Period Product Picks and Tips!
By: Kate Howard
Though periods can feel scary, messy, and downright annoying at times, we’re here to help you find what products work best for you! Whether you just had your first period, or you’ve had your period for years, we hope you can discover products that fit your flow, lifestyle, and period needs! Below we will explore the pros and cons of period products you might find at a local drugstore or pharmacy.
For your ease of reading, we’ve divided the list into two sections: internal and external period products. You can choose to wear any combination of internal and external period products, like wearing a pad and a tampon together for extra protection! It’s important to remember that you cannot wear more than one internal period product at the same time. For instance, it’s not safe or helpful to wear more than one tampon at a time or a tampon with a cup or disc!
Internal Period Products
Tampons!
Tampax Flow Chart!
Tampons are common, for good reason! Tampons were invented in the 1930’s and are popular among people of all ages and backgrounds. Most people who get periods remember how scary it was thinking about using a tampon for the first time. IT GOES WHERE?! Fear not, with a little practice, tampons can be easy, convenient, and great for those on-the-go days!
A tampon is a cotton cylinder with a string attached. It is inserted into the vagina using a plastic or cardboard applicator, then the cotton absorbs period blood. It is then removed by pulling on the string.
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Relatively easy to use
Come in different sizes, absorbencies, and applicator materials
Multiple brands/types targeted towards different flows and activities
Small and easy to carry around in a purse, bag, or pocket
Great for physical activity, including watersports
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They should be replaced every 6-8 hours. They may need to be replaced more frequently if you have a particularly heavy flow.
Not reusable and can create a lot of plastic waste.
Expensive. You will probably need to buy a new box every 1-2 months. The average person spends $50-$150 per YEAR on tampons! WOW!
Not recommended for sleeping.
Risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), which increases the longer you leave them in! (but thankfully, this is pretty rare!)
They can be uncomfortable for some users. Tampons can move around, especially during exercise.
There can be a bit of a learning curve when you first start using them!
CANNOT be worn during vaginal intercourse
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Always wash your hands before and after insertion and removal.
The cardboard or plastic applicator does not stay in your body. It is only used for insertion! The only part of the tampon that stays in your body is the cotton part. The string should hang out of the vagina, between the labia for easy removal.
Tampons can feel uncomfortable if you use the wrong size for your flow. If a tampon is uncomfortable, try using a smaller size.
If inserting the tampon is uncomfortable, try squatting or a different sized tampon.
If toilet paper is available, wrap your used tampon in toilet paper then dispose of it in a trashcan NOT a toilet. (Tampons are notorious for clogging pipes.)
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Menstrual Cups!
Menstrual cups, much like tampons, are worn internally and catch period blood. Though it may seem like menstrual cups are a new fad, the first patent for a menstrual cup was actually awarded in 1867! That’s a long time to perfect this awesome period product. Now we have new brands, forms, materials, and sizes to fit different individual needs.
A menstrual cup is a cup shaped device that is generally made of silicone or other types of rubber. They are folded and inserted into the vagina, where they create a seal and catch period blood. Once the cup is full, they are removed with a finger by breaking the seal and pouring the period blood into a toilet or sink.
Curious about the differences between menstrual cups and discs? Watch this super helpful video!
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Sustainable! Most brands are made to be washed and reused and can be kept for multiple years.
Lower cost! It's definitely cheaper than continuing to buy tampons and pads month after month.
Can be left for longer! Depending on your flow you can leave a cup in for up to 12 hours, but make sure to check instructions on your particular brand.
Great for physical activity, even watersports!
Less menstrual odor than tampons!
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Messier. Emptying the cup without causing a mess can take some practice!
They can be difficult to insert and remove when you first start using one
We all have different bodies. You may need to try a few to find the right fit.
Because it’s reusable, you will need to regularly sterilize your cup!
CANNOT be worn during vaginal intercourse.
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Menstrual Discs!
Menstrual discs are super similar to menstrual cups, but have a few key differences, including how they stay in the vaginal canal. Menstrual discs sit up by the cervix and create a bowl to catch blood whereas cups suction in the vaginal canal!
A menstrual disc is a concave disc made of silicone that is inserted into the vaginal canal. The disc sits at the base of the cervix and catches period blood!
Curious about the differences between menstrual cups and discs? Watch this super helpful video!
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Sustainable! Most brands are made to be washed and reused and can be kept for multiple years.
Lower cost! It's definitely cheaper than continuing to buy tampons and pads month after month.
Can be left for longer! Depending on your flow you can leave a disc in for up to 10-12 hours, but make sure to check instructions on your particular brand.
Great for physical activity, even watersports!
Less menstrual odor than tampons!
Self-empty feature! Because the disc is held in place by the pubic bone and muscles, the disc will self-empty when you relax and sit down to use the bathroom. Pretty cool.
