Can a tampon get lost inside my body? All of these features make pads the preferred choice for many people. ", Mayo Clinic: "Bacterial vaginosis," "Toxic shock syndrome," "Yeast infection (vaginal). After you remove a pad, wrap it in toilet paper and put it in the trash can (or if you're in school or another public restroom, use the special disposal box found in most stalls). Changing pads many times in a day is easier than tampons. There is archaeological evidence of women using tampon-like instruments to help stem menstrual flow dating back to Ancient Egypt, where women used material from the papyrus plant to stop period blood. With only 2% of the population using tampons, she provided information about options. Its extremely important to change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours. You can also choose pads based on how light or heavy your blood flow is.. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd. Chinese Olympic viewers were shocked Fu Yuanhui was swimming while she had her period since many have never heard of tampons. Yes, tampons can stop period flow. This will help reduce the spread of bacteria. It is absolutely normal to not want to use tampons! No woman alive would be unaware of those will I still be a virgin if I use tampons? concerns. Thats something Siriouthay, who has menorrhagia, knows firsthand. Last medically reviewed on September 11, 2019. If youre prone to waking up to sheets that resemble a crime scene, then the biggest pad with wings is probably at the top of the list. Additionally, it is much easier to use a pad versus a tampon, especially when it comes to disposal of the product. 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. Other tampons can be put in using your fingers. They can be inserted into your vagina with your hands or with an applicator. Wash your hands and get into a comfortable position. 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). (2018). Menstrual cups are a great alternative to tampons. Its important to note that not all cups are reusable, so be sure to read the label if you prefer a reusable cup. And I used to hate 'that time of the month'. Asking for tampons, complaining about tampons, saying they were better than pads because pads are like diapers. ", Sure, #NotAllTamponUsers discriminate. Tampons and pads aren't the only two options by any meanssome girls prefer to use .css-lec2h6{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;background-image:linear-gradient( to bottom, rgba(241, 220, 225, 1), rgba(241, 220, 225, 1));-webkit-background-position:0 100%;background-position:0 100%;background-repeat:repeat-x;-webkit-background-size:0 0;background-size:0 0;padding-top:0.05rem;padding-bottom:0.05rem;}.css-lec2h6:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-size:.625rem 3.125rem;background-size:.625rem 3.125rem;}menstrual cups or even period pantiesbut they're certainly the two most common ways to handle your period. But I could never use tampons . Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should still remember to change the pads regularly., Cons. Like tampons, theres the environmental factor, though reusable options are now available (more on these later). Changing pads regularly also helps to control smells. If you try to take out the tampon and have trouble finding the string at first, don't worry. Heres a look at all the pros and cons of the most popular menstrual products. It served as a quiet tale of tampon use. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. For far too long, people who use menstrual pads have been doubly stigmatized: first for their periods, and second, for their feminine hygiene product of choice. And if youre totally comfortable, you can choose applicator-free tampons, which are more compact and reduce menstrual waste. 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. Its impossible for you to lose your tampon inside your body. We were accused of being "too afraid" to use tampons (hello, toxic shock syndrome! Menstrual pads, by contrast, are made for frumpy celibates who are too attached to their moms, hate the environment, and wear Costco branded underwear they bought on sale on Labor Day. A place where period activism is out, is proud. The Nemours Foundation. Most don't. Many women use menstrual cups as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. Finding the right size and type for your flow takes some trial and error (i.e., there will be accidents). We've listed out some of the pros and cons of each product to help you decide for yourself. Double! Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome include:. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below? To help you decide which is right for you, we broke down the pros and cons of both options, but remember: ultimately, the decision is yours. Dramatically overstated fears of TSS still see some women disinclined to use tampons. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Everything You Need to Know About Using Menstrual Cups. This is when the female body prepares itself for. People with heavy periods and anyone whos ever woken up to a mess swears by them. Washing clothes and linens in cold water as soon as possible can help keep blood stains to a minimum. Another possibility could be that the tampon isnt inserted correctly. 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. Inserting them can be uncomfortable, especially when trying a new one. Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . Heres what you need to know about how to insert them, clean them, and more. Cramps Or maybe it's because tampons are sleek and sexy, built like supermodels, and pads are broad-shouldered, aka, "body positive.". Ultimately, the decision of which product is more healthy comes down to personal preference. Similarly, some tampon users prefer them for movement-heavy activities like dancing or running, as sanitary pads can shift around and cause irritation or limit movement. Others find menstrual pads less comfortable. