Period Panties, Pads, Tampons, Oh My!
Collection Methods: Tampons, menstrual cups, period panties, pads, liners, free bleed
There are an abundant amount of choices for women to collect their menstrual blood available in the Western world. Mainstream has picked up more sustainable options and exposed the toxicity in many standard period care products. I made a selection early on in my young adulthood, perhaps like some other women did, and usually prioritized convenience over the mechanics of how the uterus cleanses itself.
Cycles can be an unpleasant week of the month for girls; I remember sharing a similar aversion when I was in high school. As a teen, the last thing I wanted to think about was the blood in between my legs. Boys, hairstyles and which eyeliner color to wear were all higher on the priority list. Pads felt wet, gross and would leave me with leaks. Somehow my period always involved stained panties, clothes, linens, and towels which would get me angry. It felt like a curse to have to deal with bleeding so frequently. The concept of tampons felt like a life saver. Stop the bleeding before it ever went beyond my body.
Tampons are a girl’s best friend…or are they?
While there are safety precautions related to tampons like toxic shock syndrome, it seemed as though as long as you limited the amount of time the tampons were in, they were safe. Since undergoing the yoni steaming certification, I learned that tampons act as a plug for menstrual blood. The plugging action is a direct opposite to the natural flow of menstruation and could lead to stagnation, which can manifest as clots, cramps, or old residue staying in the uterine lining. The uterus has to work harder to push its lining out of the body because it is working against resistance (plug or tampon), possibly creating more contractions which could translate to intense, deeper womb cramps in the body. Another consideration is the amount of chemicals added to standard tampon selections like Always and Tampax. The vaginal canal is made of highly absorbent tissue. During the bleed, the cervix opens and further allows for immediate absorption of any substances that are introduced into the vagina. Side effects of tampon use can include vaginal dryness. The natural secretion along with the blood gets absorbed, which can lead to discomfort, pain, irritation, and post-period dryness.
While originally a regular user of tampons in high school, a few years ago the side effects caused me to stop and look for alternatives. Reaching for a tampon every day of the cycle may cause more negative symptoms than initially considered. One day, however, my period caught me off guard in my office setting while I had a G-string on. My circumstance called for emergency period care and I purchased tampons at the local CVS. Liners can typically prevent situations where women are forced to use tampons. There are organic cotton tampons on the market and some situations may require it, like my experience or a spontaneous onset of blood in the middle of a trip that involves swimming. Tampons are generally accessible in most convenience stores, supermarkets, and big-box retailers.
Menstrual Cups or Discs
These reusable devices are typically made with medical grade silicone and fit snugly into the vagina to collect blood that a woman then dumps out and rinses to clean. Their benefits include longer wear time with no TSS risk but the drawbacks include a similar plugging action. Another benefit is being able to reuse menstrual blood by pouring it into a container. Menstrual blood can be used for watering plants as Julie shared in our free Menstrual class at Wise Womb, painting as shared by Jasmine in the Menstrual Art Movement, face masks due to the stem cells present in the blood and other sacred practices. Sizes and comfort levels seem to vary greatly, with some women swearing by discs over cups. An important consideration for women who experience extreme pain from vulvodynia or vaginismus is that they may find these unbearable to use.
I personally had a menstrual cup for some time but then discarded it due to the discomfort of folding it up and inserting it internally. However, in order to explore artwork with my own menstrual blood and after hearing positive experiences from other women about discs, I am intrigued to use them. Given that the plugging action is similar to a tampon, I would limit my use to a few hours during the one day of my cycle.
Period Panties
Apparently period panties were invented in the 1960s and became quite popular in the 2000s with new absorbent materials and innovations to their design. There are a few companies, most notably Thinx and Knix, that have been exposed for including toxic chemicals in their products and are linked to diseases and cancers in women. Rigorous selection of brands is of utmost importance to ensure reproductive organs are not being saturated with forever chemicals and toxins that can lead to fertility and gynecological issues.
Etam is a French brand that has extremely stylish panties so women can feel feminine and supported despite bleeding. Lace, bows, and see-through material is used throughout the design to blend lingerie-sexiness with functionality. Other brands that are tested for safety include Saalt, ModiBodi, Boody, and Lola; though I do not personally have experience using them and therefore cannot testify to their comfort or efficacy. High quality period panties should always feel dry for the wearer and never cause an odor.
Period panties are comfortable and convenient to use. Wearing only a pair of panties during the bleeding phase feels like a blessing for some women. Depending on the absorbency level, women can wear them all day or overnight then rinse them in the sink under cold water until the water runs clear. Pop them into the washer and skip the dryer by laying them flat to air dry. Optionally, some panties require handwashing. Extended traveling may be more difficult if there is no direct access to a sink or drying rack. While these can be pricier than a box of tampons or pads, their sustainability is a worthy investment.
Pads
Pads are an age-old concept, ranging from reusable to disposable. They attach to the women’s panties either through buttons that clip under the panties, a single layer of adhesive, or with wings for extra protection to stay in place. Many common brand names, unfortunately, have been exposed for adding chemicals into their pads. Choosing hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton from tested brands becomes the consumer’s responsibility. Brands like Lola, Garnuu, Pretty Organic Girl and Cora are safe for consumer use.
Pads become more travel friendly especially if they are disposable. Convenience can still dictate choices for women during a week of the month. Collection methods are a personal choice and convenience is a valid concept to consider depending on individual lifestyle.
Liners
Liners can be compared to ‘mini pads.’ These come in handy when spotting, very light bleeding, possible period start date, or excess discharge is present. For some women the first day of a period or final few days may not require a period panty or pad but some protection would be beneficial. Since they are thin and flexible, most times women cannot feel a liner when they wear it. The same rules apply for choosing brands that do not include chemicals and toxins. These can be extra helpful for women who do not have regular menstrual cycles and think their period may be coming soon. To play it safe, they can wear a liner to protect their panties from becoming stained.
If women are practicing yoni steaming, especially to support an ongoing infection, clots, or other imbalances, it may be best to wear liners for a few days following in case of excess mucus and infections clearing out from the vagina. Steams are known to increase circulation and sometimes draw out the infected tissue or discharge to create a healthy, balanced pH in the vagina.
Free Bleed
Free bleeding is a concept tied to our ancestors. Essentially it is not having any collection method and instead letting blood flow naturally. Women can combine bleeding with Earth by sitting on the ground to let menstrual blood flow directly into the soil, also called ‘earth bleeding.’
While this concept may seem impossible for urbanites, we have the ability to explore it through waterproof bleed blankets on a day where we stay inside. It just may feel as freeing as the name of this collection method suggests. Women can set it up on their bed, their couch, or floor with cozy pillows. Free bleed blankets exist for women who desire to be uninhibited during their menstrual phase. Some brands worth mentioning include Free Bleed blankets and Splash Blanket.
There have also been accounts of women being in tune with their bodies where they can sense bleeding about to occur. Sometimes they can directly sit over a toilet and let the blood flow. In these instances, the menstrual blood only flows at particular times during the day and all of it can be managed without the use of panties, pads, or cups. Based on accounts it feels like a similar urge to needing to urinate.
Choices for Menstrual Blood Collection
Each of the collection methods has its own positive and negative associated attributes. It is up to a woman's body and personal choice to decide which method to use. The choice may change depending on circumstances outside of her control like a work trip that takes away the uniqueness of a free bleed blanket. The choice may change depending on the time in her life as it did for me. The key reminder is to be aware of the various ways we have to be at ease during menstruation and find a healthy collection method that agrees with our cycle.