Managing Your Menstruation : A guide to choosing the right Menstrual Product

Uterus owners, we know how that time of the month can be a task in itself. With all the bleeding, PMSing, pain, cravings, and of course all the stigma, it’s not easy to function to our full potential. To think we’ve been able to (almost) gracefully make menstruation a part of our lives is an achievement in itself! Once we’ve made peace with the natural phenomenon of menstruation, we need to figure out the right menstrual product to use. In India, more often than not, every uterus owner starts with the household sanitary napkin. But remember there are several other options out there that can be more suitable to your needs. 

So, we decided to go ahead and help you with your period planning by collating all the information you need to manage your menstruation! Here’s your guide to a clean underwear and an (almost) stress-free period :

Disposable Sanitary Napkin or Pad

is an absorbent item worn by women in their underwear when menstruating. They come in a variety of sizes and materials depending on your flow and requirement and are stuck to the underwear with their in-built adhesive. Sanitary pads need to be changed every 3 – 5 hours depending on your flow in order to avoid bacterial infections or rashes. These are the most common menstrual product in India and are easily available throughout. 

Price Range : Approximately Rs. 4 to Rs. 12 / pad  

Pros : 

• They require no insertion and don’t enter the body.
• They’re easy to use and readily available.
• You get several absorbency options from panty liners to avoid spotting to heavy-flow night time pads.

Cons :

• They are expensive in the long run.
• They can be uncomfortable to wear and aren’t suitable for activities like swimming.
• They aren’t very environmentally friendly due to the synthetic material they’re made of and the lack of proper disposal leading to landfills. 

Tampon

is a cylindrical menstrual product made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton, along with synthetic fibers. It’s designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vaginal canal unlike the pad. However, in addition to menstrual blood, they can also absorb the vagina’s natural lubrication and bacteria. They come with a string that you need to pull to remove it after usage, easy-peasy! You need to change tampons between 4 to 8 hours. They aren’t as readily available as the former option in India yet.

Price Range : Approximately Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 / Tampon  

Pros : 

• They’re great for physical activities and are swim-friendly!
• You get several absorbency options from light to heavy.
• Leaks aren’t common while wearing tampons.

Cons :

• They are expensive in the long run.
• They can be uncomfortable to wear at first as they require getting used to.
• They have a sizable environmental impact as they aren’t biodegradable.
• They pose a risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) which stems from a bacterial infection that spreads toxins to the organs via the bloodstream.

Menstrual Cup

is a menstrual hygiene product made of flexible medical grade silicone, latex, or a thermoplastic isomer. It is folded and inserted into the vaginal canal, to collect menstrual blood. Unlike pads and tampons, it doesn’t absorb the blood but collects it instead. Once full, it can be emptied out and washed to be used again. It’s shaped like a bell with a stem at the bottom, and sits against the vaginal wall just below the cervix. BTW there are some menstrual cup options that allow you to have sexual intercourse freely as well.

Price Range : Starts at Rs.299

Pros : 

• One cup can last upto 5 years and thus, is really cost-effective.
• They’re great for physical activities and are swim-friendly!
• They come in 3 sizes depending on your age and situation.
• Leaks aren’t common if worn properly.
• Menstrual cups are reusable, making them a sustainable and eco-friendly option.
• They’re also better for health as they preserve the healthy vaginal bacteria and aren’t associated with TSS.

Cons :

• They are relatively expensive for a one-time purchase.
• They take time to accommodate and get used to the insertion process.
• They are relatively high maintenance as you need to properly clean them and dry them before reuse. You need access to a proper and clean washroom to change them.
• They aren’t as easily accessible, but you can order them online.

Reusable Sanitary Pad

is exactly what it sounds like, a sanitary napkin that’s reusable. They’re also worn on the inside of the underwear and usually have hooks or bottoms to secure them in place of adhesives. They’re made from layers of absorbent fabrics (such as cotton or hemp), are washable and come in a variety of sizes. After each use, they are washed, dried and then reused. It doesn’t hurt that they come in cute designs and patterns!

Price Range : Approximately Rs. 100 / Reusable pad

Pros : 

• They’re economical and long-lasting. Cloth pads can last up to 2 years based on your usage and care.
• They are reusable, making them sustainable compared to their disposable counterparts.
• They’re safe and gentle on the skin as they don’t contain any toxins, chemicals, plastics, perfumes, or bleach.

Cons :

• You need to purchase at least 4 cloth pads to have a comfortable menstrual cycle.
• They need to be properly washed and dried multiple times in one cycle.
• They aren’t easily available in medical stores but can be ordered online.
• They aren’t as easily accessible, but you can order them online.

Period-Proof Underwear

are underwears designed in a way that they soak up menstrual blood without an additional period product. They consist of several layers that include an absorbent material, a moisture barrier, and a layer designed to prevent any leaks or staining. There are some underwear designed to act as swimwear too! They sound too good to be true right?

Price Range : Starts at Rs. 799

Pros : 

• They’re reusable and long-lasting making them more sustainable.
• They’re safe and gentle on the skin and remove the need for an additional hygiene product.
• They are easy to use and work really well due to the technology used to make the fabric really absorbent.

Cons :

• They’re really expensive compared to the standard underwear due to the special technology and fabric used in them.
• You need to buy several pairs for one cycle.
• They’re not readily available in the country yet and you don’t get a lot of options.

Note : There are some other options available in the global market as well, like Menstrual discs but they aren’t very accessible yet. 

#ManzuriTip : You may need to switch between 2-3 different products and decide the right one using trial and error for the perfect choice! Also, menstrual hygiene products are nothing to be ashamed of and don’t need to be hidden in layers of newspaper and black polybags. Cheers!

Now that you have all the information you need to solve your menstrual dilemma, feel free to make an informed decision and share it with other vulva owners to navigate through the dilemma as well! Period.

You can check out our website to find some awesome products for maintaining your personal hygiene. Visit our webpage to find more blogs like this one and our Instagram handle @get_cliterate for dope memes and relatable content!