The ABC's About Your Period
Why do women go through this strange and to some disturbing cycle each month?There are so many answers to this question. If you're looking for the philosophical answer to this question, I'd look to a higher power than this website, like parents or a close family member, maybe? Or books? But, if you're looking for a simple answer:
Biologically, a woman's body is wired to change in cycles. This means "a series of events that take place in the same order repeatedly." Your body goes (and will continue to go) through a bunch of complexly formulated changes during your life. If you’ve got your period, congratulations! It means you’ve gotten a biological bonus prize. Your body is gearing up to have kids or just remain healthy. So go with the flow… If you know what we mean, but you also gotta’ learn the basics, kiddo, and what that means is learning your period A-B-C’s.
Your first period always tends to come as a shock. It sneaks up on you whenever it pleases (most studies say just about two years after the onset of puberty, between the average age of 11 – 12 years), it divides and conquers, and it starts to run the show once a month. The aching cramps in your stomach may make you want to roll up in a corner somewhere. All of the estrogen that’s pumpin’ all about your body may make you think you’re going nuts. But ladies and ladies, it is definitely not the end of the world! In fact, get ready for a new kind of adventure in a new kind of world (get ready, this is about to get oober cheesy) called - WOMANHOOD! Congratulations on joining the ranks! Your first period is a sign that your body is beginning to go on womanly autopilot, meaning you’re going to experience a 28 to 30 (it really depends on your body) day menstrual cycles from now on. Your menstrual cycle is almost like an agenda that your endocrine system is going to adhere to from now on. The endocrine system is an all-encompassing name for all of the organs, ducts, and glands that are in charge of producing, secreting, and distributing all kinds of lovely hormones throughout your body.
What these organs, ducts, and glands do during your menstrual cycle is get together and plan to make way for a new ovum (new fertile egg) to get comfy in your uterus, but for that to happen your body has to rid itself of the nutrient rich lining that’s already sitting in your uterus, supporting the ovum from your last menstrual cycle. In order to do that, your endocrine system will release the proper hormones that will instruct your organs on what to do. What you will feel is the muscles in your uterus flexing and contracting in order to shed the old egg and old lining….that means…PAIN in the form of cramps!!
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Tampons vs. Pads vs. Pantyliner
Tampons are available in the following range of absorbencies:
Absorbency Name Absorbency Range Menstrual Flow
Mini/Junior 6 grams Light
Regular 6 - 9 grams Normal
Super 9 - 12 grams Moderate
Super Plus 12 - 15 grams Heavy
Ultra 15 - 18 grams Very Heavy
Mini/Junior 6 grams Light
Regular 6 - 9 grams Normal
Super 9 - 12 grams Moderate
Super Plus 12 - 15 grams Heavy
Ultra 15 - 18 grams Very Heavy
Sanitary Pads are available in the following range of Absorbencies:
- Regular, Super, Thick, Thin, Ultra Thin, Overnight, Daytime, Night Time, Light Days
Sanitary Pads are available in the following range of Styles:
- With Wings, Contour, Curved, Straight, Tapered, Pantiliners, Wrapped
Sanitary Pads are available in the following Lengths
- Regular, Long, Extra Long, Slander, Tonga
Okay, so now that you’ve learned your product lingo, back to the battle between Tampons vs. Pads vs. Pantiliners! Okay so what now? We need to talk about the pros and cons of each product. But keep in mind... Each product has its drawbacks, but you've got to figure out which product will cause less drama with your own unique lifestyle.
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Tampons
Pros
♦ Menstrual liquid is less likely to leave your body. Tampons are designed to trap menstrual substances within their fabric core, making it very difficult for leakage to happen on your fabulous clothing. If you maintain your tampon properly, meaning that you check often enough that the string hasn't turned red with blood, indicating that the tampon is at maximum capacity, then you are less likely to experience leakage than in a precariously placed pad that could overflow when you maintain a certain position for way too long.
