Choosing the right feminine hygiene product

As any woman might attest, dealing with the monthly blood flow and maintaining intimate hygiene is not a simple task. However, there are many choices and a wide range of products - from pads to menstrual cups - to help maintain feminine hygiene.

Today, we will help you understand the details of these available menstrual products, their pros and cons, and everything you need to know before you choose the right product for your needs.

Whether your goal is comfort, eco-friendliness, or ensuring maximum protection during your period, understanding the detailed information about all the products will help you make the perfect decision. Let's dive into the world of feminine products and understand what makes them unique. 
 

Every period is different. If you understand what kind of pattern yours is, it will become easy for you to find the right type of product. Choosing the right menstrual care product can make a big difference in your period days. From traditional products like sanitary pads and tampons to modern innovations like reusable period panties and menstrual cups, there is a choice for every preference. 
 

Tampons are tiny menstrual care products that are very easy to carry, insert, and remove. This best feminine product provides maximum protection from menstrual leakages. Tampons are the cotton-based products that need to be inserted inside the vagina. It absorbs menstrual fluid from the vagina and expands. These are the most suitable choices if you have an active lifestyle. Let's look at a popular tampon used in India:

o.b. Silk Touch Pro Comfort Tampons Super

Stayfree's Silk Touch Pro comfort tampons can gently adjust to your body with 3D expansion, allowing you to have a worry-free period even on heavy-flow days. They contain compressed layers of highly absorbent fibres and interlocked grooves that distribute the fluid across the tampon. With Silk Touch tampons on your side, you will never need to experience chafing on your thighs or icky wetness on the skin.

Pros and Cons of Tampons

Tampons have both pros and cons, as follows:

Pros:

• These are the best choices for women who perform athletic activities like swimming, running, or any other sports.
• They are very easy to carry and invisible under the clothing. They provide maximum protection and do not allow you to feel irritated when you wear pads.

Cons:

• When you wear tampons, you must change them regularly for every 3-4 hours. Otherwise, the risk for toxic shock syndrome will be high.
• Sometimes they can absorb your natural moisture and leads to vaginal dryness.
• These are not eco-friendly choices.

Pantyliners are menstrual products similar to sanitary pads but are thin and less absorbent. These feminine hygiene products are perfect for daily usage to avoid worrying about vaginal leakage, wetness, and sometimes urine incontinence. Also, these are the perfect choice for the last day of the period, when the flow will be very light. Sometimes you can wear it as an extra protection from menstrual cups or  tampon leakages.

Sofy Daily Fresh Pantyliner is one of the popular brands in the pad industry. Let's discuss more about it.

Sofy Daily Fresh Pantyliners are thing and made of compact design to fit easily under clothing. It absorbs vaginal discharge and keeps you fresh all day long. The soft top layer of this pantyliner acts gently on your skin and allows you to have a distraction-free day. You can wear this pantyliner every day or whenever you want for extra freshness.

Pros and Cons:

The pros and cons of pantyliners are as follows.

Pros:

• These are thin, comfortable, and protect your underwear from light spotting, vaginal discharge, and post-intercourse discharge.
• It keeps your intimate area dry and fresh all day long so you can stay more confident.

Cons:

• Improper usage of the pantyliners can cause some issues like urinary tract infections.
• Sometimes, the gels and chemicals of pantyliners irritate genital parts and vaginal mucosa. 

Menstrual cups are period care products that are inserted into the vagina to collect the period's blood. These are reusable, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly as well. Usually, the cups hold more blood and allow you to have a worry-free period by providing maximum protection against leakages. Below, we will discuss the two popular brands of menstrual cups.

Pee-Safe Reusable Menstrual Cup Small-Medium

Pee-Safe Reusable Menstrual Cup is made of medical-grade silicone that protects for up to 12 hours. This is an eco-friendly and reusable product that lasts up to five years. It is made of BPA-free material and it is completely safe to insert inside the vagina. It might be difficult to get used to if you are using it for the first time. But, it is the most comfortable menstrual product once you are used to it.

