A girl’s worst dilemma when she gets her first period is deciding between pads, tampons, or cups. All these three are used in menstrual management or feminine hygiene products, and they collect or absorb the period of blood during your menstrual cycle. 

However, the issue arises when you don’t know which one to choose, which is why we will help you.

• Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years with proper care, making them a long-term investment.
• Menstrual cups minimize landfill waste, with a single user potentially preventing the disposal of thousands of pads or tampons.
• Silicone-based menstrual cups are hypoallergenic, making them an excellent option for those with latex allergies.
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is extremely rare and more likely with prolonged tampon use than with pads or cups.
• Pads with wings offer better protection against leaks compared to traditional pad designs.

Please read below to learn about these products and their pros and cons before selecting the one most suited to your needs.

While tampons are still the most popular feminine hygiene product, they also have pros and cons. You can find tampons with different absorbency levels that work for light and heavy flow, making it easy to find the one most suited to your requirements. 

This product’s other pros and cons are mentioned below, so keep reading.

With tampons, you can carry them everywhere you go because the size makes them easy to travel with and can fit into your pocket or even your hand while keeping it discreet. Also, with these products, you can go swimming, and you don’t even feel you are wearing something if they are properly worn.

The significant advantage of tampons is that they are not visible, allowing you to wear whatever clothes you want without having to hide them. 

However, different women have different preferences.

Like every other product, tampons also have drawbacks, and the biggest downside to this product is TTS- toxic shock syndrome. This is not very common but is life-threatening and can lead to severe complications and bacterial infections.

The reason behind this syndrome is super-absorbent tampons; to steer clear of it, you must use a low-absorbency tampon, change it frequently and alternate between pads and tampons. 

You need to keep at least 3 to 4 tampons in your bag if you are planning to go out. Do not sleep with a single tampon all night long, but try to change in the middle when you get up.

For some girls, inserting tampons can be very uncomfortable, and finding the right size requires trial and error, which can lead to leakage accidents. You need to be prepared for that as well.

Pads are rectangular absorbent materials that get stuck in your underwear and absorb your menstrual flow. This is the most sought-after product in Eastern countries, whereas tampons are usually worn in Western areas. 

However, pads have their pros and cons as well.

People with a heavy flow prefer pads since they can keep the period mess in control and avoid accidents. It is also great for girls who have trouble using a tampon and do not want to risk getting TTS. Pads come in many sizes and absorbency options, and you can easily find the one that fits your flow and activities.

You can rely on pads overnight without change, and it doesn’t require you to insert anything in them, making them easy to wear. Pads are considered more comfortable.

While pads can come in very thin sizes, they are visible under some types of clothes, such as shorts, bikinis, and even fitted dresses. Even though this is not something to be ashamed of, using pads may not be for you if you are self-conscious.

You cannot swim while wearing pads, and they can shift from their place, which can cause staining on your clothes. You cannot wear pads if you prefer to wear thongs under your clothing.

Menstrual cups are becoming a fad and a hygiene option that most women are shifting towards it. These cups are made of rubber or silicone, worn inside your vagina, and hold menstrual blood. 

While most of the cups are reusable, there are non-reusable options in the market, so make sure you check the label if you are buying it to know which is which. 

Similar to pads and tampons, cups have advantages and disadvantages and these include:

The major advantage of opting for cups is that they are reusable, so you can rinse and wash them and wear them again. This advantage helps in not only save you money but makes it environmentally friendly as well, which tampons and pads are not.

You can quickly wear cups for twelve hours and get them in different colors, styles, and sizes. Cups can be worn with any clothing, you can swim in them, and they also keep your vaginal health and pH intact.

While cups can be comfortable to wear, they can be incredibly messy, mainly because you must use your fingers to pull them out. You also have to dump the blood and rinse it, which most people are not comfortable with, and you have to master it to start using it.

Also, inserting cups is complex, and if you are wearing an IUD or have fibroids, this can be difficult to wear and may not be for you. They are generally not preferred over pads and tampons.

If you are still unclear on which hygiene product to choose, then keep reading and find out which product is more suited to whom.

When a girl gets her periods, she must choose the right feminine hygiene product to stay comfortable and steer clear of accidents. With the information mentioned above, you can easily find a suitable period product for yourself and choose between tampons, pads, or cups easily.