Menstrual hygiene products are essential when you begin menstruating. They help safeguard against leaks and infections that could potentially occur as you start your period.
The most commonly used products for menstruation include regular tampons, sanitary pads, panty liners and superabsorbent tampons. Many people also utilize reusable menstrual cups or period underwear during menstruation.
Accessing these products is key to combatting period poverty.
Pads
Pads (also referred to as sanitary napkins) are absorbent units worn under clothing to protect women during their period from bleeding. These pads have sticky surfaces that adhere directly to undergarment, with wings to help hold it all in place. Girls can choose various sizes and absorbencies for their periods – even overnight pads can help provide protection from bleeding!
As long as they’re changed regularly, sanitary pads are less likely to cause toxic shock syndrome than tampons; however, girls could still contract it by using inappropriate types or not changing enough frequently.
Nurses first created pads from wood pulp bandages that were quick and inexpensive to make. Commercial pads first appeared on the market in 1888 when Southball and Johnson & Johnson offered disposable versions – these were among the first disposable menstrual products sold in America. Nowadays most pads are constructed from plastic, fabric or chemicals – it may take some trial-and-error before finding one that works for each girl.
Tampons
Tampons, composed of absorbent material such as cotton, are small plugs designed to soak up menstrual blood. Some come equipped with an applicator – usually plastic or cardboard tubes that help you insert and insert the tampon – while some even feature deodorant coating. Tampons come in various sizes and absorbencies that fit heavier or lighter periods; selecting one with too much absorbency could cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), so choosing the ideal option is crucial.
Some tampons feature expandable bottoms to help make application easier; others boast smooth, plastic applicators that may feel more at home on certain individuals; cardboard applicators may feel rough against the vulva.
There are also tampons without an applicator, which tend to be more eco-friendly but harder to insert. Some models even feature an assistive string on one end for easy pull out when changing. When it’s time to change it out, gently and firmly pull on this string until your period ends!
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are small, flexible tubes you insert into your vagina to collect period flow. Most users report reduced leaks compared to traditional methods like tampons or pads.
Menstrual cups come in three sizes – small, medium, and large – with small being best for women under 30 who don’t have children and/or who experience light to moderate periods. Reusable models also provide lasting solutions.
Use menstrual cups is simple; simply follow the instructions for insertion, track your flow to know when to empty your cup (usually every 12 hours) and clean with warm water, mild soap or baby wipes regularly (some brands recommend specific cup-cleaning soaps; any hand or body soap will do just as well). Most menstrual cups can be sterilized using boiling; always consult your manufacturer’s manual for details if possible – store in a breathable cloth bag between uses!).
Reusable Sanitary Napkins
Reusable pads provide an environmentally-friendly alternative to disposable ones that contain irritating materials and can aggravate skin conditions like dermatitis. Soft and breathable, eco-friendly materials create eco-friendly pads which don’t chafe – these easy-to-use and very effective pads make life better for everyone involved!
Reusable menstrual napkins vary by brand; depending on its care instructions and brand website, some can be machine washed (using dark loads to avoid colour staining other items) while others need to be hand washed with cold water and tea tree oil for handwashing. Many brands provide instructions on their website for washing and care instructions.
Switching from disposable menstrual pads to cloth pads has an incredible effect on women and girls in parts of the world where access is limited or nonexistent, saving thousands from landfill each month and decreasing dependence on costly sanitary products made with chemicals. Disposable pads and tampons are among the most polluting consumables out there, contributing to immense amounts of waste in landfills, rivers, and seas.
