Ah periods, who doesn’t love em?! Ha kidding of course. I think most women will agree that the monthly reminder of our womanhood isn’t exactly all rainbows and butterflies. Having to deal with pads/tampons for a majority of our lives is anything but fun. Luckily, technology is changing and there are more and more alternatives coming to market to help women manage Aunt Flo.
It’s been a while since I’ve had my period (thanks to pregnancy and nursing) but I got the scoop on two great alternatives to pads and tampons from two of the finest ladies I know.
First up, the menstrual cup.
I admit, I did vaguely know what a menstrual cup was but never really considered one. It seemed too “out there” but now that I’ve learned more about it, I’m so down. It’s basically a reusable tampon that is super safe. However, in lieu of absorbing blood like tampons do, a menstrual cup simply collects it. Made of medical grade silicon, the cup is soft and flexible and inserted just like a tampon.
Insertion isn’t too difficult I learned. You simply fold it and insert as you would with a tampon. And just like with a tampon, if something doesn’t feel quite right, it probably isn’t. So remove it and try again. I wanted to learn more about the cup from someone with firsthand experience so I asked my sister. She is a 20-something lady who travels often, here are her thoughts:
1) What made you try the cup?
I wanted to try the cup because I’m trying to live more sustainably & was disenchanted with how much waste plastic applicator tampons generate, (& even the other ones aren’t biodegradable for the most part). Additionally, I learned how little regulation there was in terms of listing synthetic/chemical fillers in Tampons (legislation has tried to be passed like 9 times but the tampon lobby won to keep it secret)*Editor’s Note: A link explaining a bit more about this can be found here*; & I’m trying to keep my hooha healthy haha! Also there’s a tax on feminine products and they are priced higher than their male counterparts (for razors etc) so it was my way of sticking it to the man. A cup is more expensive initially but pays for it itself after like 2 cycles, and lasts up to 5 years!
2) How do you like it so far?
I like it so far. It comes in a cute handy case & is more discreet that you might think. I like that it can be safely left in up to 12 hrs (Vs 4-8 for tampons) which lessens your TSS risk significantly.
3) Was there a learning curve?
There’s a bit of a learning curve in terms of insertion but it’s easy once you figure it out. If it’s put in correctly you should not feel it.
4) Have you had any leaks?
I haven’t had any leaks, there are 2 sizes available at least from Lunette the brand I use (if you know you tend to have heavier flows, then get the size that is right for you.)
5) Will you continue using it or are you going back to more traditional pads/tampons?
For the most part I plan on sticking with the cup. though I tend to get my period by surprise so I’d be open to using a tampon in these situations if I didn’t have a cup handy. I travel a fair bit, so if I found myself in a place where I wasn’t confident about the cleanliness of my surroundings with a good place to properly clean the cup I would maybe use applicator tampons again; but would look into trying to source some made with organic cotton!
Another great option for women looking for something other than (or in addition to) pads/tampons are underwear. But not just any underwear! Period underwear. THINX is a type of underwear made from an anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, absorbent and leak-resistant material. With this combination, women can wear a pair of these — and only these! — during their periods and stay leak-free. How you may ask? Well, the top layer fights bacteria and also absorbs liquid into the thin layer right beneath it. End result is you stay dry. And not to worry THINX assures us that “they don’t feel like diapers, and it’s not like sitting in your own blood.”
If flying solo in these is not your jam, you can use these as a back up method to pads, tampons or menstrual cups. Each pair has a handy chart of how much each will absorb, for example the hiphugger style will absorb 2 tampons worth of blood while the thong will only absorb 1/2 a tampon worth. I chatted with my friend Ania, a fashion designer in her 30s about her experience using THINX underwear. Read her thoughts below:
1) What made you try Thinx underwear?
I think I saw a subway ad for it.
2) How do you like it so far?
Love, love, love! Own 6 or 7 pairs. Getting the right size and shape is important, I’d recommend getting one to start and testing it out.
3) How does it compare it to traditional tampons/pads?
It’s a great third option, that in my opinion enhances the other two items, as well as working great on it’s own. I wear Thinx a day or two before I get my period, which on a few occasions was an excellent idea and saved me from and uncomfortable situation. On heavy weekdays, I use Thinx as backup to a tampon (I hate tampons), or a pad. Extra safe. I use the Thinx underwear by itself on lighter days and am really impressed with how they work. There’s no leaks, stay dry, I forget I have my period some days.
4) Have there been leaks? Do you feel confident using these?
Yes, but not any different from using a pad or tampon. Flows can be unpredictable. I use Thinx as extra back-up on my heavy days. It works so well with a tampon (or pad). Plus it’s much more comfortable than liners. The fabric technology is amazing, they’re much better than a pad and more comfortable than a tampon. The inside lining material of the underwear is absorbent, and unlike a pad, stays dry on the surface, doesn’t bunch up and do all those annoying “pad things”.
Tampons leak, sometimes you can’t change a tampon or a pad when you really need to, wearing Thinx as a backup is a game changer. I do recommend them. They’re awesome. I think there’s no reason to by weirded out by them at all. Since everyone has their preferences, and period flow is varied (based on the girl and her age), I suggest to include Thinx as part of the “period kit” and tailor their use based on own preference.
5) Will you continue using them or are you going back to more traditional pads/tampons?
100% will continue to use Thinx. This product will only get better as it gains popularity and more R&D goes into it.
So there you have it, two really great alternatives to the traditional route of tampons and pads. I for one think it’s great that at long last there is some innovation in this arena, at the very least it gives women choices. I know for me it was hard to think outside of the traditional “period box” of tampons and pads and I’m thrilled to learn that not only are there several awesome alternatives but they really work! Have you tried any of these options? Let me know your thoughts!
Image via Unsplash
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