because they’re easy to access and dispose of, but others might prefer more environmentally-friendly protection options such as period underwear, cloth pads or menstrual cups as a more sustainable choice. Menstrual cups are flexible bell-shaped cups made from medical-grade silicone rubber or latex that you insert into the vagina and leave in place for up to 12 hours to collect menstrual blood collection; often less bulky than tampons they also tend to provide greater comfort for active women who use active women during menstruation than tampons!
Internal Hygiene Products
Once every three to seven days, most women with uteruses experience menstruation – the physiological process by which menstrual blood is released from the vulva. To manage menstruation flows effectively, people can use internal feminine hygiene products like regular tampons, sanitary towels or pads, panty shields and panty shields; some also utilize menstrual cups and period underwear.
Menstrual hygiene products are designed to collect menstrual flow, stay put, absorb odours and prevent leakage while remaining comfortable to wear over time and in various forms of use. They may also feature features that make the experience of using it even easier and provide extra support over time.
Over the past decades, disposable internal tampons have quickly become the preferred means for managing menstrual flows in most developed nations. These disposable products contain absorbent material which expands when placed into the vagina and a top sheet that prevents leakage or discomfort; typically made of cotton or rayon materials or even combinations thereof.
Women’s health, wellbeing and economic security can be adversely impacted by using menstrual hygiene products. High costs and limited access can contribute to period poverty — which refers to not being able to afford enough menstrual hygiene products during each period. Reducing period poverty is central to creating menstrual equity.
