By a certain age, most women are familiar with tampons or sanitary pads. These days, there are even more options for the needs of a woman’s menstrual cycle. From tampons and pads to menstrual cups, menstrual pads and briefs, what can a girl choose?
Menstrual cups and discs are some of the newer menstrual products now available for period needs. These are latex or silicone devices that collect menstrual blood, rather than absorb it. They can stay up to 12 hours.
The cups can be sanitized and reused for up to 10 years. Talk about ecological and profitable! This can be a great option for women who want to avoid environmental waste or want to avoid changing too often. The discs are smaller and cannot be reused.
Don’t let the small size fool you. Discs are up to the task of handling heavy flow for several hours. Unlike the other options, you can have sex with the disc instead and some reports suggest that it can improve menstrual pain. Users should be comfortable with insertion and removal, but it is easy to get used to.
Another newcomer vintage product is absorbent underwear. Designed to allow you to do all of your normal daily activities without worrying about leakage, odor or bulk, this underwear has additional layers to collect menstrual blood. Compared to some of the other options, these are priced higher. However, they are washable and reusable.
The OG of feminine products is the menstrual pad. Originally known as a sanitary napkin, it is designed to adhere to the inside of underwear and absorb menstrual blood. It’s easy to use, but can be bulky, irritating, or leak if it slips out of place.
Another old but good one is the tampon. It remains a popular choice for women who want something more comfortable and low-key. Like sanitary napkins, they work by absorbing menstrual blood. The benefits of using tampons are compact package size, less clutter, and greater convenience. However, it may take practice to get used to the beginner placement.
Today, many companies are marketing organic sanitary pads and tampons as a “best” option for women to avoid potentially harmful chemicals and toxins. But is this really true? Traditional tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a mixture of both. These products undergo a purification process to increase absorbency. On the other hand, organic tampons are made from a single ingredient: 100% organic cotton. This generally means that they are free of pesticides and other chemicals.
So does this mean that organic products are safer? Not necessarily. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that organic products are safer than traditional ones. Tampons and sanitary pads are considered medical devices and are therefore regulated by the FDA. Through this regulation, the FDA ensures that the menstrual products on our shelves are free of toxins and dangerous chemicals.
When it comes to organic versus traditional products, I recommend choosing a tampon or pad based on your preferences. If you tend to prefer organic products in your life, the option of doing it with menstrual products is a great option. However, it is perfectly safe to continue using traditional products.
So what does a gynecologist recommend you use during your cycle? What you want! Whether it’s a traditional tampon or a new school day panties, do what’s right for you.
Dr. Renita White is a board certified OB / GYN and women’s health expert. He currently practices at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his BA from Duke University. She went on to serve as a Congressional Hunger Fellow, where she focused on the impact of nutrition and food disparities on chronic disease. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University. She then returned to her home state of Georgia to do her OB / GYN residency at Emory University. She cares for women throughout the greater Atlanta area. Dr. White is the co-host of Cradle and All, a podcast about pregnancy, motherhood, and womanhood. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children. You can follow her on Instagram at @renitawhitemd.
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