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With only 2% of the population using tampons, she provided information about options. If youre just starting out, you may have to try a few sizes to see which one fits you the best. (2019). DOI: Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, And finally, gender-neutral menstrual products are now a thing, safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/healthandscience/cumulative-exposure-and-feminine-care-products/, health.clevelandclinic.org/is-toxic-shock-syndrome-still-a-risk-3-things-you-should-know/, unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-menstruation, youngwomenshealth.org/2013/03/28/period-products/, health.clevelandclinic.org/tired-of-tampons-here-are-pros-and-cons-of-menstrual-cups/, Menstrual Cups Work Just as Well as Tampons and Pads, How to Pick the Best Tampon Size for Your Needs. If you have a pet at home, make sure you throw tampons away in a trash can that your pet can't get into. So it's very important that you change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours, even if your period is light. Its important to remember to do this because you can sometimes forget you are using one. Other tampons can be put in using your fingers. Luckily, with a few simple guidelines, both pads and tampons are highly safe. The upfront cost is more than regular underwear. Again, theres nothing to hide here, but you also dont want to feel self-conscious all day. Sizes vary between brands so getting the right fit may take some (costly) trial and error. Tampons and pads both offer effective protection against menstrual flow, and which you choose depends largely on your own personal preference and lifestyle. Dont leave your tampon in for longer than 8 hours! advised Siriouthay. Manufacturers made changes to these products in the 1980s, and at least one brand of super-absorbent tampons was taken off the market. Pads are much more environmentally . A feeling of extreme weakness or dizziness, Always follow the directions on the label even if youve used tampons before.. Remove the applicator: Remove the applicator and discard it in the trash. Each of these options is reusable, meaning they have less of an environmental impact than disposable pads and tampons. Allergies can also cause irritation, discomfort and other symptoms, so if you find that this is the case then its a good idea to consult your doctor. They sometimes minimize the dangers of toxic shock syndrome and refuse to acknowledge that the pantyliner they have in their underwear to catch "excess flow" is actually just a glorified menstrual pad. Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening condition that happens from certain bacterial infections. You can get all different kinds of pads, from panty liners to some heavy-duty ones, depending on your flow and how often you want to change them. You cant feel them when theyre in properly. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Tampons and pads aren't the only two options by any meanssome girls prefer to use menstrual cups or even period pantiesbut they're certainly the two most common ways to handle your period. Theyre also less visible under clothing. Other tampons are inserted using a finger. Some of us use exclusively one kind of product; many of us use a mix. In order to be effective, however, it is important to select the right size and absorbency for your flow and to change the tampon regularly (at least every four to eight hours). Those wretched, bulky layers of plastic that ended up in my underwear every month made the whole process very uncomfortable. Maxi pads can shift or bunch up and cause accidents that we really can't afford to have! Today, tampons typically consist of a small cotton stick with a string attached to one end. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below? Yes, pads usually hold more blood than tampons. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. She cautioned, however, to remember never to use a tampon with a higher absorbency than you need, and to make sure to change your tampon every four to eight hours to reduce your risk of TSS. In high school people didnt talk about periods much, but when they did it was always about tampons. According to a 2017 report from Period Helper a Chinese . Tampons are associated with an increased risk of a rare condition called toxic shock syndrome. If this doesnt seem to be the issue, then its possible that you might be allergic to the materials within the tampon. Use the lowest absorbency tampon you can. Theyre more flexible and less bulky than most pads. If youre just starting out, you might find it easier to use an applicator which is a plastic or cardboard tube that helps you guide the tampon into your vagina., Tampons usually have a string attached to one end. "Super" generally means that variety is for heavy flow. She let women in China know that, yes, there are ways to swim while you have your period. Tampons, on the other hand, are designed to be inserted into the vagina during menstruation and absorb the menstrual flow. Review the pros and cons for pads and tampons and decide which one works best for based on your lifestyle and personal choice., Cleveland Clinic: "Are Scented Tampons and Pads Bad for You? Like other menstrual products, cups have their pros and cons, but the pros are pretty impressive. While tampons can be a convenient option to wear during the day, they do carry the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) a rare but potentially severe complication caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Others may feel more secure and less exposed with pads, since tampons are internally worn and can be difficult to locate if they are accidentally forgotten inside. Required fields are marked *. It also helps to first try a tampon on a heavier flow day, so that the tampon slips in easier. The tampons vs. pads debate has been around for what feels like forever. From Super Light (half to a full tampon), Moderate-Heavy (2-3 tampons), to Maxi 24 hours (10 tampons), and levels in between, you can find