Tweens & Teens 2022 (Island Parent)

Choices Aplenty: Choosing Period Products
Several years ago, a friend’s 10-year-old daughter came for a
sleepover, carrying two bags. In one bag she’d packed lots
of supplies for her period/cycle bleed—and she wanted to talk
about all of them! That evening, we explored the large stash of
pads and tampons—we unwrapped, examined and compared
them—you know just a typical sleepover/show-and-tell session!
Here’s an overview of the most current and common period/
cycle bleed management options:
Period Underwear. Period underwear come in many different
styles and patterns, from a longer boxer-style short to
the cheeky styles that will suit all identities, activity levels and
body shapes. While they look like regular underwear, they
have a thicker gusset lining between the legs. The top layer of
fabric allows the fluid to pass through to the middle layer that
absorbs the fluid while the tightly woven bottom/outside layer
prevents the fluid from leaking through. Some styles are thicker
and can be worn for up to 8 hours which works overnight or
for the length of a school day.
The thinner styles can be worn on days with less fluid flow
or when a person is awaiting a period/cycle bleed. The thinner
styles can be helpful for young people who aren’t yet sure when
their period/bleed will begin and feel anxious about being prepared.
To clean them after a single use, simply rinse them and
follow the machine wash and dry instructions. Some brands
even make bathing suits, bike shorts and leggings with leak
proof gussets for more active user options. Typically, a user will
need to have 2–3 pairs of underwear in rotation to ensure they
have an extra pair or two to use during wash times.
Re-usable Pads. Re-usable pads follow the same idea as period
underwear, the major difference being that they are shaped
like a pad and they usually use a snap to secure the pad to the
gusset of regular underwear. They come in different sizes, colours,
patterns and shapes from a light liner to overnight coverage.
They are rinsed and washed as per instructions following
use. They are typically changed every 4–6 hours so likely users
will have to carry two with them for an entire day’s coverage.
With both the underwear and reusable pads, it’s a good idea
to carry a plastic pouch for used pads/underwear, another set
of underwear or pads and maybe some leggings in case there’s
need for back up!
Menstrual Cups. Menstrual cups or discs are worn inside
the body in the vagina and rather than absorbing the fluid like
a tampon, the fluid is collected by the cup or the disc and it’s
either emptied, rinsed and re-inserted if it’s re-usable or discarded
if it’s single use only. Most cups and discs are re-usable
although there are a few brands of discs which are single use.
Cups and discs are usually made of medical grade silicone and
both require the user to be familiar and comfortable enough
with their own bodies to insert and remove them with clean
hands.
Cups typically sit very high in the vagina and create a suction
to the cervix while discs sit a bit lower and have a seal but not
suction. Some brands have different sizes for different sized/
shaped bodies and/or heavier fluid flow days, while others use
a universal-sized approach. Cups/discs usually only need to
be emptied 2–4 times per day depending on the amount of the
fluid flow and can also be easily worn during activities that
involve water like swimming. Users who like to hike and camp
or are planning extended travel often appreciate the ease and
freedom of a re-usable cup or disc. At the end of a cycle, the
re-usable cup or disk is washed and stored according to the instructions
until next use. Reusable cups and discs usually need
to be replaced after two years of use.
All of these products are becoming more accessible, affordable
and popular. Beyond the obvious benefits of convenience
and privacy, many users feel that these products are more environmentally
and financially sustainable. Like anything health
related, if you or your youth have interest in trying a new
method, gather accurate information from reputable sources
and choose a product that feels like a good physical and lifestyle
match.
These new options will go a long way to support our young
people through their period/cycle bleed with increased comfort,
privacy and autonomy while reducing stigma and shame and
leaving the outdated menstrual contraptions in the past!
Jennifer Gibson, MA, is also known as
“The Sex Lady”— for close to 20 years in Greater
Victoria!—to the thousands of amazing youth
and adults she is lucky to educate and learn
with through her job as the Coordinator of Community
Education at Island Sexual Health. She’s
passionate about making sexuality education as
positive, fun and non-cringe-able as possible.
38 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca