Menstrual hygiene products are essential in managing periods cleanly and with dignity; yet they’re often considered luxurious items and taxed accordingly.
School districts and other organizations can help break this stigma by offering easily accessible and cost-effective period products for women and girls. Here is some key information about available menstrual hygiene products:.
Pads
Pads are small pieces of absorbent material designed to rest inside your underwear and catch menstrual blood. Made of both natural and synthetic fibers, they come in different sizes and types for every flow cycle and should be changed out every 3-5 hours or as necessary to prevent odor build-up and bacteria buildup. Regular replacement will prevent this buildup of bacteria which could otherwise contribute to unpleasant odor.
Many women opt for organic pads or reusable cloth pads as an environmentally friendly option, which can be easily washed and dried like other laundry. Plus, unlike disposable pads they do not produce any harmful toxins that could pose potential dangers.
Most women and girls require access to high-quality menstrual hygiene products in order to manage their periods hygienically and with confidence, especially those living without water or limited access. Offering free pads and tampons through a Citron Hygiene Aunt Flow period vending machine will give your washroom users a sense of support and care.
Tampons
Tampons, unlike pads, rest within the vagina and absorb menstrual blood directly. Constructed of highly absorbent materials pressed into cylindrical forms and come in various sizes and absorbencies – ideal for light days of menstruation while heavier flows necessitate higher absorbencies for night-time usage.
To use a tampon properly, it’s important to first wash your hands and get into an ergonomically correct position – such as squatting on a toilet seat or chair or sitting with one leg up on either the toilet seat or chair – then inserting your tampon with either an applicator (if available) or your fingers (if present).
Change your tampon every 4-6 hours to lower your risk for toxic shock syndrome and avoid leaving it overnight. Menstrual hygiene stores carry FDA-cleared tampons made from cotton, rayon or combination materials and bleached using methods that do not produce dangerous levels of dioxin.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are reusable products designed to reduce infection, leakage and irritation during menstruation. Constructed of soft materials like silicone, menstrual cups can be easily inserted by inserting their stem and rolling the cup around its base until a seal forms, much like using a tampon.
Menstrual cups can be inserted while standing, squatting or lying down and removed by grasping and pinching its end until you hear a crack as its seal breaks, allowing for removal. While learning how to use one may take some getting used to, once they do most people are very satisfied with their results.
Menstrual cups are reusable products, meaning less waste to landfills and fewer trees cut down for paper tampon production. You can clean menstrual cups using soap and water or an eco-friendly product dedicated to menstrual cups; always follow your specific cup’s cleaning and storage directions when doing this task.
Menstrual Underwear
These newer products may look similar to regular underwear on the outside, but their hidden area provides menstrual protection. Our tests showed they absorbed fluid well without leakage or ripping even after multiple cycles of washing, making these options highly recommended. They should typically be changed every 12 hours or as often as necessary in order to prevent odors and leakage issues.
Reusable period underwear offers women an alternative, more dignified menstrual experience while simultaneously being more eco-friendly and sustainable for the planet. Free from chemicals, they reduce plastic pollution as well as exposure to other potentially hazardous materials during menstruation.
Though these undergarments require more care than pads or tampons, they’re usually cheaper overall. To clean them easily, fill a basin with cold water and rinse the underwear until clear – no dryer necessary as heat could degrade its absorbent properties; air dry preferably. They can also be machine-washed – simply select delicate cycle to avoid staining other clothes in your laundry load.
