How I Flo! 6 Menstrual Products You Can Use.

Jai Highness
Apr 15, 2021
3 min read

It’s that time of the month again, yep I’m talking about your period. I’m a pad-wearing kind of girl but I wanted to discover the reasons why women pick the products that they do during that time of month. Not only do I prefer pads, I like to use pads that are 100% cotton or cotton based, recommended by my gynecologist to wear more breathable products. Here’s the products you can choose from:

Tampons are a cylinder-like napkin made with a blend of cotton & rayon that is inserted inside of the vagina. This option is great for women who are quite active in sports or just like the freedom it can offer when wearing certain outfits on your period. Although convenient, not every woman finds tampons comfortable or reliable enough to absorb their menstrual flows. Toxic Shock syndrome is how I was first introduced to the concept of tampons as a teen, when a classmate succumbed to complications. This is why it’s important to change your tampon/sanitary napkin etc. often, for me it's every 3-4 hours. The FDA recommends 4 to 8 hours. Tampons do offer different sizes so find the right size for you (Regular/Super/ Super Plus).

Sanitary pads or what my Caribbean mothers like to simply refer to as “kotex” lol. I heard this so much as a child only to learn it's just one of the many brands that sell pads in the market. It's a slender like absorption pad that sticks to the inside of your panty. Also, you don’t have to worry about toxic shock syndrome with a pad and the only thing you have to worry about is the occasionally moving that can happen with a pad, so change it regularly. My favorite brand right now is Honey Pot because they have all-natural products that are very soothing to the skin. I’m all about holistic love for your vagina, its lavender, mint, and aloe infused and they have pantyliners you can wear everyday. FYI, pantyliners are your friend if you have heavy discharge during ovulation or just discharge in general.

Menstrual cups are literally silicone cups you put up your “hoo-ha” that stick to your cervix . You can wear it for up to12 hours, so you don’t have to change frequently. One of the menstrual cup users I know likes to change out her cup in the shower to eliminate the mess of over using toilet paper to conceal the pad. Honey Pot and Diva Cup have cups in different sizes and it's reusable! Sizes refer to the level of your flow/ounces, so if you have heavy flow then a bigger size is recommended. The initial cost can range from $22-25 but its worth for those looking for a more eco-friendly option.

Credit. Modibodi, Vegan Boyshort (MODERATE-HEAVY ABSORBENCY)

Period panty is another reusable option for those who enjoy a free-flow with the security of an absorbent product. It has all-day-wear, so you’d want to have at least 5-7 panties available. Be mindful to use gentle to mild detergent when cleaning this product so near your feminine area; protecting your pH balance is important. I recommend this product for the times when you're at home and want to be comfortable, this will allow you to determine if it's right for you before wearing it while running errands. The major con for this product is there is risk of staining if you have a heavy flow, save it for the lighter days typically near the end of the cycle.

Reusable pads are a cloth sanitary napkin made with cotton and secured to the panty with a button or clasp. You can rewash this product up 200 times, so you really get your money's worth. Price ranges from $22 - $30 dollars, ranging from 3-7 pads in a pack.

Menstrual disks are like the cousin to the menstrual cup but the sister of the female condom, they literally look alike. It's a half-moon flexible disc that sits near your cervix. To be honest, the concept of the disc is very new to me from my research you can wear it up to 12 hours, its flushable, and you’re able to have sex with it still in place. Also, they are quite affordable and some discs are reusable and some disposable, so you’d have to buy a new box each month. They come in different sizes as well depending on your cervix and flow.

Fun fact: if you have medical insurance with a health savings account or flexible spending account these items are eligible for purchase on your health debit card or reimbursement with a copy of your receipt. This is covered under section 3702 of the CARES Act , please check with your insurance provider on how to utilize this option.

Let me know how many different menstrual products you’ve tried. Which one is your favorite? Comments down below and let us know.