Menstruation can be confusing and overwhelming, for young girls experiencing for the first time. Considering it to be a taboo still in this day and age specially in the Sub Continent, young girls have too many fears and questions regarding this natural phenomenon that every girls faces when she hits puberty. We are here to help them who cannot talk about it to their mothers or friends about it. Though we encourage the moms, sisters, friends and aunts to have a healthy discussion about it, but for the shy peers, we are there to help.
There are many ways to manage the period blood, with evolution the management has become much easier than the olden times. Placing a cloth and layering it with cotton is still practiced in many areas but enlightening girls of much more comfortable, easy on the pocket and especially hygienic ways to go through this monthly flow, is our aim.
Tampons, pads, menstrual cups – there are a lot of methods out there to manage menstrual blood. Advertisements, your friends, or even what might you have experienced think one method is better than another – when in reality, each has its pros and cons.
Tampons
The smallest and easiest absorbent ever, that is full leakage proof, if changed regularly, no visibility, extremely comfortable, you can even go for swimming in them. You can keep them in your purse, or pocket, so storing them is not a problem. They are fairly long lasting, like from 4 to 6 hours.
But it has its cons with it, you have to find the right size depending on your flow. It can get bacteria in if not inserted with clean hands and is dangerous for environment. They can cause irritation or dryness in vagina. So you do have to try it a couple of times, switch it with pads and see what makes you most comfortable.
Sanitary Pads
Pads are the most famous way for women, they come big and small, with wings to control leakage, cotton layered or gel based to soak it all in. They have much less risk of infection as you are not inserting anything in your body. It’s much more comfortable to sleep in them. And if the flow is really little, you can opt for panty liner.
The cons are , they are still bad for environment, they are accident prone , as there can be leakage no matter how big the wings are, the walking and other activities might shift their position, you cannot swim in them and then there are always the chances of pad rash.
Menstrual Cups
Best part about Menstrual Cups is, they are reusable. So there is hardly any destructive effect on environment. They are super easy on the pocket as you won’t be running every month to buy new product. You just sanitize the old one and use it month after month. As they are not absorbing but just storing, there are hardly any chances of infections. They have way more storage so no need to empty it after every couple of hours.
It does have its disadvantages, as emptying it might be gross for some. You have to properly sanitise it with boiling water once you are through with your periods to prepare it for the next cycle. You have to keenly check for any wear n tear, which happens after many many uses, but still.
So here was the gist of all you needed to know about period management. Take your pick and let us know what’s your favourite method.
