Using menstrual products effectively and safely is crucial for your comfort and health during your period.1 Here are some key tips for different types of products, along with general hygiene advice:
General Tips for All Menstrual Products:
- Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after inserting or changing any menstrual product.2 This is essential to prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.
- Change Regularly: This is arguably the most important rule.
- Pads: Change every 3-5 hours, or more frequently on heavy flow days. Even with a light flow, regular changes prevent bacteria buildup and odor.3
- Tampons: Change every 4-8 hours.4 Never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours due to the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious bacterial infection.5
- Menstrual Cups/Discs: Can typically be worn for up to 12 hours.6 Empty and rinse them at least twice a day, or more often on heavy flow days.
- Period Underwear: Change when they feel damp or soaked, usually every 8-12 hours depending on absorbency and flow.
- Choose the Right Absorbency/Size:
- Pads/Tampons: Use the lowest absorbency needed for your flow.7 Using a super-absorbent tampon for a light flow can increase the risk of TSS.8
- Menstrual Cups: Come in different sizes, often based on age, childbirth history, cervix height, and flow.9 It might take some trial and error to find your perfect fit.
- Proper Disposal:
- Disposable Products (Pads, Tampons, Disposable Discs): Wrap used products in toilet paper or their original wrapper and dispose of them in a trash bin.10 Never flush them down the toilet, as they can clog plumbing systems.11
- Reusable Products (Menstrual Cups, Period Underwear): Rinse menstrual cups with water after emptying.12 Wash period underwear according to manufacturer instructions (usually cold rinse first, then machine wash). Sterilize reusable cups by boiling them between cycles.13
- Maintain Good Genital Hygiene:
- Wash the outside of your vagina (vulva) and bottom daily with warm water.14 The vagina is self-cleaning, so avoid douching or using harsh soaps inside your vagina, as this can disrupt your natural pH balance and lead to infections.15
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from the anus spreading to the vagina.16
- Avoid Scented Products: Scented pads, tampons, or feminine hygiene sprays can irritate sensitive skin and disrupt your natural pH balance, potentially leading to infections or allergic reactions.17 Opt for unscented, hypoallergenic options.
- Listen to Your Body: If you experience any discomfort, itching, burning, unusual discharge, or foul odor after using a product, stop using it and consult a doctor. This could be a sign of irritation, infection, or an allergic reaction.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: A healthy lifestyle supports overall health, including your menstrual health.
Specific Tips for Each Product Type:
Pads:
- Placement: Position the pad in the center of your underwear’s gusset (the crotch area) with the adhesive side down. Press firmly to secure it.
- Wings: If your pad has wings, peel off the protective strip and wrap them around the sides of your underwear for extra security and leak protection.18
- Underwear: Pads work best with snug-fitting, cotton underwear (like briefs or shorts styles). Avoid thongs or loose-fitting underwear, as they won’t hold the pad in place properly.19
- Overnight: Use longer, higher-absorbency pads designed for overnight use for better protection while sleeping.20
Tampons:
- Relaxation is Key: If it’s your first time or you’re having difficulty, relax your body. Tensing up the vaginal muscles will make insertion harder.
- Position: Find a comfortable position. Many people sit on the toilet with knees apart, squat slightly, or stand with one leg propped up.21
- Angle: Don’t insert straight up. Your vagina is angled towards your lower back. Aim the tampon towards your tailbone.22
- Insertion:
- Applicator Tampons: Hold the applicator at the grip, insert the tip into your vagina, and push the inner tube (plunger) completely with your index finger until the tampon is released.23 Then, gently pull out the applicator.
- Non-Applicator Tampons: Use your index finger to gently push the tampon into your vagina until it’s comfortably in place and you can’t feel it.
- No Pain: A correctly inserted tampon should not cause pain or discomfort. If you feel it, it might not be in far enough. You can try re-inserting or using a new one, pushing it a bit higher.
- Removal: Gently pull the string until the tampon slides out.24 It’s usually easier to remove when it’s full and moist.
Menstrual Cups/Discs:
- Sterilize First: Before first use and between cycles, sterilize your reusable cup by boiling it in water for 5-7 minutes (check manufacturer instructions).
- Lubrication: Wetting the rim of the cup with water or applying a thin layer of water-based lubricant can make insertion easier.25
- Folding Techniques: There are various folding techniques (C-fold, 7-fold, punch-down fold).26 Experiment to find what works best for you to create a narrow insertion point.
- Insertion Angle: Like tampons, insert the folded cup at a 45-degree angle towards your tailbone.27
- Creating a Seal: Once inside, the cup should pop open and create a suction seal against the vaginal walls.28 You might need to gently rotate it or adjust its position to ensure the seal forms. You shouldn’t feel it once it’s correctly in place.
- Breaking the Seal for Removal: To remove, gently pinch the base of the cup (not the stem) to release the suction seal before pulling it out. This prevents discomfort and potential mess.
- Practice: Menstrual cups have a learning curve. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of insertion and removal.
By following these tips, you can ensure a more comfortable, hygienic, and confident experience during your period, no matter which menstrual product you choose.
