PERIOD SOLUTIONS

I am very motivated to write about this topic because this is something I personally had to figure out on my own. I conducted an at home trial-and-error to find what suites me best. I suffer from something called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which causes many side effects, some being producing painful cysts in your ovaries, unregulated and painful periods, hair growth (especially on your face), and acne. My conditioned worsened after giving birth and it was something that I wasn’t going to let get the best of me. After months of dealing and dreading my period every month I was not going to endure it without a fight. I drove to the closest Walgreens and bought every single, different period solution they had available. They did not carry everything I tried but they had a pretty good selection. I’ve put this post together to pass the information I’ve collected, on to the next person who also suffers from PCOS or even just harsh periods. This article may even help young woman getting their periods for the first time, without much resources or help at home on the subject.

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Pads

Pads have evolved incredibly over time. From rubber pants and

belts, to thin pads made specifically to fit a thong. During WW1 war bandages started being used as sanitary napkins and the pad we know and use today came to be. As sanitary napkins evolved it allowed women to gain more freedom especially during menstruation. Kotex was the original brand of sanitary napkins however now we have many more options such as Always, Poise, Stayfree, Carefree, and many more. Today we can decide the length, absorbance, shape, material, and even the color of the pad we use. However helpful some find pads uncomfortable. I personally don’t choose to use pads, because my skin is very sensitive and I strive to dress 100% comfortable or I mostly find

myself in a bad mood. I find them to be uncomfortable and they irritate my skin especially when moving around. Just because they don’t work for me I can see how they are still very popular, and if it works for you I urge you to give them a try. Companies have even created a chart to make finding and choosing the right pad for you very easy.

I don’t want to sound ungrateful or take advantage of such great improvement we have made with pads, but sometimes I do wish I could take an acceptable “period” day…(or week) time off. Do you think women deserve extra time off at the work place for this sort of thing, or do does it hinder us from obtaining equality in the workforce, which we have been striving for for years?

Reusable pads

Reusable pads are a great alternative if your concerned with the amount of waste you produce. I turned to reusable pads in a desperate attempt to find a better solution to my miserable period. I found a great package that included multiple pads with a few different creative designs, and a practical waterproof pouch to hold them in. They even had wings which buttoned around your underwear to keep them in place. Despite my eagerness and excitement to try they did disappoint. I found them to be soft, yet bulky and thick. The material I selected was similar to that of fleece and for someone who already sweats an unusual amount throughout the day it made me even hotter. When I am hot, I’m grumpy. Perhaps if I chose I different material, it would have suited me better. Despite being unsuccessful for me, it didn’t irritate my skin like the disposable pads did so that was helpful. I still believe this is a great alternative to someone who struggles with sensitive skin and urge you to give it a try. It may work for you. I found mine on Amazon, but you can also find them on Etsy and even at some Target locations.

Diva cup

Somehow even with all the social media and outlets we have today, I never knew Diva cups existed till 2019. It was one of the products I found at my local Walgreens, in a desperate attempt to find a better period solution. When I first brought this product home I have to admit I was really excited. I remember almost buying the wrong size, before noticing it gave you the option of two different types (non-child bearing vs post child bearing). I was entirely confused on how it worked, but it came with a very informative and easy to read instruction book. The book was very cute and small and could easily fit in your purse, if needed. It also came with a cute bag to hold it when not in use. Admittedly I didn’t 100% follow the instructions, because my period was here and I was inpatient. It instructed me to boil the cup for 5-10 minutes before using, but I didn’t- this may be why it didn’t suit me

long term. It then instructs you to fold, insert, BREATH, and place. It took a few attempts, but it became easier. Unlike tampons, it didn’t cause cramps or discomfort, once placed correctly.

I felt like I just discovered sliced bread. Things went well for the most part, but then I started to notice it kept falling out of place and I started to leak more frequently. I feel the need to reiterate that I have miserable, HEAVY, flows each month, so I may have exceeded the normal flow expectancy for this product. Today, they have more than two sizes to chose from, to better meet your specific flow type (which I have not tried yet).

I certainly still love this product and will resort back to it at times. I will admit I did have a night where I panicked in an attempt to remove the cup. But I soon realized I had trimmed the stem a little too much, and wasn’t able to grab it easily. After relaxing my muscles and body, I was able to grab the cup itself, fold it slightly and remove without any issues. I also found changing it was easiest while in the shower, because I didn’t have to worry about spilling it anywhere and I was able to clean the product at the same time.

Tampons

“if you use tampons, you are no longer considered a virgin”.

I will never forget the discussion my teammates and I were having about using tampons. One of my teammates were telling us all how, “if you use tampons, you are no longer considered a virgin”. What a concept! No matter how long we debated for, I soon realized there was no getting through to her. I felt attacked considering tampons were the only option for me, at this time. Pads caused me irritation and were probably the cause of many UTI’s, and I didn’t discover the diva cup till well into my 20’s. Was I no longer a virgin? I had never even experienced my first kiss at this point and yet I’ve already, unknowingly lost my virginity to a piece of cotton. However ridiculous, I soon brushed this encounter off as simply a difference in opinion and maybe had to do with her religious beliefs. We continued to co-exist on the same field hockey team, and remain friends despite having different views. I know, seems impossible these days but we did, and it didn’t stop me from using tampons considering I really had no other choice at the time. I still remember the first time I had to use a tampon. It was summer and I really wanted to join my brother in the pool. My mom introduced me to tampons but her way of explaining the insertion was arguably the worst, in my opinion. She made

me read the tiny instructions by myself, which are included in every box, and she shut the door. I cried with frustration for about an hour. Finally I got it to the point where it wouldn’t fall out, because you know, going in the pool was my main priority. Over time it became easier and my preferred method. I had only gotten my period a couple times before I tried tampons, and I immediately noticed how different it was. I felt more free and much more comfortable. I didn’t develop any irritations from the pads, and it felt like I didn’t even have my period. It became my new go to every month. There are many different types of tampons like unscented vs scented, gentle glide vs super plus absorbency, and cardboard vs plastic applicator. It only took one attempt at the cardboard applicator for me to make a decision to NEVER buy them again! And I always was weary of the scented option, because I felt it may cause some type of infection eventually, with my body being so sensitive. Despite being my go-to period solution, tampons come with risks. A couple of times, I had accidentally inserted one before removing the previous one, one morning, before fully awake and aware of what I was doing (basically before my morning coffee). I didn’t notice till I saw the two strings, to which I then removed them both in a panic. Toxic shock is also something that is very serious, if left in for too long. One negative side effect I sometimes experience while using tampons is I feel that they cause me to have more cramps during my period. I have heard horror stories from friends in the past. One friend had a tampon accidentally and unknowingly, lodged too far for too long, and then needing a doctor to remove all the pieces after the tampon itself fell apart, while inside. So even though they might seem scary and dangerous, it’s first choice for some. As long as you change them frequently, they can be a great period solution.

The pill

The birth control pill has been around since the 1950’s and since then, many different types of pills have been invented. Some contain different things, which have many different side effects. Some pills including the type that reduces your monthly flow, contains hormones. For many people these pills help regulate and control period symptoms, but for some like me, it caused worse side effects.

I’m sure if I had shopped around a bit and experimented with a few different pills, I may have found one that helped me. I am also very forgetful and remembering to take a pill each day, was hard for me. Now that I am in my child-bearing years, its not something I’m willing to revisit just yet. Fore the most part, the pill is a great resource. As long as you find the right one for your body, and remember to take it, it can really help you regulate periods, and most of all prevent unwanted pregnancies.

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What is your preferred method of dealing with your period? Do you have any other suggestions? Comment down below!