The feminine hygiene products given to you were most likely disposable sanitary pads. And when the time came for Aunt Flo to pay you a visit. You probably reached for these handy pads and never looked back ever since.
But did you know that there are many other options available out there for you to manage your periods? Some are eco-friendly, some can be DIY and some are even a little unconventional!
Feminine hygiene products that you can choose
1. Disposable pads
These feminine hygiene products are commonly found in every store. Disposable sanitary pads are absorbent pads with an underlying adhesive layer under it. It is used to absorb menstrual blood and it is disposed of and then replaced throughout the day.
They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and the different special features may include:
Wings
"Wings" are adhesive flaps on the sides of pads that prevent them from bunching up in the middle while you go about your day.
Side gathers
This feature is to help prevent any side leakage. So you can have peace of mind and not worry about staining your pants.
Blue absorption layer
This blue strip in the middle of the pad acts as an extra absorption layer for those with a heavy flow and who need a bit more protection.
Extra long
This pad is longer at the back and good for night use when you are lying down or sleeping, as it will prevent any leakage.
Pros: Easy to find, convenient, and many varieties to choose from.
Cons: Not good for the environment, added monthly cost, slightly uncomfortable to some, bulky in your underwear.
2. Reusable cloth pads
For those who want something a little more environmentally friendly. You may want to consider using reusable cloth pads, which can be ordered online, or you can even make them yourself!
Some women also opt for cloth pads as they are worried that disposable feminine hygiene products may contain odor neutralizers, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, polyester, adhesives, polyethylene (PET), polypropylene, and propylene glycol (PEG).
These are all harmful contaminants that have been linked to hormone disruption, cancer, birth defects, vaginal dryness, and even infertility.
Vans, an artist who creates DIY cloth pads, finds them comfortable and easy to make. Templates can be found online, allowing you to cut them from your preferred fabric and start sewing.
"I think a lot of what stops people from trying alternatives (for feminine hygiene products) is the stigma behind periods and period blood - that it's dirty etc. And it makes people hate their bodies and their periods."
Pros: Better for the environment, economical, quite comfortable, and comes in lovely prints and patterns.
Cons: If you're outside, you need to bring along a "wet bag" to store your used pads and keep it in your purse the whole day. And you have to soak the used pads in cold water first before you can throw them in the wash with the rest of your laundry.
3. Tampons
Although tampons can easily be found, some women do not feel very comfortable using them.
Dyana B., a preschool teacher, recalls that right before she went on an overnight camp at Pulau Ubin during her secondary school days, she got her period, and not wanting to miss out on any fun in the water, she tried using tampons for the very first time.
"It was kind of difficult trying to figure out how to insert it. And my mother kept trying to tell me instructions from the other side of the bathroom door.
Which was not very helpful because she's never used tampons before either! I felt uncomfortable wearing it but didn't want to miss swimming or sailing with all my friends."
Dyana developed a fever, mild rash, and lethargy. She was diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) by her family doctor.
However not all women will get TSS when using tampons and it is recommended that you change your tampon every 4 - 8 hours, and no longer than that.
Pros: Discrete and no bulkiness in your underwear, can be used when swimming or in water.
Cons: Risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a little costly, some find it difficult to use, hard to gauge whether you need to change it, not recommended to be used overnight.
4. Menstrual cups
Silicone menstrual cups, an ancient feminine hygiene solution, have gained popularity as an alternative to pads and tampons. These durable cups are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood, and can be reused after washing.
There are some women who have also found an interesting way to make full use of the fluids collected and turn it into plant fertilizer for the garden!
Pros: Pretty comfortable, economical, reusable, and better for the environment.
Cons: Inconvenience of having to properly sterilize the cup at the end of your period before storing it, and some may find it difficult to insert comfortably.
5. Period panties
If you're tired of clumpy pads or inserting foreign objects each month, period panties are a comforting option. They're absorbent, and leak-resistant, and come in various colors, patterns, styles, and absorbency levels.
The washable, leak-proof fabric and customizable absorbency can supposedly hold up to two tampons' worth of menstrual blood.
You might be worried that it will leak and leave an embarrassing stain on the MRT seat when you're on the way home from work. Apparently, they work pretty well and you won't even feel any uncomfortable wetness throughout the day.
Pros: Looks and feels good, discrete, reusable, and better for the environment.
Cons: Not easily available in the country, may come in limited sizes, and you have to soak them in cold water first before tossing them in the washing machine.
6. Free bleeding
This controversial choice to abstain from using any feminine hygiene products and just literally let things flow is called "free bleeding" and has been in the spotlight as of late when bold campaigners in the UK held a protest against the Tampon Tax levy.
Although rumored to be a recent elaborate anti-feminist hoax in 2014, this whole concept of free bleeding has actually been around for much longer, such as described by an author, Sarah, of a blog called All About My Vagina, back in 2004.
She writes, "I hadn't thought much about 'free bleeding' because it seemed very obviously impractical to me to refrain from any kind of menstrual product and just bleed all over things during magic time.
It seemed like a lot of laundry and public concern would ensue. I couldn't think of any motivation to consider the idea. Nor could I see any practical way to implement it even if I did decide it was a great plan."
In 2012, a photographer captured free bleeding for a fashion spread. Depicting women engaged in everyday activities while wearing blood-stained underwear.
Pros: Saves you a lot of money every month, no risk of contact with harmful chemicals from using any feminine hygiene products, better for the environment.
Cons: Generally not widely accepted in our society (so be prepared for a lot of rude stares and negative remarks), stains your clothes and bedsheets (which we all know is a pain to wash out!) or pretty much everywhere that you sit on (it's probably best to avoid white sofas).
Feminine hygiene products: Conclusion
Whether it's pads, tampons, cups, special underwear, or even free bleeding. It's good to know that girls and women have so many different choices of feminine hygiene products now. Which would work for us and make our lives a little easier when it's that time of the month!
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
Additional information from Marhiel Garrote
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