#i'm trying to keep this accessible by keeping it short and using the bold function but idk i hope it's not worse because of it

[undedkat]

Period Products 101

There isn't much sex education in the US and Canada, so here's some information on period products.

I'm going over the common disposable and reusable period products, how to use them safely, what is most accessible for people with disabilities, if they can be used with an IUD, and if you can have sex with them in.

Pads and Tampons

Pads are a disposable period product placed on the underwear and worn outside the body. For boy-shorts and boxers, use pads without wings.

Tampons are a disposable period product inserted into the vagina to prevent blood from leaking outside the body. They are also safe to use in water and during physical activity.

Both tampons and pads can hold approximately 10-15 mL of fluid. Note that tampons should be worn to near saturation to prevent pain on removal. Pads and tampons can be safely worn for 4–8 hours. Be sure to always use pads and tampons made out of cotton and are fragrance-free.

Period Underwear

Period underwear is the reusable replacement to pads. It's functionally just another underwear you wear and can hold 20-40 mL of fluid. After use, rinse it out to remove the blood and throw it in the wash within 2 days. Aisle also has boxer options for people who prefer a more traditionally masculine style.

Period underwear can be worn for a full day safely, although some brands recommend replacing every 12 hours. They should last you upwards of 5 years.

Menstrual Cups and Discs

Menstrual cups and discs are the reusable alternative to tampons. Both can be worn safely in the water and during physical activity. PeriodNirvana has a quiz to help suggest the best cup or disc for you.

Menstrual cups are a small cup made of medical grade silicon that are inserted into the vagina and create a seal to prevent blood from exiting the vagina. They can hold approximately 30 mL of fluid.

Menstrual discs are a disc made of medical grade silicon that sits behind the vaginal fornix without creating a seal. They can hold approximately 50 mL of fluid.

To wear cups/discs safely, take it out and wash it every 10–12 hours using fragrance-free soap before re-insertion and boil your cup/disc once a month for about 5 minutes.

The product will come with a booklet explaining the insertion and removal process because it's a bit involved. Additionally, insertion or removal may get blood on your fingers. There should be no pain in the process.

Cups and discs last up to 10 years of use. If it's showing signs of degradation or falls into the toilet, replace it with a new one.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a very rare but also life-threatening case of bacteria entering the body and releasing toxins. It is very rare but using tampons, menstrual cups, and menstrual discs is associated with increased risk (sources: NLM, saalt). Use the products as directed on the instructions to prevent TSS. Set a timer to replace/wash if needed.

IUDs

Most research currently shows that using a menstrual cup, menstrual disc, or tampons will not increase your risk of IUD expulsion, which occurs in about 3-10% of IUD insertions. That said, I have seen papers claiming the opposite and that more research needs to be done.

Be sure to discuss with your gynecologist and if it's possible to cut your IUD string shorter. Reproductive rights are not protected in many places, and it might be safer to use a pad or period panties.

PFAs

PFAs are commonly called "forever chemicals" and are a type of chemical that will not break down in nature. They have been linked to several negative health effects, including cancer. Under the current EPA standard editions, PFAs are prohibited in certified products. If present as a contaminant, the level must be below 100 ppm. There currently isn't much conclusive research on how bad PFAs are when used outside the body by the vulva, so your best bet is sticking with the 100ppm limit.

When looking up period products, reference tests run by external labs to ensure that the research was conducted correctly. Menstrual cups and discs are classified as low to no risk of PFAs by the FDA because they are made of medical grade silicon.

Accessibility

Menstrual cups and discs are often not accessible to people with disabilities because they have to be folded and wiggled around. The Hello Disc is probably the most accessible option on the market because it has a pull tab. There are some insertion tools for menstrual cups, however these are not necessarily the easiest to use.

The most accessible options are period panties or pads, although usability of anything will vary from person to person.

Sex on your Period

Menstrual cups create a seal inside the vagina that will prevent blood from reaching the vulva, so you can have oral sex with a cup in. Menstrual discs tuck behind the cervix, so you can have sex where a penis or fingers enter the vagina.

Frankly, just put a towel down on the bed during light flow and just have sex. If having sex with someone with a penis, then make sure you're using a condom. Blood washes out.

Douching

Don't ever douche. This is so horribly bad for you. Periods are a bit gross, but it's just a normal bodily function. There's no need to fight it. Don't put this shit anywhere near your body.

#heres to hoping tumblr doesn't kill the post because of the links #i'm trying to keep this accessible by keeping it short and using the bold function but idk i hope it's not worse because of it #i could even make another post about periods idk #feminism #intersectional feminism #unded rambles