• Help & Advice
  • Find a Service
    Close icon
Periods, My Body

Period products

There are lots of different options for collecting period blood, with different pros and cons. Find out about the various methods of managing your period to see which sounds right for you. 

There are lots of different options for collecting period blood which allow you to carry on with your day. They each have different pros and cons – it can take a few tries to find a type of period product (and within that type of product, a particular brand!) that works for you. Often, people mix and match different methods depending on where they are in their cycle and what their needs are during the day.

Everyone with a period should have access to period products and the choice of which product to use. Periods can be expensive but free period products are available for those who need them.

tampons in a diagonal pattern on a pale blue background

Tampons

Tampons are small tubes of soft cotton which has been pressed together. They are inserted into your vagina, using either the applicator, or your fingers.

They have a string attached to one end so you can pull them out after use. They can either come with an applicator (a plastic or cardboard tube used to help put them in), or without an applicator – make sure to check the box to see which kind it is.

Once the tampon is full of blood, or 8 hours have passed (whichever happens first), the tampon is removed and thrown away.

When choosing tampons, make sure to go for unscented versions, as the fragrances can upset the pH balance of your vagina and irritate the delicate skin of the vagina and vulva.

Bin it, don’t flush it!

Never flush away tampons, as they can block pipes and cause water pollution. Always throw used tampons and applicators in the bin.

Lots of toilets have special sanitary disposal bins, or you can wrap the tampon in toilet paper and then put into the nearest bin available. You can also buy small bags to put used tampons in as a discrete disposal option.

Pros

  • Many people find tampons are a comfortable option because once they are inserted you can’t feel them.
  • With practice they can be very easy and quick to use.
  • Tampons are invisible once they’re in, and their small size means they’re easy to keep in your bag or pocket until you need them.
  • Unlike some other types of period products, tampons can be worn while swimming.
  • Because they are inserted into the vagina and therefore don’t rely on anything external to stay in place, tampons can be worn with any type of underwear, or none at all!
  • Tampons are disposable, meaning they don’t need cleaning between uses.
  • They are easy to access from many local shops and pharmacies.
  • Tampons are relatively cheap to buy in the short term compared to some other products.
  • They come in different absorbency levels (e.g. light, regular, heavy) so you can find one that suits your flow. 

Cons

  • Tampons can be difficult to use, and can feel uncomfortable to insert and take out.
  • It can be hard to tell when they need changing as there are no visual cues to tell you when they are full of blood. This can make them prone to leaking if you don’t know your cycle that well yet.
  • Tampons aren’t the most environmentally friendly option because they aren’t reusable and often aren’t biodegradable. However, there are some companies which make organic, biodegradable tampons, but these can be a little bit more expensive.
  • The cost of using tampons can add up over time as you have to buy them for every period, compared to some methods which are reusable for many years.
  • Tampons can leave behind a residue and/or tiny cotton fibres inside the vagina. This can cause irritation and, occasionally, infection.
  • Leaving tampons in for too long can put you at increased risk of toxic shock syndrome, so it’s very important to change them regularly (usually at least every 4 to 8 hours) and to use the lowest absorbency suitable for your period.

How to use tampons

It can be tricky to learn how to use tampons at first, but it gets easier with practice! They can be kept in for up to eight hours at a time and come in different sizes, from light to heavy flow, for different times during your period.

Lil-lets has some great guides on how to use tampons:

Eco-friendly tip

To cut down on the amount of tampon applicators that you throw away, you can buy reusable applicators. To use these, you can put the tampon into the applicator, insert as normal, and then clean the applicator with soap and water in between uses.

Have you also considered non-applicator tampons or menstrual cups?

pile of sanitary pads

Pads and liners

Pads (sanitary towels) are liners made of materials which soak up liquids, which you can use to line your pants and ‘catch’ blood as it flows out.

Like tampons, they come in a variety of different absorbencies – some of them are designed for use when your period is really heavy, and some for when it’s lighter, like at the end of your period.

With pads, make sure to go for unscented versions, as perfumes can irritate the sensitive skin of your vulva.

Bin it, don’t flush it!

Never flush away pads, as they can block pipes and cause water pollution. Always throw used pads in the bin.

Lots of toilets have special sanitary disposal bins, or you can wrap the pad in the wrapper it came with, or in toilet paper, and then put into the nearest bin available.

Pros

  • Lots of people find pads are an easy option because they don’t need to be inserted into the vagina. This is particularly useful when you are near the end of your period and your vagina is a bit too dry to use a tampon.
  • Pads are easy to store as they come in flat packets that fit easily into pockets of clothes and bags.
  • Pads are disposable, meaning they don’t need cleaning between uses.
  • They are easy to access from many local shops and pharmacies.
  • Pads are relatively cheap to buy in the short term compared to some other products.
  • You can now buy reusable pads which are both an environmentally friendly and cheaper option in the long term.

