Period products: explainer

Absolutely. Read on for some of the best period products for swimming.

Yes. Some people feel comfortable having sex when they are on their period. Others don't. It’s always up to you and the person you’re having sex with to decide what you feel comfortable with and what you want to do, and you can change your mind at any time.

If you choose to have sex during your period, you can have vaginal sex (when a penis, finger, sex toy or other object goes inside a vagina during sex), or another type of sex, like oral or anal, or sexual touching. If you choose to have vaginal sex, remember that most period products, including tampons and menstrual cups, will need to be removed before sex. But soft tampons can be used during vaginal sex and are virtually undetectable. 
 
All types of sex can lead to STIs, and penis-in-vagina sex can lead to pregnancy, including during your period. There are lots of options for staying safe.

Learn about staying safe during sex. 

Periods can vary a lot. Some are irregular, some are light, and some very heavy. If you have to change tampons or pads more than every few hours, you probably have a heavy flow.

Your period can change over the course of your life too, including after childbirth, during breastfeeding, and perimenopause. During these stages, periods could become heavier, lighter, longer, shorter, or more irregular. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms can also change over time.

Read on for information on the best period products for heavy flow. 

More about managing your period

Period poverty (when people can’t access menstrual items because of the cost) is a big issue for young people across Aotearoa.  

You can find free period products here:

• most primary, intermediate, and secondary schools and kura
• many university campuses (like the University of Auckland, through the ads on pads programme)

More about the period products for schools programme

Disposable pads are the cheapest period product. They have a small up-front cost, at around $2-$8. They’re also easy to find, being available in supermarkets and chemists.

Reusable pads cost more to begin with, at $12-$35. But they can be washed and used again, meaning you save money over time.

Menstrual cups and discs cost more ($35-$67) to begin with. But you only need one, and it can last for several years, so you save a lot of money in the long run. 

Many young people are worried about the safety of menstrual products. This is especially true of tampons, with recent research finding toxic metals such as lead and arsenic present in many leading brands.

There is also a small risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) when using tampons and menstrual cups. Reduce your risk by always washing your hands before touching or putting in a tampon or menstrual cup, change your tampon regularly (at least every eight hours, taking it out before you go to sleep), and empty and rinse out your menstrual cup every eight to twelve hours.  

We’ve listed a few of the safest period products to use below.

As pads aren’t inserted into your vagina, they’re some of the safest options available. Pads still need to be changed regularly.

Like pads, period underwear is worn externally, making it a safe option. Period underwear still needs to be changed regularly. If your period underwear is feeling soggy, that’s a sign it needs to be changed.  

Period togs are designed to keep you dry and leak-free while you swim. They’re sold by many brands that make period underwear.

Menstrual cups and discs, tampons, and soft tampons can also be used for swimming. 

If you have a heavy flow, like a third of menstruating people, you can combine products. For example, you could use period underwear with a tampon, or a pad with a menstrual cup.

Menstrual discs are a great option for people with heavy periods. Recent research found they held more blood than period underwear, tampons, pads, and menstrual cups.  

Disposable pads are easy to use. This makes them a great option when you’re first starting your period. They stick to your underwear and soak up blood. They come in different levels of absorbency, and some have wings to help keep the pad in place. 

Reusable pads are easy to wear too. But they are more work, as you need to rinse, soak, and wash them. 

Some period products like menstrual cups and discs can take a little bit of practice.  

For trans and nonbinary people, menstruation can be a challenging experience, and finding the right product can be difficult.

Some trans people prefer period products that don’t need to be inserted into their vagina, such as pads or period underwear. Some period underwear brands also have inclusive designs.

Other people prefer products that don’t need to be changed as regularly, such as menstrual cups or discs.

Menstrual cups and reusable menstrual discs are a very sustainable option. Unlike pads or period underwear, you just need one. And one cup can last several years.

Other sustainable options include reusable pads and period underwear.