Elevate patient essentials with Eko DUO ECG + Digital Stethescope, the first and only smart cardiac disease detection system. You can follow her on Twitter at@KateDore. With thousands of dollars on the lineyou may wonder if it's time to explore alternatives to tampons and pads. Much like disposable pads, these reusable pads are available in different sizes to accommodate your flow. Theres a learning curve to finding the right fit and how to insert and remove the disc. (You can easily measure your cervix height with a finger if youre not sure.) menstrual underwear or period pantiesis another period product to replace tampons and sanitary pads. Some manufacturers also claim the product may cut back on period cramps. Another reason someone may consider switching is because of the dramatic difference in how much a tampon or pad can hold compared with a menstrual cup or another alternative. Although it won't last for several yearslike some menstrual cup brandsyou can keep it as long as any other type of underwear. Tampon alternatives can actually be more effective than tampons. We asked doctors to break down the possible side effects of birth control to help you pick the best method for you. As the name suggests, tampon alternatives are feminine hygiene products that are used in place of tampons. tampon Choosing a cup can be confusing when switching from tampons. HOW?? Earn FSA Perks Points, unlock member-only rewards, and speed up the checkout process. Theres no set interval at which you have to swap out your period underwear, but after a few hours bacteria begins forming and theyll start to smell pretty gross, so its a good idea to change them out regularly. So now that you know a few tips, share it with your friends and family so that this can be helpful to every woman out there. According to Felice Gersh, MD, an OB-GYN and the founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, cups can typically hold more fluid than other methods, including tampons. We also reached out to several experts, including gynecologists, to get their input and recommendations. The right product should be completely undetectable in your body. Although they are more absorbent than tamponsyou may spend more money on a month's supply. As someone more accustomed to internal period products like tampons, the pads werent my favorite. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. For example, one pack of three may not be enough to get you through your cycle and could cost almost $40. Switching your feminine hygiene product is a personal choice and the reasons for switching will vary from person to person. The new law allows you to use money from either account to pay for menstrual products. Do I have access to private, clean bathrooms throughout the day? Todays biggest stories, from pop culture to politicsdelivered straight to your inbox. Kyleena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), a tiny, flexible T-shaped device placed inside your uterus to prevent pregnancy for five years. Depending on your flow, you should get around 4 to 8 hours of protection from your reusable pad, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Also, it may be messier than using a tampon or sanitary pad. tampons pads A single reusable disc or cup, for instance, only costs $30 to $40 to start and can last up to 10 years, which ends up way cheaper than buying new tampons and pads each month. If you're struggling to figure out which new period products are bestkeep reading. They are available in reusable and one-time use options. !.,-_*|+~#). By signing up to the Mashable newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications Heres how, With so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start. Another factor to consider is diameter. Changing and cleaning menstrual cups can be done every 12 hours, far longer than most can go with tampons, Gersh says. But there are several alternatives to choose from if youre looking to move away from single-use products. Discs can be more hands-on to insert and remove but have a shorter learning curve. These period products may be more breathable and flexible than disposable sanitary padsbut you still won't be able to swim with them. With disposable discs, you simply throw them away after a single use. Menstrual sponges may have unwanted particleslike yeast, mold, sand, and grit. To make our product selections, we did extensive online research and read customer reviews. *All Shipping prices displayed are for the lower 48 states only. My favorite pairs were the Knix dream short(opens in a new tab), which felt super comfy and cute while also promising great overnight absorption, and the Innersy 3-pack of underwear,(opens in a new tab) which would be good for lighter days and was the most affordable period underwear I tried. This disposable period product has been getting attention for a few good reasons. OK OK, lets calm down! Most users who switch would say that their experience with a cup or disc has been better than with tampons, this has a lot to do with how comfortable they are. Its mess-free for the person not wearing the disc, as theres plenty of mess once the disc has to come out. She explained that, like disposable pads, these pads can also shift around throughout the day, which may leave you feeling a bit self-conscious. Did you run just run out of pads? A note of warning: Menstrual cups might not be the best option if you use an intrauterine device, said June Gupta, a Maryland-based womens health nurse practitioner and the director of Medical Standards at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Gersh says the risk of toxic shock syndrome is very low. Cups and discs are both worn inside the vagina. AdultFriendFinder is essentially a hookup site that's equal parts spam and porn, Easy ways to turn your patio into an outdoor oasis with Walmart, Lowe's has a 12-foot mummy to rival the 12-foot Home Depot skeleton, Throw an epic backyard bash with this starter pack of party essentials, 8 Dyson Airwrap dupes you can buy for under $200, 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for July 30, Scientists discover ancient shark swimming in a really strange place, 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for July 29, 'Harley Quinn,' and why we all lose when superheroes can't eat p*ssy. Consequently, many women feel menstrual cups provide more freedom and convenience.. Menstrual cupsare a popular alternative to tampons and pads. Cori Zeichner Couldnt Find Acne Products That Worked for HerSo She Created Her Own. Horwitz R. (2021). Rosas says menstrual cups tend to be a bit easier to use but more finicky to find the right fit. How comfortable am I putting something into my vagina (and troubleshooting issues that come up)? See you at your inbox! (Disclosure: I didn't try them, either. Id been wanting to switch over to a more reusable product like a cup for a while, but I'd felt too overwhelmed by the wide variety of options of styles, sizes, and shapes to make a choice. Back to school picks Tampon alternatives are generally safe with the benefit of being made from medical