Pads, tampons, and cups are “feminine hygiene products” that are used by women across all age groups to absorb or collect the menstrual blood which is then discarded in a hygienic manner.
Pads
- They are the commonest product used and are commonly referred to as napkins.
- They are worn on the underwear, some are just placed on the panty and some make stick to the panty.
- Pads may be one time use or reusable.
- The reusable ones are made of fabric that can be washed and dried.
Tampons
They are small plugs of cotton that can be inserted in the vagina. They will absorb menstrual blood. They have a string attached at one end which is used to pull it out so that it can be discarded.
Menstrual Cups
They are bell-shaped and made od silicone or rubber. They are inserted into the vagina and the menstrual blood collects inside. They need to be removed, emptied, washed and re-inserted.
The advantages of tampons and cups are:
- They can be used during swimming and all kinds of water sports
- If inserted properly you cannot feel them.
The Myth
They can get lost inside
It’s not possible as the vagina is a blind passage. It is possible that they can get difficult to remove if kept in for a long time, and sometimes assistance may be required to remove them.
How to make a choice?
It’s simple. Try all the options and then decide what is good for you. Most women will use different methods at different times, e.g. tampons or cups during heavy flow and during the day, pads at night.
Some women feel secure wearing a pad or pantyliner along with the cup or tampon so that there is no embarrassment in case of a leak.
Some women are simply happy with a pad as they are not comfortable inserting a tampon or a cup inside. So use whatever suits you.
It is important to remember
- One must discard the napkin in a dustbin after wrapping it in a paper bag.
- Do not flush the pad.
- One should change napkins every 6 to 8 hours and earlier if soaked.
- One should not forget the tampon or the cup inside the vagina
