Pads and Tampons are among some of the very popularly used sanitary products for the management of period blood, and during the menstruation days what is more useful is the proper management of hygiene and body with mindful use of sanitary products.
Period demands hygiene, care and cleanliness.
Which to pick, Sanitary Pads or Tampons?
Mensuration is the time of the month when the body experiences the shedding of the uterine lining due to the incomplete fertilization of the egg. This uterine shedding is a fatiguing process for the body and thus demands hygiene and cleanliness. This cleanliness could be achieved, not just use of hygiene products but also through mindful maintenance of one's cleanliness and care.
During menstruation, one needs to pay attention to cleanliness and follow hygiene laws to almost a fault. As human beings, we must never forget that it is a clean body in which God resides. Sanitary products are thus the very thing that one requires to maintain and watch for that cleanliness that we emphasize so much on. Sanitary products include a long list of products and thus their use and simply their choice could be daunting as is. Hence, we are presenting to you a look into some of the most widely used sanitary products and will help you decide which to choose and why.
What exactly is a period, and what is all it is that you should know? The answer lies in proper information and knowing one's own needs properly.
During Mensuration, one requires care and cleanliness, Sanitary Products are thus medical products that facilitate the same.
The most widely used of these are Sanitary pads and Tampons, as we all know these two products are made from absorbent material and facilitate leakage prevention for vaginal discharge.
Did you know that only 39% of women in India have access to Sanitary Products, this skewed number makes it all the more important to spread awareness about the importance of care and cleanliness during menstruation and periods.
By definition sanitary products are medically approved products that are utilized for sanitary purposes. Thus, they aim to maintain cleanliness. Pads and Tampons are such products. These products, however, are not just used for sanitation alone, but at times even for medical emergencies and surgeries.
A sanitary pad is a sanitation product that is used for the prevention of leakage of vaginal discharge through its placement, construction, and absorption capacity.
A tampon on the adjacent side is another such sanitary product which too is used for leakage prevention, through its placement and absorption powers.
The fundamental difference between the two, however, remains on the grounds of shape and placement, while pads are placed outside the body and inside of the inner wear's linings, tampons are placed inside of the one's body, particularly inside the vaginal cavity. As for their shape, tampons are slim and cylindrical while pads are flat and somewhat in the shape of a peanut, the curves of which vary on use and size.
Sanitary Pads and Tampons are two of the most commonly used sanitary products. Picking among them could be a task, as each has its own merits and demerits, uses and misuses, advantages and disadvantages. Then, as always, is comfort and care.
so we came up with a competitive list of the two!
go through it to see which suits your needs best.
| Criterion for comparison | Sanitary Pads | Tampons |
| 1. Construction | Constructed in the shape of a peanut, the shape may vary based on the type and label of the company. Wood-pulp-based natural base material | A small cylindrical-shaped cotton bud is attached to a string. Made primarily of textiles. |
| 2. Material Used | Cotton, Rayon, Wood Pulp, Cloth, Rayon-Cotton Blend, and synthetic Absorption Polymer | Cotton, Rayon, and/or Cotton-Rayon Blend |
| 3. Social and Cultural Aspects | There are many taboos regarding periods and the menstrual cycle in India, thus this gives shade to the products and people attached to them. | The use of plugs is still new and rare, and thus, stereotypes about their use are very common. |
| 4. Cost and Labelling | Varies from labels, Construction, type, and use - But on an average - 25/- to 250/- Rs. | Varies in labels, construction, type, and use - But on an average - 40/- to 300/- Rs. |
| 5. Types | Use - Reusable and Disposable Material - Pure Cotton, Synthetic blend, and cloth Flow - Small Regular, Heavy, Maxi-Pads, Extra Large, and Night |
Use - Hand Insert and Applicator Insert Material - Cotton, Rayon, and Cotton-Blend Flow - Small, Large, and Regular |
| 6. Definitions | A Menstrual Hygiene product lined in the innerwear to absorb vaginal discharge and prevent leaking. | A Menstrual hygiene product is inserted into the vaginal cavity to absorb discharge and prevent leakage. |
| 7. Use | 1. Menstrual Hygiene 2. Leakage Prevention 3. Medical Purposes 4. During Vaginal bleeding caused due to menstruation, recent delivery, or vaginal surgery |
1. Menstrual Hygiene 2. Leakage Prevention 3. Surgical Purposes 4. For swimmers, to plug in during periods |
| 8. Misuse | Unfortunately, due to the socio-cultural scenarios, and dearth of information sanitary pads and their users have been subjected to bullying and insensitive comments | Unfortunately, here too due to a lack of knowledge, tampons and their users have been brutally ostracized. |
| 9. Advantages | 1. Placed outside the body 2. Easy to dispose of 3. Easy to Use 4. Painless 5. Discrete 6. Maintainable and Manageable |
1. Placed inside the body 2. Hygienic 3. Easy to handle and dispose of 4. Travel Convenient 5. Swim Convenient 6. Handy and Hassle-Free |
| 10. Disadvantages | 1. Prone to infections 2. non-Biodegradable 3. Moves from position and placement 4. Leaks are possible 5. Smelly |
1. Prone to Germs and could lead to diseases like TSS 2. non-Biodegradable 3. Leaks Possible 4. Frequent change during heavy flow days 5. Swells up and could lead to problems with extraction and insertion |
| 11. Types of Health Products | Sanitation and Medication | Sanitation and Medication |
| 12. Environmental Impact | Non-biodegradable and needs to be disposed of properly. | Non-biodegradable and needs to be disposed of properly. |
| 13. Also Called | Sanitary Napkins, Menstrual Napkins, Pads, Etc. | La Tampion, Tampon, Plug, Etc. |
| 14. Placement | Outside the Body | Inside the Body |
| 15. Myths | 1. A shameful phenomenon 2. Unhealthy 3. Social taboos and problems of use. |
1. Question of Virginity 2. Painful 3. Harmful |
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We talked at length about Sanitary Pads and Tampons, but these are not the only hygiene products when it comes to maintaining vaginal discharges.
Everyone's period is different and everyone's experience of it is also equally different. Thus, the care that would be required of them would be different as well. This could be among the many reasons why individuals choose to shift from sanitary napkins to tampons.
Some others could be -
Choosing between tampons and pads comes down to what your preferences are Differentiation between menstrual products is a personal choice as long as they are directed, either is efficacious. Please also keep in mind that while the shift from pads to tampons might be a little rough in the beginning, it would be best to keep monitoring your vaginal health on a regular basis and maintain its cleanliness.
They each have pros and cons that could make them a great option for certain lifestyles and an inconvenience for some.
Who says you have to use only one kind, use a combination, that fits you! While we recommend both these products in equity and at ease, you are advised to keep in mind that all the best products for you would be the one that is most comfortable for you. Try them both and figure it out to your ease, build a combination based on present circumstances or needs or both! Remember to hydrate, take ample rest, and take good care of yourself.
What is most important here is the understanding that everyone's body is different and everyone experiences menstruation differently. Thus, the care it deserves would be different as well. One needs to also keep in mind that our period does not in any way make us weak, or dirty, and/or there is nothing to be shameful of. What it truly requires is care, kindness, and awareness.
Please do not hesitate to provide yourself with that pampering that your body deserves.
Here at Dr Ashish Saini's practice, we believe strongly in proper information and in even more than adequate consultation so that the care that you need can reach you, hassle-free.
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Dr Ashish Sahini is Delhi's leading urologist and andrologist in Delhi. He is the gem of his field and has the experience to back up that knowledge. A rare combination of calibre and care.