grade materials, like silicone or polymers. The downside is you may need to buy more than one pair to last your entire cycle without daily washes. Some individuals might make the decision to switch because they want a healthier option for themselves, while others may switch because theyre trying to reduce waste by going with a reusable alternative. This is because they collect period blood rather than absorb it, Rosas says. Although one of the biggest advantages may be the ability to save money over time, you may need to buy a bunch to get startedwhich could be costly. When it comes to cleaning your reusable pad, its best to follow the instructions provided in the package. Share on Facebook (opens in a new window), Share on Flipboard (opens in a new window). But in the end, youll discover a whole new way of experiencing your period. As a menstruating teenager, the worst thing that could possibly happen was almost always related to periods. getty isabel pavia moment As technology continues to march forward, there are even more innovative ways to greet Aunt Flo when she comes to town. Being able to have mess-free period sex was also a neat feature, although its a bit of a misnomer. tampon tampons And I've put a lot of sketchy looking things in there to try in the name of testing products.. Don't get discouraged if it doesnt seal perfectly or feel comfortable right away. Even with a few of the wrong purchases, though, you may still save money. For those who menstruate, period products are an unavoidable, and costly, monthly expense. But weve come a long way since the 70s, when women were still wearing belts to keep their pads in place because adhesive sanitary napkins hadnt yet been invented. Tampons are accessible for many, they come in a range of sizes and absorbencies, and they get the job done without much mess. Here's how it works, potential side effects, and more. The pads from Aisle felt much less bulky than the ones from Simfamily, and they didnt tend to slide around as much either. Another newer alternative to tampons and sanitary pads ismenstrual discs. I first tried (opens in a new tab)Ziggy(opens in a new tab), a reusable menstrual disc by the brand Intimina, as well as disposable discs from (opens in a new tab)Flex(opens in a new tab) and (opens in a new tab)Softdisc(opens in a new tab). The Kind cup was an initial favorite. Heres what you need to host the hottest summer party on the block. Use []. Rosas suggests taking a quiz to help you find your fit. We do not sell internationally. Its a common mistake to simply buy a cup from the pharmacy. PSA: TikToks Favorite Cleaner Is Even Better Than Youd Think, 10 Ways to Find Sunburn Relief Without Ruining Your Vacation. To clean these after each use, you can rinse or pre-soak the pads, then toss them into the washer. As with anything else you might put in your body, it's always a good idea to do your own research or consult with your doctor before making major changes to your period routine. Another perk is skipping the waste of tampons and disposable sanitary pads. Like menstrual cups, menstrual discs can be messy to insert and remove. Tampon alternatives include reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, period underwear, and even menstruation sea sponges. Although you may wear a menstrual cup for up to twelve hoursthe product may be tough to insert or remove. And just like regular underwear, youll likely require multiple pairs, because youll need to wash them after each use. Weve all been through this. The Honey Pot 100% Organic Top Sheet Super Herbal Menstrual Pads with Wings, Stayfree Ultra Thin Pads Overnight with Wings, Stayfree Ultra Thin Pads Regular with Wings, Cora Organic Cotton Ultra Thin Period Pads, Stayfree Ultra Thin Pads Super Long with Wings. Between birth control, tampons, sanitary pads, pain killers, heating pads, and other necessities, you could easily spend more than $18,000 on period products throughout your life, according to aHuffington Post report. Additionally, when recommending brands, we made sure they adhere to industry best practices and that the products arent potentially harmful. All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. softcup hope Crocheted or cloth tampons are untested, unregulated, and can potentially cause dangerous problems including toxic shock syndrome, which is what happens when there is an overgrowth of staph bacteria in the vagina causing your body to go into shock, Gupta said. Luckily,new legislationhas made it more affordable. menstrual tampons pads cups instead should using reasons If you're traveling, you may prefer the ease of disposable products. I also tried another reusable disc, Nixit(opens in a new tab), and found it easy to insert and comfortable to wear. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. How important is a reusable product to me? Rosas said period underwear can serve as an excellent backup for cups or discs so you can get the hang of things without worrying about leaks. Whatre we gonna do? Some brands also say they can control moisture and period odors. Period underweara.k.a. Additionally, the use of pads and period underwear can reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome as compared to others for obvious reasons, according to Kimble. We'll discuss birth control, menopause treatment, gender affirming care, and. You may reuse these products for six to twelve monthsand they have become more popular among folks looking to cut back on waste. June Gupta agreed with Rosas concern for untested period products, saying that not all tampon alternatives are good ones. This story was published in 2021 and updated in June 2022. All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. Period undies can be worn on days when youre experiencing a heavy flow, or even overnight they can hold up to three times the amount of a regular tampon. While the design of a cup's stem is reminiscent of a tampon, you definitely shouldn't pull it out the same way. If youre super squeamish about touching blood, cups are usually less messy. If you opt for a super-absorbent option, youll likely get a few extra hours of protection. Reusable pads and period underwear also hold amounts similar to disposable pads, and like with buying tampons or pads, you will want to look for the absorbency level that matches your needs. Kate Dore is a Nashville-based personal finance writer and Candidate for Certified Financial PlannerCertification. While they won't last as long as one of the more durable menstrual cupsyou will still prevent more period products from going into the landfill. She teaches financial literacy with Junior Achievement and writes for Lifehacker, Business Insider, Investopedia, and Credit Karma. Its a common misconception that tampons are better and hold more blood than their reusable counterparts, says Kim Rosas, an expert in the reusable period care space, from Period Nirvana. According to our experts, tampon alternatives are not only safe and approved by the FDA, but they can also be more comfortable, better for the environment, and even allow for less messy period sex.