Choosing the Best Menstrual Products: Tampons, Cups, Pads, or Period Underwear

Menstruation is a cycle that is part of a reproductive system that prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. It is the shedding of the lining of the uterus or commonly known as the womb.

The first step in choosing which menstrual hygiene product fits you is knowing yourself and your period, as they can vary from woman to woman from the onset of menstruation to menopause.

Menstruation can be longer, shorter, lighter, or heavier. All are considered normal.

According to VeryWellHealth, there are several choices in sanitary protection products. Some women may find that a certain product is right for them, while others use different products depending on their flow and lifestyle.

Deciding on period supplies

Sanitary pads are rectangles of absorbent material attached to the underwear to absorb the menstrual blood. Some pads have extra material on the side called wings that are folded over the edges of the underwear to prevent leaking and to hold the pad in place.

According to Very Well Health, women used cotton rags or knitted washable menstrual pads before, not until Kotex pads were introduced in 1921.

Due to the increased environmental awareness over the last 30 years, reusable, washable menstrual pads are now available in the market.

Pads are changed every 3-4 hours despite a light flow to prevent bacteria and odor buildup. If you have a heavier flow, consider changing pads more often to ensure it doesn't leak, per Kids Health.

On the other hand, tampons are a better choice for women who are physically active as wearing such does not interfere with exercise or swimming and creates less mess.

Tampons absorb blood from inside the vagina. It is made of absorbent material but is compressed into a small tube. It also comes in different sizes and absorbencies for heavier and lighter periods.

Read Also: Menstruation Keeping Women From Sports And Exercise Research

Selecting comfortability

Chris Bobel, Ph.D., professor of women's gender and sexuality studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, explained that as people begin to discuss more openly and more often menstruation and menstrual health, they also share choices beyond what they assume to be the only method of care which are typically commercial pads and tampons.

Pads, tampons, period underwear, and menstrual cups reigned supreme around the 1920s and have also gained significant traction in the past few decades. The rise can be due to several factors like sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and a willingness to talk about menstruation in general.

Period underwear is a reusable alternative designed to handle different flows throughout a person's period and can help those who menstruate to move away from traditional pads.

Dr. Andrea Zuckerman, chief of pediatric and adolescent gynecology and vice chair of gynecology at Tufts Medical Center, said period underwear looks like normal underwear but is specially designed to absorb menstrual blood, per NBC News.

On the other hand, the menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina. Instead of absorbing blood, the cup catches it before it flows out of your vagina. These cups are made of flexible materials like rubber or silicone.

Choosing a type of period protection depends on you as flow, situations, and comfortability vary.

Related Article: Red Talk: Preparing the Daughter for Her First Menstrual Period