Period Hygiene
Managing your period is time-consuming and expensive, and we’ve all heard stories about wearing white pants on the wrong day. Many women carry the necessities around with them all the time—in case a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger in a public bathroom, might find herself in a messy predicament.
From tampons to menstrual cups, there are a number of feminine hygiene products to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Finding what works best for you might take some trial and error, and even then, there are matters of quality, sustainability, and cost to consider.
Your personal routine
Caring for your intimate area is especially important during that “time of the month”. Here are a few tips for managing your period:
- Be prepared. An emergency kit in your bag can be a godsend if your period happens to arrive early. Your hygiene products of choice, baby wipes, and an extra pair of underwear shouldn’t take up too much space—just make sure they’re in a sealable container to avoid contamination.
- Change your underwear daily. Avoid thongs and materials that don’t “breathe”. Cotton, for example, allows air to circulate, which is good for managing sweat and odors.
- Change/clean your menstrual products regularly, and note how much time each product is meant to spend in your body. This simple precaution can prevent everything from unfortunate leaks to serious infections. If you do experience a leak, rinse the fabric in cold water as soon as possible to avoid stains.
- Shower daily, and rinse your vulva (not your vagina) well with water or a mild intimate wash. It’s also recommended that you rinse or wipe down every time your change your pad/tampon/cup.
- Pay attention to how things smell down there. The period isn’t odorless, but if you notice an unusual or particularly strong smell, there could be an underlying cause you’ll want to address, such as an infection, or a forgotten tampon. If unsure how to proceed, visit your doctor.
Sanitary pads & panty liners
Also known as sanitary napkins and sanitary towels, pads are inserts worn between the body and the undergarments. One side absorbs period blood, while the other sticks to your underwear. Additionally, some have “wings” to hold the pad more securely in place. Panty liners can be considered the “lite” version of pads, and are useful in cases of very mild bleeding, spotting, and as back-up in combination with a tampon or menstrual cup.
One of the positive aspects of pads is that they come in many different shapes and sizes: for light and heavy bleeders, daytime and nighttime use. There are heavy-duty maternity pads and pads designed to be worn with a G-string. Pads and panty liners are the go-to product for women who don’t like the idea of sticking something up there, and for some—such as those suffering from vaginismus—pads are one of the few options they can comfortably use.
WomanLog
Period Tracker & Calendar
You can track your period using WomanLog. Download WomanLog now:
You can track your period using WomanLog. Download WomanLog now:
On the downside—pads, especially bigger ones, can be indiscreet with certain types of clothing, and can slip out of place during physical activity. Smells may also be more noticeable as fluids are collected outside the body. The absorbency of the pad may cause a feeling of dryness or irritation, and some perfumes manufacturers add to mask the odor can cause a reaction. Unlike tampons, pads and liners should not be used while swimming.
Disposable pads and liners are not recyclable, but there are cloth alternatives that can be washed and reused, usually made from cotton flannel or hemp. As these lack adhesive, most are secured with a button on the tip of each “wing”. The women who choose this option do so because it is cheaper, better for the environment, as well as allergen and perfume free.
Tampons
Tampons are compact plugs made from rayon, cotton, or a rayon/cotton blend. Inserted into the vagina, tampons expand as they absorb period blood. Most tampons have a string attached to the bottom for easy removal, and some come with a plastic or cardboard applicator to aid insertion.
There are different size and absorbency options to choose from. Smaller sizes may be more comfortable and easier to insert. A higher absorbency means the tampon can hold more blood, which might be more convenient for heavy bleeders, but if possible, use the lowest absorbency that meets your needs.
Your tampon should be changed every 4–6 hours. Leaving it in for longer (or using a very high-absorbency tampon) comes with the risk of toxic shock syndrome, or TSS.
Toxic shock syndrome is a serious condition caused by bacterial toxins. Symptoms include fever, rash, peeling skin, and low blood pressure. If left untreated or treated improperly, it can be fatal.
Menstrual cups
The menstrual cup is a flexible silicone container that is inserted into the vagina to collect period blood. Generally, they are bell-shaped, with a stem at the bottom for ease of insertion and removal. The cup is removed, emptied and rinsed every 4–12 hours (depending on the size of the cup and heaviness of the blood flow) before being inserted again. At the end of the period, the cup is boiled 5–10 minutes for sanitization, and then stored away until next month.
The silicone cup is folded for insertion. Once inside the vagina, it “pops open” to form a vacuum seal, which prevents it from leaking. There are different folds one can use, such as the C-fold (folding the cup in half to form a C-shape) and the punch-down (folding one side of the rim down and squeezing the sides together to hold it in place). When removing the cup, pinch the bottom to release the seal. Each cup comes with instructions, and there are many educational videos online.
Most brands offer two cup sizes, ranging from around 15 ml to 50 ml in capacity. Cups also differ in rigidity—firmer cups will open more easily and seal more reliably, but softer cups are more comfortable and may be easier to get used to. Your age, physical fitness, period intensity, and whether you have given birth should all be taken into consideration when choosing a menstrual cup.
Modern cups are considered the safest of all existing feminine hygiene products. Most brands use medical grade silicone (other options include latex and thermoplastic elastomer) for their cups, which has no measurable impact on the vaginal flora. Additionally, menstrual cups can last up to 10 years, making them cheaper and more environmentally friendly than most other options.
The first menstrual cup was patented and marketed in 1937 by Leona W. Chalmers, an American actress, author and inventor.
The invention didn’t fare well in the past as topics related to female fertility and sexuality were considered scandalous, and most women weren’t comfortable with the idea of cleaning and reinserting the cup.
There’s more
The world of feminine hygiene products has seen a lot of innovation over the past few decades. If none of the popular hygiene products work for you, consider these alternatives:
- The menstrual disc is similar to the menstrual cup in that it collects menstrual blood, but the disc is designed to sit at the very back of the vaginal canal, just beneath the cervix. Menstrual discs are made from hypoallergenic polymers that respond to body heat and mold to the shape of your body to create a reliable seal. One disc can collect up to 5x as much blood as a super-absorbent tampon and can be worn for up to 12 hours. One notable feature of the menstrual disc is that it can be worn during workouts and sexual intercourse. Both disposable and reusable versions are available.
- Menstrual sponges function much like tampons, but they advertise as more comfortable, pliable, and non-irritating. Sponges can be worn for up to 8 hours. Some brands offer wet and dry options—with intimate gel and without. Like menstrual discs, menstrual sponges can be worn during exercise and sex.
Please note that this is a recommendation for the artificially made menstrual sponges, not the natural sea sponges, which aren’t confirmed to be safe for this use.
- Period panties are just like regular panties, except they will absorb your period blood without feeling damp or heavy, and without leaking. Many women wear them in combination with menstrual cups, bypassing the need for disposable products—getting a set might seem pricey at first, but the panties pay for themselves in the long run. Period panties should be rinsed immediately after use and cold-washed on laundry day.
Women still spend thousands on period products over their lifetimes. It’s about time these necessities become cheaper, more comfortable, and more sustainable.
You can track your period using WomanLog. Download WomanLog now:
