Period Products: Select The Best For Yourself!

 

She's not always a welcome guest, but like it or not, Aunty Flow is here to stay! Luckily enough, we live in a world with more period products available to us than ever before and thankfully, those products no longer include lamb skins or rubber pantaloons. But, with all the choices available to us, how do approximately 3.75 billion women know which product is right for them? There are many factors to consider while identifying the best product for your body and lifestyle:

• Physical Activity Level
• Cost
• Sustainability- Reusable or disposable?
• Ease of Use
• Time Efficiency: How long can you wear the product, before it needs to be replaced or cleaned?

And the list continues. I have compiled some helpful information on leading and emerging menstrual care products for you to compare and contrast and determine which may be best for you:

PADS AND TAMPONS

Love them or hate them, we are all familiar with them! Besides, it is the only period product which we can get our hands on immediately, in an Indian market. Pads, closely followed by tampons are the most frequently chosen period product for maintaining menstrual hygiene. Pads and tampons are both made with a combination of absorbent fibers, both synthetic and natural, including cotton and rayon. No matter, what is the volume of your flow, you should replace pads at least every 3-4 hours to avoid odor from bacteria growth. Pads are adhesive and rest on the inside of your underwear to absorb all your flow.

Tampons can get a little trickier. First off, we need to bust a famous myth- Using tampons doesn't mean a girl has lost her virginity, but it might occasionally cause a girl's hymen to tear or stretch. First thing: Insertion. Like many other period products, tampons require internal insertion, which can be uncomfortable for some users. Consider opting for low absorbency tampon, and don't forget to replace one, at least every 4 to 8 hours. Do not use a tampon or a pad if you have a skin infection near your genitals. Seek medical assistance if you experience any symptoms.

  

If you are a tampon or pad user through and through, but are interested in a more sustainable option, reusable cotton pad, and reusable tampon applicator are available. Additionally, the average cost of a tampon in India is ₹145 of a box containing 16 pieces and ₹20 for a pack of 4 pieces of pads. 

  

MENSTRUAL CUPS

Although, menstrual cups have been in the market since the 1960's, in the form of an aluminium cup, OUCH! Nonetheless, they are having their moment. Menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone, so they do not dry out the vagina's natural moisture as a tampon does. Though, here as well, insertion is the part where people shy away from using it. To insert a menstrual cup, all you have to do is, fold it in half like a taco, and then pinch in it with your fingers. Maintaining the pinch, insert it into your vagina and release, Voila!

The cup uses suction to create a seal between the rim and the vaginal canal, so manufacturers recommend rotating the cup 360 degrees to ensure the seal is intact and to avoid any mis-happening!

There are several benefits of using the menstrual cup. Many women say that their cramps are more manageable when using a cup, because the flexible material moves with uterine contractions, instead of pushing them back.The best thing, I find about cups are, you can leave them in for up to 12 hours, additionally they have no pads or string to get into your way.

Moreover, it is quite a bargain, and cost less then 400 bucks and can last up to 10 years- if properly taken care of (wash with gentle soap between each uses and boil once a month). Highly cost effective and eco-friendly!

Some other period products are: period-proof underwear (can last up to 2 years), menstrual disc (one-time usage).

Remember that finding the right period product is a process of trial and error. What works for you now, may not work for you in 10 years, because your needs will change. You may find a winning combination of multiple period products during each period to adjust your physical activity level and unique flow. Whatever you decide, rest assured that with the proper care and usage, all products are equal, and all are considered healthy and safe by doctors. 

THE NEXT TIME AUNTY FLOW COMES, YOU ARE READY TO SWAY YOUR OWN WAY!

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