For example, if you are a regular swimmer, tampons will be a better option than pads when you are on your period. (sic) " "I have bought tampons and pads for several girlfriends and my wife, because I love them. Because pads are simpler to use for menstruators who may not be comfortable inserting hygiene products into their vaginas, they are often the first menstrual hygiene products we are introduced to. What was this cramp? ", TeensHealth from Nemours: "Toxic Shock Syndrome. Ultimately, it is your choice as to which type of protection you prefer. All rights reserved. When selecting a tampon, its important to choose one that is suitable for your individual needs. With maxi pads, you can never feel 100% confident that your pad won't show or that it won't leak. Does pulling out a tampon make you feel like you're dragging out a placenta? They cost less than some other reusable period products. 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 yeast infection is a fungal infection that can cause itching, burning, redness in 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. Its not a biological description of our vaginas. If you use tampons and get any of these symptoms, take out the tampon and tell an adult immediately. In this article, well break down everything you need to know about the differences between pads and tampons. You can find super-absorbent pads that are very thin so you dont have an uncomfortable feeling between your legs all the time., Even though pads can also cause toxic shock syndrome, the risk is much less compared to tampons. She also sent a broader message that elite sport and menstruation can coexist. Dont ever leave a tampon in for longer especially all day or all night. ", U.S. Food & Drug Administration: "The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely.".
Tampons Vs. Pads: Pros, Cons, and Which Is Better for You - Insider Again, regular changing usually can manage any odor concerns. Toxic shock syndrome. Learning more about each product can help you figure out which ones the best choice for you. This can also happen from using pads, but it is much more rare. Tired of tampons? A new initiative called . That's just my thoughts but I have no idea why as I don't do it myself. 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. Luckily, that can't happen. A pad may feel bulky to some girls. Inserting them can be uncomfortable, especially when trying a new one. You should change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours. Pads can also have "wings." mess. Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. Everyone has their own preferences and comfort levels and not wanting to use tampons is just as valid as wanting to use them. If using a tampon, it is important to choose the right size, as well as keep up with changing and not letting the same tampon sit in the body for too long. Pros. (2018). 1 in 10 college students struggle to afford panty liners, pads, tampons, and other menstrual hygiene supplies, according to a recent study in BMC Women's Health journal. Push the tampon into your vagina using the applicator or your finger, depending on what kind of tampon you have. Some users find menstrual pads more comfortable because they prefer not to insert a product into their vaginas. The biggest risk is viruses, such as hepatitis, which can be transmitted through dried blood for several days. They believe those who choose pads are weak, anachronistic, regressive. A tampon's absorbent material is pressed tight into a small cylinder shape. Tampons also come in different sizes meant for both heavy and light blood flows. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, advises against reusable tampons, as they are more likely to cause fungal, yeast, or bacterial infections. 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. Aside from the fact that picturing a hymen as a kind of football banner needing to be ploughed through is indicative of truly horrendous sex education, such an image perpetuates the harmful myth that virginity is all about an intact membrane. A lot of Nigerian women prefer pads because they are easy to use, and they offer external protection. Those wretched, bulky layers of plastic that ended up in my underwear every month made the whole process very uncomfortable. Some girls find that using an applicator-style tampon (especially one with a rounded top) and a slender-sized tampon makes it easier at first. 1995-2023. But I could never use tampons . The amount of flow can vary from person to person and is affected by menstrual cycles, but a flow that is too heavy for a tampon can cause frequent changing, discomfort, and even leaks. Should I use pads or disposable briefs for my incontinence? Using a tampon is not the same thing as having penetrative sex, and both having sex and using tampons are totally personal decisions. Thats a lot of pros in the cups favor, but its not all rainbows and unicorns. Insert the tampon: Gripping the applicator with your thumb and middle finger, push the smaller tube of the applicator with your index finger to move the tampon into the vagina. Can a tampon get lost inside my body? Additionally, it is much easier to use a pad versus a tampon, especially when it comes to disposal of the product. Pads offer a better option for those with heavier flow days, which may require changing more frequently than tampons.
