 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Period Paraphernalia
by Adrienne Carlish, 06.07.01
Every healthy girl in the world has a period. Your period is your body's way of preparing for a pregnancy. A lining, made up of blood and tissue, is built up inside the uterus to nourish a fertilized egg. If there is no pregnancy, the lining is shed and blood comes out of the vagina. This is a period. It's a sign of growing up. Another part of growing means taking care of your body when you have your period to make yourself feel comfortable and protected while menstruating.
Half a century ago, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used pieces of cloth instead of pads or tampons to protect themselves from staining their clothes and absorbing menstrual flow. It was the same thing they did for baby diapers. And before wings and self-adhesive strips, women would wear pads with a special belt that held them in place. Today, we have so many menstrual products to choose from, it may be hard to decide which is best for you.
Choices, Choices, and More Choices!
Pads
Pads are also known as sanitary pads, sanitary napkins, or maxi-pads. Pads come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and are made of cotton, rayon, and other synthetic fibers. Pads are sticky on one side so they can be affixed to your underwear. The non-sticky side is where the menstrual blood will be absorbed.
Many girls feel awkward wearing pads at first, but trying different brands and styles can help find a good fit. The pad should fit close to your body, and shouldn't show through your clothes. If it does, try a smaller size. Some pads come with "wings" that wrap around underwear to prevent stains. Make sure to change the pad several times a day to help feel fresh and to prevent natural odors from developing.
Panty-liners
Panty-liners are thinner versions of sanitary pads or napkins. They come in different sizes and shapes, and can be used either right before your period to protect your underpants or together with a tampon — to catch any menstrual flow that does not get absorbed by the tampon. It's a good idea to keep a stash in your locker or backpack for when your period comes unexpectedly.
Tampons
Now let's talk tampons. These are cylinders made of cotton, rayon, or other synthetic fibers. Tampons are inserted into the vagina either with a finger or an applicator. They remain in the vagina for several hours to absorb menstrual flow.
Tampon applicators are either made of plastic or cardboard and help guide the tampon into the vagina. There are also some tampons that don't have an applicator and a woman uses her finger to insert it. There's a string at the end of a tampon that hangs down, outside the vagina. To remove the tampon, give the string a slight tug. Tampons should be changed every four to six hours to protect you from messiness.
Tampons also come in different sizes — slender, regular, or super. Larger tampons are better for heavier flow. Remember, it's important to use the smallest absorbency needed to collect the menstrual flow.
If the tampon is inserted correctly, you shouldn't be able to feel it — well, maybe you will the first time around, but with practice it will be almost unnoticeable. If it's your first time, you may want to ask a woman you trust, like your mom, a sister, or a friend to help you and explain how to go about inserting a tampon. Both pads and tampons can be wrapped in toilet paper and thrown away in the garbage. Don't flush pads down the toilet unless you want to explain to the plumber what caused the bad clog.
Menstrual cups
A menstrual cup "catches" menstrual flow before it leaves the vagina. The cup is inserted into the vagina so that it rests between the pubic bone and the cervix at the opening of the uterus. Some cups are made for one-time use, while others can be cleaned and reused. Insertion takes practice, but many women like the fact that cups can be worn for up to 12 hours. Popular brands of cups include Instead, The Keeper, and DivaCup.
Don't Sweat It!
Most girls use pads when they first begin their periods. It's just easier. Later on, when you are more comfortable and have had more practice, you may want to try tampons or cups. Either way, it's a personal choice and one you need to be comfortable with. In the same way that the menstrual cycle is a unique process for every girl, every girl will find the menstrual products that suit her needs best. Good luck! |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page