How to stop the flooooooow
Or as normal people call it: *Menstrual hygiene products* - A summary by me
Here are things I tested and maybe my reviews will help someone
**Pads** - A classic. They come in all different sizes and were my go to for the longest time. Application: Stick it into your panties. That is literally all there is to do. Pros: You can easily spot if you need a new one whenever you’re on the loo. Also, I have dry... basically everything. If your vagina gets dry as easy as mine, pads are a hell of a lot more comfy than tampons. When you’re done, you throw it away and get a new one. Cons: Take up lots of space in your bag, produce a lot of trash, not suitable for swimming or formfitting clothes. May slip and slide around while you sleep or during sports.
**Tampons** - The other classic. Applications: Stuff them up your vagina. Takes a few tries to get them in a comfy position at first. Also, if they are uncomfortable all the time, get smaller ones (Yes, there are sizes) Pros: You get them almost everywhere where you could get anything at all to care for periods. Great for swimming and sports in general. The ones without applicator (I never had any with) are tiny and fit in any bag or pocket. Also throw-away, which is handy in some situations. Cons: Still produce waste, first thing to cause dryness if that is an issue you have, without applicator, you have to at least somewhat put a finger up your vagina (meaning you need clean hands to apply), with applicator... I guess not? But more waste.
**Menstrual cup** - My go-to thing for the last years. Application: Fold it up, stuff it into your vagina and fumble around until you’e sure it’s unfolded. Pros: You get one, it will stay with you forever. Easy to clean, easy to store. Once you got the hang of how it fits, you only leak if you really left it in there for too long. No dryness. Fit for swimming and sports, sometimes (if rarely) you might feel it. I prefer rinsing it, but in a pinch just wiping it with toilet paper works fine as well. Cons: You definitely want clean hands for this and it’s a little awkward at first. For cleaning it out, you need at least clean napkins, running clean water is even better. After you’re done for the month, you have to boil it. Also, just to be very clear: If you are uncomfortable with literally stuffing your finger up your vagina and fumbling around in there, this probably won’t work for you. You have to feel around to make sure it’s positioned correctly.
**Menstrual sponge** - These are available as disposables or cleanable ones. I only ever used the disposable ones for getting it on during my period. Yes, that works. Use a condom. Application: Stuff it in there. That’s it. Pros: You can have penetrative sex. It doesn’t even feel weird. They are not as awkward at the beginning as regular tampons because they are soft. Also, the reusable ones don’t cause dryness because you rinse them before insertion. Cons: A bit messy to get out sometimes (no strings attached, hehehe), the disposable ones cause a lot of trash and usually a sponge won’t last you as long as a tampon. With the reusable ones that’s only a problem at night. Throughout the day, you just rinse it out frequently enough. You need clean hands for applying them and you definitely need clean, running water to clean it. Also at the end of your monthly business you have to soak it in diluted vinegar for a while.
**Fabric pads** - I only had fabric panty liners so far. They come with little buttons to attach then around the center of your panties. Pros: Reusable and you just throw them in the washer with all your laundry for cleaning. Also, they come in bright, nice colors. Cons: They don’t contain any plastic layer, so they soak through pretty quickly. They tend to slide around and I think disposable ones come with some fancy chemicals to prevent smells? These don’t. It’s not horrible, but when you pull down your pants, it’s a bit weird.
So overall I’m in love with the cup, sponge is a close second, disposable options are pretty much dead for me. I just end up forgetting to refill my stocks aaaaaand produce an additional little bag full of trash each month. Once I got used to the cup it even felt less like... anything than a tampon.
So yeah, this are my two cents. Feel free to use them or add your own experiences.