A fresh study regarding feminine period products has surfaced on the BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health portal, leaving many considerably surprised by the outcomes.
Selecting the appropriate feminine hygiene product can prove challenging. On occasions, even established pads and tampons fail to prevent leaks. Recently, scientists conducted precise assessments of various products' liquid absorption capabilities, leading to unexpected conclusions: menstrual discs demonstrated notably superior fluid absorption compared to other options.
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Insights on Testing Procedures
Traditionally, manufacturers have been employing incorrect testing methodologies.
According to a particular study, 53% of women encounter heavy flow during menstruation. Identifying the right hygiene product for this phase presents challenges. Contemporary reusable options, such as cups and discs, might appear inconvenient to many. Meanwhile, despite their advertised absorbency rates, tampons and pads can still experience leakage.
The revelation emerged that during product testing, manufacturers typically utilise either coloured water or saline solution. However, blood possesses greater viscosity than these fluids and exhibits heterogeneous properties, flowing at various intensities. Consequently, the declared absorbency data often do not align with the actual product performance.
It's understandable that obtaining real blood for research purposes poses challenges to companies. Nonetheless, numerous women were notably disheartened upon learning that manufacturers test pads and tampons using saline solutions.
About the Study's Outcomes
Period Pants: Least Effective
The recent study, spearheaded by Professor Bettany Samuelson Bannow of Oregon Health and Science University, revealed that many of her patients switched from conventional methods to utilising menstrual cups and discs. The professor suspected that heavy discharge, which disposable products couldn't adequately manage, drove this shift.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the absence of clear definitions surrounding "heavy menstrual bleeding," primarily due to women's difficulty in accurately measuring blood loss.
Overall, manufacturers ought to establish unified standards and provide clearer information regarding their products, considering that heavy menstrual discharge might indicate underlying health conditions.
Bannow conducted tests using actual blood and examined the most prevalent hygiene products. The findings indicated menstrual pants to be the least effective, capable of absorbing only 1 to 3 ml of liquid. While not all women favour these pants, they still maintain a following.
- i've tried using thinx twice, both times leaked within a few hours and it's not like a pad, blood flows through the cloth and leaks everywhere. I would only use it as a backup for a cup or tampon at home but I wouldn't wear them outside the house because it's a lot of work to remember to bring and extra pair of underwear and would be a pain to have to change. © TheFruitIndustry / Reddit
- Period undies I find get too funky to wear over long periods of time as a main useage item. I use them only as tampon backup & that works much better. They get weird having a lot of fluid in them for too long to rely on for a whole day, IMHO. © beekaybeegirl / Reddit
- I just recently switched to period panties and they've changed my life. … So comfortable, no leaks. © NotLondoMollari / Reddit
Pads: Absorption Lower Than Advertised
Various pads from well-known brands in different sizes were included in the study. On average, these products absorbed 24 ml. Interestingly, pads labelled as "ULTRA Super" managed to absorb up to 52 ml of liquid, surpassing their advertised capacity significantly.
- I use tampons to swim but otherwise pads all the way! My flow is heavy but intermittent... which means I'm either bleeding my trousers or having to remove an almost completely dry tampon... noope. I would much rather be able to assess the level of flow every time I hit the bathroom to see if I have to change. Lines ultra silk is my favourite brand! © LightIsMyPath / Reddit
- well, it's completely normal to use pads, women especially in my area don't know how to use cups and tampons, so they stick with pads and so do i. They're comfortable too! It's not at all unfeminine to use pads. Don't make your body uncomfortable in the process of trying to stay clean and hygienic. © Cyanide-Kid / Reddit
- I used to use pads but was finding that every brand was irritating my skin, but i really hated tampons so I just kind of dealt with it for a while. Now I use the diva cup and I'll probably never use anything else. No skin irritation, no tampon dryness, and once you get the hang of it, you can't even feel it. Usually I'm able to get by with just the cup, but on especially heavy nights I'll sleep with a pad as well. © courtneat / Reddit
Menstrual Cups: Moderately Effective
The study revealed that these products performed marginally better than pads but slightly worse than tampons. The average absorbency among the cups from the same brand participating in the study was 27 ml, roughly aligning with the manufacturer's claims.
- My favourite is the cup. When I use them, I am relaxed and pretty much comfortable. Sometimes I don’t feel like I am on my period. © Lanky_Introduction** / Reddit
- Menstrual cups are amazing. I have an insanely heavy flow and never thought they'd work for me, but they totally do. © TheLeaves16 / Reddit
- I used a couple different menstrual cups over the span of a decade and never quite got the hang of it. The disc is way easier to get in place, in my opinion. © Unknown author / Reddit
Tampons: Surpassing Expected Performance
According to the study, tampons can absorb between 20 and 34 ml of liquid (averaging 28 ml), varying based on the brand and type of product. Previously, it was believed that tampons could hold between 3 and 12 ml of liquid, indicating that these hygiene products work more effectively than anticipated.
However, medical experts advise against using a single tampon for more than 8 hours, potentially reducing the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
- I've used pads all my life, in my mid-20s now. I really don't think I'm ever going to use tampons. I've tried a couple of times…Eh, no. It ain't happenin'. I just *cannot*. © Fauxst / Reddit
- I use tampons with a pad because I aaaaalways have leaks. I’m loyal to playtex sport tampons and the always flex foam pads. © cageygrading / Reddit
- I know they're bad for the outside climate, I know they're bad for the inside climate, I know they can do all sorts of harm etc. But I tried the menstrual cup once, and it was downright traumatizing. Pads and underwear will never be enough to control my flow, so tampons are a godsend for me to get through my period. © CantHugEveryPlatypus / Reddit
Menstrual Discs: Absorb the Most
Menstrual discs emerged as the clear winners, absorbing an average of 52 ml of liquid. In one instance, a sample absorbed as much as 80 ml. Additionally, these products maintain consistent absorbency regardless of body position, provided they are correctly positioned. They can also be worn for up to 12 hours and emptied without removal.
- I started using silicone flex discs and haven't looked back since. I hated tampons and pads felt like diapers but I hated staining my underwear. They're 0 waste which eas important to me and I only have to change them like once in the morning and before i go to bed. © meberber1 / Reddit
- I really like disposable discs: similar to a cup, but the learning curve is less steep and you don’t have to deal with washing it. I hate the plastic waste they create, but they’re way comfier than pads and I even find them comfier than tampons. © Yarkris / Reddit
- The disc is by far the best sustainable menstrual product, in my opinion. © Unknown author / Reddit
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Due to the long-standing taboo surrounding menstruation, comprehensive studies of hygiene products have only relatively recently begun to emerge.
