If you have a uterus, then you’re aware that once a month, it’s a red sea down there. Now, when I first got my period, the only period product I knew about was the sanitary pad. But geniuses out there have started to introduce a variety of new period products, and some of them, to be honest, are just scary to me. So, today, let’s have a brief look at the various period products sold on the market.
If you’re new to this whole period conversation, then maybe this article will help you choose which product you think will be a comfortable choice for your vajayjay. You never know when your period is going to bombard your life – like, you could be having the time of your life in a tiny bikini by the beach or a pool and BAM! It decides that this will be the right time to start bleeding. But there are products that may help you overcome these situations.
1. Sanitary Pads
The most basic product and the one that I grew up wearing, also a first-timer’s best friend – the good old sanitary pad. Nothing can go wrong with this one, except, maybe, flooding. Sanitary pads are the ones which you attach to the insides if your underwear. The sanitary pad is made up of layers of absorbent material that helps absorb menstrual blood.
Over the years, sanitary pads have evolved in terms of types and designs, and you can now choose a pad you would want to purchase. My mum used to tell me how, back in her day, you would just head to a shop and get a packet of sanitary pads and that’s it. Today, fortunately, we can choose the type of pads we like from various ranges (like heavy flow), to size, length (cm), winged pads and so on. Pretty awesome!
If you are comfortable with just wearing a pad on your bloody days, then sanitary pads are what you should opt for. There are pads that come in various sizes and abilities to absorb, so you can pick one depending on your type of blood flow. Sanitary pads must be changed within a few hours for hygiene purposes.
Find out more on sanitary pads and their prices right here!
2. Tampons
This is more of an internal usage product. Unlike the pad, which you wear on the outside, the tampon has to be inserted into the vaginal canal. I know – when I first found out about tampons, my initial reaction was, “Why?”, but then again, there are situations where pads just don’t seem to come in handy and I guess tampons could help.
The tampon is made up of similar materials like the pad, but the usage is where it differs. There is a certain technique to inserting a tampon and not everyone is comfortable having something inside them when their uterus is in a bloody war. This may take multiple tries and you may have to research a little here. There is a YouTube video embedded above which may help you understand the process a little better.
Tampons work by absorbing menstrual blood from the inside and can be left inside your vajayjay for a few hours. When you are going to take it out, just gently pull on the string hanging outside and it should come out alright. Leaks are pretty common when wearing tampons, so additionally, you would want to wear a pantyliner just in case.
Tampons are considered more handy-dandy, not only because of its size, but also its comfortability. Tampons are more comfortable to sit with and they don’t get as messy as pads. However, just like pads, tampons aren’t the most eco-friendly product out there on the market.
Find out more on tampons right here!
3. Menstrual Cups
Right, if you thought tampons are weird and scary, here’s another product. I guess, one fine day, someone just decided that instead of pads and tampons, let the ladies insert cups into their vajayjays. A lot of women these days prefer menstrual cups over pads and tampons. Menstrual cups are a small silicone or latex cup that can be folded and inserted into the vagina so it can rest on the vaginal wall where it stays and collects the blood. At the end of the day, when you are about to remove the cup, simply pull it out and get rid of the blood collected inside the cup, wash it really well, and re-use it.
This one is a little tough to master, but once you get the hang of it, there shouldn’t be leakages. At the end of your menstrual cycle, do sterilize it in hot water. The cups can stay inside of you for up to 12 hours and should be replaced after that.
This is by far the most eco-friendly product you can get from the market if you are looking for an environmentally friendly choice. It’s also wallet-friendly, cause a one-time purchase can last you longer than the sanitary pads and tampons. But, honey, if you ask me, I ain’t brave enough to insert a cup down there when it’s already a bloody mess.
Find out more on menstrual cups and their prices right here!
4. Menstrual Discs
Similar to the menstrual cup in appearance and function, the menstrual disc is also made out of plastic or silicone and is inserted into the vagina, where it rests on the base of the cervix. It can stay in the vagina for up to 12 hours and works by collecting the blood inside the disc.
Just like the menstrual cup, once you are done with it, you have to pull it out and empty its content. The menstrual disc however, is not reusable and not so environmentally or cost-friendly. One notable benefit of a menstrual disc is that it can stay inside the vagina while you have sex, unlike the tampon and menstrual cup. Some women have also said that after using a menstrual disc, they experience less painful periods.
Find out more on menstrual discs right here!
5. Period Underwear
And here we have the newest edition to the family, period underwear. Period underwear looks like regular undies, except it has an absorbent layer which kind of acts like a built-in pad. It prevents leakage and is washable as well as reusable.
Good quality period underwear will even prevent odours from emitting during your bloody days. It’s the most sustainable option among all the period products out there. A plus point for this is you will not have to insert anything, rather, just wear it as you would wear your regular undies. Some women tend to have heavier flow and would prefer wearing thicker pads or double-layer the pads. The period underwear is evolving in such a way that one piece is strong enough to prevent leakage and absorb the menstrual blood better.
However, being so comfortable and eco-friendly, they of course aren’t the cheapest option either. But then again, it is worth the money compared to all the money wasted on pads and tampons.
More on period underwear right here!
So there ya go girls – all the period products out there on the market, as of today. You have a variety of amazing period products to choose from to assist you with that time of the month.
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