How to Choose a Feminine Hygiene Product - Buying Guide
From pads and liners to tampons and wipes, there are many options to choose from. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to confidently select products that suit your unique needs and lifestyle.
1
Pick Between Reusable and Disposable Period Products
Feminine hygiene products, also known as period products, can be disposable or reusable. Disposable or one-time-use feminine hygiene products do not need cleaning and are thrown away after use. These items' popularity is due to people's fast-paced lifestyles. While they are convenient, they produce a lot of waste and can also be costly.
Since you bleed monthly, you'll have spent thousands of pesos on disposable period management products by the time you reach menopause. Aside from being sustainable, reusable period products can also help you save money in the long run. Go for reusables if you're willing to allot some time washing menstrual items after using them.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Switching to reuseable is a very smart thing to do. Not only can it save you lots of money, but it is also environmentally friendly.
2
Select a Product Type That Suits You
There are different products for feminine hygiene out there, especially for days when you're on your period. It's important to know the difference between feminine wipes, feminine wash, sanitary pads, panty liners, tampons, menstrual cups, andperiod panties to find out which products are best suited for you.
Feminine Wipes Are Best for On-the-Go Use
Feminine hygiene wipes are great for traveling or when you're in a hurry. The wipes come in resealable pouches, so you can easily put them inside your bag and take them anywhere with you, perfect for busy professionals and students. Just wipe away, reseal the bag, and you're good to go! Note that the number of sheets per pack may vary from 30 to 100.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Feminine wipes are great for our fast-paced lives. In as easy as 1,2,3, just open the pack, wipe, then reseal the bag to maintain its freshness and moisture.
Feminine Washes Keep Your Intimate Area Clean and Healthy
A feminine wash is perfect when you're staying home and want thorough cleansing. You can use it when you bathe or if you want to feel fresh during red days. The content ranges from 60 to 250 ml. Get small ones that you can bring on trips and reserve the big ones for home use.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
You can use the feminine wash at least twice a day to keep the area down there healthy and clean. However, note that excessive use can result in stripping the Lactobacilli, the good bacteria.
Sanitary Pads Are Readily Available and Easy to Use
Sanitary pads or napkins are the most common type of period product in the Philippines, and they are quite simple to use. They arepacked with an absorbent material to soak up the liquid. And they come in two types—disposable and reusable.
Disposable napkinshave adhesives that help you attach the padto your underwear. Some have extensions on the sides called wings, which help keep them in place. But to prevent chaffing, there are also disposable pads that do not come with wings.
You can also opt for reusable pads which function just like their disposal counterpart. The only difference is they are supposed to be washed after each use. All washable pads come with wings onto which buttons are sewn, which you clip together.However, you would need to manually adjust them every once in a while.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Disposable napkins are a must, especially when traveling. You can continue using it as long as you don't develop allergies and rashes.
Panty Liners Maintain Your Intimate Hygiene During Light Days
It's important to maintain your intimate hygiene even when you don't have your period. This is where panty liners come in, which are mini versions of sanitary pads that are made from the same absorbent material.They're used to absorb dischargebefore and after your cycle andduring ovulation.
Not only do they help you feel fresh down there, but they also prevent staining on your underwear. Aside from disposable panty liners, you can now find reusable ones on the market.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Panty liners are good for long working days. It is advisable to change it every 8 hours to avoid rashes and irritation.
Tampons Are a Great Option for Women Who Swim or Do Other Athletic Activities
A tampon is a tiny cylinder with a string at one end that's put inside the vagina—this string is used to pull it out when it's full. Since it's on the inside, you'll be able to swim and do other athletic activities even during your period! The cylinder is usually made of rayon, cotton, or both, while the applicator is often made of plastic or cardboard.
With an applicator tampon, the tampon is inserted through the barrel with the help of the plunger. Generally, first-timers find it easier to use applicator tampons.However, there are also ones that don't have an applicator, wherein you need to insert the tampon using your fingers.Depending on the heaviness of your flow, it's best to change the tampon every 4-8 hours.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Using tampons when you have an active lifestyle is a must. Changing napkins every 6 hours will be a thing of the past. This is a plus, especially during water sports or even climbing.
Menstrual Cups Are an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Tampons
A menstrual cup is a reusable feminine hygiene product that's made of TPE or silicone. To use it, you need to fold it, put water or a water-based lubricant around the rim, then put it inside the vagina so it can collect the blood instead of absorbing it from the outside.
After successfully putting it in, the cup will pop open to its full size. If properly inserted, it should stay in place, and you'll be able to go about your day without the cup shifting its position or falling out. If you have a light flow, you can leave it in for up to 12 hours!
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Menstrual cups are a good alternative, especially for those who develop rashes and irritation from the prolonged use of disposable sanitary pads. It is also reusable, so not only are they friendly to your skin, but they're also eco-friendly.
Period Panties Are Absorbent and Reusable
If you're looking for an alternative to disposable feminine hygiene products, you can opt for period panties which areundergarments you can wear during menstruation. They are constructed the same way as regular underwear but are made with extra layers and fabrics that easily absorb menstrual blood.
You can wear this product during light days and use it as a backup when you have a heavier flow. The great thing about these is that they're not bulky and are reusable. All you have to do is wash them and they're ready to go for your next cycle!
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Period panties, like menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads, are eco-friendly and very convenient to use. They make your red days manageable, and being able to help the environment is a big plus!
3
Choose a Size Depending on Your Menstrual Flow
The size of the feminine hygiene product you use depends on how heavy your flow is. When it comes to pads and period panties, there are usually two sizes—regular or day and overnight. On the other hand, panty liners are used at the beginning and end of your period, and even during ovulation. These can also be a backup when you're new to using menstrual cups.
As for tampons, the sizes range from mini and normal to super. Lastly, most menstrual cup manufacturers make only two sizes—small and large. However, others produce cups that come in three or four sizes, namely small, medium, large, and extra-large. Some manufacturers also make short versions of their cups—these are for people with a low cervix and teen or pre-teen users.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
It is important to know your size when using disposable pads or even period panties. The level of comfort is important during red days.
4
For Women With Sensitive Skin, Go for Hypoallergenic Products
Whether you're using internal or external feminine hygiene items, it's important to take the product's compositioninto consideration. For instance, if you have sensitive skin, look into buying hypoallergenic period underwear, menstrual cups, tampons, panty liners, and pads with antibacterial protection to better suit your needs.
As for feminine wash and wipes, go for unscented variants and those made with natural ingredients to prevent irritation. Always make sure to double-check the label and read the product descriptionto have a better idea of the formulation or material of the item you're buying.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD
Scented variants for feminine wash and wipes may help you feel fresh during your period. However, not all scented feminine wash is good for the skin. For some, it may trigger an allergic reaction and discoloration.