Feminine Hygiene Products

3.

Feminine Hygiene Products

Menstrual Products

Tampons:

Pros

You can swim in them.
You don’t have to worry about them being visible
You can’t feel them when they’re in properly.

Cons

Risk of toxic shock syndrome (TTS).
Inserting them can be uncomfortable, especially when trying a new one.
Finding the right size and type for your flow takes some trial and error (i.e., there will be accidents)
They can sometimes irritate and dry out your vagina, making it itchy and uncomfortable.

Tampons might be best for you if:

are working out or otherwise on the move
are heading to the beach or a pool party
need something you can throw in your pocket

Pads:

Pros

They come in lots of options to accommodate changes in your flow and activities.
They carry almost no risk of TTS.
You can wear them overnight.
You don’t need to insert anything.

Cons:

You can’t swim in them. (Take it from someone who’s endured the horror of watching her pad float on by while swimming with friends.)
Like tampons, there’s the environmental factor, though reusable options are now available (more on these later).
They can shift out of place and wrinkle up in the center when you’re moving.

Pads might be best for you if:

value waking up in clean sheets
find tampons hard to insert or uncomfortable to wear
wear tampons but want some back-up protection against leaks

Menstrual cups:

Pros

Most cups are reusable
They can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time.
You can buy them in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles.
You can wear them with anything.
You can swim in them.
They don’t disturb your vaginal pH.
You can’t feel them once they’re in properly.
They generally result in less period smell.

Cons

Things can get messy because you have to use your fingers to fish it out of your vagina, then dump and rinse it.
If your periods are heavy, the cup may runneth over long before the 12 hours
Insertion can be tricky for some
You’ll need to give it a thorough wash after each cycle
Though cheaper in the long term, the initial cost is roughly $25 to $40
Some cups contain latex, so be sure to read the label if you have a latex allergy.
TTS from menstrual cups is possible when not used as directed

Menstrual cup might be best for you if:

have a little extra cash on hand
are looking to reduce the environmental footprint of your cycle
want a set-it-and-forget-it approach

Padded underwear:

Pros

They’re reusable
They can accommodate a light to medium flow.
You can buy period panties in different styles and colors, including generic briefs
You can wear them as extra leak protection with pads and tampons at night or on heavy days.

Cons

The upfront cost is more than regular underwear.
They’re not recommended for heavy flows.
Sizes vary between brands so getting the right fit may take some (costly) trial and error.
You have to wash them, which can be an issue if you need to change them on the go.

Reusable cloth pads:

Pros

They’re more cost-effective in the long run.
They create less waste in landfills than disposable products.
They’re available to buy in different sizes and absorbencies.
They’re more flexible and less bulky than most pads.
They’re more breathable than regular pads.

Cons

The initial investment is a bit high.
Their two-part design makes them less convenient for changing on the fly.
You have to wash them, which can be messy, especially when you’re out and about.
They can stain if you don’t rinse them right away.

Sponges:

Pros

They’re reusable and some last up to 6 months with proper care and cleaning.
They’re less likely to cause irritation than synthetic products.
They cost less than some other reusable period products.

Cons

They’re not sterile.
You need to wet them before insertion.
You need to rinse them every 3 hours.
They must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before storing after your cycle.
They can rip or pull apart when you’re removing them.
You need to fish them out with your fingers, which can be quite messy.
It’s possible to get TTS from sponges.

Hygienic Products

Dove Sensitive Skin Bath Bars:

In general, you want to use a product that’s the least toxic and least likely to contain potentially allergenic ingredients around the vulva and vagina, says Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, OB-GYN at Yale-New Haven Hospital and clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.

Recommended fragrance-free, gentle soaps:

Summer’s Eve Cleansing Cloths (non-scented):

“Summer’s Eve tend to be formulated specifically not to disrupt the pH balance of the vagina.”

The wipes are also free from dyes and parabens, and gynecologist-tested.

Vagisil Sensitive Plus Moisturizing Wash:

“Vagisil has a line of intimate washes specifically for the labia that are formulated with no ingredients to disrupt the normal pH balance of the vagina,” says Ross. She suggests only using this to clean the labia.

It’s pH-balanced, hypoallergenic, as well as dermatologist- and gynecologist-tested.

Lola Cleansing Wipes:

“These wipes look promising,” says Phillips. “The ingredients are mild and don’t include common vaginal irritants.”

What are they made of? 100 percent bamboo soaked in a simple, purified water solution. The product is alcohol-free and there are no parabens, sulfates, synthetic preservatives, dyes, or fragrances.