How do I use tampons, pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups? 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. They come in lots of options to accommodate changes in your flow and activities. This string is meant to sit outside your body so you can use it to pull it out when your tampon is full and needs changing., How do I choose the right tampon for me? Thanks for signing up. When it comes to comparing tampons and pads, both are generally seen as safe and healthy options for managing menstrual flow. Some tampons have applicators, which are plastic or cardboard tubes that help put the tampon in place. These are not the same sponges you wash your dishes or tub with! The data (probably) doesn't lie. I had enough reasons to hate them. And some girls with heavy periods use tampons together with pads or pantiliners for added protection against leakage. Menstrual cups are flexible devices made from silicone or rubber that are inserted into the vagina, with the aim of collecting menstrual blood. This pressure can cause your body to naturally reduce the flow of blood from your uterus. Pad users, I learned, belonged to an abject underclass: a derelict group of pseudo-humans who enjoyed sitting in "mushy blood diapers" every 28 days. 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. We may hear stigmatizing beliefs about our bodies, such as the notion that tampon use can take our virginity. Reusable cloth pads are washable pads that work like regular disposable pads, only you dont throw them out. People with heavy periods and anyone whos ever woken up to a mess swears by them. This is when the female body prepares itself for. Its a rare but life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Tampons, on the other hand, are designed to be inserted into the vagina during menstruation and absorb the menstrual flow. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Overwhelmed by the ever-growing world of period underwear? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It also helps to first try a tampon on a heavier flow day, so that the tampon slips in easier. 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. 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. Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Ahhh, the age-old dilemma of tampons vs. pads. Other tampons can be put in using your fingers. Tampons and pads both offer effective protection against menstrual flow, and which you choose depends largely on your own personal preference and lifestyle. Pads are rectangles of absorbent materials that stick to the inside of your underwear. Yet for all the clamor, pad users are actually in the silent statistical majority. An extension of this are vaguer tampons-make-you-sick fears. Lets face it: Most menstrual products are pretty female-centric, from their packaging and marketing to their incompatibility with boxers. Some women also prefer tampons because they're easier to carry and you don't feel them the same way you do pads.. Also, no matter how thin your pad is, it may be visible under tight or minimal clothing., Pros. 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. Natural pads may be more comfortable and provide healthier options than those containing chemicals. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne. Solving Problems With Login To iTunes Account As Well As Your iTunes Sign In. 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. Dear Chris, You're not so strange. They are designed to stick on to your underwear and come in different sizes for heavy and light periods. 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. But they still can't get lost in your body. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By clicking 'Sign Up' you agree to receive marketing emails from PUBLIC GOODS. While diva cups produce minimal amounts of waste, the average woman trashes up to 250 - 300 lbs(Opens in a new tab) of "pads, applications, and tampons" over the course of their lifetime. They're also great if your new to the world of menstruation or have a hard time wearing tampons. Seventeen picks products that we think you'll love the most. Dont leave your tampon in for longer than 8 hours! advised Siriouthay. 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. 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. Changing pads many times in a day is easier than tampons. The biggest downside to wearing tampons is the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TTS). I was too embarrassed to say that I had my period and I hadnt yet learned to use tampons. Incidents of TTS have dropped since then and are currently estimated to affect 0.8 to 3.4 per 100,000 people in the United States. Toxic shock syndrome is a rare infection that can happen to girls who use tampons. Period panties, menstrual underwear whatever you call them, theyre a thing. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If you prefer pads to tampons or aren't yet ready to try a menstrual cup, washable pads are another alternative. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com. Lastly, there may be religious or cultural concerns that discourage or prohibit the use of tampons. So it's very important that you change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours, even if your period is light. Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to 'Wordle' #622. She let women in China know that, yes, there are ways to swim while you have your period. Vagina Quiz: What Do You Know About Down Below? If youre going to give free bleeding a try, stained clothing and sheets are pretty much a given. They believe those who choose pads are weak, anachronistic, regressive. Perhaps it's because menstrual pads, unlike tampons, bring the user into closer contact with their own menstrual fluids -- one of the most despised fluids on the planet. You have to wash them, which can be an issue if you need to change them on the go. Ive not been able to locate any data on whether the 90s was a particularly bumper decade for the syndrome, but women my age are quick to whisper about the toxic shock. They were artificially . Tampons are not intended to be used at any other time or . This way, the tampon can absorb your flow more effectively. 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. For those with sensitive skin, irritation or discomfort may occur due to tampon fibers and material, which are often harsher than those in pads. Have someone take you to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible. If you have a heavy flow like me, I would suggest a system like this or wear an extra absorbent, extra-long pad, she said. Sometimes, pads are called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two most common products: tampons vs pads. Some women also prefer tampons because they're easier to carry and you . The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox. Other . They're soft, they're flexible, and they're even more adept than paper towels at cleaning up dog piss on the floor. If the tampon is not inserted far enough, it will not be able to grab onto the blood that is flowing. Pads are worn in your underwear, completely outside your body. Are you comfortable inserting something inside yourself, or would you rather let the blood collect into a pad? It can take some time for you to experiment with what products are right for you. I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons. 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. A fellow Mashable employee who genuinely asked to be called "Padable" shared this experience with me: "I havent been shamed a lot for using pads, but I also dont bring it up a lot because I always felt it was weird. 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!)
Two-Thirds of Poor U.S. Women Can't Afford Menstrual Pads, Tampons