Everything You Want to Know About Period Products

Disposable Pads

How they work:

Cotton pads that stick to your underwear to soak up blood

PROS:

• Easy to use – they are a great choice for beginners!
• Available in many different sizes and levels of absorbency (the amount of blood they can soak up) to align with how heavy or light your flow is during your period
• Can be safely worn overnight while sleeping
• Widely available – can be purchased at any supermarket and pharmacy as well as most small convenience stores
• Typically provide reliable protection
• Some come with “wings” to keep the pad in place and prevent leakage

CONS:

• They are single-use items that you throw in the trash after a few hours
• Not eco-friendly
• Should be changed every 3-4 hours, or as needed depending on your flow
• Can be restrictive for certain activities like exercise (swimming is not an option!)
• Leaking is possible, especially at night if you have a heavy flow or move around a lot
• Costly because supplies need to be purchased each month

Reusable Pads

How they work:

Cloth pads that you can wash and reuse after every use

PROS:

• Eco-friendly
• Last a long time – at least 2 years, and many women use them far longer
• Feel soft against skin, which many girls love (girls with sensory sensitivities may particularly appreciate the feel of cloth)
• Cute! They come in a huge array of colors, patterns, and designs; you can even learn to sew your own if you want a customized pad that’s just your style!

CONS:

• Will you be able to change your cloth pad during the day, store the used pad discreetly, and then remember to wash it at the end of the day?
• It is recommended that after using the pad, you rinse it, soak it overnight, and then wash it
• Should be changed every 3-4 hours, or as needed depending on your flow
• You should buy or make enough pads for one full cycle to make sure you don’t run out if you fall behind on washing them
• The upfront cost can seem quite steep – keep in mind though that you will save money over the long run because they are reusable

Tampons

How they work:

Pieces of cotton or rayon, or a blend of both, with a string at one end that you insert into your vagina to soak up blood; the string is used to pull the tampon out, which you should do at least every 8 hours

PROS:

• Available in varying levels of absorbency for heavy and light days
• You can swim and exercise comfortably using tampons
• You don’t feel the “wet” sensation of blood commonly experienced with pads
• Convenient – small, easy to discretely pack in your bag or pocket

CONS:

• Insertion can take a few tries to get used to for newbies
• Leaving a tampon in for too long can put you at risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but very dangerous bacterial infection
• Leaking is possible when the tampon gets full before you change it
• Can clog toilets and pipes, so wrap the tampon in toilet paper and dispose of it in the trash instead of flushing it!
• If your tampon is not full upon removal, it might feel uncomfortable because the dry cotton is scraping the inner lining of your vagina – ouch!
• Costly because supplies need to be purchased each month

Menstrual Cups

How they work:

Soft, medical-grade silicone or rubber cups that are put into the vagina to catch the blood flow

PROS:

• Need to only be emptied every 8-12 hours; simply rinse under water and put it back in
• Can be reused for years with proper care
• Come in a variety of sizes and shapes; you can visit putacupinit.com for a quiz to help you find the right menstrual cup for you
• Menstrual cups are suitable for exercise and swimming
• Eco-friendly – you are able to drastically cut down on the number of menstrual products you use

CONS:

• It may take some time to figure out how to put it in and take it out
• You need to be really comfortable with inserting your fingers into your vagina to be able to insert and remove the cup
• Emptying and cleaning a cup away from home can be a bit awkward, especially for girls who are new to periods
• If you are squeamish about blood, this might not be the product for you as it requires emptying out and washing the cup after each use
• Range in price from $15-$40 – keep in mind though that a cup lasts several years

Reusable Period Underwear

How they work:

Absorbent underwear that looks and feels like regular underwear; can be used instead of pads or tampons when you have a light flow or as a back-up in combination with another period product when you have a heavy flow

PROS:

• Can be a solution for unpredictable spotting
• Eco-friendly compared to disposable menstrual products

CONS:

• Depending on your flow, these may only be a back-up to your normal period control if you have a heavy menstrual flow
• You may need to change your period underwear halfway through the day (and bring a waterproof bag for the used one)
• Not as comfortable as reusable pads
• You can’t swim with them
• Expensive – you’ll need quite a few pairs to make it through a menstrual cycle without having to constantly wash your underwear