Pads are long, flat rectangles of absorbent material that stick to the center of your underwear. They soak up any extra period flow that leaves your vagina. Tampons are cylindrical pieces of cotton wool that go directly into your vaginal canal. They absorb your period flow at the source. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Pads Tampons Clean, period-proof underwear Painkillers Think about making 2 period kits: one that you keep at school and one that you keep at home.
You can also conceal leaks by wrapping a sweatshirt around your waist. Pack some dark pants or skirts, if you can. These are better at concealing leaks. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
A calendar can also help you find any irregular period patterns, which you can report to your doctor. You can also use a phone app to track your period. “Me V PMDD,” “Flo Period & Ovulation,” “Period Diary,” and “Cycles” are a few free apps you can try. [7] X Research source
Light flow: pantyliners Moderate flow: regular pads Heavy flow: maxi pads
You can double-check your pad container to see if your pads have wings or not.
Remember—there’s nothing weird or strange about using a pad. Lots of people use them to manage their periods!
Feel free to change your pad earlier if it gets soaked really quickly. In this case, it might be worth switching to a more absorbent pad. Don’t flush your used pad down the toilet. These products aren’t designed to be flushed, and will likely back up the toilet.
The higher the absorbency you use, the higher risk you have of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome, an uncommon but dangerous condition associated with tampons. [16] X Research source
Spread your knees out if you stay seated. This will make it a lot easier to get the tampon in.
There are also non-applicator tampons, which you insert with only your fingers. Some people really like them, while other people find them really difficult to work with. [19] X Research source An applicator tampon is likely easier to work with when you first learn the ropes. [20] X Research source
Remember: your vagina is behind your urethra (the tiny opening for peeing) and in front of your anus. [22] X Research source When your fingers touch the vaginal opening, they may come away looking bloody. A tampon might feel a bit strange and uncomfortable at first, but it should never feel painful going in. Be sure to let your doctor know if you start experiencing a lot of pain. [23] X Research source
This process might feel a little weird at first, but you won’t actually feel the tampon once it’s inside you.
This string helps you pull out your tampon later on.
You can keep your tampon in for as long as 8 hours, but most experts suggest following the 4-6 hour rule. [27] X Research source
Visit your doctor’s office or a nearby reproductive health clinic if you’re having trouble removing the tampon on your own.
Practice makes perfect! The more you use tampons, the more confident and comfortable you’ll feel during your future periods.
Each month, the walls of your uterus thicken with extra blood and tissue and your ovaries release an egg. This egg moves down one of your two fallopian tubes and into the uterus. If fertilized by a sperm cell (through sex), the egg will remain in the uterus and grow into a fetus. If this does not occur, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and bleeding occurs. This is what is referred to as your monthly period.
Many people first get their period about 2 years after their breasts begin developing. Your period may start 6 months after you spot any clear, off-white, or white discharge appearing on your underwear.
While period symptoms can be a bit uncomfortable, they’re nothing to stress over. Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen can be used to treat cramping and physical symptoms, along with a heating pad. Plus, exercising regularly, even during your period, can help regulate your mood, and make you feel healthier in general.
It’s common to miss a period here and there, and you may not have your period for a few months in a row. It can take up to 2 years for your menstrual cycle to become regular, so don’t worry if your current cycle is a bit inconsistent. Your first few periods may be very light or very heavy. You may also start bleeding, stop, and then start again. [36] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
