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If you’re wondering which period product is for you, this guide explains the pros and cons to help you decide.
This webpage is in partnership with Lil-Lets
Tampons and pads are two of the most commonly used period products. The right choice depends on your flow, lifestyle and what feels most comfortable.
Pads absorb menstrual blood outside the body and are often recommended for people who have recently started their period as they’re simple to use and you can see when they need changing. Whereas tampons are worn inside the body, giving you discreet protection and confidence once you’ve learned how to use them. Tampons are great options for doing sport or swimming.
Some people use only tampons or only pads, while others switch between them depending on how heavy their flow is that day. Some people with heavy periods, wear a pad/liner and a tampon at the same time for extra protection against leaks.
Unsure what products suit your flow? Take Lil-Lets quiz to find out
Tampons are made from either viscose or cotton or a mixture of both and are worn inside the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. They have a string attached so you can easily remove them when they need changing. Tampons are available with an applicator (a plastic or cardboard tube that helps guide the tampon into place) or without an applicator.
Once the tampon is full, or 8 hours have passed (whichever comes first), remove it using the string and throw it away in a bin.
It can be tricky to learn how to use tampons at first, but it gets easier with practice! They can be worn for up to eight hours at a time and come in different absorbencies, from light to heavy flow, for different times during your period.
Bin it, don’t flush it!
Never flush tampons, as they can block pipes and cause water pollution. Always throw used tampons and applicators in the bin. Lots of public toilets have special disposal bins, or you can wrap the tampon in toilet paper and then put into the nearest bin available.
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. You could also consider non-applicator tampons or menstrual cups.
Pads (sometimes referred to as sanitary towels) are soft rectangular products made of materials which soak up liquids, which you can use to line your pants and ‘catch’ menstrual 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 heavy, and some for when it’s lighter, like at the end of your period.
Pads can come in scented versions but these can irritate the sensitive skin of your vulva.
To use a pad, remove the packaging and stick it to the gusset of your underwear. Sometimes pads have wings that you wrap around the underside of your underwear that help keep the pad in place. For light flow days and the end of your period, pantyliners might be all you need.
Never flush pads or liners, as they can block pipes and cause water pollution. Always throw used pads in the bin. Lots of toilets have special disposal bins, or you can wrap the pad in toilet paper or the wrapper of your next pad and then put it into the nearest bin available.
You can also buy reusable pads! These are an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable pads with many of the same benefits. Like period pants, they are designed to feel dry and comfortable. You do need to wash them between each use, following the manufacturers instructions, which means you need to have a few of them to use during your period, and a way of storing used ones if you are out.
Menstrual cups are small, flexible cups made of rubber or silicone that are inserted into the vagina, collecting menstrual blood rather than absorbing it like a tampon.
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 the cup and then re-insert it.
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 environmentally friendly option.
Menstrual cups can take a little time to get used to. It’s a good idea to try using one at home for the first few times, or use a pad, pantyliner or period pants at the same time as backup while you get used to them. You may also need to trim down the stem to make the cup fit your vagina if you find it’s sticking out and uncomfortable.
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 inside 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 take it out and try trimming it gradually until it is long enough for you to reach, but short enough that it sits just within your vaginal opening.
Period pants are underwear or swimwear with a built-in absorbent layer. They can be washed and reused.
They come in different styles depending on what you find most comfortable and how heavy your flow is.
Use them like normal pants. When you notice they’re full or once a day (whichever comes first), you’ll need to change them so you might need to bring spares if you’re going out and a bag to put them in.
To wash them, rinse them first either in the sink or when you’re in the shower until the water runs clear, then put them in your washing machine.
You might try a few different products before you find the one that suits you best or you might use different products on different days or depending on what you’re doing that day.
Pads, tampons and period pants have different absorbances. There is usually a key on the packaging that tells you how much blood they can hold. You could use the lighter flow options on lighter days towards the start/end of your period and products that are more absorbent on your heavier days.
Unsure what type of products to use at different points in your period? Take Lil-Lets quiz to find out what might work for you.
Everyone who has periods should have access to period products and the freedom to choose the option that best suits them and their needs.
If you’re struggling with the costs of period products, there are initiatives to support you:
Here are some additional ways of accessing free period products:
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