Quick break from regular scheduled programming for period awareness and education. For anybody who isn’t aware of their options, wants tips, is scared to try something new, or is just looking for suggestions from someone who has tried it and isn’t incentivized.
‼️I want to preface this by saying that how comfortable with and aware of your anatomy (not just mentally but PHYSICALLY) directly correlates with your ability to successfully attempt these various methods ‼️
The following are ranked by the level of familiarity with YOUR anatomy they require, from least to most. The start is probably obvious to some, but you quite literally NEVER KNOW.
Period Products -
1. Free bleeding: First on the list, this is most effective if you’re able maintain healthy hygiene as this can require a bit more effort to maintain. Free bleeding is essentially that, you bleed freely. It can be from using absolutely no period products and maybe wearing dark clothing to hide any potential staining, to period underwear/pads, to contain your flow. It’s sensible to be concerned by the dangerous ingredients of period products that are unsafe to the people using them - seeing as how large companies are borderline unregulated - and not want to have to deal with any of it. It’s been said to reduce symptoms and shorten periods, but it isn’t for everyone and depends on your lifestyle.
2. Disposable Pads or Underwear: Minimally invasive and come in several shapes for different styles of underwear. If you’re wearing a thong one day and a typical pad doesn’t work, there are pads made to be compatible with your underwear. A pad paired with boy shorts that have a thick band is my preference if wearing one. My least favorite thing about traditional pads is the long, rounded wings (adhesive tabs) like on Always pads. My preferred brand was U by Kotex, which had wings that were more accommodating of a universal underwear style. Many people have become hesitant because the ingredients most long-time established companies use aren’t transparent and are overall poor for women’s health (this is a broad generalization, not every mainstream period company is unsafe). I’ve heard companies like Honey Pot and Pixie Cup are much safer, but make sure to look into and read the listed ingredients. Disposable Underwear functions in almost the same way, but provides more coverage. I like them a lot, yet they tend to be more diaper-like, which isn’t discreet in the day, but at night or just at home, very underrated. Cotton is always a good thing to look for in a product. Look into research, reviews, and studies into the brand to get an idea of what you’re exposing your body to.
3. Reusable, aka Washable, Pads and Underwear: These work very similarly; you have to be more comfortable with your period discharge enough to rinse it before washing, but if done in the shower, I think it can be really easy and low maintenance. If you’re worried about leakage or sleeping or want a fairly secure, close to everyday underwear option, I think period underwear are great. I’ve only tried Bambody, which has sparked some discourse, but I like it. Your flow should be considered when considering options. Different people with different flows have different experiences, so again, please look into the brands that align best with your body.
*If you have discomfort with any insertion or penetration, you can stop here if it’s a hard limit, but if you’re curious, want to be informed, or okay with it for your use carry-on*
4. Tampons: Good old tampons. I hate the sensation of pads thus prefer underwear, but tampons were my go-to predominantly. Quick and easy, but this is where insertion comes into play. I would suggest sitting on the toilet when inserting for maximum comfort. Don’t be afraid to insert up to the grip / where your fingers meet and then press the plunger. Two fingers hold the grip/base of the applicator, I would suggest your thumb and middle finger, while pressing the plunger with your index finger. Feel free to try any combination that suits your dexterity. As for tampons that don’t have an applicator, I have little to no experience with them, but I’m assuming the same-ish concept, but no applicator, and your finger is the plunger? 🫣 Sorry. I am familiar with reusable applicators if your concern is waste. Insert the applicator-less tampon into the reusable applicator, then wash after use. Store in a small pouch or whatever you’re most comfortable with. LOLA is amazing, a variety of options, and they let you customize your box so you can pick how many of each size~/flow you have in your box. Perhaps light are great for the beginning and the end of your period but super is better for the middle, or 50/50 regular and Super+, personalizable.
