What type of period product is right for me?

Menstruation is another term for what you may call a “period.” Periods occur about once a month, although this may vary from person to person. There are several products that can be used during a period. These products include sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and period underwear.

Sanitary pads (often called pads)

• Pads are pieces of absorbent material that stick to the inside of your underwear. They are commonly made of disposable material but sometimes they are reusable.
• They can come with wings or flaps that fold down to offer better coverage.
• Pads come in many sizes that are listed by number. You can check the chart on a box of pads to make sure that the size is right for you. The size is based on the size of your underwear and how heavy your period is. Generally, lower numbers work for lighter periods and daytime. Higher numbers work for heavier periods and nighttime.
• A pad may be right for you when:
  • You don’t plan to be very active
  • You have a lighter flow
  • You don’t feel like inserting a product into your vagina

 Tampons

• Tampons are cotton plugs on a string that soak up menstrual blood. They go inside your vagina with the string hanging out for easy removal.
• Sometimes tampons have an applicator for easy insertion. The applicator is usually a piece of plastic that holds the cotton plug. To use the applicator, insert the applicator into your vagina and push the smaller cylinder into the larger cylinder. Then pull out only the plastic applicator, leaving the tampon behind.
• Tampons cannot get stuck inside of you. They are a good option for sporting and water activities.
• A tampon may be right for you when:
  • You plan to be active or in the water
  • You have a heavier flow
  • You don’t like the feeling of a bulky sanitary pad

Menstrual cups

• Menstrual cups are shaped like a bell. They are made of rubber, silicone, or soft plastic. The cup goes in your vagina like a tampon. Rather than soak up blood, the cup collects blood in a bowl. When you remove the cup, the blood can be disposed of in the toilet or rinsed down in the sink.
• In most cases, menstrual cups are reusable. To reuse a cup, empty its contents and wash it before putting it back in your vagina.
• You cannot use an IUD and a menstrual cup at the same time, as a cup may move an IUD out of place.
• Menstrual cups cannot get stuck inside you. They are a good option for sporting and water activities.
• A menstrual cup may be right for you when:
  • You plan to be active or in the water
  • You want a reusable product
  • You don’t have an IUD

Period Underwear

• Period underwear can be worn instead of regular underwear when a person is on their period. The underwear has extra layers of fabric that absorb blood.
• The underwear has different varieties depending on whether a person has a light, medium, or heavy flow.
• Period underwear may be right for you when:
  • You feel discomfort when using other period products
  • You are expecting your period to start
  • You are sleeping
  • You want extra protection while using a tampon or menstrual cup