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Hygiene |
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Maintaining your hygiene is really important when it comes to your period. First of all, you are going to need a product that will help you soak up the blood and prevent any leaks from showing up on your clothing (totally embarrassing by the way!). Pads are layers of cotton with adhesive on the back that attach to your underwear. They absorb the blood during your period and come in all shapes and sizes. There are thin and thick, for different flows. Sometimes the pads will have “wings” that will help hold the pad in place by folding under your underwear. Pads are totally easy to use: You just peel off the back of the pad and place it in your underwear, and then you are ready to go. Sometimes pads are uncomfortable and sometimes they will cause leaks. That’s why it is important to find the right size and shape that’s best for you. Test out different kinds until you find the pad that you feel comfortable with. You might want to have different kinds—one for daytime, one for sports and one for sleeping! When you use pads, you should change them frequently throughout the day. Changing your pads every three hours will help to keep you feeling fresh and clean. This will also prevent bacteria from hanging around and causing an infection. Make sure you wrap the used pad up in toilet paper and discard it properly, and don’t ever flush it! Usually most bathrooms have a trash can where you can throw out the used pad; some public bathrooms have special “sanitary napkin” disposal bins. You can also get some panty-liners which are very thin pads that also attach to your underwear. They are good for the end of your period, when you have a very light flow. Also, you can use them when you don’t have your period to protect against normal discharge. Tampons are cotton products that are placed inside of your vagina to absorb the blood. Some of them come with plastic or cardboard applicators that make it easier to place the tampon inside of your vagina. When you first try to use a tampon, it can be kind of tough. There might be pain involved or you may feel uncomfortable. You might be nervous about the tampon getting lost inside of you (it totally CAN’T!) or losing your virginity (definitely NOT going to happen!). These are normal concerns, but they’re just myths. Check out the instructions on the box, and relax. If you’re too tense, it will be very difficult to insert a tampon. When inserting the tampon, find a position that works best for you, maybe putting one leg up on the toilet or squatting above the toilet. With patience, you will eventually learn how to use a tampon. Maybe you just aren’t ready or maybe tampons aren’t right for you. One big plus to tampon use in the summer is that you can go swimming with tampons. Unfortunately, you can’t swim with pads, but tampons are easily used in the water. Tampons also have a string that hangs out of your vagina, which makes it easy to take them out and discard them. The string may become lost, but don’t freak out if it does. The tampon is still there, you just might have to use your finger to find it. Sometimes it’s easy to forget about tampons, but be sure to change them frequently (every three hours) and to discard of the tampons properly. It’s better not to flush discarded tampons because they can clog certain drains. You’re probably confused about how you feel after getting your period. You might not be used to the smell of your period, or the feeling of having so much going on down in your vaginal area. This is all a natural part of your cycle, and can be controlled simply by showering regularly and changing your pads or tampons on a regular basis, and by changing and washing your underwear when you experience leaks or spotting. Also, remember that no one else can smell any of the vaginal odors that you notice, so don’t worry. If you’re thinking about using a douche or a feminine spray, don’t worry too much. It’s not necessary to use these products—plus, they can cause infections. Products like douche and feminine spray have a lot of artificial ingredients and are usually full of a very strong fragrance that can cause an allergic reaction in the sensitive vaginal region. Yeast infections may be initiated by using these items as well. Plus, your vagina has its own natural cleaning system that works on its own time, and other chemicals might mess this process up. Click below to read about related topics.
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