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Specially designed for heavy flow days, these pads feature special FlexFoam technology for a thin and flexible pad you can barely feel. If you prefer pads to tampons or aren't yet ready to try a menstrual cup, washable pads are another alternative. These are not the same sponges you wash your dishes or tub with! 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. Yes, pads usually hold more blood than tampons. Part of the reason it took so long for these alternatives to finally catch on, said Siriouthay, is the cultural stigma around menstruation. For starters, most cups are reusable: just rinse and wear them again! Period panties, menstrual underwear whatever you call them, theyre a thing. They can rip or pull apart when youre removing them. I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons. They can stain if you dont rinse them right away. Though people have been doing it for ages, the free bleeding movement has been receiving mainstream attention since Kiran Gandhi ran the London Marathon while free bleeding in 2015. Over time, though, I came to grow ashamed of my sanitary napkins as tampon users ascended and "pad-shaming" became more powerful. Tampons post a slightly greater risk than pads, as theyve been linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal infection caused by a buildup of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the vagina. If a person experiences a heavy flow, it may be better to use a combination of tampons and pads, with tampons as the primary form of absorption and pads as extra absorption in the event of leaks. Now, that system includes using a tampon on lighter days and doubling up with a heavy absorbency tampon and a pad on heavier days. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. Pads are usually made up of an absorbent material and they're designed to stick right on to your underwear. Tampons and pads aren't the only two options by any meanssome girls prefer to use menstrual cups or even period pantiesbut they're certainly the two most common ways to handle your period. They contribute to a serious waste problem, building up in landfills and sometimes even washing up on beaches. When you try one for the first time, wash your hands well, follow the directions carefully, and be sure to relax. By: Author Olin Wade (Remodel or Move Stuff). Additionally, it is important to note that tampons are not meant to be worn for more than eight hours at a time and that wearing one for longer can increase the risk for toxic shock syndrome. It . Additionally, some people may be worried about the potential for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), although this is very rare and modern tampons must meet strict safety regulations to prevent it. It is 2018: time for menstrual pad users to reclaim their rightful role at the apex of the feminine hygiene product hierarchy and stand up for what they believe in. Here's what the different period blood colors mean and when to see your doctor. Reusable cloth pads are washable pads that work like regular disposable pads, only you dont throw them out. I think theres a lot of hesitation to try these products because of how were trained to think about our periods: dirty, shouldnt be seen, and evidence of having one should be discarded, said Siriouthay. If you still struggle, you may want to visit a healthcare provider or take a class to learn more about proper insertion and to build your confidence. 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. Tampons are a popular menstrual product choice for women during their 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. Tampons are also a better choice for swimming. Impact of currently marketed tampons and menstrual cups on Staphylococcus aureus growth and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 production in vitro. Moreover, many people find pads to be more cost effective than tampons since they generally need to be replaced less frequently. In contrast, Pads catch the blood outside the vagina, so theres no added discomfort from the pad itself.. She also sent a broader message that elite sport and menstruation can coexist. Tampons are a great option for women who swim or do other athletic activities. Additionally, using menstrual cups, period underwear, and sponges to collect menstrual fluid is different from free bleeding, as these items are still effectively containing your period. Lastly, there may be religious or cultural concerns that discourage or prohibit the use of tampons. Its a rare but life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. When you start having your period, you can use a pad or tampon to soak up the menstrual blood. Tampons expand as they absorb fluid, pushing against the vaginal canal, and this can actually contribute to cramp pain, said Siriouthay. They cost less than some other reusable period products. 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? Others may feel more secure and less exposed with pads, since tampons are internally worn and can be difficult to locate if they are accidentally forgotten inside. Sometimes, pads are called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Are you comfortable inserting something inside yourself, or would you rather let the blood collect into a pad? I had my periods when I was 13! Thats a lot of pros in the cups favor, but its not all rainbows and unicorns. On this occasion, however, a happy consequence of Yuanhuis comments is that she has shed light on options. I always carry about 3-5 on me.. You should not use pads with fragrances as they're unnecessary and can irritate your vagina. They sometimes minimize the dangers of toxic shock syndrome and refuse to acknowledge that the pantyliner they have in their underwear to catch "excess flow" is actually just a glorified menstrual pad. DOI: Period products: Information about tampons, pads, and more. oklahoma state verbal commits . But while Chinese women have embraced the convenience and comfort of the modern, disposable sanitary pad since its introduction to the Chinese mainland in the 1980s, tampons which by nature allow women to participate in more strenuous activities than pads have yet to catch on.

Ron Desantis Wedding, How To Remove A Plaster Stuck To A Wound, Articles D