Dr Michelle O'Driscoll: All you need to know about period hygiene

FROM the onset of puberty and the beginning of our periods, women must navigate menstrual hygiene, and consider what methods they’ll use to manage their monthly flow.

The right choice for each woman is very personal, however. It can depend on a number of factors such as level of flow, clothes they wish to wear, whether or not they would like to swim, discretion, comfort and/or another reason for personal preference of one option over another.

The number of types of products available has increased over time, and offers women an opportunity to maximise convenience and effective protection.

Pads – probably the most ‘traditional’ form of menstrual hygiene products, these would have usually been the go-to for older generations in particular. They are an easy, straightforward option for those who have just begun their period, or those who are nervous of a very heavy flow that may otherwise leak, due to the varying levels of thickness and absorbency.

However, they can be very bulky and visible, and some find them uncomfortable and even irritating to the area. 

Reusable pads can help to cut down on the environmental impact of these products, and might be a worthwhile investment.

Tampons – also available in a number of sizes and absorbencies, some come with an applicator to aid insertion. Many rely on these only and love their convenience, but an important consideration with tampons is the risk of toxic shock syndrome if not changed every 4-8 hours.

It has been known for women to forget that they’ve been inserted, and keeping it there too long allows bacteria to grow and potentially enter the bloodstream. This can end tragically, so awareness and vigilance is vital.

Correct insertion is important for maximum comfort – if inserted correctly, you shouldn’t be able to feel the tampon while walking or moving.

Menstrual cups – these are used by a much lower number of women, but are reportedly very effective. They are inserted into the vagina to collect the blood during a period, and are made of silicone, latex or thermoplastic rubber. They form a seal with the vaginal wall which prevents any leakage, and vary in the capacity they can hold. They’re not meant to protect against pregnancy, and they should be thoroughly cleaned between uses. Their comfort levels increase over time, and with regular use.

Period pants – these knickers incorporate excellent built-in absorbancy, which can be adjusted according the time of the period to adequately cover the flow by choosing a pants with the right level of absorption.

They can be bought in large clothing retailers, and whilst they are more expensive than normal underwear, they will cut down on the ongoing cost of purchasing period products. They can be washed with the rest of the laundry, and reused many times.

Funding of hygiene products: Unfortunately, period products are not usually cheap, and are an added expense that not all women can comfortably pay.

Some women’s charites welcome donations of supplies of these products, and there are ongoing efforts to provide free sanitary products in school and workplace settings.

Apart from the product choice, there are a number of things for you to do to ensure period hygiene. Wearing light breathable clothing, keeping the area clean, and regularly changing the products being used is really important. Using scented products will avoid irritation also.

Finding the best approach for you to manage your period will make the week of it as comfortable and stress-free as possible, potentially adopting a variety of approaches or products depending on the flow and types of activities that you wish to take part in.

Have you considered and/or tried all of the above options? Have you found the best one for you?