They must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before storing after your cycle. Menstrual cups are flexible devices made from silicone or rubber that are inserted into the vagina, with the aim of collecting menstrual blood. Changing pads many times in a day is easier than tampons. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. Reusable products arent for everyone, however: Menstrual cups can be difficult to insert for menstruators who arent as comfortable touching their own vaginas, and period panties require easy laundry access. 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? Your email address will not be published. Outside of Pete Evans-style medical information, a range of cultural and social reasons continue to dissuade tampon use. If youre going to try menstrual sponges, be sure you buy natural sea sponge, as some retailers sell synthetic sponges that are dyed and not necessarily safe. Ultimately, the decision of which product is more healthy comes down to personal preference. Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening condition that happens from certain bacterial infections. Thats something Siriouthay, who has menorrhagia, knows firsthand. Here are pros and cons of menstrual cups. 1995-2023. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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!) The biggest risk is viruses, such as hepatitis, which can be transmitted through dried blood for several days. Yet walk into your hip start-up's office bathroom or your school nurse's bathroom and (if you're lucky) you'll find a free bucket of tampons. The opening of the cervix (at the top of the vagina) is just too tiny for a tampon to get through. For feminists who spend any time online, the idea of period talk being forbidden is hilarious. You can also reduce waste by choosing tampons without applicators. Answer (1 of 23): Actually, neither! It is also suggested that menstrual cups are a better alternative for reducing the risk of TSS and other infections. Tampons were always uncomfortable. I don't understand what guys are afraid of when it comes to this. 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. This pressure can cause your body to naturally reduce the flow of blood from your uterus. Tampons come in a range of sizes, from light to heavy absorbencies; can be scented or unscented (though most gynecologists advise menstruators to choose unscented tampons), and can be made of 100% organic cotton or cotton/synthetic blends. Seventeen picks products that we think you'll love the most. It can take some time for you to experiment with what products are right for you. Additionally, it is much easier to use a pad versus a tampon, especially when it comes to disposal of the product. 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. With only 2% of the population using tampons, she provided information about options. But a tampon looks like a small tube. Prior to joining Mashable, Heather wrote regularly for UPROXX and GOOD Magazine, was published in The Daily Dot and VICE, and had her work featured in Entertainment Weekly, Jezebel, Mic, and Gawker. Everyone has their own preferences and comfort levels and not wanting to use tampons is just as valid as wanting to use them. We all want to make sure we have a safe and happy period. Only use tampons when you have your period. Tampons, on the other hand, are designed to be inserted into the vagina during menstruation and absorb the menstrual flow. Moreover, many people find pads to be more cost effective than tampons since they generally need to be replaced less frequently. That depends. Theyve come a long way since the bulky, diaper-esque pads you still hear horror stories about. How often should I change my tampon? 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. Others include menstrual cups, cloth pads, menstrual disks, free bleeding, and period panties like Thinx. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below? That's almost double the amount of maxi pads bought in comparison to tampons. Its important to remember to do this because you can sometimes forget you are using one. Of all the feminist alleyways one might stumble down online, a noteworthy one is the menstrual community. It served as a quiet tale of tampon use. You can also reduce waste by choosing tampons without applicators. 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. 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. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. A time when Girlfriend and Dolly were only seemed to publish stories about toxic shock syndrome. Double! Another potential explanation is that the tampon may be blocking the flow of blood from your uterus, disrupting the menstrual cycle. Either way, says Siriouthay, Periods shouldnt be taboo.. They believe those who choose pads are weak, anachronistic, regressive. A new initiative called . You can store tampons before and after use in an opaque plastic bag for privacy. A tampon is a small, cylindrical bundle made of cotton, rayon or a blend of cotton and rayon. One possible explanation is that your body may be reacting to the increase of pressure in your uterus when the tampon is inserted. Times have changed. One word of caution: frequently changing high-absorbency tampons can cause some vaginal chafing, so you may want to rely on high-absorbency pads or even menstrual cups. How often you change your pad depends on how heavy your flow is, but a good rule of thumb is to change it every three to four hours. I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons. Lauren Rosewarne does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Women are also pretty loyal to managing their periods how they always have. Another possibility could be that the tampon isnt inserted correctly. Tampons are compact and easy to transport especially if you go without the applicator, said Siriouthay. Sit on the toilet. Then, if today is the day, you'll be ready! Many period products contain plastics and harmful chemicals. Again, regular changing usually can manage any odor concerns. We want to avoid vaginal infections or materials that could harm our reproductive health. Theyre reusable and some last up to 6 months with proper care and cleaning. 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). 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. Yuanhuis story stood out for me not because of the cramps, but for the swimming-while-bleeding possibility. Should I use scented pads? Id also often hear Ive never used tampons confessions. Some women also prefer tampons because they're easier to carry and you . 