Periods always seem to show up when they are least wanted so it is always important to be prepared. Here are some of the most common period products on the market and their pros and cons.
Diva Cup
The Diva Cup is a flexible silicone cup you insert similarly to a tampon. Instead of absorbing blood, it collects it in the convenient cup shape. The cup is silicone, so there is a less likely chance of contracting TSS. Also, the cup can stay inserted for up to 12 hours rather than a maximum of 8 hours for a tampon. The cup needs to be rinsed in the sink every time it is taken out and boiled in water periodically to stay sanitary. The downfall of this product is the convenience of the product. It is a bit hard to wash the cup when you’re in a public bathroom and it is a bit bulkier than other period products so it will take up more room in a bag. It is also a bit pricey, and if you’re anything like me, I like to have products in every single bag/bathroom. The Diva Cup costs $37.49 and while they are reusable, it is a lot to spend at one time.
Pads
Pads just kind of sit on your underwear and chill. They are extremely convenient because you can take them with you everywhere. They are a bit less environmentally friendly because they are disposable, but that also means you don’t have to wash them. They are relatively cheap coming in at $6.99 for a 32 pack which is a lot more reasonable to spend at one time.
Tampons
Tampons are small and convenient. Their size makes it so you can easily carry multiple with you and they are pretty discreet for those who don’t want the fact that they’re on their period put on blast. Tampons need to be changed every time you go to the bathroom because the strings can carry bacteria and cause an infection and, let’s be honest, nobody wants that. Along with the possibility of infection, there is also a chance of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) which can potentially be fatal if you leave a tampon in for too long. Tampons cost basically the same as pads with a 32 pack also costing $6.99.
There are also a lot of other options including period underwear, but these are the most common options. I hope this helped you guys decide which product was the best for you.
HCXO