Period Essentials: What to Use & Why

Menstrual hygiene has evolved from basic disposable pads to innovative, sustainable options like menstrual cups, discs, and period underwear. Today, women in the U.S. have access to an incredibly diverse range of products, each with its own strengths.

In this guide we’ll help you determine the best, safest, most comfortable, most eco-friendly choice for you.

1. Disposable Pads

Best for: beginners, overnight use, postpartum bleeding, and those avoiding internal products.

Pros
✔️ Easy to use, no insertion
✔️ Great for overnight and heavy flow
✔️ Widely available in every drugstore

Cons
❌ Can feel bulky and warm
❌ Must be changed regularly to avoid odor
❌ Not environmentally friendly (plastic + landfill waste)

Eco Score: ★☆☆☆☆
User-Friendliness: High

2. Tampons

Best for: sports, swimming, active lifestyles, discreet use.

Pros
✔️ Comfortable once inserted
✔️ Can’t be seen under clothing
✔️ Portable and convenient

Cons
❌ Must change every 4–8 hours
❌ Small risk of TSS
❌ Still disposable (plastic applicators + packaging)

Eco Score: ★★☆☆☆

3. Menstrual Cups

Made of medical-grade silicone, inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood rather than absorb it.

Pros
✔️ Reusable for several years
✔️ Can be worn up to 12 hours
✔️ Most cost-effective option over time
✔️ Great for travel, sports, swimming, and overnight use

Cons
❌ Learning curve with insertion & removal
❌ Requires washing & occasional boiling
❌ Not preferred by people uncomfortable touching their blood

Eco Score: ★★★★★
Best For: people seeking sustainable + long-term savings

4. Menstrual Discs

Inserted higher than a cup, near the cervix, available in disposable and reusable options.

Pros
✔️ Can be worn during intercourse
✔️ Holds more fluid than tampons or cups
✔️ Good for low cervix anatomy

Cons
❌ May be tricky to remove at first
❌ Disposable discs still create waste
❌ Removal can feel messier for beginners

Eco Score:

  • Reusable discs: ★★★★★

  • Disposable discs: ★★★☆☆

5. Period Underwear

Absorbent, leak-proof underwear used alone or as backup.

Pros
✔️ Extremely comfortable & breathable
✔️ Ideal for teens, sleep, and light-moderate days
✔️ Reusable and long-lasting

Cons
❌ Requires several pairs, so initial cost is higher
❌ Must follow washing instructions carefully
❌ Might not suit very heavy flow alone

Eco Score: ★★★★★

Eco Ranking (Best → Least Sustainable)

1️⃣ Menstrual cups, reusable discs & period underwear
2️⃣ Organic cotton disposable products
3️⃣ Standard pads
4️⃣ Applicator tampons + plastic-based pads

Who Should Choose What?

  • New users or teens: Period underwear or pads

  • Sports/swimming lovers: Cup, disc, or tampons

  • Eco-conscious, long-term thinkers: Cup or reusable disc

  • Very heavy flow: Cup + period underwear combo

  • Mess-free intimacy: Menstrual disc

Final Word

There is no universal best product, there is only the best match for you, your body, your comfort, and your lifestyle.

Menstrual care should feel:

✨ Comfortable
✨ Safe
✨ Confident
✨ Stress-free

Whether you prefer the familiarity of pads or the innovation of cups and period underwear, what matters is awareness, hygiene, comfort, and choice.

And remember: it’s perfectly normal to mix methods!

Info References

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have a medical condition or are on medication.