I have an IUD and because of that, I don’t get a period. However, I used to get a period so here are some tips and ways to deal with it.
Pads: When I first started my period, I used pads. That’s pretty normal. I wasn’t sexually active, and a tampon was pretty intimidating at age 13. There are a million different products for your period, and pads come in different levels of absorption. Pads are particularly useful for someone first starting period or for when you’re sleeping. I personally wasn’t a huge fan of pads, mainly because I also did ballet and it was almost impossible to wear them while you’re dancing. Which brings me to the next method…
Tampons: Tampons are probably the best option for anyone who is active or wants to feel as if they aren’t on their period. Unscented tampons are healthiest as are unscented pads. Perfumes can upset the bacteria in your vagina and give you an infection. I read this article the other day talking about how the media makes us believe that periods or vagina’s smell bad as a marketing scheme for people to buy washes, wipes, scented menstrual products, etc. However, all those products are unhealthy for your vagina. Vagina’s are self-cleaning and as long as you practice good hygiene, warm water is enough. Soap and perfumes are not meant to be in your vaginal canal.
Tampons come with different applicators, there’s plastic and paper. The plus to paper is that you can flush it. However, I always preferred plastic because I think it’s more comfortable for insertion. There are also applicator-less tampons (the most common brand is “OB”). Instead of using an applicator, you use your finger. Many people like them because they are smaller and more discreet to carry, more affordable, and they produce less waste so they’re better for the environment.
It is really important to change your tampon. Since it is an absorbent, it’s collecting blood and fluid in your vaginal cavity. And to make sure you don’t get an infection from the blood beginning to dry, change it, at least, every 8 hours. This brings me to…
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): TSS is pretty rare these days, but it can be very serious and even cause death in severe cases. It’s caused by staph infections which can produce toxins that collect on the fibers of the tampon. Symptoms are immediate and obvious. You would feel dizzy, nauseous, weak, and develop a rash and fever. In the event that you get TSS, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible. To reduce your risk or make sure you never get TSS, it is important to change your tampons often and to use the lowest absorbency for your body.
As I’m writing this article, I’m researching other products for your period. I personally have only ever used pads and tampons, but there are also natural sea sponges as well as menstrual cups.
Sea Sponges:
Pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a reusable sponge that you get wet and insert into your vagina. To change them you pull it out, rinse it, and put in a fresh one. Apparently, they are good for people who think tampons are uncomfortable and pokey. You can find them at health stores or Whole Foods. To clean them, you simply soak them in warm water with baking soda, tea tree oil, and hydrogen peroxide.
Menstrual Cups:
I’ve also never used a menstrual cup, but I have some friends who like them. They’re really low cost because you can just reuse and reuse your one cup. It’s inserted into your vagina and collects the blood until you remove it, dump it out. And reinsert it. To clean it at the end of your period, you boil it in water. They can be used for longer times than tampons. And since they collect the flow and don’t absorb it like tampons, people have said they make cramps less severe.
Free Flow:
It’s also important to note that a woman doesn’t NEED to use any of these methods. There’re some people who don’t like to use any method and that’s perfectly fine. This reminds me of the woman who free flowed while running a marathon the other day.