Know your body
Women's Health
Soft, honest, evidence-based info on what's happening, plus space to track and reflect.
A gentle reminder: This is educational information shared with love, not medical advice. Always talk with your trusted healthcare provider about what's right for your body.
Finding what works for you
There's no "best" period product, only what's best for your body, lifestyle, comfort level, and budget. This guide walks through every major option with honesty and zero judgment. Try what appeals to you, and remember: it's okay to use more than one, or to switch as your flow and needs change.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Product | Cost | Reuse? | Best for | Learning curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable pads | $ | No | Beginners, heavy nights | None |
| Tampons | $ | No | Active lifestyles, swimming | Low |
| Menstrual cup | $$ | Yes (5–10 yrs) | Eco-minded, low waste | Moderate |
| Menstrual disc | $$ | Yes (1–5 yrs) | Mess-free sex, auto-dump | Moderate |
| Period underwear | $$ | Yes (2–5 yrs) | Backup, light days, comfort | Low |
| Cloth pads | $$ | Yes (3–5 yrs) | Sensitive skin, eco-friendly | Low |
| Organic options | $$–$$$ | Varies | Chemical sensitivity, ethics | None–low |
Disposable Pads
Most commonHow to use
Stick to your underwear. Peel off backing, press firmly, and change every 3–4 hours (or sooner if soaked). Wrap used pad in tissue or wrapper and dispose in trash, never flush.
Pros
- Easy to use, no insertion
- Great for overnight and heavy flow
- No risk of TSS
- Easy to find anywhere
Cons
- Can feel bulky or damp
- Odor as blood oxidizes
- Ongoing cost adds up
- Plastic waste and fragrance chemicals
~$5–15/month
Not biodegradable; contributes to landfill waste. Some brands use plastic backings and synthetic fragrances.
First periods, people uncomfortable with insertion, overnight use, very heavy flow, postpartum bleeding.
Tampons
Active lifestyleHow to use
Wash hands. Unwrap, hold the applicator (or tampon itself) at the grip, insert at a slight angle toward your lower back until your fingers touch your body. Push the inner tube to release. The string hangs outside for removal. Change every 4–8 hours.
Pros
- Invisible feeling once inserted
- Swim, exercise, wear anything
- Compact and discreet to carry
- Widely available
Cons
- Insertion learning curve for some
- Dryness or irritation if left too long
- Risk of TSS (very rare, but real)
- Must remember to change
~$5–10/month
Single-use; applicators are often plastic. Look for cardboard applicators or applicator-free.
Swimmers, athletes, people who prefer internal protection, those who don't mind insertion.
Menstrual Cups
Eco championHow to use
Fold the cup (C-fold or punch-down), insert like a tampon, and let it open. Rotate gently to create a seal. Wear up to 12 hours. To remove, pinch the base to break the seal, pull out, and empty into the toilet. Rinse with water or wipe clean, then reinsert. Sterilize between cycles by boiling.
Pros
- Wear up to 12 hours
- Reusable for years, saves money
- No dryness (collects, doesn't absorb)
- Great for heavy flow (higher capacity)
- Minimal waste
Cons
- Learning curve, finding the right fold and fit
- Messier removal until you get the hang of it
- Public bathroom emptying can be tricky
- Finding the right size/firmness takes trial
~$25–40 one-time (lasts 5–10 years)
Extremely low waste, one cup replaces thousands of disposables. Usually medical-grade silicone.
Eco-conscious users, travelers, heavy flow, people comfortable with their bodies, anyone wanting fewer changes.
Menstrual Discs
Period sex friendlyHow to use
Pinch the disc into a figure-eight, insert deeply toward the tailbone so it sits behind the pubic bone and under the cervix. It will auto-dump when you bear down on the toilet (some blood empties while the disc stays in place). Remove by hooking the rim with a clean finger and pulling out. Can be worn up to 12 hours.
Pros
- Can be worn during penetrative sex
- Higher capacity than tampons
- No suction, often more comfortable for sensitive anatomy
- Auto-dump feature means longer wear
- Reusable options available
Cons
- Insertion depth can be intimidating at first
- Messier than a cup for some users
- Auto-dump can surprise you initially
- Harder to find in stores than cups
~$15–40 (reusable); ~$10–15/box (disposable)
Reusable discs are very low waste. Disposable discs are still less waste than pads/tampons.
