What are conventional period products?

By: Kathy Zhao, Co-President of NJ Chapter

There are a large variety of menstrual products that people can use to manage their periods. Most commonly, pads and tampons are used, with menstrual cups becoming more popular in recent years.

Pads are the most commonly used period product. They are placed face up on the underwear during menstruation, where they can absorb blood effectively. Most people use disposable pads, which means they are thrown away right after use. Some types of these include maxi-pads, which are larger and generally used at the beginning of a period; overnight pads, which allow more protection when sleeping; and ultra-thin pads, which are thinner than other pads but have the same absorbing power. Additionally, there are also reusable cloth pads, which require frequent washing but are better for the environment.

Tampons are extremely popular as well. They are inserted into the vagina to absorb blood, and some tampons have an applicator to help insert it. It is important to understand the proper use of tampons, as they can have health risks. For example, having a tampon in for too long increases chances of bacterial infection and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS is often associated with tampons, and can even cause death. Even though tampons go through the FDA before being sold to check if it's safe and effective, it is still important to be aware of the risks when using them. 

While not as common, menstrual cups have started gaining popularity. They are inserted into the vagina to collect blood, and then taken out to be washed and reused. Despite starting off more uncomfortable, they are safer with lower infection rates than pads and tampons, and are also better for the environment due to being reusable.

It is important for everyone to have the ability to manage their menstrual health. As stigma surrounding menstrual health decreases, hopefully everybody will have more access to these products to manage their period safely.