Cons

  • Pads can feel uncomfortable to wear, as they can feel a bit bulky and messy, especially as they fill up with blood.
  • Pads can be prone to leaking, particularly if they move around or get unstuck from your pants. This means you have to change them regularly.
  • You can’t wear pads to go swimming, as they leak into the water.
  • Conventional pads aren’t the most environmentally friendly option because they aren’t reusable and often aren’t biodegradable. 
  • The cost of using pads can add up over time as you have to buy them for every period, compared to some methods which are reusable for many years.

How to use pads

Pads can be simpler to use than tampons, as there’s no need to put anything into your vagina. To use them, you stick them to the inside of your pants, sometimes with sticky-backed ‘wings’ that wrap around the gusset to fasten the pad in place. But sometimes they can leak if your flow is really heavy, so make sure to change them regularly.

Find out how to use a pad

Eco-friendly tip

You can also buy reusable pads! These are an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable pads with many of the same benefits. Similar to period pants, they are designed to feel dry and comfortable so you barely even notice you’re on your period while wearing them! You do need to wash them between each use, which means you need to have a few of them to rotate during your period, and a way of storing used ones if you are out and about.

red menstrual cup on pink background with red string representing period blood

Menstrual cups

Menstrual cups are small containers made of a flexible material like rubber or silicone, which – like a tampon – are inserted into the vagina to catch blood and stop it flowing out.

They work by creating a seal within the vagina which holds them in place. When they are full, you pinch the base of the cup to break the seal, pour the collected blood into the toilet, wash and then re-insert the cup.

They can be a bit tricky to get the hang of at first, but with practice they can be an easy, comfortable and waste free method of managing your period.

Unlike tampons, they are reusable – they can last up to 5 years, making them a very envrionmentally friendly option.

Pros

  • Many people find menstrual cups are a comfortable option because once they are inserted you can’t feel them.
  • With practice they can be very easy and quick to use.
  • They hold more blood than tampons and pads – they can hold around 25ml, compared to the 5ml tampons and pads can hold. This means you don’t need to change them as often, and you are less likely to leak.
  • Menstrual cups are reusable. This means they have a lower environmental impact than disposable products, and also they are very cheap in the long run because you only have to buy a new one every 5 years.
  • Menstrual cups are invisible once they’re in, and their small size means they’re easy to keep in your bag or pocket until you need them.
  • You don’t need to have anything with you apart from the cup itself.
  • Unlike tampons, they don’t leave behind any residue or fibres.
  • Unlike some other types of period products, menstrual cups can be worn while swimming.
  • Because they are inserted into the vagina and therefore don’t rely on anything external to stay in place, menstrual cups can be worn with any type of underwear, or none at all!
  • They are becoming increasingly easy to access from shops and pharmacies, and are easy to buy online.

Cons

  • Menstrual cups can be difficult to use, and often take a few weeks (and therefore a few cycles) to get the hang of.
  • It can be hard to tell when they need changing as there are no visual cues to tell you when they are full of blood. This can make them prone to leaking if you don’t know your cycle that well yet.
  • Menstrual cups are a bit expensive to buy in one go compared to a pack of pads or tampons.
  • They can be a bit messy, and cleaning them in a public toilet (like at school or work) can be challenging.
  • Leaving a menstrual cup in for too long can put you at increased risk of toxic shock syndrome, so it’s very important to change it at least every 12 hours, even if it isn’t full yet.
  • You may be advised not to use a menstrual cup if you’re using the copper or hormonal coil for contraception.

How to use a menstrual cup

Menstrual cups can be a bit tricky to get the hang of at first, so it’ s a good idea to try using the menstrual cup at home the first few times, so you have lots of time, space and privacy to practice. You may also need to trim down the stem to make the cup fit your vagina, so this will be easier if you are somewhere familiar and not in a rush.

There are lots of guides available to help you practice and work out how to use them, such as this guide to using a menstrual cup from Clue. The basic steps to inserting a menstrual cup are:

  1. Clean your cup (and your hands!) In between periods, you need to sterilise the cup by boiling it for 5-7 minutes, but you don’t need to do this while you are using it on your period; giving it a wash with warm water and soap is fine. Make sure to clean out the little holes round the rim, as those are what maintains the seal within the vagina. Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your menstrual cup.
  2. Fold the cup. To insert the cup, you need to fold it first. You can read about some different folds here.
  3. Insert the cup into the vagina. Get comfortable, e.g. by sitting on the toilet or squatting, and then push the cup into the opening of your vagina, keeping it folded.
  4. Open the cup. When you can’t keep it folded anymore, let it pop open. It should sit as low in the vagina as it comfortably can (a lot lower than a tampon). It might take some practice to work out where this is for you.
  5. Check the seal. Push your finger up the side of the cup and see if it has opened up and created a seal all the way round. If it hasn’t, you can gently push on the base of the cup to undo the fold (making sure to relax your vaginal muscles), or pull on the stem while clenching your vaginal muscles.
  6. Wear for up to 12 hours. Once inserted, you can wear the menstrual cup for up to 12 hours (although it might fill up before then depending on how heavy your flow is).

