Period Hygiene — Pads, Cups, Discs and What Your Body Actually Wants

Why period hygiene matters

The vagina is self-cleaning, but during menstruation the warm, moist environment is friendlier to bacteria. Good hygiene during your period prevents UTIs, vaginal infections, rashes, and odour. The goal is comfort and protection — *not* "over-cleaning", which can disturb the natural bacteria that keep you healthy.

Choosing the right product

There is no single "best" period product. Each woman finds what works best with practice.

Sanitary pads

Best for: beginners, light to moderate flow, women who prefer not to insert anything.

Change every 4–6 hours, even on a light day. Blood + body warmth = bacteria.

Look for cotton-top, fragrance-free pads if you have sensitive skin or rashes.

Avoid sleeping in a pad for 9+ hours — change once during the night on heavy days.

Tampons

Best for: active women, swimming, sports.

Change every 4–6 hours, never beyond 8. Wearing one too long can cause *toxic shock syndrome (TSS)* — rare but serious.

Start with the lowest absorbency that handles your flow. Never use a "super" tampon for a light day.

Menstrual cups

Best for: environmentally conscious women, heavy flow, women who want low-cost long-term solutions.

Empty every 6–8 hours, up to 12 in some cases.

Sterilise in boiling water before and after each cycle.

Slightly steeper learning curve — first 1–2 cycles take practice.

Menstrual discs

Sit at the base of the cervix; can be worn during intercourse.

Empty every 8–12 hours.

A good option for women who couldn't get on with a cup.

Period underwear

Absorbent layered underwear, no insert needed.

Best as backup or for light days/night.

Rinse first, then wash on cold; line dry.

The daily routine

1. Wash hands before and after changing your product.
2. Clean from front to back with plain warm water during the period. Avoid scented washes, douches and "vaginal sprays" — they cause more problems than they solve.
3. Change underwear if it gets soiled. Cotton is best.
4. Stay hydrated — water flushes the urinary tract, especially during periods.
5. Don't ignore pain — light to moderate cramping is normal; doubling over, fainting or missing school/work is *not*. See your gynecologist.

Red flags during periods

See a doctor promptly if you have:

Soaking through a pad/tampon every hour for several hours.

Periods lasting longer than 8 days.

Severe cramps not relieved by NSAIDs.

Fever, foul-smelling discharge, or sudden severe pelvic pain — possible infection or TSS.

Bleeding between periods or after intercourse.

Disposal — the part nobody talks about

Wrap soiled pads/tampons in paper or the new product's wrapper before binning. Never flush.

Cups, discs and period underwear are reusable for years — better for you, better for the planet.

A note for first-timers and young girls

Periods are a sign your body is doing exactly what it should. Pain, mess and embarrassment are *not* a tax you have to pay for being a woman. The right product, a consistent routine and a doctor you trust make periods just one part of a normal month.