Tampons vs Pads
Which One Should You Use?
Once we girls start to have period, we are in dire need of something to soak up our menstrual blood. However, the question is what to use, a tampon or a pad, and hence this article tampons vs. pads is here to help you decide. All of us have seen them in the shelves of stores and often we have been plagued with these tampons vs. pads war. As there are many options such as kotex tampons, kotex pads, ob tampons, playtex tampons to choose from, it is no wonder that making the right choice might seem overwhelming and confusing.
What are Pads?
Before going in to tampons vs. pads discussion, let us first get an idea on what actually these things are. Pads are things made of material that absorbs menstrual blood. They are rectangular in shape and are used by sticking to the underwear using extended folds that has adhesive in it. These extended folds are called wings and they help to hold the pads in places and also to prevent any kind of leakages. Pads are also called sanitary napkins or sanitary pads by many.
What are Tampons?
Tampons are small cylindrical thing made of absorbent material. It absorbs the menstrual blood from inside the vagina of a female individual. It is made of special absorbent material that has been pressed into cylindrical shape. Tampons can be put in the vagina by using one’s fingers or by using applicators provided with them.
Tampons vs. Pads
In most of the cases, girls start using sanitary pads when they start having period. There are different kinds of pads available. The size of pads varies for heavier and lighter blood flow. There are now even pads with deodorant in it but it might cause irritation to those individuals who have sensitive skin. One can cut down odor of menstrual blood by changing the sanitary pads. Changing of pads depend on an individual’s blood flow. Those who have heavy flow need to change their pad often whereas those who have light flow can change pads after every 3-4 hours. Pads have to be wrapped with toilet paper and put in waste cans or disposal boxes as they cannot be flushed and can create a mess if thrown down in the toilet.
Similarly like sanitary napkins/pads, tampons also come in different sizes. The sizes depend on how much blood is flowing. However, one has to be really careful in using tampons as using tampons that have really high absorbent material in them can cause problem.
The myths
There is some misconception among some people that tampons can get lost inside an individual’s body. However, it is just a myth and it has never ever occurred. The cervix, which is located at the top of the vagina, has a really tiny opening. It is really impossible for a tampon to go through it too an individual’s stomach or other organs. Also, the strings attached to tampons help to remove the tampon easily. However, first time tampon users might get confused and have trouble locating the string.
Which One is better?
Both tampons and pads come with advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is recommended for individuals to use the thing that they feel most comfortable in instead of going on a ‘tampons vs. pads’ war. Pads might feel bulky and users might get rashes in their inner thighs, thigh joints or in their back. Tampons might create toxic shock syndrome to its frequent user. The toxic shock syndrome (also known as TSS) is a life threatening complication caused by bacteria as some tampons are ultra-absorbent. Tampons can be used even while swimming or riding both of which cannot be done while one is using sanitary pads. However, those who are not interested in joining any of the party in tampons vs. pads war always have the option of choosing other alternatives for managing their menstrual blood.