How can I manage my period?
You can use pads, tampons, period underwear or menstrual cups to manage period blood. These can all be bought at the pharmacy or supermarket and come with instructions.
Once you have your period, it’s a good idea to keep some pads or tampons ready at home and in your school bag or locker. On Day 1, you might only notice a slight brownish stain on your underwear, but some girls start with more, so it is easier to manage if you’re prepared.
Pads
These are cotton pads that you put on your underwear. They absorb the blood and should be changed when it starts to feel or wet or uncomfortable.
If your first period starts while you are out and about, and you are not prepared, then you can temporarily make a pad from tissues or toilet paper and put this in your underwear. If you are at school when your first period comes, your teachers and school nurses will be able to help you. They are used to these things happening, so don’t be afraid to ask them even if you are not prepared.
Tampons
Tampons are made of tightly packed absorbent material (usually cotton) that absorbs the blood flow in the vagina. They come in different sizes and if inserted correctly you can’t feel them and they can’t fall out. If the menstrual flow is heavy both a tampon and sanitary pad may be needed.
Tampons are popular with many girls because they allow you to do everything you normally do, including swimming.
It is important to change a tampon every 3 to 4 hours to avoid infections such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS) which is a bacterial infection that can be caused by leaving a tampon in for over 7 hours. For this reason it’s a good idea to use a pad, rather than a tampon, at night. You can also reduce the risk of TSS by not using super (high-absorbency) tampons unless your flow is heavy.
How to use one:
Wash your hands before handling the tampon (try handle it as little as possible)
Find a position in which you are comfortable, such as squatting, or sitting on the toilet and insert the tampon gently. Using a hand-held mirror can help you see what you are doing.
Remember to leave the string hanging out to make removal easier.
Don’t forget to take one tampon out before putting another one in.
Menstrual cup
A menstrual cup is a flexible cup, made of either silicone or rubber, that you insert into the vagina to collect period blood.
Menstrual cups don’t absorb blood the way tampons or pads do. Instead, you can think of one like catching raindrops in a bucket: Your period blood stays in the cup until you remove it from your body and empty its contents.
Between periods it is important to sterilise the cup by boiling it in hot water for a few minutes.
How to use it:
Insertion
- Wash your hands.
- Lubricate the cup. Apply a thin layer of water or a water-based lubricant to the rim of the cup.
- Fold the cup in half.
- Insert the folded cup. While keeping it folded and rim-up, slide the cup into your vagina.
- Rotate it into place. When the cup is in, you’ll need to rotate it a bit so that it opens up inside your vagina. Once it does, it’ll sit a few inches below your cervix, ready to catch menstrual blood.
Removal
- Wash your hands.
- Pinch the base to break the seal. Never just pull on the stem of the cup to remove it. This can cause suction, discomfort and even pain.
- Remove the cup. While pinching the base, pull down gently to slide the cup out of your body.
- Empty the cup. Once you’ve removed the cup, tip it into the toilet to empty it of blood.
- Clean the cup. Wash the cup with clean water and a mild, fragrance-free soap before putting it back into place. So long as you rinse it off thoroughly, it doesn’t need to be dried off first — the water can help serve as a lubricant for reinsertion.
Period underwear
Period underwear fit and function just like normal underwear. You can wear them alone or if you’re using a tampon, they can be used as an extra form of protection.
If you’ve used tampons for much of your life, you may need to get used to the feeling of your menstrual flow.
How long you can wear period underwear depends on the heaviness of your flow. If you’re having a light flow day, you can probably wear them longer, but if your flow is at its heaviest, you may need to change your period underwear more frequently.
It’s recommended that you don’t wear the same pair for more than 12 hours to avoid odor and leakage. You may need five to seven pairs of period underwear to wear throughout your cycle.
