If your period is heavy, you can change your pad more often. Bacterial vaginosis is a kind of vaginal inflammation that happens when bacteria found naturally in your vagina overgrow. Free bleeding is simply the practice of not using any kind of period protection, such as tampons or pads, to absorb menstrual blood. You should not use pads with fragrances as they're unnecessary and can irritate your vagina. We all want to make sure we have a safe and happy period. Nemours Children's Health and KidsHealth are registered trademarks of The Nemours Foundation. Additionally, pads do not require any application nor do they pose any risk of irritation or injury associated with insertion. tampon loyalists will ask. .css-azif86{color:#000000;display:block;font-family:GTWalsheim,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-azif86:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-azif86{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.3;}}Are There Different Types of Vaginas? Pads can come in different sizes. Learn how IUDs can affect your menstrual flow and what you can do about it. A tampon is a small, cylindrical bundle made of cotton, rayon or a blend of cotton and rayon. They offer greater freedom to exercise, swim, and play sports than pads. A small minority reject the binary and use both tampons and maxi-pad, or even diva cups and period underwear, alternating based on the flow of their period or how sexy they're feeling that day. 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. But a small, angry, and vocal minority of tampon users outshout everyone else. Some people find that using tampons can actually reduce cramps because using a tampon applies gentle pressure on the lower abdomen and can take the focus off the cramp. 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 shift out of place and wrinkle up in the center when youre moving. There are two types of tampons: disposable and reusable. How often should I change my tampon? 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. Another possibility could be that the tampon isnt inserted correctly. Do whatever it takes to make you happy and the people around you. We may earn commission from the links on this page. The risk of toxic shock syndrome is higher with tampons. I don't understand what guys are afraid of when it comes to this. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When you change your pads regularly, you stop harmful germs called bacteria from growing in them. 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. This means that your blood and other menstrual fluids will flow freely, just as they would without any protection. Consider your comfort, budget, convenience, and any other variables that matter to you when choosing your products. And some girls with heavy periods use tampons together with pads or pantiliners for added protection against leakage. The Best Period Underwear Options for Any Situation. Ask your best friend if she has a free pad and watch her otherwise very kind jaw drop to the floor. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two most common products: tampons vs pads. Some use pads at night and tampons during the day. We've rounded up popular options based on a range of needs, whether you're looking for a. DOI: Period products: Information about tampons, pads, and more. Moreover, many people find pads to be more cost effective than tampons since they generally need to be replaced less frequently. If youre going to give free bleeding a try, stained clothing and sheets are pretty much a given. A tampon's absorbent material is pressed tight into a small cylinder shape. Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Tampons are associated with an increased risk of a rare condition called toxic shock syndrome. Overall, there is a range of factors that can explain why putting in a tampon can be difficult. Tampons are inserted into the body and expand to hold the menstrual blood. Many women use menstrual cups as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. Everyone has their own preferences and comfort levels and not wanting to use tampons is just as valid as wanting to use them. Pros. Some girls find that a slender size, applicator-style tampon is easier to use when they first start their periods. They each have pros and cons that could make them a great option for certain lifestyles and an inconvenience for some. In truth, virginity is a cultural category that some people use to define whether weve had sex. 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. Its a rare but life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Share on Facebook (opens in a new window), Share on Flipboard (opens in a new window), Stock images perpetuate the myth that women are weaker when they're on their period, YouTube's favorite ghoul boys, Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara, tell us what they've been watching, Now you can pause your Snapchat Streak without any stress, Dictionary.com defines the times with 1,500 new words, revisions, The TikTok 'bold glamour' filter is going viral for its wildly unrealistic beauty standard, TikTok Visionary Lynae Vanee is a 'content creator down for the cause', A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' charity auction raised over $500,000, How to watch 'The Weekend: Live From SoFi Stadium' and bring the concert experience home, Pedro Pascal narrated an audiobook if you want 8 straight hours of his voice, It's time to put 'The Bachelor' out to pasture, Warner Bros. They arent very discreet thanks to the very obvious sound of pulling them off your underwear. Because you can see it, it's also easy to remember when you have to change it. Some tampons have applicators, which are plastic or cardboard tubes that help put the tampon in place. Additionally, since they are absorbent, they minimize the risk of leaking or staining clothing or other fabrics. 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. Pads are much more environmentally . A pad may feel bulky to some girls. To take the tampon out, pull gently on the string attached to the end of it. Can a tampon get lost inside my body? You can't see it as you would with a pad, so be sure to remember when it's time to change to prevent spotting and leaks on your underwear. Pros. 