Any pain or discomfort?

You shouldn’t be able to feel your menstrual cup once it’s in; like a tampon, it’s designed to sit far enough into the vagina that you can’t feel anything.

If you feel any discomfort or pressure, you might have it in too low, so you should remove it and reinsert it.

Similarly, if you can feel the stem at the opening of your vagina, then it might be too long, so try trimming it gradually until it is long enough for you to reach, but short enough that it sits just within your vaginal opening.

To take out your menstrual cup:

  1. Wash your hands!
  2. Bear down. Sit on the toilet or squat above it, and push with your abdominal and vaginal muscles to move the cup closer to your vaginal opening.
  3. Pinch the base of the cup to break the seal. If you can’t reach the base initially, pull on the stem while bearing down and pull it closer to the entrance of your vagina.
  4. Pull out the cup, either by the stem (although this can get messy) or the base of the cup.
  5. Empty the cup into the toilet. Before emptying, you can look at the cup if you want to see how much blood it has collected, which can be an important part of tracking your period. Find out more about period tracking.
  6. Clean and reinsert. Wash the cup in the sink with warm soapy water, making sure to clear the little holes round the edge. If you aren’t somewhere you can do this, then either bring in a bottle of water to the toilet and/or give it a wipe with some tissue. Then reinsert!

Period pants

Period pants are underwear or swimwear with a built-in absorbent layer. They can be washed and reused.

Pros

  • Many people find period pants are a comfortable option because they don’t need to be inserted. They are also designed in a way that makes them feel dry while you wear them, meaning they don’t come with the uncomfortable downsides of pads.
  • They are very easy to use – just put them on and go!
  • They hold a bit more blood than tampons and pads – on average about 2 times as much. This means you don’t need to change them as often, and you are less likely to leak onto your other clothes.
  • Period pants are reusable. This means they have a lower environmental impact than disposable products, and also they are relatively cheap in the long run because you only have to buy them ones, not for every period.
  • You don’t need to have anything with you apart from the pants themselves.
  • Unlike some other types of period products, period pants (specifically period swimming costumes) can be worn while swimming.
  • There are lots of different types of underwear available, so you can find a style that feels comfortable.
  • They are easy to buy online.

Cons

  • Once they are full of blood, they need to be cleaned and dried. This means you generally need a few pairs to last your period, and makes them a fairly high-maintenance option. It also make them harder to change when you are out and about, because you need spares with you and somewhere to store the used pants until you can clean them at home.
  • Period pants are quite expensive to buy in one go compared to a pack of pads or tampons.

Free Period Products

Everyone with a period should have the option to choose to use period products and specifically, choose the product best suited to them.

If you’re struggling with the costs of period products, there are initiatives to support you:

  • If you got to school or a 16-19 education organisation in England, you should be able to access free period products at school. If you haven’t been told about how to get products at your school, you could ask your school nurse, a teacher or another member of staff that you feel comfortable talking to about it.
  • If you live in Scotland, local councils provide free period products in a many locations. You can download the PickupMyPeriodApp or ask your local council to find out where these locations are.
  • If you’re at university, many Students’ Unions provide free period products. Ask at your Students’ Union to check if this applies to yours.

Here are some additional ways of accessing free period products:

  • Morrisons ‘Package for Sandy’ scheme – Simply go to the customer service desk in any Morrisons store and ask for a ‘package for Sandy’ or a ‘period product pack’ and you will be handed a discreet package, no questions asked.
  • Food banks – Many food banks offer free period products, although you may need a voucher to access these. Search The Trussell Trust’s website to find your nearest one.
  • Local council – Although it’s not a legal requirement in England, your local council may be able to provide free products. Visit your local council’s website to find out more.
  • Charities – There are charities set up to tackle period poverty in the UK who may be able to help.
  • On this page

    Other Stuff you might find useful…

    Info

    Looking after your breasts or chest

    My Body
    Real Stories

    Endometriosis: Libby’s Story

    Periods
    Info

    Endometriosis

    Periods
    Info

    Mental health and emotional wellbeing

    Mental Health & Wellbeing
    Info

    Physical health

    Mental Health & Wellbeing
    Real Stories

    My first period: Mila’s story

    Periods
    Info

    Period FAQs

    Periods
    Info

    Penises and testicles

    Penises & testicles
    Info

    Periods

    Periods
    Info

    Breasts and Chests

    My Body
    Info

    Puberty

    My Body
    Our friendly staff are here to help
    Find a Service near you

    100% free & confidential