Period Underwear and Other Options to Explore

Pads and tampons are popular for a reason, but they're definitely not your only options! There's a whole world of period products to explore, and finding the one that suits you can make all the difference. Here's a friendly guide to some favourites.

Period underwear

What it is: special underwear with built-in absorbent layers that catch your period blood. You wear them just like normal undies!

How it works: several hidden layers soak up and lock in the fluid, so it feels just like wearing regular underwear. When you're done, you wash them and use them again.

The good bits: super comfy, nothing to insert or stick on, kinder to the planet, lovely for sleeping, and a great backup with other products. The trade-offs: they cost more up front, you'll want a few pairs, you have to wash them after each use, and on very heavy days they may not be enough on their own.

Menstrual cups

What it is: a small, flexible cup made of silicone or rubber that you insert to collect (rather than soak up) your period blood.

Best for: girls who've had their period a while, who feel comfortable with insertion, who like eco-friendly choices, or who have busy, active lives.

Good to know: it takes a little practice to insert and remove, you empty it every 4 to 12 hours depending on how heavy your flow is and never go past 12, you wash your hands and the cup with water and a mild soap between uses, and a single cup can last for years.

Menstrual discs

What it is: a bit like a cup, but flatter. It sits in a slightly different spot and can be worn while swimming.

Good to know: it sits higher up than a tampon, it can be a little messier to remove, and some are disposable while others are reusable. Take it out and empty it at least every 12 hours, the same as a cup.

Reusable cloth pads

What it is: soft cloth pads that snap into your underwear, then get washed and reused.

The good bits: eco-friendly, softer than disposable pads, save money over time, and they come in cute patterns. The trade-offs: you'll need to carry used ones home, wash them, and pay a little more at the start.

Which product for which moment?

There's no single "right" answer, and lots of people happily mix and match:

• Tampons or a cup for swimming, or period swimwear if you would rather not put anything inside you. Pads do not work in water.
• Period underwear for sleeping.
• Pads for school.
• A cup for long days out.

When you're choosing, think about how comfortable you feel with insertion, what your flow is like (light, medium, or heavy), the activities you enjoy, how much you care about the environment, and your budget.

Using tampons, cups and discs safely

If you are using something that goes inside you, two things matter more than anything else on this page.

• Change a tampon every 4 to 6 hours, and never leave one in for longer than 8 hours, not even overnight.
• Empty a menstrual cup at least every 12 hours, and more often on a heavy day.
• Wash your hands before you put one in and after you take it out, and wash the cup too.

Those timings exist because of toxic shock syndrome. It is rare, and it can happen with a tampon, a cup or a disc. Take the product out and get an adult straight away if you get a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery, aching muscles, a raised rash that feels rough like sandpaper, or something that comes on fast and feels like flu. Tell the adult you were using one, because that changes what a doctor looks for, and get help the same hour rather than waiting to see if it passes. If you also feel confused, faint or short of breath, that is an ambulance.

Pads and period underwear stay outside your body, so none of this applies to them.

Remember

There's no one perfect product for everyone, the best one is simply the one that makes *you* feel comfortable and confident. Take your time, try a few, and ask an adult you trust to help you pick one or show you how it works; Sosô is here for every step. 💛