exactly what you need for every day of your period. Tampons are a popular menstrual product choice for women during their periods. But while Chinese women have embraced the convenience and comfort of the modern, disposable sanitary pad since its introduction to the Chinese mainland in the 1980s, tampons which by nature allow women to participate in more strenuous activities than pads have yet to catch on. It can take some time for you to experiment with what products are right for you. On this occasion, however, a happy consequence of Yuanhuis comments is that she has shed light on options. But a small, angry, and vocal minority of tampon users outshout everyone else. Some tampons dont have applicators, and menstruators simply push these into their vaginas using their fingers. We include products we think are useful for our readers. It's unclear how tampons came to enjoy such prestige, even if that power doesn't translate into numbers. The opening of the cervix (at the top of the vagina) is just too tiny for a tampon to get through. You cant wear pads as easily when youre swimming. Tampon usage also retains an ick factor. They're also less visible under clothing. Some women prefer menstrual cups because they are a tampon alternative that can be safely worn up to 12 hours. Toxic shock syndrome. There was a long period of time in my life where I all wanted to do was bleed out of my front hole, and catch it with a napkin. To Padable, tampon and pad-users everywhere: we're proud of you too. Many girls wonder: how do you put them in? Theyre more breathable than regular pads. This can cause gray, white, or green discharge, a fishy-smelling odor, itching, and burning during urination. If youre comfortable using tampons, but not inserting them with your fingers, you may want to choose tampons with applicators. "Why do you want to wear an adult diaper?" Are you comfortable inserting something inside yourself, or would you rather let the blood collect into a pad? A place where period activism is out, is proud. Luckily, that can't happen. Pads are directly placed onto the underwear and are designed to catch and absorb menstrual blood. tampon loyalists will ask. A place where Ani DiFrancos Blood in the Boardroom plays on a ceaseless loop. Padable told me. You can also reduce waste by choosing tampons without applicators. I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons. They are confident that their hygiene product is the superior one. And we dont have to be embarrassed or ashamed of not wanting to do an activity because of our menstruation or menstrual cramps, either. They come in lots of options to accommodate changes in your flow and activities. Warner Bros. Your email address will not be published. Sometimes, pads are called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. When you start having your period, you can use a pad or tampon to soak up the menstrual blood. When selecting a tampon, its important to choose one that is suitable for your individual needs. Once inside your vagina, they absorb blood and when you are ready to take it out, you can pull on the dangling string. Tampons are a good option because they are small, nearly invisible, and swim-safe but they can be hard to insert and may carry the risk of vaginal irritation or toxic shock syndrome. Like pads, tampons come in different sizes for heavier and lighter periods. Others find menstrual pads less comfortable. With proper care and cleaning, a menstrual cup can last up to 10 years, making them a great economical choice. Or maybe it's because tampons are sleek and sexy, built like supermodels, and pads are broad-shouldered, aka, "body positive.". Additionally, since they are absorbent, they minimize the risk of leaking or staining clothing or other fabrics. 1995-2023. Calling all Disney adults and 'Titanic' fanatics. ", Mayo Clinic: "Bacterial vaginosis," "Toxic shock syndrome," "Yeast infection (vaginal). Let's start by explaining what each one is. In China as a developing nation with a very different culture around periods it makes sense that tampon use is low. Additionally, some female swimmers will choose to refrain from swimming during their period altogether, opting for other forms of physical activity such as yoga or light running. The period game is about more than tampons vs. pads. The labelling on your pad's packaging will usually tell you details of the size and whether its right for light or heavy period blood flow.. If the tampon is not inserted far enough, it will not be able to grab onto the blood that is flowing. The cervix which is a tissue seen at the opening at the top of the vagina is too tiny for your tampon to pass through. Dear Chris, You're not so strange. You can expect to pay around $0.13 to $0.20 per tampon for a plastic applicator. Your email address will not be published. Spread your knees farther apart than you usually might, so that you have maximum access and visibility while you figure this out, or you can squat and sit like a frog on the toilet seat. Wear a pad and you can be (relatively) assured that you won't ruin a whole set of underwear. It also means less landfill waste and fewer trees being cut down to make paper-based options and packaging. ", OB-GYN University of Colorado: "How To Insert A Tampon. Instead of segregating ourselves into pad and tampons camps, or even other hygiene products like diva cups and Thinx, we can build a common cultural conversation around the issues that really matter: Ruined underwear, painful cramps, or accidentally bleeding all over your office chair while you're at work. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Many girls switch back and forth: Sometimes they use tampons and sometimes they use pads, depending on the situation, where they're going to be, and their menstrual flow. Specially designed for heavy flow days, these pads feature special FlexFoam technology for a thin and flexible pad you can barely feel. Tampons are often the dreaded marker of womanhood, but you'll soon learn there's nothing to be afraid of and they actually make life much easier during your time of the month.