Menstrual Cups, Discs, and Underwear. . . Oh My!
It is no longer your mother’s tampon aisle. We have so many options for period care now, but too many options can feel overwhelming.
There is no right answer for what product is best for you. You could use pads, tampons, pantiliners, cups, discs, or period underwear, and be just fine. Let’s get into the details so you can pick what is best for you and your body.
I recommend to look for the following labels:
100% Organic Cotton
Fragrance Free/Unscented
Chlorine Free
BPA Free Plastic Applicators (for Tampons)
Some labels to look out for:
Odor Guard
Odor Control
Deodorant
Companies are not legally obligated to disclose what their menstrual products are made of. Yeah, YIKES. I found it incredibly difficult to find EXACTLY what manufacturers were using for “odor control.”
Quick wicking fabric could be noted as a way to reduce odor, but typically “odor guard” was listed as a different aspect of the garment. I tried to find if any antimicrobial components were listed (such as silver, triclosan, triclocarban, or hydrogen peroxide), but had no luck. Many antimicrobial components have not been widely studied for use in menstrual products, so probably best to keep them away from your genitals.
I did find Polysorbate 20 as a possible fragrance ingredient in some period underwear. This ingredient is often used in cosmetics and has been deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. But if not properly purified, some byproducts of this ingredient can be linked to skin allergies and potentially more dangerous consequences in some animal studies. To be on the safe side, best to keep it away from your genitals.
Maybe you’re looking to switch things up, or you have a teen, or you haven’t evaluated your options in years. Whatever your situation, let’s break down the pros and cons.
Pads and Liners
Pros: Ease of Use. Most teens will start with pads since all you have to do is stick the adhesive to your underwear and voila, done! Their wider reach can be good for overnight protection. And if you are uncomfortable inserting something vaginally/have introital pain, these are a great choice.
Cons: Can feel like a diaper sometimes. Pads can bunch up, slide out of place, and may not work with all outfits. You also can’t exactly wrap the wings of your super pad around your bikini and head confidently to the pool.
Tampons
Pros: Insert and go on about your day. You don’t have to worry about swimming, working out, or wearing something tight and having a bulky pad show through.
Cons: They can be forgotten. Yup. Toxic shock syndrome is not incredibly common, but forgetting your tampon after a night out is INCREDIBLY common.
Menstrual Cups and Discs
Pros: Environmentally Friendly. If you’re looking to reduce your waste, it’s a great option. They also hold just as much or more than a tampon/pad so you don’t have to change so often.
Cons: Can take some getting used to. You have to be comfortable inserting something vaginally and also with your own body fluids.
Period Underwear
Pros: Environmentally Friendly. You can wash and reuse over and over again. And you control the fragrance (or lack thereof) that is used in your detergent. They typically hold more than a pad or tampon and come in heavy and light day options.
Cons: May take some getting used to. You have to be comfortable with your own menstrual blood and cleaning the garment.
I hope this was a helpful breakdown of your different options, and gave you a good jumping off point. In future blogs and posts I plan to recommend specific brands and take you through my own experiences. Stick around for more! And as always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions by email or message on social media.