♦ A lot less of a movement inhibitor. If you're an active person (sports, yoga, pilates, extreme DMX or dirt-biking), and you need to stretch or run or move, tampons would be the better fit because they are internal and held in place by vaginal muscles.
♦ You can go swimming when you're wearing a tampon; it is not recommended to wear a pad in the pool.
♦ More discreet. It's easy to slip a tampon in and out of a bag or a pocket without someone finding out about your womanly secret.
Cons
♦ A bit more of an intense, upfront situation. With tampons, it's pretty difficult to avoid contact with your vaginal area, so if you're more of the squeamish, not so confrontational types, maybe the string and the applicators are not for you. That is not to say that women should not embrace their bodies and the form that a menstrual has taken. Quite the contrary. A woman's body is mystical, and no one is going to unwrap that mystery except for you. You should understand how and why the body does what it does, because it makes you a part of a great gender.
♦ TSS risk factor. Read more below about TSS
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Pads
Pros
♦ There is a “no-strings attached” deal (excuse the pun). With pads, you just stick them on your panties and pull them off. There's no over-extending of products into places where you usually wouldn't reach.
♦ You could stick them virtually anywhere... Sounds weird, right? But when you're catching some zz's, it's kind of hard to monitor how close you are to leaking. Pantiliners, overnight pads, or extra-long pads are very useful to pick up that extra space on your underpants that you just can’t seem to keep stain free.
♦ It's safer when you're asleep. The maximum recommended time span that you're supposed to keep a tampon in is about four hours. Anymore than that and you are putting yourself at risk for bacteria build up, that could potentially turn into the evil TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).
Cons
♦ Conventional pads made with synthetics can create unnecessary and harmful environmental waste and cause an allergic reaction for some women.
♦ Can be some unpleasant rubbing if pad isn't placed correctly on the panty.
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Pantiliners
Pros
♦ It’s basically a flattened thinner pad, so it’s as tiny and discreet as a pad comes. You can barely feel it.
♦ Works well as a tampon backup.
Cons
♦ It’s no replacement for a tampon or pad because it is not as absorbent.
Now that you know what your product choices are when it comes to that time month, it’s time to learn how to use them responsibly.
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Toxic Shock Syndrome
Also known in its acronym form as TSS (Girls remember this T-S-S, I mean who among your friends usually says the full name of an illness), is an infirmity that could be potentially harmful. Simply put, there is an evil bacteria called Staphylococcus Aureus that just happens to live off of our unsuspecting body parts like the vagina, groin, armpit and nose skin.
Statistically speaking, the chances are low that you will experience this ever, but it’s critical that every consumer is aware of what can happen when you don’t use feminine care products responsibly. This bacteria lives on these areas in 1 in every 3 people (guys can get it as well as girls). The problem comes in when these bacteria become brave and starts multiplying at high rates.
If you experience "flu-like symptoms" such as diarrhea, high fever, or dizziness usually caused by low blood pressure, while using tampons, contact your doctor or visit a hospital immediately. Some more immediate steps you should take are remove the tampon you are using without delay and inform your doctor that you've been using tampons so that she/ he can make a proper diagnosis. When symptoms are recognized in time, TSS can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Now girls, don't get too crazy about this stuff. Just be good to your body and observe some of the following suggestions to make sure you keep your distance from an evil bout of TSS:
1. Be clean. I mean we're girls, right? We're pretty and supposed to smell like flowers and candy all the time. So WRONG! We're only human and we're just as susceptible to dirt and stenches as the rest of the world. So please from time to time, specifically before and after you change your tampon or pad, wash your hands!
2. Change it Up. I know you might think you're a seasoned period expert and that you're a transient goddess when it comes time to tell when you should nix the pad or tampon that you're wearing, but overflow happens to the best of us. And plus, did you know it's extremely unhealthy to leave in a tampon for an extreme amount of time? TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) causing bacteria just have a field day gathering and wreaking havoc on our nether regions when they're not checked.
3. Keep the absorbency low. Use pads and tampons with as low absorbency as you can find so that there isn't any build up of potentially harmful material.
