Hygiene during the menstrual period
To absorb the blood during her menstrual period, a woman can use sanitary towels or tampons. She can also collect the blood with a menstrual cup.
Sanitary towel
A sanitary towel is a small absorbent pad that women put in their knickers during their menstrual period. There is an adhesive strip on the bottom of the sanitary towel. This keeps the sanitary towel in place. You can buy sanitary towels in different sizes, forms and thicknesses.
Change a sanitary towel every few hours.
Tampon
A tampon is a small stick made of cotton wool with a string attached to it. You insert the small stick into the vagina. The string hangs outside of the vagina. You can buy tampons in different sizes.
Change a tampon every few hours. To remove a tampon, pull the string carefully.
A tampon cannot cause the hymen to tear.
When you are using a tampon, you can go in the shower, swim and exercise.
Menstrual cup
You can also use a menstrual cup instead of a sanitary towel or tampons. A menstrual cup is made from a soft material (silicone). You put the cup up inside the vagina. The cup collects the blood.
The cup comes in various sizes. The size of the cup depends on how much blood you lose and whether you have given birth or not.
You insert the cup in the same way as a tampon:
Clean the cup at least 2 times a day (at least every 12 hours):
You can reuse the cup:
You can also use the cup at night.
A menstrual cup cannot cause the hymen to tear.
You can go in the shower, swim and exercise with the menstrual cup.
You can choose whether you want to use tampons, sanitary towels or the menstrual cup.
Not contraception
The tampon and menstrual cup are not contraceptives. If you have sexual intercourse and do not want to get pregnant choose a contraceptive most suitable for you.
You can also use tampons and menstrual cups if you use a hormonal IUD. Discuss this with your gynaecologist.
No protection against STIs or HIV
Buying sanitary towels, tampons and the menstrual cup
You can buy sanitary towels, tampons and the menstrual cup in the supermarket, drugstores, pharmacies and online. Prices differ widely.
You can use 1 menstrual cup for between 5 and 10 years. That is why the cup is cheaper than tampons and sanitary towels. You can buy various brands of menstrual cups such as OrganiCup, Be’Cup, Mooncup, Divacup and Ladycup. A menstrual cup costs between 15 and 35 euros.
Pain
For some women, the menstrual period is painful. You can relieve the pain in the belly or back (uterus) by relaxing. You can, for example:
- take a hot bath or shower;
- place a hot pillow on your belly or back;
- drink relaxing tea (for example chamomile tea);
- do sports or relaxation exercises;
- ask for the right medicines at a pharmacy.
Sexual intercourse
Some women want to have sexual intercourse during their menstrual period, others do not. A woman can have sexual intercourse during her menstrual period if she wants to. It will not lead to hygiene problems.