Menstrual Products

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In some parts of the world, tampons are taxed more heavily than hotel bookings, truffles or caviar. Despite bing a necessity. Ireland, Jamaica and a handful of other countries never had such a tax. Some, including the UK and Germany, reduced it. Others, like Kenya and India, abolished it. The realisation is long overdue: Feminine hygiene is not a choice.

Should we be overthrowing the Tampax Empire? (recommended read!).

Well, first let’s look at what female products are out there on the market?

Let’s talk about sanitary pads, tampons and menstrual cups….

Tampons

A tampon is a feminine hygiene product designed to absorb the menstrual flow by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. Once inserted correctly a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton.

Tip: One Regular size tampon absorbs 5 ml of blood, a Super tampon absorbs about 10 ml of blood. If you are trying to estimate your blood flow throughout your cycle or worried that you have heavy periods (menorrhagia), monitor how many tampons you use each day. If you are losing >80 mls of blood per day during menstruation - this is considered heavy bleeding. So if you are using > 8 super sized tampons (fully soaked) per day during your period, you have heavy bleeding. Make sure to see your doctor if this is happening.

Tampons can increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a condition caused by bacterial toxins from leaving a tampon in for a long time. Often toxic shock syndrome results from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria, but the condition may also be caused by toxins produced by group A streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Symptoms may include fever, rash, skin peeling, and low blood pressure. Manufacturers of tampons sold in the United States no longer use the materials or designs that were associated with toxic shock syndrome. Also, the Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers to use standard measurement and labeling for absorbency and to print guidelines on the boxes. Lost or forgotten tampons are super common, sometimes for weeks at a time, and the negative effects can be a bad (OK, extremely foul) smell and infection. TSS can affect people after just 9 hours of tampon use — so be careful and try not to forget about your tampon.

If you use tampons, read the labels and use the lowest absorbency tampon you can. Change tampons frequently, at least every four to eight hours. Alternate using tampons and sanitary napkins, and use minipads when your flow is light. Lost or forgotten tampons are super common, sometimes for weeks at a time, and the only negative effect is a bad (OK, extremely foul) smell. On the flip side, TSS can affect people after just 9 hours of tampon use — so what gives? 

period starting will disrupt this balance and cause drying. Something you don't particularly want when trying to conceive. It is very common for women to report increased dryness, soreness or ‘thrush’ just after a period, and especially after sex, as the drying effect and then the friction can cause minor abrasions in the vaginal walls.

Fertility Tip:

Tampons can be quite drying in the vaginal area as they are designed to absorb fluid. Lots of tampons also contain rayon, pesticides, fragrances and chlorine from processing etc (things we don’t really want inside our reproductive tract). This can disrupt the vaginal fluid balance and so try using organic products and the minimal absorbency available if possible. Try popping a tampon in a glass of water and see what happens. Cervical fluid is important for your fertility, providing a passage way for the sperm to swim up in through the vagina and into the cervix, giving it the energy it needs for the arduous journey to meet the sperm. Over use of tampons for example prior to your

• Menstrual Cup

Will my vagina stretch from using a menstrual cup?

No, the vagina won't stretch from using a menstrual cup… This means that something as small as a menstrual cup or a tampon will not cause you to stretch out. Just make sure to get the right size for you. Lost of products offer different sizes in one pack so that you can test what works.

Some cups even allow you to measure your blood loss oh and did I say that they can typically last for 12 hours each day.

If like me, a menstrual cup is a weird thought, you are not alone. Lack of understanding and fear of the unknown can sometimes do that to us. Take a quick read through my explanation of how it works and you never know - you might be pleasantly surprised and even converted.

The small, flexible cup is made of silicone or latex rubber (organic and BPA free ones are also on the market) and can last FOR UP TO 10 YEARS! What now!! (Saving the finances whilst also saving the world-love it). Instead of absorbing your flow, like a tampon or pad, it catches and collects it. Just before your period begins, tightly fold the menstrual cup and insert it like a tampon without an applicator. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don't dry the vagina. This preserves the healthy bacteria that protect you from vaginal infections. Menstrual cups aren't associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is a rare, life-threatening condition linked to tampon use and reusable menstrual cups are environmentally friendly.

Check out ‘Put a cup in it’ to check your options.

Sanitary Pads

Pads have been around forever. A sanitary napkin, sanitary towel, sanitary pad, menstrual pad, or pad is an absorbent item worn in the underwear when menstruating, bleeding after giving birth, recovering from gynecologic surgery, experiencing a miscarriage or abortion, or in any other situation where it is necessary to absorb a flow of blood from the uterus and vagina. With a regular flow, you can wear a heavy or regular absorbency pad. A heavy pad will offer more protection. You may want to change your pad every 3-6 hours of even earlier depending on how heavy your flow is. Wearing a regular or light flow pad should last anywhere from 4-6 hours.

Menstrual products also come in organic form-free of toxins! If you are not ready or not interested to try re-usable products like menstrual cups, there are products that are free of rayon, pesticides, fragrances and chlorine processing. (Cora do some great products).

In case you missed it, read about the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire here.