4. One at a time. Definitely do not try to use more than one tampon at a time.
5. Trash it. Get rid of the tampon you're wearing as soon as you know you're done surfing the crimson wave (when your period is over).
6. Diversify. Try to keep your products different. You don't always have to stick to using strictly pads or tampons. Find a happy balance of product usage that's comfortable for you.
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Statistically speaking, the chances are low that you will experience this ever, but it’s critical that every consumer is aware of what can happen when you don’t use feminine care products responsibly. This bacteria lives on these areas in 1 in every 3 people (guys can get it as well as girls). The problem comes in when these bacteria become brave and starts multiplying at high rates.
If you experience "flu-like symptoms" such as diarrhea, high fever, or dizziness usually caused by low blood pressure, while using tampons, contact your doctor or visit a hospital immediately. Some more immediate steps you should take are remove the tampon you are using without delay and inform your doctor that you've been using tampons so that she/ he can make a proper diagnosis. When symptoms are recognized in time, TSS can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Now girls, don't get too crazy about this stuff. Just be good to your body and observe some of the following suggestions to make sure you keep your distance from an evil bout of TSS:
1. Be clean. I mean we're girls, right? We're pretty and supposed to smell like flowers and candy all the time. So WRONG! We're only human and we're just as susceptible to dirt and stenches as the rest of the world. So please from time to time, specifically before and after you change your tampon or pad, wash your hands!
2. Change it Up. I know you might think you're a seasoned period expert and that you're a transient goddess when it comes time to tell when you should nix the pad or tampon that you're wearing, but overflow happens to the best of us. And plus, did you know it's extremely unhealthy to leave in a tampon for an extreme amount of time? TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) causing bacteria just have a field day gathering and wreaking havoc on our nether regions when they're not checked.
3. Keep the absorbency low. Use pads and tampons with as low absorbency as you can find so that there isn't any build up of potentially harmful material.
4. One at a time. Definitely do not try to use more than one tampon at a time.
5. Trash it. Get rid of the tampon you're wearing as soon as you know you're done surfing the crimson wave (when your period is over).
6. Diversify. Try to keep your products different. You don't always have to stick to using strictly pads or tampons. Find a happy balance of product usage that's comfortable for you.
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Tampon Safety Tips
If you are using any kind of tampons (Organic, Natural or Conventional ones) during your menstrual period, please use the following pre-cautions for your safety and peace of mind:
Tampon manufacturers instruct women to wear the least necessary absorbency and to never keep in a tampon for more than eight hours.
By using tampons, girls can lose their virginity.
Some articles in internet claims that tampons can be lost in the women’s body. The truth is that tampons can't get lost in a woman's body. This is close to impossible, because through the advancement of technology, the string which is attached to the core body of the tampon, goes around and it is sewed to the core body of the tampon. So it would be impossible that the string become loosen at the time of pulling the tampon out of the vagina and leave the tampon body inside.
FDA regulates tampons as medical devices and tampons must pass through FDA review and clearance before they can be marketed.
- FDA also regulates the absorbency ratings for tampons.
- High levels of absorbency may help women manage heavier menstrual flows.
- Tampons enjoyed a quiet history from 1933--when the first ones hit the market--until about 1980.
- The most common cause of TSS is the use of very highly absorbent tampons.
- The risk of TSS can be reduced by alternating use of tampons and sanitary napkins during the menstrual period.
Understanding Absorbency – Absorbency is the rate at which a tampon absorbs or soaks up menstrual blood and it is measured in grams of fluid. In 1990, FDA standardized absorbency labeling, allowing women to compare absorbencies across brands. These standard absorbencies are as follows:
a) Junior Less then 6 Grams Fluid Absorption (Used during Very Light Flow)
b) Regular 6 to 9 Grams Fluid Absorption (Used during Light Flow)
c) Super 9 to 12 Grams Fluid Absorption (Used during Medium Flow)
d) Super Plus 12 to 15 Grams Fluid Absorption (Used during Heavy Flow)
e) Ultra 15 to 18 Grams Fluid Absorption (Used during Very Heavy Flow)
If your tampon absorbs as much as it can and has to be changed before four hours, you may want to try a higher absorbency. There's usually less need for higher absorbency when your period is ending.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your tampon is probably too absorbent;
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your tampon is probably too absorbent;
i) If the tampon is hard to remove,
ii) If you experience vaginal dryness,
iii) If a tampon shreds inside the Vagina,
iv) If it doesn't need to be changed after several hours,
ii) If you experience vaginal dryness,
iii) If a tampon shreds inside the Vagina,
iv) If it doesn't need to be changed after several hours,
Vaginal dryness and ulcerations may occur when a tampon is too absorbent for your flow.