Have a higher capacity for period blood than menstrual cups and tampons.
CAN be worn during vaginal intercourse!
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Messier than menstrual cups and tampons because they are sit higher up, closer to the cervix.
They can be difficult to insert and remove when you first start using one. These are generally more difficult to remove than menstrual cups.
We all have different bodies. You may need to try a few to find the right fit.
Because it’s reusable, you will need to regularly sterilize your disc!
Less well known than menstrual cups and tampons, so you will have less options when shopping around.
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Target Menstrual Disc
External Period Products
Pads
Pads, also known by the much less appealing name, “sanitary napkin”, are very popular and have been around in some form since pretty much the beginning of human history! Pads are a great place to start if you are not comfortable with or are not able to use internal products.
Single use pads are made of a strip of soft, absorbent material designed to be placed in underwear. They usually have an adhesive on the bottom and wings that wrap around your underwear to make the pad stay in place for as long as you need it to! Reusable pads are used in the same way but are made of cotton and have a snap on the wings instead of adhesive.
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Come in various absorbency levels! From slender and petite to overnight and super, you can always find the one that works for your needs.
Lower risk of infection and toxic shock syndrome
Easy to use! Just stick one in your underwear and you’re ready to go!
Can be used overnight for sleeping or for longer lengths of time
Can be used as backup with a tampon or other internal menstrual product.
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May cause irritation of the vulva and the skin of the groin if worn for long periods of time without being changed!
Can be bulky, especially if you are exercising. Also, you can’t wear these swimming unfortunately.
Can leak if moved around or soaked through
Can trap moisture and restrict airflow to the vulva
Can cause odors. Menstrual fluid odor is normal, but if you would like to avoid this, consider changing your pad more frequently.
Not reusable, so they’re not your most sustainable option. If you’re worried about this, check out reusable pads.
May need to buy a new pack every 1-2 months
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Always wash your hands before and after changing your pad.
When you’re done with a pad, wrap it up in toilet paper and dispose of it in the trash NOT the toilet. Like tampons, pads are really bad for pipes.
Consider changing your pad more frequently than you’d think to decrease the likelihood of leakage, irritation, and odor.
Buy the combo packs that have multiple absorbency levels to get you through your light and heavy days.
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Panty Liners
Panty liners are commonly used for lighter flows or as backup protection when using an internal menstrual product. They are often used to absorb everyday vaginal discharge, light spotting from your period, or post-intercourse discharge, but remember that discharge is completely normal, and you don’t need to wear a pantyliner to be “clean”.
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Similar a pad but not as bulky
Can add protection for accidental tampon leakage
Great for beginning and end of periods (lighter flows)
Better for exercising than a full pad.
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Limited absorption, so they’re not recommended for heavy flows
IF you decide to use them for discharge, excessive collection of discharge on liner can lead to infection. We recommend changing regularly.
Not sustainable or reusable, though they do make reusable cotton panty liners!
Can trap moisture and restrict airflow to vulva
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Period Underwear
Period underwear is a newer invention but has still been around for a little over 30 years. They are period-proof underwear that have been designed to soak up menstrual blood. They look the same as normal underwear and can be treated the same as well. Essentially, period underwear functions the same as a pad or panty liner without the bulk!
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Comfort. They are specially designed to be worn under clothing all day, without the bulk of a pad.
Leak- Proof. They are made with multiple layers of microfiber polyester and moisture wicking fabric to keep menstrual blood from leaking onto clothes.
Sustainable! These are fully reusable and can be washed in the washing machine.
Low maintenance. Like internal menstrual cups, they only need to be changed every 10-12 hours, and most are machine washable.
Versatility. They can be used for multiple activities, exercise, sports, some are specifically designed for swimming. And of course they are great for overnight protection.
Tons of different brands, sizes, and styles.
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Odor. Because your period is going to flow outside of your body, there's a chance you will smell it.
Washing. Some require handwashing which can be annoying and time consuming.
Changing in public. If your flow is heavier, some days you may want a backup pair and changing in public can be hassle.
Cost. Most period underwear ranges from $25-$45 each, which is a bit pricey if you want to solely use them as protection. You may need multiple pairs so you can put on fresh ones throughout the day, for multiple days. That could really add up!
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Always wash your hands when changing period underwear.
If you need to change them in public, keep a little baggie with you to keep your used underwear in. A Ziploc works best to keep mess and odor contained!
Depending on your flow, you may want to use an additional method to contain period blood.
Period undies are also really great for sweaty activities, like hiking, running, and biking!
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Menstrual care can be an awkward conversation sometimes and finding helpful information on it can be difficult. These products are a great start to finding what works best for you! If you have any more questions or are still feeling unsure of how to begin this process feel free to come into Bridgercare and talk to one of our providers about your options! Schedule your appointment today at Bridgercare.org or by calling 406-587-0681.