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. Easy to use: Pads are easier to use than tampons. I had enough reasons to hate them. Tell the person you're dating that you use pads and watch their hopefully attractive face twist in revulsion. Menstrual pads are apparently an extremely confusing product for young men, according to one of the latest viral trends sweeping TikTok right now. Too cheap to buy a Tempur-pedic pillow? 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. These bacteria can enter the body through the vagina and cause illnesses.. 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. Firstly, pads are generally more comfortable to wear than tampons due to their design, allowing for more airflow and wicking away any moisture. No, but seriously: These guys don . Some tampons have applicators, which are plastic or cardboard tubes that help put the tampon in place. Calling all Disney adults and 'Titanic' fanatics. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. Pros. Changing pads often can cut down on any odor. advise menstruators to choose unscented tampons. You can expect to pay around $0.13 to $0.20 per tampon for a plastic applicator. In 2015, Euromonitor(Opens in a new tab), a market research firm, discovered that women aged 12-54 bought(Opens in a new tab), on average, 111 maxi pads in 2014 but just 66 tampons. We avoid using tertiary references. In the broader world, however and most certainly in the blokey realm of professional sport to bring blood out of the bathroom and into a mixed-company, live Olympic broadcast was outright shocking. Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission. For a lighter flow, get washable pantyliners, and for a heavier flow go for larger maxi pads. One version popularised by the fount of all quality urban legends: the world wide web claims theyre chock-full of asbestos, thus making you bleed more so you need to buy more tampons. Toketemu Ohwovorioleis a freelance writer for Insider. Washable Pads. Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to 'Wordle' #622. Some tips to remember for safe use tampons include: There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to menstrual care products. Even if you haven't started your period yet, it's a good idea to be prepared by carrying a few pads or tampons with you, just in case. Some girls find that a slender size, applicator-style tampon is easier to use when they first start their periods. Many girls start out using pads, but might want to use tampons when they do sports or go swimming. With pads, there is less of a risk for dryness, irritation, and exposure to toxic shock syndrome since the pad does not need to be inserted into your body as a tampon does. We break down why they don't and offer tips for soothing cramps regardless of what's causing them. The period game is about more than tampons vs. pads. Period panties, menstrual underwear whatever you call them, theyre a thing. Cramps Menstrual cups are a great alternative to tampons. The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox. You have to wash them, which can be an issue if you need to change them on the go. Required fields are marked *. In Rio, explaining her third-place swim, Yuanhui blamed it on cramps. Comfort is a personal preference, but there are some factors you may want to consider when choosing between tampons vs pads. These are not the same sponges you wash your dishes or tub with! Dont be afraid to mix it up to accommodate the stages of your cycle. It's possible to forget you have a tampon in and insert another one. Tampons, in their minds, are sleek, sophisticated feminine hygiene products made for modern women who have lots of sex. However, those who have sensitive internal organs and/or sensitivities to tampon products may find that tampons make cramps more painful. You should change your pad every 3 to 4 hours even if youre not having heavy periods. If your periods are heavy, the cup may runneth over long before the 12 hours. Incontinence pads are an economic, comfortable, discreet solution for many customers, but if you need more absorbency or prefer the security that full protection provides, a brief might be the best option.Like the Nexwear pads, our underwear provides no-fail protection, comfortable and . If this happens, just remove them as soon as possible. Nothing could be more personal, more intimate, than how women manage their periods. The Best Period Underwear Options for Any Situation. A tampon is made of absorbent material similar to a pad. Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Its important to note that not all cups are reusable, so be sure to read the label if you prefer a reusable cup. You should still remember to change the pads regularly., Cons. Tampons and pads are two of the most common menstrual products, and there is an unending debate about which is better for your time of the month. In contrast, Pads catch the blood outside the vagina, so theres no added discomfort from the pad itself.. You dont have to worry about them being visible (minus the whole issue of tampon strings in swimsuit). It is important to take the time to get comfortable, to use the right size tampon for your body, to use a water-based lubricant, and to practice relaxation techniques. Have someone take you to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible. It . And I used to hate 'that time of the month'. Send us your idea for a post and if we publish it, youll get $100 cash. Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. Ross A, et al. See you at your inbox! Those wretched, bulky layers of plastic that ended up in my underwear every month made the whole process very uncomfortable. You can't see it as you would with a pad, so be sure to remember when it's time to change to prevent spotting and leaks on your underwear. They were artificially . Tampons are a great option for women who swim or do other athletic activities. But when the sticky backing pulls at your pubes, its back to tampons again. While there are a plethora of options to choose from, including period panties and menstrual cups, many first-time menstruators will begin with tampons and menstrual pads. VanLeeuwen C, et al. Again, the decision is totally up to you and if you're still not sure which way to go, try out both and see what you like best. They are confident that their hygiene product is the superior one. (Take it from someone whos endured the horror of watching her pad float on by while swimming with friends.). Yes, pads usually hold more blood than tampons.

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