All tampon manufacturers are required reporting to FDA on absorbency, as well as on the safety of all components of a tampon, including the cover, string and applicator, and on the chemical composition of any fragrances and color additives. Though TSS is extremely rare, tampon users should still be aware of it and it's important for women to know the signs. If a woman becomes ill or has any concerns at all about TSS, she should remove her tampon immediately and contact her physician.
TSS Warning Signs – Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome can be hard to recognize because they mimic the flu. If you experience sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, or a rash that looks like a sunburn during your period or a few days after, contact your physician right away. Also, if you're wearing a tampon, remove it immediately. One or two weeks after initial symptoms begin, flaking and peeling of the skin occurs, mainly on the palms and soles. If your physician determines that your symptoms are TSS, you will probably be sent to a hospital for treatment. With proper treatment, patients usually get well in two to three weeks.Women under 30, especially teenagers, are at a higher risk for TSS, because some females that age may not yet have antibodies to the toxin. Using any kind of tampon, cotton or rayon of any absorbency, puts a woman at greater risk for TSS than using menstrual pads.
Bleaching is necessary because all fibers have impurities associated with them that will inhibit absorbency. Bleaching cleans and purifies raw material, but it does not leave toxins. Unlike what some people think, the white color of tampons is a consequence of the purification process, not an appearance goal.
Chlorine gas, which can produce a small amount of dioxin, were used to be the bleaching agent for rayon or cotton used in tampons. But elemental chlorine-free bleaching uses a chlorine dioxide agent. Chlorine dioxide may sound like chlorine gas, but they are two very different things.
Environmental Protection Agency test data show that dioxin levels in tampons range from undetectable to 1 part in 3 trillion, far below the level that occurs through daily environmental exposure and considerably below the level FDA believes would put consumers at risk. What we know today is that you will find more dioxin already in your body than in any tampon.
Tips to Avoid Tampon Troubles - FDA recommends the following tips to help avoid tampon problems:
1) Follow package directions for insertion.
2) Don’t use tampons over night.
3) Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow.
4) Change your tampon at least every 4 to 8 hours.
5) Consider alternating pads with tampons.
6) Know the warning signs of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
7) Don't use tampons between periods.
2) Don’t use tampons over night.
3) Choose the lowest absorbency for your flow.
4) Change your tampon at least every 4 to 8 hours.
5) Consider alternating pads with tampons.
6) Know the warning signs of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
7) Don't use tampons between periods.
Usually Viscose and/or Rayon tampons are as safe as Cotton ones except for sensitive women who have allergy against using synthetic materials.
Some critics ask for some research to determine the extent to which dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in tampons pose health risks such as cancer, endometriosis, infertility, and pelvic inflammatory disease. But from FDA's perspective, there is no indication right now that such research is necessary.
There are untrue rumors on internet that claim tampons are tainted with cancer-causing toxins or another one suggests that manufacturers add asbestos to tampons to promote excessive bleeding and boost their products sales. Companies who are manufacturing tampons are among those few fortune 100 companies that it does not pay for them to add asbestos into their own products to increase the sales. The risk of losing the market does not pay. In any case they own the 85% of the market. The only way asbestos could be connected to tampons would be through tampering
Some medical professionals are worried the marketing of tampons for overnight use will give rise to a new round of victims -- young women who may die, lose their limbs or become severely ill, as the threat of TSS remains very real and very dangerous
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