5. Period Cups: The name 'cup' is very literal; it’s a cup with a stem at the bottom. Imagine the silhouette of a rose, but with a stem that’s about a cm long. There are many, many brands/designs to choose from, along with ways to fold the cup for insertion. So, folding makes insertion easier, since when it’s fully open, the circumference can be a bit difficult to insert, and because of the seal mechanism, it would be much more tedious. Once folded (I use a C fold, but please research the different folds / visual examples, and use what best suits you), insert like one would an applicator-less tampon. Now they have applicators on the market which may make the process much easier and closer to inserting a tampon with a tampon applicator. I find it less daunting and less messy. Pixie Cup (the brand) has a great one that’s pretty universal since the other offered universal applicators tend to be much larger. But there is also a clothespin-like applicator (no longer offered by Pixie atm) with a side that breaks the seal for removal. These I like more for the removal assistance, although not required if you’re comfortable inserting a finger to check and remove. The instructions are pretty much the same as for a tampon: fold the cup, then insert it into the applicator. LUBE. I can’t suggest enough. From 4 on, lube is your best friend. It will make the entire insertion process more comfortable and much easier. Please, please use lube if you’re having difficulty. Literally any lube you would use for sex or Pixie Cup brand has one that’s cute and small that comes with their products, or whatever you prefer. Water-based is my only strong recommendation. Angle down when inserting because the anatomy of the vaginal canal is not just straight up and down; it’s curved. Angle down towards your tailbone. If that doesn’t help, then experiment. Once inserted, you can run a finger around the underside of the cup rim to make sure it’s fully open. Sometimes you may not need to, as you can feel it pop open, or some movements once you get up can help, such as a kegel or squat, whatever you find works. When fully opened, the cup rim forms a suction seal within/against your walls, which should stop discharge from leaking past and instead gather in the cup until removal. Because of this suction seal, it cannot be pulled out; the seal must first be broken with a finger or applicator, then removed. The clothespin-esque applicators can be used to break the seal using the other end of the applicator. I have heard people say they have difficulty with leakage, but my theory is that it has more to do with it not actually opening and sizing. Not all companies have varying sizes, which doesn’t make sense to me. Seeing as how tampons do-ish and everyone’s bodies are different, wtf. But I digress, if you couldn’t tell 🙈 I buy the majority of my products from Pixie Cup because of the amount of video explanations and examples of use, transparency with ingredients, women owning the brand / designing the products, and various sizing for almost everything. They have great applicators and so many sizes to fit your body best, and they're constantly looking to improve their products, which address so many specific period needs. Oh, and they can stay in, usually up to 12 hours, BUT CHECK THE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS AND REGULATIONS OF YOUR CUP!
6. Period Discs - I think discs are the trickiest and require the most comfort with your individual anatomy. They can seem daunting because of their circumference, but they sit almost flat. They have many advantages. This includes auto dumping (emptying when using the bathroom due to the contraction of muscles), not really needing to be taken in and out before the instructed time is up to remove, capable of being inserted during penetration, comfort, said to reduces cramps, and there’s probably more. The disc works by sitting underneath and around your cervix, where your lining is expelled. The back half should sit behind the cervix and curve around to the front, tucked behind and above your pubic bone. The pubic bone is like a substantial, firm ledge that the front of the disc rests upon to keep secure. The center of the disc is like a net that collects the discharge, and for auto dumping, it can either unhook automatically via a naturally occurring bodily mechanism when you use the bathroom, or you unhook it manually with a finger and let the contents empty. Afterward, you can use your finger to push it back up and over your pubic bone. Checking whether it’s secure behind your cervix may be more challenging, so I suggest first trying it before your period starts. Using a finger to insert under the disc, feeling for your cervix requires knowing what to feel for. Your cervix is firm and almost a protrusion at the top of your vaginal canal. Your cervix typically lowers during your cycle, so it shouldn’t be too far up, but learn your body. If you don’t use an applicator, squeeze it to look like a hotdog-bun and then insert a finger like the hotdog in the middle pointing away from you while resting the tip of your finger within the rim. After, turn so that your finger is pointing at yourself and insert that way. You’ll be able to feel as you pass your cervix and place it behind. Apologies for the analogy. The best advice I can offer is ANGLE DOWN when inserting so it can slide in past the cervix and sit behind it. If it’s sticking out and won’t go in all the way, it is most likely sitting in front of your cervix, not fully inserted, and will definitely not work. Many companies are now making applicators that function like a tampon, and with a tail that can be cut to your comfort level to make removal easier, again similar to a tampon. I hate to sound redundant, but Pixie Cup has many of these products, and they come in kits with everything you’d need and instructions. You will find your preferred brands with time and patience. P.S. If you’re attempting insemination (pregnancy) some women have used the disc to help with fertilization/taking to the egg.
🚨 Be aware of all instructions and warnings provided with whatever products you use. No answer exists for what period product is best nor what period care should look like, only what works for you! Don’t get caught in my or anyone else’s preferences, what you like is most important.
Almost all options have general time limits after which you HAVE TO replace or empty them. This is FOR YOUR HEALTH AND SAFTEY. You risk things like TSS (toxic shock syndrome) and several other potentially life threatening conditions if not. Albeit uncommon, it happens more than you’d probably think. That parts universal.
A few bonuses.
Period Pain -
- Heating pads (portable and plug-in): Common, and there are plenty of brands and features to try. Heat varies. I like heating pads that are as hot as possible. I need my uterus to practically melt. Also, laying the heating pad over a pillow can help by pressing heat into the stomach. Portable heating pads are wireless and great for when you have things to do and need to be mobile.
