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Alternate between tampons and pads when your flow is light. And for women with a particularly heavy flow, tampons are oftentimes perceived as less reliable. How often you change your pad depends on how heavy your flow is, but a good rule of thumb is to change it every three to four hours. VanLeeuwen C, et al. Sizes vary between brands so getting the right fit may take some (costly) trial and error. They believe those who choose pads are weak, anachronistic, regressive. We take your words seriously. Choosing between tampons and pads comes down to what your preferences are. Inserting a tampon in your vagina is more comfortable if you're relaxed. If you have really heavy periods, you may need to change it more than every 3 to 4 hours. Once inside your vagina, they absorb blood and when you are ready to take it out, you can pull on the dangling string. 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. Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet they're too big and may back up the toilet and make a huge (embarrassing!) Pads are rectangle-shaped pieces of absorbent material which you can stick onto the inside of your underwear. mess. However, depending on their absorbency level, some . Outside of Pete Evans-style medical information, a range of cultural and social reasons continue to dissuade tampon use. Moreover, many people find pads to be more cost effective than tampons since they generally need to be replaced less frequently. Things can get messy because you have to use your fingers to fish it out of your vagina, then dump and rinse it. But I could never use tampons . 1995-2023. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two most common products: tampons vs pads. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Tampons were always uncomfortable. It . 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. This can also happen from using pads, but it is much more rare. Pads are much more environmentally . The labelling on your pad's packaging will usually tell you details of the size and whether its right for light or heavy period blood flow.. Other tampons are inserted using a finger. Thanks for signing up. Tampons are a good option because they are small, nearly invisible, and swim-safe but they can be hard to insert and may carry the risk of vaginal irritation or toxic shock syndrome. 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. The period game is about more than tampons vs. pads. Tampons are compact and easy to transport especially if you go without the applicator, said Siriouthay. It is important for individuals to experiment with different menstrual products and discuss their experiences with their health care provider to determine which product is right for them. It is absolutely normal to not want to use tampons! Comfort is a personal preference, but there are some factors you may want to consider when choosing between tampons vs pads. Overall . The answer could be a mix of the two. All rights reserved. Reusable cloth pads are washable pads that work like regular disposable pads, only you dont throw them out. Toxic shock syndrome. This pressure can cause your body to naturally reduce the flow of blood from your uterus. When was the first time you sat out something you really wanted to do because you had your period? You can reduce your risk of irritation by changing menstrual pads frequently, and choosing pads made from non-plastic materials. However, tampons can be a great option for those who are more active and want to enjoy activities such as swimming without having to worry about leaks. Follow her on Twitter @wear_a_helmet. Other . Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. Or maybe it's because tampons are sleek and sexy, built like supermodels, and pads are broad-shouldered, aka, "body positive.". Manufacturers made changes to these products in the 1980s, and at least one brand of super-absorbent tampons was taken off the market. You cant feel them once theyre in properly. I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons. Pad users, in their minds, are blind to social norms and addicted to the pleasures of the napkin, a disposable mattress for the vagina. One study found that women had to change the cup, on average, 2.8 times less frequently than when using tampons or pads, and that it leaked 0.5 times less often. Wash your hands and get into a comfortable position. An extension of this are vaguer tampons-make-you-sick fears. No, it is not weird to use pads instead of tampons. Wash your hands before and after using a tampon. For this reason, it is important to change tampons regularly, as well as to use the lowest absorbency possible for your flow. Push the tampon into your vagina using the applicator or your finger, depending on what kind of tampon you have. I was too embarrassed to say that I had my period and I hadnt yet learned to use tampons. If you try to take out the tampon and have trouble finding the string at first, don't worry. Ultimately, the choice is up to you. However, those who have sensitive internal organs and/or sensitivities to tampon products may find that tampons make cramps more painful. Pads come in different sizes for heavier and lighter periods. Theyre more breathable than regular pads. Some girls find that a slender size, applicator-style tampon