"Differentiation between menstrual products is a personal choice as long as they are used as directed, either are efficacious," says Gaither. Theyre also great if your new to the world of menstruation or have a hard time wearing tampons. They can shift out of place and wrinkle up in the center when youre moving. A new initiative called . What You Need to Know About Vaginal Discharge, All of Your Questions About Hymens, Answered, The Average Age Teens Are Losing Their Virginity, Why Your Vagina is Dry and What to Do About It, Experts Weigh In on How to Use a Vibrator. Cue iron deficiency at best, exsanguination when it gets a little worse. Menstrual pads are apparently an extremely confusing product for young men, according to one of the latest viral trends sweeping TikTok right now. In some places online one wonders whether anything else is ever discussed. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. I don't understand what guys are afraid of when it comes to this. You insert it into your vagina with an applicator, or if it's a non-applicator tampon, you can just use your fingers. See you at your inbox! Do whatever it takes to make you happy and the people around you. (Take it from someone whos endured the horror of watching her pad float on by while swimming with friends.). Dont be afraid to mix it up to accommodate the stages of your cycle. Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome include:. How often should I change my tampon? Pads come in a number of different sizes, from light panty liners to long and thick overnight pads, and in a number of different materials, including synthetics, cotton, and banana leaf or bamboo. For a lighter flow, get washable pantyliners, and for a heavier flow go for larger maxi pads. A place where Ani DiFrancos Blood in the Boardroom plays on a ceaseless loop. You should change your pad every 3 to 4 hours even if youre not having heavy periods. However, tampons can be a great option for those who are more active and want to enjoy activities such as swimming without having to worry about leaks. All rights reserved. The choice to use tampons, pads, or a combination of both is a personal one. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By clicking 'Sign Up' you agree to receive marketing emails from PUBLIC GOODS. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com. 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. They are confident that their hygiene product is the superior one. The Best Period Underwear Options for Any Situation. You dont need to be a tampon user to see the obvious pros of tampons. That, by eschewing the more discreet option, renders them less feminist, less empowered, less hip. Or maybe it's because tampons are sleek and sexy, built like supermodels, and pads are broad-shouldered, aka, "body positive.". Though theres still have a lot of work to do, more and more companies are taking a more inclusive approach in the design and marketing of their products. Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Over time, though, I came to grow ashamed of my sanitary napkins as tampon users ascended and "pad-shaming" became more powerful. If you do prefer pads or tampons, however, Siriouthay said there are a few things you can do to make your period more sustainable. Many female swimmers will also take ibuprofen or a similar anti-inflammatory medication to help manage pain and discomfort caused by the period. Pads are rectangle-shaped pieces of absorbent material which you can stick onto the inside of your underwear. In contrast, Pads catch the blood outside the vagina, so theres no added discomfort from the pad itself..
Tampons vs. Pads: The Pros and Cons - Seventeen You can store tampons before and after use in an opaque plastic bag for privacy. Should I use scented pads? Some tampons have tampon applicators, thin plastic applicators or cardboard tubes that help users insert the tampons. In this article, well break down everything you need to know about the differences between pads and tampons. Toketemu Ohwovorioleis a freelance writer for Insider. If you do this, you increase your chances of getting a serious medical condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Theyre reusable and some last up to 6 months with proper care and cleaning. It is very common for people to struggle when first putting in a tampon, especially for those who were not properly taught how to do it. Their two-part design makes them less convenient for changing on the fly. Aside from the fact that picturing a hymen as a kind of football banner needing to be ploughed through is indicative of truly horrendous sex education, such an image perpetuates the harmful myth that virginity is all about an intact membrane. Just as Americans are often horrified to arrive in Australia and discover that we mostly go applicatorless, for many women even those who have read the Female Eunuch there just isnt a desire to get closer to ones uterus lining. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Free bleeding is having your period without wearing tampons, pads, or any other fluid barriers. Additionally, the hymen can sometimes be a barrier when first attempting to put in a tampon due to it being a thin membrane-like tissue located at the opening of the vagina. Tampons, on the other hand, are less bulky and tend to stay in place, meaning you dont have to worry as much about potential leaks. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. They contribute to a serious waste problem, building up in landfills and sometimes even washing up on beaches. Changing pads regularly also helps to control smells. 1 in 10 college students struggle to afford panty liners, pads, tampons, and other menstrual hygiene supplies, according to a recent study in BMC Women's Health journal. People with heavy periods and anyone who's ever woken up to a mess swears by them. They can rip or pull apart when youre removing them. Heather was the Web Trends reporter at Mashable NYC. Most don't. Does Peeing with a Tampon in Affect Urine Flow? You have to wash them, which can be an issue if you need to change them on the go. Change the pad about every 34 hours. Im always a bit conflicted about the deployment of a menstrual excuse: I think doing so has some unintended costs for women; for feminism. Pads offer a better option for those with heavier flow days, which may require changing more frequently than tampons. If the tampon is not inserted far enough, it will not be able to grab onto the blood that is flowing. The hymen can separate during tampon insertion and cause discomfort. Lastly, there may be religious or cultural concerns that discourage or prohibit the use of tampons. