Tampon, Menstrual Pad and other sanitary menstrual products

These are the two most common and convenient sanitary menstrual products available. However, if you are trying to conceive, there are health concerns in using these products that you should be aware of, especially if you are physically weak and susceptible.

There are inherent health hazards in using disposable menstrual products because they are simply bleached white and though individually wrapped in plastic, are not sterile

Traces of dioxin can be found on the products after they are bleached. Dioxin is a toxic impurity, often created as by-products in many industrial processes. Dioxin accumulation in your body can harm your metabolism.

Many of these products also come with scents and deodorizers. If you have sensitive skin, they can cause rashes, irritation, allergic reaction and even yeast infections.

Moreover, as these products are not sterile, you can be infected if you use them wrongly. For example,tampons have been linked to the toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but sometimes fatal disease caused by bacterial infection.

TSS symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, low blood pressure and a sunburnlike rash.

It is treated with antibiotics and with fluids given through a vein. If you have TSS and you are not treated with antibiotics, you may become ill again at your next menstrual period.

Most patients recover with no complications. However, some may lose thier fingernails, toenails and hair a few months after developing this illness. About 4 percent of TSS cases are fatal.

Tampons are disposable plugs of rayon (synthetic fibre) and cotton blends or all-cotten fleece.

They are cylindrical in shape and come in various sizes in relation to their absorbency rates. How to use a tampon? Usage involves insertion into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. A string is attached to each tampon for easy removal. Sometimes, they are packaged with an applicator to aid insertion.

The too-frequent use of tampons can cause TSS. Symptoms influde fever, vomiting, fainting, rashes and even death in some susceptible women!

To decrease the risk of getting TSS, always follow the package directions for insertion. Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow and change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours. Don't wear it the whole day or sleep overnight with it. It is best for you to alternate using the menstrual pads with tampons.

Also called sanitary napkins, menstrual pads are rectangular pads worn in the panty to absorb your flow. There are a variety of pads. Those that come with 'wings' that fold around your panty and an adhesive backing to hold the pad in place are more common.

Disposable pads are made of wood pulp or synthetic products, usually with a plastic lining and bleached.

If you are environmentally conscious and prefer using reusable cloth menstrual pads, you can make your own handsewn pads from cotton, terrycloth, or flannel. Some of these pads can be bought from online stores. You can still secure them to your panty because some come with velcro or wings that snap. Some are available in belted styles too.

The drawback on using reusable cloth pads is that it can be pretty messy. You have to wash and dry them after usage. If you travels a lot, you may find it inconvenient to have to wash your pad in a public washroom.

The solution to this is to use your reusable pads at home, but switch to disposable pads when you travel.

An environmentally friendly alternative to the reusable cloth pad is the sea sponge. Reusable soft sea sponges can be worn internally to absorb blood. You insert it like you insert a tampon. After usage, you take it out, squeeze, rinse and reuse.

As with the reusable cloth pad, this can be messy to handle too. Also, you have to be very hygienic when you insert and remove the sponge (or the tampon for that matter), or else you may end up with an urinary tract infection.

In the olden days, there were women who sit out their menses, letting it flow, but of course, they couldn't go anywhere else.

The solution to letting your menses flow naturally is to use the menstrual cup. The menstrual cup is a firm, flexible bell-shaped cup that is worn inside your body to catch your flow.

It has the disposable and reusable versions. Disposable versions come in soft plastic cups, and reusable versions come in rubber or silcone cups. Currently, this product is only available in countries like the USA, Canada and UK, or online.

You use it the same way as the reusable pad and sponge, that is, remove, empty, rinse, reinsert.

They require less changing compared to the tampons and menstrual pads. One cup is designed to hold about 30 ml or an ounce of fluid, which is about a third of the entire menses. They can be left in for up to 12 hours before emptying.

Please follow the instructions on the proper method of cleaning for your reusable menstrual cup. When instructions are properly followed, the cups are perfectly safe to reuse for many years and will not develop an odor.

Incidentally, do you know that the menstrual cup can be used as a fertility aid too?

Padded panties are simply reusable cloth underwear with extra absorbent layers sewn in to absorb your flow.

Staying healthy is your priority if you are actively seeking to conceive.

Therefore, be aware of the health concerns of the sanitary menstrual products that you use.

Choose the type that is not only suitable to your personality and lifestyle, but is also safe for your usage.

Tampon and Menstrual Pad