Menstrual Hygiene Products

are products that girls, women, and people with menstrual cycles (all of whom we classify as "menstruators") use when menstruating (14). This allows them to carry on their day-to-day activities and responsibilities when they are on their period (14).

Pads, tampons and menstrual cups come in different sizes to suit everyone’s needs – this is because everyone’s period is different (15)

  • If your flow is heavy, you may want to use a thicker pad or tampon and will need to change them more frequently (15).
  • If your flow is light, a thinner pad or tampon might be what you need (15).
  • Try different sizes and products to see what works for you and what makes you the most comfortable (14)!
Menstrual Hygiene Products
Sanitary Napkins (Pads)
Tampons
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Menstrual Cup
Remember that these instructions are general guidelines, so always refer to the specific instructions that come with your menstrual products.

Sanitary Napkins (Pads)

How do they work?

The pad is placed on your underwear and absorbs menstrual fluid. (15)

How to use:

  1. Wash your hands
  2. Take the pad out of the wrapping and place the pad in your underwear.
  3. Make sure it is firmly in place by placing the sticky part of the pad to the base of your underwear. If the pad has wings, fold them under.
  4. To remove the pad, gently pull it off your underwear, fold or wrap it with toilet paper or wrapping from the new pad and dispose of it in the garbage. Do not flush it down the toilet
  5. Wash your hands
  6. Replace a used pad with a new one about every 4-8 hours, depending on how heavy your flow is.
  7. Some types of pads are reusable (14). They are made of cloth material and need to be washed after every use (14).
Sanitary Napkins (Pads)

Tampons

Tampons

How do they work?

Tampons are inserted into the vagina where it absorbs menstrual fluid (14).

How to use(14):

  1. Wash your hands and unwrap the outer wrapping. Get into a comfortable and relaxed position: you can squat down or sit on the toilet with you legs apart
  2. Slowly glide the tampon into your vagina using your fingers. A plastic or cardboard applicator may be surrounding the tampon. Use the applicator to help insert the tampon. Wash your hands and dispose of the applicator in the garbage.
  3. To remove a tampon, get into a comfortable position and gently pull the string that is attached to the tampon. This should pull the tampon out.
  4. Tampons are not reusable so once you have removed a used tampon, dispose of it wrapping it in toilet paper and putting it in the garbage.
  5. Wash your hands
  6. Changing your tampons every 4-8 hours or using low absorbency tampons can help to prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare, but dangerous infection caused by bacteria that can occur in both men and women (16).

If tampons are left inside your body for long periods of time it can lead to TSS (16).

Changing your tampons every 4-8 hours or using low absorbency tampons can help to prevent TSS.

If you experience these symptoms, remove the menstrual product and talk to a healthcare professional immediately (14).

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Cups

How does it work?

  • Menstrual cups are a small cup-shaped device that is placed inside the vagina and collects menstrual fluid (14).
  • Inserting and removing your menstrual cup can be tricky at first. It can take some time and practice before you feel comfortable using one (14).
  • You can always talk to a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about using the menstrual cup (14)

How to use:

  1. Wash your hands and get into a comfortable and relaxed position:
    • You can squat down or sit on the toilet with your legs apart.
  2. Bend or firmly press the cup together and use your hands to gently insert it into your vagina.
  3. Remove the menstrual cup using your fingers to pull on the stem of the cup, or hook your finger around the edge of the cup, squeeze and gently pull.
  4. Empty the fluid by pouring it into a toilet or a drain and clean it as directed.
  5. The menstrual cup should be emptied and washed about every 8-12 hours.
  6. It is always important to follow specific instructions on how to clean and store your menstrual cup.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS RESOURCES

  • 123. Planned Parenthood. Menstruation [Internet]. [place unknown]: Planned Parenthood Federation; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan23]. [LINK]
  • 14. Planned Parenthood. How do I use tampons, pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups? [Internet]. [place unknown]: Planned Parenthood Federation; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 15. Physical and Health Education Canada. Always changing and growing up #likeagirl female student guide. Always Changing grades 5-6 [document on the internet]. Ottawa; c2020 [2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
  • 16. Mayo Clinic. Toxic shock syndrome [Internet]. [place unknown]: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2020 Mar 18 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 17. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. Menstrual cycle basics [Internet]. Ottawa: SOGC; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]