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. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that can cause itching, burning, redness in your vagina. Tampons vs. Pads: The Pros and Cons - Seventeen Allergies can also cause irritation, discomfort and other symptoms, so if you find that this is the case then its a good idea to consult your doctor. 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. Reusable cloth pads are washable pads that work like regular disposable pads, only you dont throw them out. Pads are much more environmentally . They come in lots of options to accommodate changes in your flow and activities. From Super Light (half to a full tampon), Moderate-Heavy (2-3 tampons), to Maxi 24 hours (10 tampons), and levels in between, you can find exactly what you need for every day of your period. A tampon is made of absorbent material similar to a pad. Mean Girls: you havent lost your virginity if you use a tampon. Lets face it: Most menstrual products are pretty female-centric, from their packaging and marketing to their incompatibility with boxers. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and can be reused for three to five years. I had my periods when I was 13! Others include menstrual cups, cloth pads, menstrual disks, free bleeding, and period panties like Thinx. Additionally, it is much easier to use a pad versus a tampon, especially when it comes to disposal of the product. Incidents of TTS have dropped since then and are currently estimated to affect 0.8 to 3.4 per 100,000 people in the United States. Tampons post a slightly greater risk than pads, as theyve been linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal infection caused by a buildup of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the vagina. Its not right that tampons are culturally the 'best' and often 'only' period option. But nearly a century into commercial tampon availability in the West, where does our pad preference come from? Nemours Children's Health and KidsHealth are registered trademarks of The Nemours Foundation. I was too embarrassed to say that I had my period and I hadnt yet learned to use tampons. I am the heavy flow queen, she said. They are confident that their hygiene product is the superior one. Figures are rubbery but in the United States it is estimated 42% of women use tampons (and likely not exclusively), compared to 62% using pads. Much like well-known drugstore brands, direct-to-consumer tampon brands offer light- and ultra-absorbency options in addition to regular tampons. A tampon is a small, cylindrical bundle made of cotton, rayon or a blend of cotton and rayon. They're also great if your new to the world of menstruation or have a hard time wearing tampons. This string is meant to sit outside your body so you can use it to pull it out when your tampon is full and needs changing., How do I choose the right tampon for me? You can reduce your risk of toxic shock syndrome by using the least absorbent tampon required to manage your flow and changing your tampon regularly. It . Pads, meanwhile, are not associated with TSS. To Padable, tampon and pad-users everywhere: we're proud of you too. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); By clicking 'Sign Up' you agree to receive marketing emails from PUBLIC GOODS. 'Cause you're worth it, and you deserve it. Inserting them can be uncomfortable, especially when trying a new one. I had enough reasons to hate them. The biggest risk is viruses, such as hepatitis, which can be transmitted through dried blood for several days. You have to wash them, which can be messy, especially when youre out and about. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In truth, virginity is a cultural category that some people use to define whether weve had sex. tampon loyalists will ask. You can store tampons before and after use in an opaque plastic bag for privacy. If the flow is still too heavy, speaking to a doctor or gynecologist and seeking medical advice may be necessary. Other girls like pads because they're easy to use, and it's easier to remember when to change them because you can see the blood on them. 14 Tampon Size FAQ: Comparison Chart, Types, Fit, Ease of - Healthline Like pads, tampons also come in deodorizing scents, which can irritate the vagina. You can expect to pay around $0.13 to $0.20 per tampon for a plastic applicator. 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 vs. Pads: Which Option is Better for You? | The Pill Club - Favor Talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. With only 2% of the population using tampons, she provided information about options. 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.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 PUBLIC GOODS - All Rights Reserved. This article was medically reviewed by Irena Cabrera, MD, OBGYN at. There is archaeological evidence of women using tampon-like instruments to help stem menstrual flow dating back to Ancient Egypt, where women used material from the papyrus plant to stop period blood. Let's start by explaining what each one is. That's almost double the amount of maxi pads bought in comparison to tampons. Instead of segregating ourselves into pad and tampons camps, or even other hygiene products like diva cups and Thinx, we can build a common cultural conversation around the issues that really matter: Ruined underwear, painful cramps, or accidentally bleeding all over your office chair while you're at work. Ranging from personal preference to medical concerns. The data (probably) doesn't lie. Pads can't be worn while you're swimming or taking a bath, while tampons are an option. It also means less landfill waste and fewer trees being cut down to make paper-based options and packaging. This can cause gray, white, or green discharge, a fishy-smelling odor, itching, and burning during urination. Try to use the least-absorbent tampon that you need. Can a tampon get lost inside my body? The amount and duration of your period is determined by a variety of factors and usually does not change with free bleeding. Most tampons are generally the same length. Tampons are a great option for women who swim or do other athletic activities. If this doesnt seem to be the issue, then its possible that you might be allergic to the materials within the tampon. When you insert a tampon, make sure it is inserted far enough so that the string is below the opening of the vagina. For starters, most cups are reusable: just rinse and wear them again! Theres a lot of culture-specific stigmatizations around periods, said Siriouthay. ", Cosmopolitan UK: "A doctor answers all your questions about Toxic Shock Syndrome. "Differentiation between menstrual products is a personal choice as long as they are used as directed, either are efficacious," says Gaither. There can also be varying levels of vaginal dryness and tightness which can impact the ease in which a tampon can be inserted. These are not the same sponges you wash your dishes or tub with! You have to wash them, which can be an issue if you need to change them on the go. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com. Many girls wonder: how do you put them in? Some tips to remember for safe use tampons include: There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to menstrual care products. The amount of flow can vary from person to person and is affected by menstrual cycles, but a flow that is too heavy for a tampon can cause frequent changing, discomfort, and even leaks. If youre going to try menstrual sponges, be sure you buy natural sea sponge, as some retailers sell synthetic sponges that are dyed and not necessarily safe. Theyre more flexible and less bulky than most pads. A tampon's absorbent material is pressed tight into a small cylinder shape. I usually wear pads, just rather have the . Changing pads regularly also helps to control smells. It took Siriouthay some time to figure out a menstrual care system that worked for her. I was at high school throughout much of the 1990s. Pad and tampons might seem like two different species, but both are equally bad when it comes to their affect on mother nature. While tampons and pads are the most popular menstrual products, they are far from the only ones. There was a long period of time in my life where I all wanted to do was bleed out of my front hole, and catch it with a napkin. Its a rare but life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. Too cheap to buy a Tempur-pedic pillow? Tampons also come in different sizes meant for both heavy and light blood flows. 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The period game is about more than tampons vs. pads. If you menstruate but dont identify as female, this can cause some pretty unpleasant feelings of dysphoria and general discomfort. Do you use pads or tampons for the most part and which do you prefer Finally, if it is difficult to locate the opening of the vaginal canal, this could also explain why insertion is difficult. We avoid using tertiary references. (Tampons admittedly have a minor advantage there.). Could I have it, too? I prefer pads over tampons for a variety of reasons.



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