cosmic_lychee asked
Which is better for periods: pads or tampons?
Soso answered
Neither one is better than the other, because it totally depends on what feels comfortable for you.
Pads are usually the easiest place to start because you just stick them in your underwear and go. You don't have to put anything inside your body, which makes them really popular for first periods. Change your pad every 4 to 6 hours, sooner on heavy days.
Tampons sit inside your vagina to catch the blood before it leaves your body, which some people like for sports or swimming. Pads don't work in water, but period swimwear does, so you don't need a tampon to swim. For everything else, pads are just as good. Pick the lowest absorbency you need for your flow. Change a tampon every 4 to 6 hours and never leave one in for more than 8; empty a cup at least every 12 hours; wash your hands before and after. If, while using one or soon after, you get a fever or feel hot, cold or shivery, are sick or have diarrhoea, feel dizzy or faint, get muscle aches, get a rash that looks like sunburn or feels rough like sandpaper, or feel like you have flu, take it out, tell a grown-up straight away and say you were using one. If it hurts to put in or won't go in after a few tries, tell a grown-up so a doctor can check. It can't get lost inside you, and if you can't get one out, a grown-up or a doctor can help.
You can even mix and match, like using pads for school and sleeping, or trying tampons later on when you feel ready.
Soso's answers are written by AI. They don't replace professional medical advice.