Menstruation

The subject of menstruation was tabooed for a long time. Many women feel uncomfortable during their period and dont know the cause of soreness or asthenia. Lack of information and knowledge, which was actively maintained by society, resulted in beginnings of many misconceptions and myths. Girls were taught to be ashamed of this natural process, to conceal everything connected with this topic.
Today the situation has changed a little, but although there are some cultures, societies and families where the topic of menstruation remains undebated.
The modern technology gives us opportunity to choose the way of protection that we need. The choice of protection means is large and corresponds to peculiarities of everyones body, as well as to menstrual flow and lifestyle. To choose the right protection product you should know your period, hereditary trait, constitutional peculiarity, in a nutshell, to know yourself. When your period is normal its much easier to protect yourself and be self-confident every day. What period is considered to be normal?

Usually the figures vary:
Menstrual cycle from 28 to 30 days is considered to be the optimum.
Anyway, if your cycle varies from 21 to 35 it is not the reason for raising the alarm.
The duration of menstruation also varies from 3 to 5 days, but there are often cases when the period last for 7 days and its permissible time. The menstrual liquid quantity which is lost during the period is about 4-12 teaspoons, but it also can vary. So the period can be longer or shorter, lighter or heavier.
If your cycle is normal, there are no reasons to worry. But if you are not sure about this, its better to consult your gynecologist.
Anyway, there are plenty of menstrual hygiene products which fit any woman. No matter what lifestyle you prefer, what religion you practice, how old you are modern technology allows you to choose the product right for you.

Menstrual cups

Today several kinds of cups exist:
- reusable
- disposable
The first cups that looked as they do today appeared around 1930s.At first, their shape and appearance was unusual and even painful-looking; these samples were patented in 1867. In fact, todays cups have little in common with them and could be easily bought by any woman.

Reusable cups
Reusable menstrual cups can be used for many times along years. This kind of cup is also called the keeper. Its made of natural rubber and holds up the menstrual liquid. The keeper should be washed when its full and replaced or saved for the next period. For those who prefer more reliable protection there exist disposable samples.

Disposable cups
These cups are also called instead soft cups. They are made of modern nonabsorbent thermoplastic material, which doesnt irritate your membranes. This material prevents any leakage and allows wearing it for about 12 hours without feeling it inside your body. The only problem, which can occur, is the problem of inserting or removing it.

Menstrual Pads

There is a big variety of pads. They can be made of different materials; be washable or disposable, of different sizes and designed for any underwear. The origin of pads roots in ancient history. There were different samples of hygiene products in each culture and time. The earliest pads were washable and made of cotton and knits. The todays pads form had been designed by 1921.

Reusable pads
Not all the women began using disposable pads after they entered the market. New pads were comfortable, but they were rather expensive for the most part of female population. This situation lasted many years and only much later new pads replaced those washable. The interest in self-made washable pads renewed after the long-lasting environmental awareness campaign. On the other hand, self-made pads are unable to compete with rather large number of new generation pads.

Disposable pads
Modern producers offer a wide range of menstrual hygiene products. They vary in size, shape, brand and even color. Thick and maxi pads are for heavy days, but thin and mini are for lighter days. Those, which have special wings, are fastened to fix them in place right onto your underwear. Different colors and shapes allow you to choose pads for any style of panties. There are even special maternity pads for women after childbirth. Today its no problem to find fitting pads for any woman at any price.

Tampons

Tampons are very widespread hygiene products. Women have used them probably since the first female had her first menstruation. Tampons have passed long evolution way and have been considerably improved. Modern samples have applicators and a string to remove them out. Modern tampons were introduced to American women in 1920-s.
Fortunately, today you can choose tampons which meet all your requirements. Some of them have plastic or cardboard applicators, the others dont have these. You can find tampons made of different materials. For those who look thoroughly after their health, there are tampons made of organic and natural materials. There also exist aromatized tampons which help to wrestle with unpleasant menstrual odor. Its still not proved, whether tampons affect womens health and provoke toxic shock syndrome (TSS). In order to avoid this possible affect youd better change tampons every 4 hours. If you dont need to change them so often, you should choose smaller tampons with lower absorbency. Difficult removal and dry vagina are also signs of wrong tampon choice.

Classification of tampons according to their size and absorbtion abilities:

Junior: can absorb about 6 grams (or 1, 5 teaspoon) of menstrual fluid.
Regular: can absorb between 6 and 9 grams (up to 2 ¼ teaspoons) of menstrual fluid.
Super: Super tampons hold up to 12 grams (3 teaspoon) of fluid
Super plus: These tampons are for the heaviest days and absorb from 12 to 15 (3-4 teaspoon) grams of menstrual liquid.
If you know your period well, it will be easier to choose the tampons exactly for your body. Some tampons producers sell boxes with tampons of many sizes in it. So, you can choose smaller tampons on lighter days and more large for heavy days. Women, who lead active life, often prefer tampons to other hygiene products. Using tampons is not contra-indicated with physical activity, swimming or doing exercises. In fact, tampons can be used by women of all ages. Properly inserted tampon doesnt irritate vaginal membrane and you do not feel it inside your body. If you do feel your tampon, you should remove it and reinsert deeper another one. At the same time, there should not be any vaginal odor while wearing tampon. Any kind of odor is a sign of infection. In such a case, you should consult your doctor. It can also be a smell, if you have forgotten to remove and change it at a proper time.

Other hygiene products

Many other products have been designed to protect women when having light period or any kind of leakage. A miniform is an alternative of pads and tampons. Its used when having some kind of vaginal discharge or urine leakage. It seats between the large lips of vulva. Actually its a small pad, which doesnt enter vagina.
There are also washable menstrual sponges made of silk. These sponges should be boiled for 5 to 10 minutes after each using. This procedure kills all microbes and prevents infection.

Women usually have many problems with their health while their period. Such side effects as pre menstrual tension or stomach cramps can lay a bad trip on you. Menstruation is often associated with stress and breakdown. If you choose right hygiene product, youll get rid of discomfort and bad mood. Right choice will make you forget about your period and lead everyday life carelessly.