Tampons, Pads, and Other Period Supplies


Once you get your period, you'll need to use something to soak up the
menstrual blood. There are lots of choices out there, and it may take
some experimenting before you find the product that works best for you.

Here's an overview of what's available.

Pads



Super, slender, overnight, with or without wings, deodorant, maxi,
mini . . . pads may seem a bit confusing at first because there are so
many different kinds. But the good news is that with all these choices,
there's bound to be one that works for you.

Pads are rectangles of absorbent material that attach to the insides
of a girl's underwear. They're sometimes also called sanitary pads or
sanitary napkins. Some pads have extra material on the sides (called
"wings") that fold over the edges of your underwear to help hold the pad
in place and prevent leakage.

Some girls have periods with heavier bleeding, and others have
lighter periods with less bleeding. Pads come in several different
thicknesses and absorbencies for heavier or lighter menstrual periods or
for day or nighttime use. That way, girls who have a lighter flow don't
need to feel like they're wearing a pad that's bigger than they need —
and girls with a heavy flow don't need to worry that they'll leak
through their pad.

Some pads are scented or come with a deodorant in them. But these can
cause irritation of the vagina or an allergic reaction in some girls.

Most pads that you buy in stores have a sticky strip along the
bottom. You peel off the strip that covers the adhesive, press the pad
into the crotch of your underwear (wrapping the wings around and
sticking them under the crotch if the pad you're using has wings). This
type of pad is disposable.

Once you've removed the pad, wrap it in toilet paper and put it in
the trash can (or if you're at school or out somewhere, in the special
disposal box that's found in most stalls). Don't try to flush a pad down
the toilet — even the lightest kind of pad may back up the toilet and
make a huge (embarrassing!) mess.





It's also possible to buy reusable pads that can be washed after each
wearing — these are usually available in natural health stores or
online. These kinds of pads snap or clip onto a girl's underwear (or
have a special holder that attaches on). Some women choose to use these
pads because they think they are better for the environment or because
they save money. It's all a matter of personal preference.

No matter what kind of pad you choose, it's best to change pads every
3 or 4 hours, even when your flow isn't very heavy. Regular changing
prevents buildup of bacteria and eliminates odor. Naturally, if your
period is heavy, you should change pads more often because they may get
saturated more quickly.Tampons



Unlike a pad, which catches menstrual blood after it leaves the body, a tampon absorbs blood from inside
the vagina. A tampon is also made of absorbent material, but it's
compressed into a tiny tubular shape. Like pads, tampons come in
different sizes and absorbencies for heavier and lighter periods (words
like "super" or "ultra" on the packaging usually mean that a tampon is
designed for girls whose flow is heavier).

Tampons can also come with or without deodorant. There's no real need
for deodorant in a tampon, since regular changing usually gets rid of
any odor. The deodorant in tampons can irritate the vagina, and could
cause an allergic reaction in some girls.

It's easy to use a tampon, but you do need to learn how. After
washing your hands, follow the directions that come with the tampons
carefully and be sure to relax. Some tampons come with an applicator — a
plastic or cardboard tube that guides the tampon into the vagina. Other
tampons are inserted with the fingers.

Some girls find that using a slender size, applicator-style tampon
makes it easier to insert tampons at first. (An applicator with a
rounded top can be especially helpful for beginners.) The first time you
use a tampon, try to do so on a heavier flow day so the tampon slips in
easier.

Some girls worry that tampons can get lost inside their bodies, but
tampons can't just randomly wander around inside us. The vagina holds a
tampon in place and the opening of the cervix (located at the top of the
vagina) is just too tiny for a tampon to get through. There's only one
place a tampon can go — and that's out the way it came in.

Tampons usually have a string attached to one end that stays outside a
girl's body and can be used to remove the tampon at any time.
Occasionally, a girl may forget to remove a tampon or may insert a new
one when the old one is still in place.

If a tampon is left in too long, it won't get lost. But a girl may
get a discharge and odor, and she could develop an infection. That's why
it's important to change tampons often.





A tampon needs to be changed every 4 to 6 hours or when it's
saturated with blood. Because you can't see a tampon as you can with a
pad, you'll need to remember when it's time to change or you may get
spotting or leakage on your underwear or clothing. Pull gently on the
string that is attached to the end of the tampon until the tampon comes
out, wrap it in toilet paper, and throw it in the trash. Don't flush a
tampon down the toilet — even when the box says a tampon is flushable,
some tampons can still cause problems in some plumbing systems.

If it's time to change your tampon and you can't find the string,
don't worry! The tampon is still there. You'll need to reach in with
your fingers to find the string. It may take a minute to do because the
string might be a bit hard to grab.Menstrual Cups



Like a tampon, a menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina. Instead
of absorbing blood, though, the cup catches it before it flows out of
the vagina. Menstrual cups are made of flexible materials, like rubber
or silicone. Since you can't see when the cup is full, it will need to
be emptied (or, in the case of disposable cups, thrown away) several
times a day. Instructions that come with the cup explain how to do this.

Menstrual cups are not as commonly used as tampons, so they may be
harder to find. Although some menstrual cups look like a diaphragm, they
are not a method of contraception and will not offer any protection
against pregnancy or STDs.

Avoiding Problems



One thing to remember about tampons: It's very important that you
change them every few hours and that you wear the absorbency type that
is right for you.

Never put a tampon in and leave it in all day or all night, thinking
that you won't need to change it because your period is so light. Doing
this puts girls at risk for a rare but very dangerous — and sometimes
life-threatening — disease called toxic shock syndrome TSS

TSS results from a bacterial infection that may occur when using
super-absorbent tampons, especially if they are left in longer than is
recommended.

Symptoms of TSS include high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, severe
muscle aches, a feeling of extreme weakness or dizziness, and a rash
that looks like a sunburn. If you ever have these symptoms while wearing
a tampon, remove it and tell a parent, school nurse, or other adult
immediately. Have someone take you to the nearest emergency department
as soon as possible. The body can go into shock with TSS if someone
waits too long to seek medical treatment.

Remember, though, that TSS is very rare and most women never become
ill from using tampons, especially if they follow the guidelines for
changing them regularly.Tampon or Pad?



When deciding what type of protection to use, it's really up to you.
Some girls like tampons because they're easy to store in a purse or
pocket. Tampons and cups are also helpful for girls who participate in
sports like swimming, since you can't wear a pad in the water.

Some girls prefer pads because they're easy to use and it's easier to
remember when to change them since you can see them getting soaked with
blood.

Many girls switch back and forth: Sometimes they use tampons and
sometimes they use pads, depending on the situation, where they're going
to be, and their menstrual flow. Some girls use pads at night and
tampons during the day. And some girls with heavy periods use tampons
together with pads or pantiliners for added protection against leakage.

If you have any concerns or questions about your period, talk to your doctor.