PERIOD PRODUCTS

PADS

TAMPONS

Pads are also known as sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. They are placed inside your underwear and absorb the blood using thick material. Some pads have wings which go over the edges of the underwear and help the pad stay in place.

Change your pad every 3-4 hours. If you have a heavy flow you may have to change your pad more often. This will lower your chance of bacterial infection and reduce odor. Wash your hands very well before and after changing your pad to decrease your risk of infection.

Disposable pads

Sticky side is on the bottom of the pad – peel off the paper strip covering the sticky side.
Place the sticky side down on the crotch of your underwear.
Pads with wings can be wrapped around the edges of the underwear.

Removal of Disposable Pads

Peel off the pad from the underwear.
Wrap the pad in toilet paper.
Throw the pad into a trash can or a disposal box.
DO NOT FLUSH PADS DOWN TOLIETS!

Reusable Pads

These pads are made from organic cotton or bamboo.
Pads are attached to a girl’s underwear (Snap on or clip on).
Pads are washed each time after use.
These pads are more cost-effective because of the reusability.

Ultra Thin Pads

Thin pads that absorb your blood
Various sizes
Provide more comfort compared to Maxi Pads

Maxi Pads

Thicker pads – you can see the cotton layers!
Greatest blood absorbency level

Overnight Pads

Used for overnight protection when sleeping
Super absorbent so there is a lower chance of leaking

When choosing your pad, select pads that support your flow and help you feel comfortable. Also, make sure the pad is not made of toxic materials and does not irritate your skin.

Tampons are small tubes made of absorbent material that are inserted into your vagina and absorb blood and fluids internally from your vagina. Tampons can be inserted using an applicator, a plastic or cardboard tube that will help you put the tampon into your vagina, or without an applicator, which is just a tampon that gets inserted directly into your vagina. Tampons come with or without deodorant. However, a tampon with deodorant is not necessary if you change your tampon often. Changing your tampon often will reduce odor. Deodorant in tampons can lead to irritation in the vagina and an allergic reaction in some girls.

Make sure to wash your hands before inserting or removing a tampon to decrease your risk of bacteria in your vaginal area. For insertion, read the instructions that go with the tampons to insert the tampon into vagina properly. The string attached to the tampon should be on the outside of your vagina so you can remove the tampon later. Change the tampon every 4-6 hours when the tampon is soaked with blood. Pull gently on the string downward and keep the tampon parallel to the opening of your vagina. Wrap the tampon in toilet paper and throw it in the trash. Do not flush tampons down the toilet! It is very important to change your tampon often as leaving your tampon in all day will increase your risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.

PANTILINERS

MENSTRUAL CUPS

Pantiliners are thinner pads that are used for absorbing vaginal discharge or a lighter flow. They keep the underwear dry and clean and help stop stains and moisture from forming. Pantiliners can also help with adult incontinence and postpartum bleeding called lochia.

Pantiliners can be worn before or after your period but not when you experience a heavy flow. Use a liner that is breathable so airflow can continue and your clothes will feel dry. Using pantiliners that have an airtight layer will block air circulation to the reproductive organs which prevents sweat from evaporating. Pantiliners can potentially cause itching because they rub against the labia, and some pantiliners are scented which may irritate the tissues around the vagina.

There are small pantiliners and larger ones used to collect heavy vaginal discharge and light period flow. Disposable pantiliners have a sticky side so they will stay in place. Some designs have wings that wrap around your underwear. Reusable cloth pantiliners are also an option. They can be reused and washed for a few years. They come with wings that will wrap around and snap together at the ends.

A menstrual cup is a reusable period product that is typically made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, or latex and gets folded and inserted internally at the vaginal wall to collect blood. The cup will catch the blood before it releases out of the vagina. Cups can be kept in for 12 hours, but this may vary based on the heaviness of your flow, cervix height, cup size, and physical activities that you do every day. Your cup may need to be changed more often if you have a heavier flow or a smaller menstrual cup.

Insertion:

Wash your hands thoroughly and rinse the cup to get rid of any debris. The cup should be clean before use. When inserting the cup you should be in a good position. Fold the cup based on the recommended folding method. Insert the cup into your vagina and insert it towards the back and slightly upward. The cup should unfold all the way and a barrier is created against your vaginal walls.

