For many of us, our first lessons about periods were brief and practical, often limited to learning how to use pads or tampons.
Alongside these traditional options, there’s now a wider range of products available, including reusable options such as menstrual cups, period pants and washable pads.
Making the choice about which one is best for you can be overwhelming. You might wonder how these products work and whether they’re foolproof enough to put the fear of bleeding through your clothes at bay.
Dr Tempest, a consultant gynaecologist at the University of Liverpool, spoke to Radio 4’s Sliced Bread about how each product works and the pros and cons to help you decide which might suit you best.
Menstrual cups are small flexible cups made of medical-grade silicone.
You fold and insert them into the vagina, where they collect blood rather than absorbing it.
Dr Tempest says there are different types of cups available to buy based on how heavy your flow is or whether you’ve had children.
Hygiene is also really important so make sure you wash your hands before you insert the cup and clean the cup between uses, she adds.
Pros
The most eco-friendly period productHolds up to three times more blood than a tamponCan be worn for up to 12 hoursReusable for years – they can last up to 10 years but between two and four years is the averageCost effective over time
Cons
Takes practice to insert and removeMay take time to find the right fitMessy to empty, especially in a public toiletNeeds sterilising between cyclesLarger upfront cost which can be around £20 to £25
Period pants
Period pants are underwear with built-in absorbent layers. You wear them like normal pants then rinse, wash and dry them for reuse.
They’re particularly popular for sleeping or on lighter days.
Leakage worries are normal but Dr Tempest says they are reliable for most people and have a built-in waterproof layer and odour lining.
Pros
Looks and feels like regular underwearNo shifting around and last between six and eight hoursReusable and eco-friendly – they last between two and three yearsCan be layered with other products for extra protections
Cons
Can have an expensive upfront cost – prices start from around £10 and go up to £50Requires washing and drying between usesMay not be absorbent enough for heavy flowsInconvenient for travel without access to laundryWill need to carry a used pair home with you if changing them during the day
Reusable pads
Reusable pads look similar to disposable ones but are usually made from cotton or bamboo and fasten around your underwear with poppers.
Instead of throwing them away, you rinse, wash and dry them to use again.
Pros
Softer and more comfortable to wear than plastic-based padsEco-friendly so popular if you’re wanting a more sustainable optionVariety of sizes and absorbenciesCost effective over timeCan last between three and five years
Cons
Need to be washed after each useRequires planning – they must be dried properly between uses says Dr Tempest as damp fabric against your skin can increase the risk of infectionBulkier than disposable padsLess convenient if you’re out of the house as you’ll need to carry the used ones home with you
Disposable Pads
Disposable sanitary pads are the most commonly used period product – they stick into your underwear, absorb blood externally and are wrapped and binned after use.
Dr Tempest advises changing pads regularly (every four to six hours) and they shouldn’t be worn for more than eight hours as they can irritate the skin if worn for too long.
Pros
Simple to useWidely available in many different sizes from ultra-thin to thick night padsGood for overnight protectionCan be more comfortable for beginners
Cons
Can feel bulky or shift out of placeNot practical for water-based sports, such as swimmingEnvironmentally harmful – an average pack of pads holds the same amount of plastic as five carrier bags according to Dr TempestMore expensive than reusable options over time – women spend around £5,000 on period products over a lifetime
Tampons
Tampons are also commonly used and inserted into the vagina, where they soak up blood before it leaves the body.
Dr Tempest stresses that they must be correctly disposed of.
Every day, 2.5 million tampons are flushed down the toilet when they should be placed in a bin.
Pros
Discreet and small enough to carry in a pocketGood for sports and swimmingRange of absorbencies
Cons
Requires insertion which some people may find uncomfortableLow risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) if worn for too longEnvironmentally unfriendlyMore expensive over a lifetime compared to reusable products