Menstrual Devices: Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Tampons and Other Products

During their periods, most women worldwide prefer using pads or tampons. However, there are other hygiene products available today, such as menstrual cups, sponges, and other menstrual devices. What are the pros and cons of each of these products?

Disposable Pads

Disposable pads are easy to use, which is why many women prefer them. Unlike tampons, they do not cause toxic shock syndrome, as they are used externally and do not retain fluids inside the body.

Disadvantages:

Petroleum products used in their manufacture can cause irritation and negatively affect the female body.
Modern pads have a special waterproof layer to prevent leakage, which creates a greenhouse effect, leading to rapid bacterial growth and potential inflammation.
Pads with a “super absorbent” layer contain silica-based gel granules that react with bodily fluids.

A pad takes about 100 years to decompose completely.

Reusable Pads

In recent years, reusable pads have gained popularity. They are made from cotton fabric and have a special gel-like layer that prevents moisture from passing through. This layer is also used in reusable baby diapers.

Each cycle, a woman throws away approximately 15 disposable pads, totaling 180 per year! Cloth pads, on the other hand, can be used for 5 or more years. Additionally, they do not contain fragrances or moisturizers, so they do not cause irritation.

Disadvantages:

They need to be washed and disinfected, as they retain many bacteria. At home, this involves boiling, which may not make the pad completely sterile. There may be issues during the day when you are away from home.

Tampons

Tampons are convenient to use and allow for an active lifestyle during your period. Moreover, they are invisible even under tight clothing, which is why many women prefer them.

Disadvantages:

Many doctors consider tampons harmful to women’s health. Microcracks can form during insertion.
Tampons absorb not only menstrual fluid but also substrates necessary for the life of lactobacilli, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
They absorb magnesium ions, which suppress the endotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus. This disrupts the vaginal microflora, creating favorable conditions for the multiplication of staphylococcus.
The material used to make tampons is bleached with aggressive substances. Some of these substances inevitably remain in the material and may enter the body.

Remember! A tampon should not be left in the body for more than 2 hours and should not absorb more than 16 ml of fluid. Otherwise, it can impede the flow of blood from the uterus, leading to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms and even toxic shock.

Menstrual Cup

A menstrual cup is usually bell-shaped and made of latex, silicone, or safe thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The cup is designed for reusable use for at least 1 year with proper care.

The cup does not absorb menstrual fluid but merely contains it, preventing blood from coming into contact with the vagina. Due to the vacuum, the menstrual cup ensures that the vaginal environment remains sealed during your period. It does not contain pesticides, polystyrene, polycarbonates, or bleaching agents that harm the mucosa.

Disadvantages:

If the cup is not inserted correctly, leakage can occur.
There is a risk of bacterial growth in the cup, especially if it is left in the vagina for an extended period.

One cup can replace 1000 to 2500 pads!

How to Use a Menstrual Cup

The cup is held in place by the vaginal muscles and vacuum. Initially, the insertion process may be difficult, and the presence of the cup may cause discomfort. However, with proper insertion and the right size, the cup should not be noticeable.

The cup can hold about 25-37 ml of fluid, which is more than a tampon or pad. On average, a woman loses 30-120 ml per day, so the cup should be emptied at least every 12 hours. It should then be rinsed with water and neutral soap. After each period, the cup should be boiled for 15-20 minutes.

Tampon Sponge

This is a soft tampon made of foam material, essentially resembling a sponge. Unlike a regular tampon, it does not have a string. It is inserted like a regular tampon and removed using a special hole in the sponge. After insertion, it takes the desired shape inside the body. These tampons do not contain aggressive chemicals, eliminating the possibility of internal irritation.

Disadvantages:

They can only be used in certain situations. The manufacturer suggests using sponge tampons for special occasions such as sex during your period, sports, swimming, etc. Such a tampon can be left in the body without changing for up to 8 hours. Sponge tampons cannot replace a menstrual cup or conventional pads/tampons but can be successfully used in special situations.

Future Menstrual Devices

The world has long been working on creating modern devices to help women maintain hygiene during menstruation.

The world’s first smart menstrual cup, Looncup, sends messages via Bluetooth to your phone when the cup is about to overflow and needs to be changed. It also records data on the volume and color of the discharge, which can help in the early diagnosis of women’s health problems. Looncup is currently in the final stage of implementation, but around 3,500 women have already pre-ordered this innovative gadget.

The MyFlow sensor, through a mobile app, will alert a woman when it’s time to change her tampon. Additionally, it can help create a graph showing the volume of menstrual flow by day.

Thinx underwear looks like regular underwear, but its main feature is that it can hold the volume of liquid equivalent to 2 tampons. The underwear can be washed and reused. Depending on the amount of menstrual flow, Thinx offers models for different days of the cycle.

Choose the personal hygiene product that best suits your lifestyle, activity level, and body characteristics. And try something new! You may find a more convenient and comfortable personal hygiene product among the new offerings.

For more information, visit the Office on Women’s Health website.