Sirona Pad-Free Periods Menstrual Cups Medium

Sirona Pad-Free Periods Menstrual Cups protect for up to 8 hours without causing any skin rashes or irritation. This period care product comes with a handy pouch for storage. This eco-friendly product has a higher capacity to hold more fluid compared to tampons and sanitary pads. It does not expose the odour of period fluids to the air and keeps you feeling fresh all day long.

Pros and Cons:

The pros and cons of menstrual cups are as follows.

Pros:

• It is the best economical product that leaves less wastage on the earth.
• It never leaks any unpleasant menstrual odour into the air and lets you have a pleasant period experience.
• It doesn't need frequent changes like pads or tampons. You can stay comfortable for up to 12 hours without worrying about emptying of menstrual cup.
• Unlike tampons or disposable pads, menstrual cups do not require frequent replacements. You can use a single cup for up to five years.

Cons:

• Most women don't want to use menstrual cups because of the mess that occurs while emptying them.
• They are difficult to insert in the correct position if you are not used to it.
• You have to sterilise the menstrual cup regularly after each menstrual cycle. 

If you are tired of sanitary pads, or inserting menstrual cups or tampons, period panties are the best choice for the ultimate comfortable period experience. A period panty can protect for up to 12 hours, provided your flow is light.

Unlock a stress-free period experience with Whisper Super Absorbent Period Panty Medium-Large.

Whisper period panties are best suitable for flow days that provide 360-degree protection against leakages. It provides full back coverage so you can sleep peacefully in any position. Compared to sanitary napkins, these period panties provide better absorption, and you don't need to change them frequently. The flexible waistband of this period care product gives a snug fit. As it is made of soft breathable fabric, whisper-period panty acts gently on the skin and keeps you fresh without rashes or irritation.

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of period panties are as follows.

Pros:

• These are lighter and more comfortable compared to sanitary napkins.
• These are ideal for travelling as they protect against leakage for a longer duration.
• These are eco-friendly and reusable products.

Cons:

• They do not hide the menstrual odour; you will smell it if you keep the same panty for a long time.
• These are expensive when compared to sanitary pads and normal underwear.
   

Maxi pads are similar to sanitary pads but thicker and more absorbent and protect during heavy flow days. These pads are suitable to wear overnight for extra protection. These pads are available in longer sizes and extra thick versions to offer maximum protection. The top layer of the maxi pad quickly absorbs the menstrual fluid and prevents leakage. It comes with a strong adhesive backing that  helps in sticking to the position without irritating. If you are looking for reliable protection during heavy flow days and postpartum periods, maxi pads are the best choice.

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of maxi pads are as follows:

Pros:

• These are very easy to use compared to tampons.
• There is minimal risk of toxic shock syndrome when you are using maxi pads.
• Perfect for moms suffering from postpartum discharge and urine incontinence.

Cons:

• You will not be able to swim when you are wearing pads.
• Pads can be visible if you wear very tight clothes.
• Wearing pads for a longer time can cause irritation and skin rashes.
• Most brands of pads are disposable and create a lot of waste for the earth.

Winged pads are also a type of sanitary napkin that comes with wings, giving extra protection and a secure fit during your period. These wings are nothing but adhesive flaps on both sides of the pad. These wings fold over the sides of your panty and keep the pad in a secure position. This secure fit allows you to roam around more comfortably and also participate in physical activity.

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of winged pads are as follows.

Pros:

• Winged pads offer extra leak protection by wrapping the wings on either side of the panty.
• The added stability and coverage of winged pads offer the utmost comfort during heavy flow days.

Cons:

• These adhesive wings might stick to the skin and irritate, especially if your skin is sensitive.
• Removing disposal of winged pads is a little bit messy and difficult compared to the regular sanitary pads.

It gives a bulky feeling because of the adhesive wings and brings uncomfortability sometimes.

Conclusion

Out of a wide range of menstrual care products, choosing one perfect solution for you can be overwhelming. But, if you find the right choice after some trial and error, the comfort is ultimate. From regular sanitary pads and tampons to modern choices like menstrual cups, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this article will help you understand what you need and what is the best choice for  you.