Other Menstrual Products

The cause of menstrual problems may have nothing to do with diet or underlying health problems. In some cases the real cause of menstrual problems could be the menstrual products that a woman is using. Sometimes switching menstrual products will be all that’s needed to clear up a “problem.”

Tampons

Tampons in particular can be the cause of serious problems for women. Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially serious ailment that can be caused by tampons. There are some serious problems that can resort from tampons or misuse of tampons.

Simply leaving a tampon in can cause serious problems for women. Tampons can easily become infected and that infection can spread to other areas. The way to avoid this is to replace your tampon at least every eight hours.

If the tampon absorbs a lot of blood it should be replaced sooner. The reason for this is to keep the tampon from becoming a reservoir of infection in your body.

Another way to keep tampons safe is to use the tampon with the lowest absorbency level possible. This will keep the tampon from absorbing too many potential contaminants.

Some women worry about the chemicals used in tampon manufacturing. These include bleach, hydrogen peroxide and chloride. These chemicals could cause an allergic reaction.

Something that women should realize is that it is illegal for tampon manufacturers to use toxic chemicals in the product. So the rumors that tampons could contain poisons are simply urban legends.

Pads

Quite a few women prefer to use pads for protection because these are more comfortable. There is also less chance of contamination, infection and other problems. Pads won’t provide as much protection as tampons and will have to be changed more often.

The big advantage to pads is that there is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome from them. There’s a much lower risk of infection and less irritation. Some women could probably eliminate some menstruation problems by switching to pads.

Pads will have to be changed and disposed of like tampons. There can be a risk of contamination from either pads or tampons if they aren’t disposed of properly. Used pads or tampons should never be left out.

The best disposal method will be to place them in a plastic bag in the trash. In most areas it isn’t advised to flush either pads or tampons down the toilet because this can clog plumbing or sewer systems.

What’s Right for You?

There is no right answer when it comes to menstrual products. Different products will be better for different women. A good piece of advice is to try a number of different products and use the one that you are most comfortable with.

Never use a product that causes pain or discomfort. Change the product often and take notice if the product has to be changed a lot.

It is also a good idea to ask your gynecologist about menstrual products. She may have some good recommendations.