is easier to use when they first start their periods. You may have a thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese. Next up: her own show. Alternatively, you can stand to insert a tampon, placing one foot on a higher surface such as a toilet seat. Yet walk into your hip start-up's office bathroom or your school nurse's bathroom and (if you're lucky) you'll find a free bucket of tampons. You have to insert it into your vagina with your fingers or an applicator that holds the tampon inside it. Tampons and pads both offer effective protection against menstrual flow, and which you choose depends largely on your own personal preference and lifestyle. It is very common for people to struggle when first putting in a tampon, especially for those who were not properly taught how to do it. Tampons are a popular menstrual product choice for women during their periods. You cant wear them in thongs or G-strings, if thats your thing. Maxi pads can shift or bunch up and cause accidents that we really can't afford to have! (n.d.). Its extremely important to change your tampon every 4 to 6 hours. "Why do you want to wear an adult diaper?" They were artificially . Warner Bros. Lastly, there may be religious or cultural concerns that discourage or prohibit the use of tampons. Pads are usually made up of an absorbent material and they're designed to stick right on to your underwear. It also offers up to 10-hours of leak-free protection to . Get medical help immediately if youre wearing a tampon and are experiencing any signs of toxic shock syndrome. Should I use pads or disposable briefs for my incontinence? They can feel bulkier, especially as they absorb blood, and depending on the pad and clothes youre wearing, can be apparent.. So my bulky menstrual pad and I sat in the heat on the side of that crystal blue water as my friends urged me to jump in. Tampons are inserted into the body and expand to hold the menstrual blood. To Padable, tampon and pad-users everywhere: we're proud of you too. Does Peeing with a Tampon in Affect Urine Flow? A fellow Mashable employee who genuinely asked to be called "Padable" shared this experience with me: "I havent been shamed a lot for using pads, but I also dont bring it up a lot because I always felt it was weird. Again, regular changing usually can manage any odor concerns. (2018). Tampons are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual fluid and can be a very effective means of controlling the level of flow during a menstrual cycle. Many women use menstrual cups as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. Like pads, tampons come in different sizes for heavier and lighter periods. For feminists who spend any time online, the idea of period talk being forbidden is hilarious. The Nemours Foundation. 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. tampon loyalists will ask. With maxi pads, you can never feel 100% confident that your pad won't show or that it won't leak. Lauren Rosewarne does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Pads offer a better option for those with heavier flow days, which may require changing more frequently than tampons. If the tampon isnt taken out and changed regularly enough, then the tampon can get saturated, leaving it unable to absorb anymore. Menstrual cups are flexible devices made from silicone or rubber that are inserted into the vagina, with the aim of collecting menstrual blood. For far too long, people who use menstrual pads have been doubly stigmatized: first for their periods, and second, for their feminine hygiene product of choice. Unlike tampons, pad users wear them outside of their vaginas, usually using adhesive to stick them to underwear. You can get all different kinds of pads, from panty liners to some heavy-duty ones, depending on your flow and how often you want to change them. No, free bleeding does not make your period end faster. Again, the decision is totally up to you and if you're still not sure which way to go, try out both and see what you like best. .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? It is important to remain aware of proper hygiene while swimming on your period and take steps to prevent discomfort and the spread of bacteria. You should change your pad every 3 to 4 hours even if youre not having heavy periods. 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. Being reusable means you save a lot of money. Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne. Before you ask: Yes, it's worth the price. Learn how IUDs can affect your menstrual flow and what you can do about it. If youre just starting out, you might find it easier to use an applicator which is a plastic or cardboard tube that helps you guide the tampon into your vagina., Tampons usually have a string attached to one end. When you start having your period, you can use a pad or tampon to soak up the menstrual blood. They can be inserted into your vagina with your hands or with an applicator. If you have a pet at home, make sure you throw tampons away in a trash can that your pet can't get into. If you have any symptoms of TSS, you should get immediate medical help. Many users of the product are proudly tolerant or indifferent to the feminine hygiene choices of others. Try out different options to find what works best. 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