Menstrual hygiene products are an integral component of overall personal health for those experiencing periods; unfortunately, many don’t have enough money to afford these essential items – this phenomenon is known as period poverty.
Participants of AWHS employ various menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary pads, tampons, panty liners and internal menstrual cups for menstruation management. It is vital that proper disposal be ensured to avoid clogging pipes with waste products from menstruation.
Pads
Pads are rectangles of absorbent material designed to stick inside of underwear and provide extra absorbency when you have a heavy period or experience leakage. They’re especially helpful for sports, swimming and other physical activity as they won’t fall off like tampons; plus they pose less of a risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). They make a great option for first-timers or any who feel uncertain about using tampons because there’s less chance for accidental discharge than with other methods like TSS (toxic shock syndrome) syndrome when using pads instead.
To use a pad, take off its sticker at the bottom and press it onto your underwear. Some pads have wings that wrap around your underwear for extra security and to reduce odor. Change every four to six hours and wash hands afterward; panty liners, regular pads, maxi/super pads, overnight pads and even maternity pads may all be found available in various sizes.
To properly dispose of used pads, wrap it in toilet paper or the packaging from a fresh one before tossing it into your garbage can. Never flush a pad down the toilet; doing so could cause blockages and messy cleanups! Many brands offer special disposal bags designed for this task – or you could purchase reusable cloth pads made of materials like flannel and terry cloth that snap or clip onto underwear for easy disposal.
Tampons
Tampons are popular menstrual hygiene products made of small cotton tubes that can be inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. With various absorbencies available to suit light to heavy periods and even eco-friendly organic varieties available as an added bonus, tampons have quickly become a mainstay.
The fabric used to construct a tampon typically comprises cotton or rayon, while its applicator typically comprises plastic or cardboard tube. You can insert your tampon by holding its outer barrel while pressing down with your index finger on its inner part – when done so, a string will extend from its tip that can be pulled to remove it later on. For greater comfort during insertion and to reduce potential for germ transmission, water-based vaginal lubricant can make this step simpler.
Some women find tampons easier to manage their period than pads; choosing one that suits your personal preferences and lifestyle is key – consider factors like intensity of menstrual flow and daily activities when making this choice. You could use both options together if your menstrual cycle has become inconsistent; overusing tampons may increase risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are small receptacles designed to collect menstrual blood from within the vagina. As an alternative to pads or tampons, menstrual cups provide an efficient means of collecting your period. Most cups are composed of medical grade silicone or latex and come in small and large sizes; you can wash and sterilize these for reuse over and over again making it both affordable and eco-friendly!
Menstrual cups do not disturb your body’s natural pH balance or remove healthy bacteria, and may reduce risk of irritation and infection. Unlike tampons which absorb much liquid, menstrual cups do not sucked up any extra liquid and may leave less odor as the fluid remains contained within a nonporous material rather than exposed to air through pads or tampons.
Studies have revealed that when used properly, reusable menstrual cups can be as effective as tampons in terms of cost savings, with an added learning curve associated with inserting and sterilizing it between uses. Some individuals may encounter difficulty inserting it, necessitating practice runs in private toilets before beginning regular usage in public restrooms; changing cups also needs access to clean water or sink for emptying and sterilizing it between uses.