People who want mess-free period sex, those who find cups uncomfortable, anyone curious about auto-dump convenience.
Period Underwear
Comfort firstHow to use
Wear like normal underwear. The absorbent layers wick moisture and trap blood. Rinse in cold water after use, then machine wash on gentle (no fabric softener) and hang or lay flat to dry. Change when you feel damp, typically every 8–12 hours on light days, 4–6 on heavier days.
Pros
- Feels like regular underwear
- No insertion, no shifting pads
- Great as backup with a cup or tampon
- Stylish options exist now
- Reusable for years
Cons
- High upfront cost for a full set
- Drying time, you need several pairs
- Not always enough alone for very heavy days
- Needs proper washing routine
~$15–40/pair; ~$100–200 for a starter set
Very low long-term waste. Look for brands using organic cotton and recycled materials.
Light to moderate flow, overnight, backup protection, sensitive skin, people who prioritize comfort.
Reusable Cloth Pads
Old-school, new againHow to use
Snap or lay into underwear like a disposable pad. Change when saturated. Rinse in cold water, then wash with regular laundry. Air dry or low heat. They get more absorbent with each wash.
Pros
- Soft natural fabrics (cotton, bamboo, hemp)
- No adhesive chafing
- Customizable absorbency and length
- Reusable for 3–5 years
- Cute prints and fabrics
Cons
- Visible bulk under tight clothing
- Carrying a wet bag for used ones when out
- Washing routine required
- Upfront cost for a full stash
~$5–15/pad; ~$50–100 for a starter set
Extremely low waste. Natural fiber options are biodegradable at end of life.
Sensitive skin, eczema, people avoiding synthetics, eco-minded users, those who like pad-style protection but want reusables.
Organic & Natural Options
Ingredient consciousHow to use
Available as organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. Use exactly like conventional versions. Some people also use sea sponges (natural, reusable sea sponge tampons, rinse and sanitize between uses).
Pros
- No synthetic pesticides, chlorine bleach, or fragrances
- Often hypoallergenic
- Better for sensitive vulvar skin
- Biodegradable and compostable materials
- Ethical farming practices
Cons
- More expensive than conventional
- May need to order online
- Same TSS risk with organic tampons
- Sea sponges require meticulous cleaning
~$8–20/month (organic disposables); ~$20–40 (sea sponges, reusable)
Organic cotton disposables biodegrade much faster than conventional. Reusable organic options have near-zero waste.
People with chemical sensitivities, allergies, vulvar dermatitis, those prioritizing organic lifestyle choices.
Environmental impact overview
One person uses roughly 5,000–15,000 disposable period products in a lifetime. Here's how the options compare:
Highest waste
Conventional disposable pads and tampons with plastic applicators. Each contains plastic, synthetic fibers, and often fragrance chemicals. Most take 500–800 years to decompose.
Lowest waste
Menstrual cups, reusable discs, period underwear, and cloth pads. One purchase lasts years and replaces thousands of single-use items. Most are recyclable or biodegradable at end of life.
Middle ground
Organic cotton disposables, cardboard-applicator tampons, and biodegradable pads. They still create waste but decompose faster and skip the synthetic chemicals.
A note on access
Reusable products save money long-term but require upfront investment and washing access. Disposables are sometimes the only viable option, and that's completely valid. Period equity matters.
Safety reminders
- TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome): Rare but serious. Associated primarily with tampons and, very rarely, cups/discs. Use the lowest absorbency you need, change regularly, and never wear longer than recommended.
- Wash your hands before and after inserting or removing any internal product.
- Don't double up internally: Never wear a tampon and a cup/disc at the same time. A pad or period underwear as backup is fine.
- Replace when needed: Cups and discs can develop tears or discoloration. Replace if you notice changes in material integrity.
- Pain isn't normal: If insertion hurts consistently, stop and consult a provider. You may need a different size, have vaginismus, or another condition that's treatable.
Starter tips for beginners
- Start on a lighter day when trying something new, less stress, easier cleanup.
- Use a little water or water-based lubricant when inserting cups or discs for the first time.
- Try at home first before wearing a new product to work, school, or the gym.
- Period underwear + a pad is a great confidence-building combo while you're learning.
- It's okay to not love something. Your body, your rules. Switch anytime.
Products I've tried
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