United States citizens commonly opt for pads or tampons during their periods, but more women are embracing internal menstrual cups as an option during menstruation. Period underwear has also become an option among many.
These reusable options can reduce waste and lower risk of toxic shock syndrome while helping break the taboo surrounding menstruation.
The FDA Office of Women’s Health (OWH) supports research, provides education and outreach, and promotes menstrual equity1.1
Tampons
Tampons are an easy and effective way to absorb menstrual blood. Made of cotton or rayon and available in different sizes, tampons can easily be inserted with their built-in applicators; alternatively for those concerned about environmental impacts there are also versions without applicators available.
Tampon manufacturers employ an FDA-approved bleaching process without elemental chlorine to help minimize the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Their tampons are compressed before making contact with period blood so as to be less likely to disrupt or cause irritation of hymen or vaginal canal.
Each package of tampons provides instructions on how to properly use it, so it is crucial that your teen reads and understands these before beginning use of them. In addition, each package will detail different levels of absorbency available within them.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are reusable, bell-shaped devices designed to collect menstrual blood during periods. You can wear one all day or night and may need to empty more often depending on how heavy your flow is. Many brands provide online sizing guidelines so you can find one best suited to your body type.
These devices are specifically designed to hold more blood than their tampon counterparts, thus potentially reducing leakage and discomfort. Furthermore, their lack of cotton string makes them simpler and quicker to insert/remove. (2)
Menstrual cups take some practice to master, but once mastered they’re easy and cost-effective alternatives to tampons and pads. Not only can you buy them in bulk at lower costs; their construction also makes them suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies as they don’t produce waste like other options do (2).
Hygiene Kits
Low-income communities and those affected by natural disasters often struggle to access essential hygiene products. By offering hygiene kits as relief measures for people without these essentials, a gap is filled.
Menstrual kits help girls remain in school and restore their dignity and self-esteem while cleaning kits provide items to reduce exposure to germs, which helps reduce illness in disaster zones or impoverished regions. Hygiene kits reduce women’s risk of infection while protecting families against illness.
Assemble your kit by beginning with a clear resealable plastic bag and adding soap, shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and feminine hygiene items such as regular and super tampons as well as liners; donated hygiene kits are distributed through VA Representatives or Soldiers’ Angels attending Stand Down events; they may also be shipped overseas where disaster relief organizations assemble them on-site.
Underwear
Although underwear isn’t necessary to have healthy vulvae, wearing clean and comfortable undergarments can provide relief from discomfort, odor and infection. Cotton materials that don’t trap heat or moisture are ideal; choosing these can prevent yeast infections, vaginal itch/odor as well as prevent bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Underwear made of Lenzing Micro modal Air (also referred to as ammonia silk) is lightweight and breathable, as well as feeling soft against your skin despite repeated washings and wears.
Kelly-Jones emphasizes the importance of selecting underwear based on how it feels and performs, rather than style and design, when selecting garments for her clients. Going commando can help reduce yeast infections; changing and washing your underwear daily also prevents build-up of bacteria, viruses and yeast that could result in unpleasant odors.