- Hot water bottle: A silicone/rubber (I’m not sure) large flat waterbottle that is filled with water (either boiling water or room - cold temp which is poured into the water bottle and heated up in the microwave. It will require reheating as the temperature cools, but it can reach high temperatures while fresh.
- A heating pad in a pinch: If you're in a pinch, don’t want to buy one / cannot, you can make one with a washcloth, water, and a bag. Take a washcloth and wet it. You don’t necessarily want it drenched or dripping; you want it wet. Then place it into a bag, I would suggest a large Ziplock, so it’s fully spread out, and then heat it in a microwave. How long will depend on your microwave, but increments of 30 seconds should suffice until it’s at the preferred temp. Warnings: it is still in a bag, likely plastic, so be careful not to burn yourself or melt the plastic, and at least to begin with, don’t put it directly onto your skin. Please be careful!
- Pressure: Shoving a pillow into your abdomen or curling up into a ball or both can be better than nothing.
Orgasms: Orgasms have been known to help many people with symptoms. I understand having an aversion to mess or blood; this isn’t for everyone. But an orgasm does not have to mean penetration. External stimulation is where most women receive primary pleasure that results in orgasm. Toys, tribbing, or even penetration can help. If you are partaking with a partner, please communicate what you’re okay with and your limits. The contractions orgasms create have also been found to assist the shedding of the uterine lining therefore shortening a period. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it 👐
- Massages: If you're able to give yourself an abdominal massage or have someone give you one, 12/10 magic.
- TENS Units: These are similar to, but not the same as, period pain simulators. They have sticky tabs attached to your body that send pulses to distract your nerves from the pain of cramps. It’s like pinching yourself when something hurts so that the pain almost cancels out. Consists of the stick tabs, a cord that splits into two that plug into the pads, and a unit where the settings can be adjusted. May vary.
Hygiene -
Period products: Making sure to clean your reusable products between cycles and as needed is so important. Storing your belongings in a specific place, away from tampering, always helps (ie, if you have a pet, a kid, or a nosy sibling). Steaming in hot water is great. This does not have to be a pot; there are many methods of steaming made specifically for cleaning period products. Pixie Cup also offers many devices, as well as other brands I haven’t yet tried.
Sanitizing Container: When in public, it may be difficult to clean your products between uses, but a sanitizing container can be super helpful. It’s a container with a lid you fill up with water from the sink before entering a stall. Then you can remove your product, place it inside, shake and rinse before using again, dump the remnants into the toilet and go about your day.
Sanitizers: NOT HAND SANITIZER. They are specifically made sanitizers for your period products, between uses, and whenever you’d like. This ranges from sprays to washes, to soaks, etc.
Stain Removers: Exactly as it sounds. Usually your product is left to soak in the powder stain remover mixed with water or in hydrogen peroxide. Staining is completely normal and just a byproduct of time. They can be removed with specially formulated stain removers.
Also, hydrogen peroxide works not only for the product’s stain removal, but works to use on clothing, towels, mats, couches, etc. Soak the area in hydrogen peroxide, let it sit, and then wash/wipe. The hydrogen, if active (check the expiration date), will bubble as it reacts with the stain (blood), breaking down the particles and lifting them. Usually.
Feminine Washes: There are several washes safe for your reproductive organs that can also be used on the products you use for your cycle. You want to be careful with scented products or anything not meant for the feminine area, as they may irritate or disrupt your pH balance.
Feminine Wipes (pH balanced): Much like all products I’ve discussed, you want them to be as entirely cotton and water-based as you can get. There may be one or two other ingredients due to their intended function, but please check. Wipes that are as close to 100% cotton, 100% water, and unscented, are good for the area, but not specifically suited for feminine use. Water has a neutral pH, which is better than a basic pH but not the same as the natural vaginal pH. pH-balanced wipes are more acidic, so to help maintain your body’s natural balance.
🚨 Be aware of any allergens listed as ingredients in all products 🚨
Okay, that’s all I can recall for the moment, so please leave comments with any other options/tips I have forgotten or am simply uninformed about. I really hope this helped someone. Remember that cis-het women are NOT the only menstruating people, and EVERYONE should be educated about periods and period products, regardless of gender identity. It’s life. Whether it reflects your personal preferences or not, having the information on all methods may truly help someone else. I have had the privilege of a mom and sister who educated and helped me with these things, as well as, the resources to purchase various products so I can test what best suits me. If you’re also in that position use that to help someone who doesn’t. It’s hella stigmatized and not discussed nearly enough. There’s no reason or space for shame!
I haven't seen a single Cladonia pixie cup in my three years in Utah, but this past week I found a clump of lichen and moss that had been rained down from further up the mountain not five miles from my apartment. I'm definitely having one of those moments where it becomes obvious how much more biodiverse my immediate surroundings are than I ever realized.