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. They're also great if your new to the world of menstruation or have a hard time wearing tampons. 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. Pads are usually made up of an absorbent material and they're designed to stick right on to your underwear. The tampons vs. pads debate has been around for what feels like forever. The amount and duration of your period is determined by a variety of factors and usually does not change with free bleeding. A small minority reject the binary and use both tampons and maxi-pad, or even diva cups and period underwear, alternating based on the flow of their period or how sexy they're feeling that day. There are, however, some common considerations that menstruators may want to think about when choosing the best products for them, including safety, comfort, lifestyle, and environmental impact. Pros. We may hear stigmatizing beliefs about our bodies, such as the notion that tampon use can take our virginity. Firstly, pads are generally more comfortable to wear than tampons due to their design, allowing for more airflow and wicking away any moisture. Nemours Children's Health and KidsHealth are registered trademarks of The Nemours Foundation. Tired of tampons? You can squat, put one leg up, or sit on the toilet with your knees apart. You may have trouble with fitting the cup if you have, Youll need to give it a thorough wash after each cycle, Though cheaper in the long term, the initial cost is roughly $25 to $40, depending on the brand, Some cups contain latex, so be sure to read the label if you have a, TTS from menstrual cups is possible when not used as directed, want to have sex during your period without the bleeding, are looking to reduce the environmental footprint of your cycle. Tampon usage also retains an ick factor.
It really depends on the person and what they prioritize in their menstrual care, said Siriouthay, who tests menstrual products.
Tampons, Pads or Menstrual Cups? What's Right for You? Things can get messy because you have to use your fingers to fish it out of your vagina, then dump and rinse it. Other girls like pads because they're easy to use, and it's easier to remember when to change them because you can see the blood on them. I had my periods when I was 13! Next up: her own show. Ross E. (2015). Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We take your words seriously. If you need help, tell a parent. By: Author Olin Wade (Remodel or Move Stuff). If youre not comfortable inserting something into your vagina, thats totally okayyou can choose to use pads instead. Nonfoux L, et al. Discovery to sue Paramount over 'South Park' streaming rights, Wordle today: Here's the answer, hints for March 3, Daters have a 'reality gap' about gender equality, Bumble says, The best Xbox controller out there is on sale get one while it lasts, Jenna Ortega channels Wednesday for 'Hot Ones', deadpans her way through spicy wings, Wordle today: Here's the answer, hints for March 4. They are comfortable and even recommended for women who engage in exercises like running, dancing, swimming, jogging, etc. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two most common products: tampons vs pads. Pads come in different sizes for heavier and lighter periods. The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox. A time when Girlfriend and Dolly were only seemed to publish stories about toxic shock syndrome. They create less waste in landfills than disposable products. ), hurting the environment (definitely true), and being old virgins (totally accurate, but that had nothing to do with the tampons). . .css-azif86{color:#000000;display:block;font-family:GTWalsheim,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-azif86:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}Are There Different Types of Vaginas? Luckily, that can't happen. Some may be slightly shorter in order to be better sized for travel or on-the-go use. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. It is also suggested that menstrual cups are a better alternative for reducing the risk of TSS and other infections. If you use tampons and get any of these symptoms, take out the tampon and tell an adult immediately. This means that your blood and other menstrual fluids will flow freely, just as they would without any protection. Pads can come in different sizes. Even though I didn't have my period at the time, I wanted to impress the other girls and show that I, too, was one of the cool ones, capable of getting knocked up by one of the popular loud boys. But nearly a century into commercial tampon availability in the West, where does our pad preference come from? Tampons are inserted into the body and expand to hold the menstrual blood. Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet they're too big and may back up the toilet and make a huge (embarrassing!) Because they are larger than tampons and can be worn for longer periods of time, they can typically absorb more blood than tampons. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below? Choosing the right menstrual product can be particularly challenging for people with heavy flows. Many users of the product are proudly tolerant or indifferent to the feminine hygiene choices of others. Figures are rubbery but in the United States it is estimated 42% of women use tampons (and likely not exclusively), compared to 62% using pads.
Pads and Tampons (for Kids) - Nemours KidsHealth Just dont!. Make sure to have one bag for clean tampons and another well-marked waste bag for used ones.
Tampons vs. Pads: Which Option is Better for You? | The Pill Club - Favor This pressure can cause your body to naturally reduce the flow of blood from your uterus.