Removal:

Wash your hands before removing your cup. Pinch the base of the cup. The suction seal will break, and the cup will be wiggled out. Try not to pull on the stem. Poor the blood into the toilet and go urinate after the cup is removed. Rinse the cup with clean, lukewarm water before reusing. Do not use harsh soaps or douches to clean the menstrual cup as irritation of the vagina may result from that.

After your period cycle has ended completely, put the cup in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Use one pot designated for boiling your menstrual cup. Make sure the cup is fully dry before placing it in a container or breathable fabric bag. Make sure not to store the cup in an airtight container as that may cause bacteria to grow or mold to form.

Menstrual cups last for a decade making the cups an eco-friendly and a cost-friendly option. The cups hold more blood and fluids than tampons or pads so you can wear the cup longer. There is excellent leak protection even when doing physical activities, and the cup is made of stretchy materials which allows comfort and a greater range of motion compared to other period products.

Just like tampons, there is a slight risk of TSS with menstrual cups.

MENSTRUAL DISCS

PERIOD UNDERWEAR

Menstrual Discs are usually made of flexible materials including medical-grade silicone and are inserted between the space behind your cervix and the pubic bone. Blood and fluids will go into the disc. The discs can be worn for up to 12 hours. There are reusable discs and disposable discs.

Benefits of menstrual discs include:

Holds more blood and fluids as compared to tampons and pads so that they can be worn longer
Comfortable when worn
Less messy when removing

Before using a new menstrual disc, boil it in hot water to remove any germs from manufacturing.

Before inserting or removing your menstrual disc, wash your hands very well with soap and warm water to prevent bacteria from growing in your vaginal area. When inserting your menstrual disc, fold the disc properly and aim the disc at the cervix.

After using the disc and removing it, put the blood and fluids in the toilet or sink and wash the disc very well with water to remove any other blood or fluids. Mild, unscented soap can be used for cleaning. Menstrual disc cleansers are also available and can be used to clean your menstrual disc. Do not use harsh soaps, fragrances, or douches to clean your disc.

Boiling the disc in hot water at the beginning and end of your period is important. Use a specific clean pot just for boiling the disc and make sure the disc is fully immersed in the boiling water. Do not leave the disc in the boiling water for too long to prevent material damage. After the disc dries completely, make sure to store the disc in a clean, breathable container so no dust and contamination will be able to affect it. Try not to use an airtight container because the disc needs to be kept dry and have air circulation.

Make sure to replace your disk every few years as they wear out over time. Look at the disc everyday and see if there is damage to it. Replace the disc as soon as possible when you notice damage.

Period underwear is a reusable period product that collects the blood and fluids while keeping you dry. You wear it like a regular pair of underwear. The underwear traps the period blood to stop leaks. They are made with a moisture barrier, helping you feel dry. It also has an extra layer of permeable fabric to stop leaks from happening which helps you feel dry and comfortable. Some types of period underwear have a space to put a pad which is beneficial for overnight use of your period underwear.

Period underwear is environmentally friendly as it is reusable. It is cost effective as you do not have to worry about continuously buying disposable products which saves money in the long run.

Make sure to change the period underwear every 8-12 hours or at least once a day. Although some types of period underwear have an antimicrobial layer to decrease odor, changing the underwear daily will help you stay fresh. Make sure to wash the underwear daily.

To wash your period underwear, start by rinsing the underwear in cold water to remove any extra blood. Then follow the instructions from the manufacturer to wash your underwear. If there are some hard stains to remove, you can use a natural stain remover to remove the stains before washing it. To dry your underwear, you can air dry them or you can follow instructions from your manufacturer. Make sure to put the underwear in a clean and dry place until you use it again.

Unfortunately, some types of period underwear contain high levels of PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on the outer and inner absorbent layers. PFAS is also known as forever chemicals used to make products heat, oil, stain, and water resistant.

High levels of exposure to PFAS can cause health issues including:

Increased risk for certain cancers, pregnancy problems, lower birth weight for newborns, increased cholesterol, and changes in your liver enzymes.

When buying period underwear, the product label should say PFAS free. Brands that say PFOA free are not completely beneficial as only some PFAS chemicals are removed.