Menstruation: “The normal monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus when pregnancy does not occur. During menstruation, menstrual blood and tissue flow from the uterus through the cervix and pass out of the body through the vagina.” (National Cancer Institute)
Anyone who menstruates will tell you that managing a period takes effort and money. Aside from dealing with discomforts such as cramps, headaches, cravings/aversions, and mood swings, people who menstruate must also invest time (and money) to find which period products work best for them.
Thankfully, we now have a whole menu when it comes to menstruation products.
Below, you’ll find a list of current menstrual products on the market, a description of how each works, and the pros/cons associated with each.
Menstruation Products
Pads/Sanitary Napkins
Sanitary napkins, also known as pads, are typically what a person uses when they first start to menstruate. They’re easy to use, with not much of a learning curve, which makes them a great option for those new to menstruating. Pads come in a variety of sizes for a range of purposes (e.g., sports, overnight, heavy/light-flow days), and can be either single-use or reusable.
- Disposable: Single-use (or disposable) pads have a sticky, glue-like substance on the underside that sticks to your underwear. They’re easy to manage and have a relatively low cost point per box. Disposable pads can be purchased at most pharmacies, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Also, many public washrooms have pad-dispensing units.
- Reusable: Reusable (cloth) pads typically affix to your underwear via snaps on the wings. These products have a higher price point than disposables; however, once obtained, reusable pads have a lower cost long-term. Cloth pads do not include any of the chemicals often found in disposables, which might be appealing to some. They do require access to hot water washing system to maintain. Reusable pads are not typically found alongside disposable pads in stores; they are usually purchased in health lifestyle retailers or stores that specialize in environmentally friendly products.
Some people find pads to be comfortable, while others find them a bit bulky (although some report that cloth pads feel less bulky). In terms of absorbency, it is possible to leak through a pad, so knowing your flow and how long a specific pad will last is important.
Pros of pads/sanitary napkins: Easy to use; low cost (single-use); easy to source (single-use)
Cons of pads/sanitary napkins: Cannot be worn swimming; some maintenance required (reusable pads); higher up-front cost (reusable); some find they feel bulky and can shift, causing leaks.
Tampons
Tampons are tube-shaped pieces of compacted cotton that are inserted internally into the vagina. The cotton then absorbs the blood. To change a tampon, you simply pull gently on the piece of string that is attached to the cotton, which will release the tampon from your vagina. It’s recommended that users change a tampon every 8 hours to lessen the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Tampons are sold in various styles—some have applicators, others do not; some have plastic applicators, while others have cardboard—and in a variety of sizes, to account for different levels of blood flow. Some people find tampons offer a lot of freedom as they are discrete, can be worn in water, and, once inserted correctly, are comfortable. Currently, there is no reusable option. The price point is fairly low on an individual box; however, there is a reoccurring cost associated with tampons, making them a less cost-effective option over the long term.
Pros of tampons: When inserted correctly and using the correct size for your flow, can be a comfortable option; can be worn swimming; low upfront cost point
Cons of tampons: Reoccurring cost; cannot be worn during sex; a bit of a learning curve; if not inserted correctly, can be painful; should be changed every 8 hours
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups collect blood by being inserted internally. There are different designs and shapes available—the two most popular are a disc-shaped cup and a cone-shaped cup. What shape you choose comes down to individual preference. There is a bit of a learning curve to inserting a menstrual cup, but once you get the hang of it, they can be a comfortable and longer-term method of period management. How often you have to empty your cup will depend on your flow—some people find they only need to empty their cup once a day. The easiest way to empty your cup is to rinse it out in the sink (emptying in the shower also works well). You can empty in the toilet; however, that method can be more difficult to maneuver. When deciding whether a menstrual cup is right for you, it’s important to factor in your typical bathroom situation. Some who rely on public/shared bathroom spaces, for example, may find a lack of privacy for rinsing out a cup a deterrent for this method. Other people may opt to use a cup when at home, but not when they might be away from home for extended periods of time.
It is recommended to empty your cup every 12 hours. While there are no serious side effects of leaving a cup in too long (i.e., the risk of toxic shock syndrome is low), it is possible for bacteria to eventually grow and cause an infection., Leaving a cup in too long can also cause an unpleasant odor.
After your period, you should sanitize your cup by boiling in water for 10 minutes. While there is an up-front cost to a menstrual cup (especially if you try multiple shapes to find the best fit), once purchased, a cup can last up to 10 years, making it a cost-effective period management option.
Pros of menstrual cups: Lasts longer than a pad or tampon; once inserted correctly, feels like you aren’t wearing anything; reusable product with long life; cost-effective long term; can swim
Cons of menstrual cups: High learning curve; design may not work for your vagina (may need to try different shapes); requires discrete access to cleaning mechanism (e.g., sink/shower); easy to forget it’s inserted
Period Underwear
The latest in period management is period underwear. They look and feel like regular underwear, but they have a super absorbent built-in pad. How long you can wear one pair of period underwear depends on your flow. Some people find they can wear them any day of their period; other people find they work best on medium or light flow days. When period underwear first came on the scene, only a handful of businesses made them, making their cost per pair quite high. Once you have enough underwear to manage your period, your costs go down, but you still need to be able to afford them up front. The good news here is that as the popularity of period underwear increases, more businesses are getting on board, resulting in lower prices, overall.
How period underwear are cleaned will depend on the brand, but, in general, they are easy to wash (provided you have access to a washing machine): they can be washed with other laundry, and they don’t require any extra care, other than to hang to dry.
Pros of period underwear: No need to regularly change a product or bring any with you, when you’re away from home; some people find them more comfortable than wearing a pad or tampon; discrete looking; reusable and easy to wash; more cost-effective in the long run than disposable products
Cons of period underwear: May not work for heavy-flow days; up-front cost could be prohibitive; might be difficult to manage if no access to a washing machine
Period Swimsuits
Period swimsuits came on the market around the same time as period underwear, and they make poolside parties and beach days much less stressful. They look identical to regular swimwear, but they have a built-in pad. Both one-piece and bottoms are available, giving you the option for a variety of styles.
Pros of period swimwear: Allows you to swim without wearing a tampon; similar appearance to non-period swimwear, making it a discrete period management option
Cons of period swimwear: Limited purpose; high cost associated
Selecting The Right Menstruation Product For You
Whatever product (or products) you choose is absolutely an individual preference. Factors that come into play include finances, comfort, and lifestyle—what works for one person may not work for another. Some people who menstruate find themselves switching products at various points in their lives—for example, people new to menstruation might start off with pads before exploring other options—and many people will use a combination of products to meet all of their needs.
Cost can be prohibitive for some of these options and certainly factors into what products a person chooses to use. To help offset some of the cost, single-use pads and tampons are available in federal buildings. Some other, non-federal, public spaces (e.g., libraries, restaurants, cafés) also include menstrual products in their washrooms. If you’re a student, you might be able to request menstrual products from a nurse or health centre, if your school doesn’t include them in washrooms.
Hopefully, as stigma around menstruation eases and talking about periods becomes more acceptable, we’ll see even more accessibility of period products.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada have put together a website on menstruation—we recommend you visit it for more information.
Published Date: February 2025
Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This content is created by a non-medical professional and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.