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. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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. Tampons should typically be used for no longer than 8 hours, and sometimes an hour or two less than that depending on your flow. Some tampons dont have applicators, and menstruators simply push these into their vaginas using their fingers. Many young girls/teens after starting their period have to use pads in the beginning, so in their mind, they connect "wearing pads" with the shame, embarrassment, awkwardness, etc they associated their periods with in the beginning. For a lighter flow, get washable pantyliners, and for a heavier flow go for larger maxi pads. 'Cause you're worth it, and you deserve it. Pads have the advantages of being easy to use and better for heavy periods, but you can't swim in them and they may be visible under certain types of clothing. Yes, a flow can be too heavy for tampons. Over time, though, I came to grow ashamed of my sanitary napkins as tampon users ascended and "pad-shaming" became more powerful. 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 can feel bulkier, especially as they absorb blood, and depending on the pad and clothes youre wearing, can be apparent.. The hymen can separate during tampon insertion and cause discomfort. Pads are also called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. But I could never use tampons . Talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. 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. Sometimes, pads are called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Any surfaces coming into contact with blood need to be properly disinfected. Getting toxic shock syndrome through tampon usage is rare, however. On her off time, she's probably watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, traversing NYC for the best donuts, or, most likely, enjoying time in her favorite place in the world: her bed. 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. risk of developing TSS is lower in women who use menstrual pads, 9 reasons why your period may be late, including stress, changes to sleep schedule, and more, The 4 best home remedies for period cramps, The truth about period syncing and the real reason you may be experiencing it, What everyone should know about birth control, from the types to effectiveness, How birth control pills work by tricking the body into thinking it's already pregnant. Last medically reviewed on September 11, 2019. Pads are directly placed onto the underwear and are designed to catch and absorb menstrual blood. It's possible to forget you have a tampon in and insert another one. It's no different than getting her cold medicine and soup when she . If this happens, just remove them as soon as possible. There was a long period of time in my life where I all wanted to do was bleed out of my front hole, and catch it with a napkin. Should I use scented pads? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, advises against reusable tampons, as they are more likely to cause fungal, yeast, or bacterial infections. Ross A, et al. Pad users, in their minds, are blind to social norms and addicted to the pleasures of the napkin, a disposable mattress for the vagina. I didn't die. Tired of tampons? Do you ever forget about a tampon? Have someone take you to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible. Some women also prefer tampons because they're easier to carry and you . They have a big environmental impact, with, They can sometimes irritate and dry out your vagina, making it, need something you can throw in your pocket. Most menstrual pads are made of absorbent material like cotton and super absorbent polymer. 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. Like pads, tampons also come in deodorizing scents, which can irritate the vagina. Youve got options, and at the end of the day its your period, your prerogative. I had enough reasons to hate them. 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. Its users choice, said Siriouthay. The amount and duration of your period is determined by a variety of factors and usually does not change with free bleeding. When selecting a tampon, its important to choose one that is suitable for your individual needs. Additionally, it could be that the act of putting a tampon in is calming to some people and may temporarily reduce the activity of the hormones controlling your menstrual cycle, resulting in a lightening or stopping of your period. They are designed to stick on to your underwear and come in different sizes for heavy and light periods. Ultimately, it is your choice as to which type of protection you prefer. On the other hand, with pads you don't have to worry about the risk of getting toxic shock syndrome when you use it overnight. tampon loyalists will ask. With pads, there is less of a risk for dryness, irritation, and exposure to toxic shock syndrome since the pad does not need to be inserted into your body as a tampon does. So, "women buy disposable products when they can, but are often forced to rely on donations and/or to create make-shift pads and tampons for themselves, mostly out of toilet paper, tissue or paper towels, but also out of their kids' diapers, old socks, ripped T-shirts or rags." And for many poor moms, kids' needs come first. No, but seriously: These guys don . We never have to repeat those early teenage memories of being too ashamed of our menstruation to spend a day at the pool. Each of these options is reusable, meaning they have less of an environmental impact than disposable pads and tampons. 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. 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. Together, we can build a world where people aren't defined by what hygiene product they have between their legs. A new initiative called . There are, however, some common considerations that menstruators may want to think about when choosing the best products for them, including safety, comfort, lifestyle, and environmental impact.