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Sex Ed Period Dictionary

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Disposable Pads/Sanitary napkins
noun

These are flat, contoured, soft pieces of absorbent material. They usually have a plastic layer or backing to prevent leaking of blood. Most have an adhesive strip on the bottom so they can adhere to underwear rather than slipping.
  • Availability: Online, most grocery stores, most drugstores
  • Capacity: 5-20 ml of fluid, or about 4-8 hours without attention
  • Cost: $6-$12 USD per box, or about $4,000 over an average menstrual lifespan. These are the most expensive products.
  • Environmental impact: Very high, about 20 pads are needed for each menstrual cycle. Users will dispose of 12,000 pads over an average menstrual lifespan.
  • Health impact: The absorbent material may contain cotton, polyester fibers, and often superabsorbent synthetic polymers. Some chemicals found in pads (like BPA for absorbency, dioxin from bleaching, and fragrances) may be harmful to overall health or may provoke irritation of the sensitive vulvar skin. 100% organic cotton or natural fibers, additive-free options are available and typically the healthiest for vaginas, as they contain no harmful chemicals. Pads provide a chance to see and monitor the amount of menstrual flow. They don’t require anything to be put into the body and present zero risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
  • Practical Use: They are the second least discreet option, as they may be evident under tight- fitting clothing.
  • Sports, sex, sleep: They are okay for non-water sports activities and sleep, though some people find them cumbersome as they can shift during more physical activities. They do not impact penetrative vaginal sex.
  • Sizes: Disposable pads come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, ranging from very thin underwear liners all the way up to long, thick overnight pads. The thickness of the pad impacts both the comfort level of the wearer and the amount the pad is able to absorb between changes.

    • Updated on 07-05-2023

    Menstrual Cup
    noun

    Bell-shaped silicone or latex cups that are inserted into the upper vagina, covering the cervix, to catch menstrual flow. They have a stem or ring at the bottom used to grasp for removal. The cup is removed, emptied, and rinsed as needed.
  • Availability: Online, some grocery stores, some drugstores
  • Capacity: 25-30 ml of fluid, or about 6-12 hours without attention
  • Cost: $8-$40 USD per cup, or about $80 over an average menstrual lifespan. This is the most cost effective product.
  • Environmental impact: Very low, only one cup is needed for several years worth of menstrual cycles.
  • Health impact: Undyed, 100% medical grade silicone cups contain no harmful chemicals and present zero risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
  • Practical Use: Cups require practice, and comfort with one’s vaginal and cervical anatomy, to be used correctly. They can be messier to change than a tampon or pad, as they require reaching into the vagina and emptying the accumulated endometrium and secretions. This makes them less convenient in situations where hand washing facilities are less accessible.
  • Sports, sex, sleep: Excellent for sports activities and sleep. They are not able to be used during penetrative vaginal sex.
  • Sizes: cups come in two to four sizes depending on the brand. Finding the correct size to fit the user’s vagina and cervix will increase the effectiveness and comfort while using these products. More detailed resources here: unhush.us/menstrual-info.

    • Updated on 07-05-2023

    Period Underwear
    noun

    Underwear with an absorbent layer woven into the crotch, along with a waterproof layer to prevent leaks. After use, they are rinsed out, washed, dried, and used again.
  • Availability: Online, some department/clothing stores
  • Capacity: 25-51 ml of fluid, or about 6-12 hours without attention
  • Cost: $15-$50 USD per pair, or about $700 over an average menstrual lifespan.
  • Environmental impact: Low, two to four pairs are needed for several years worth of menstrual cycles. They must be washed between uses, which slightly increases the environmental impact.
  • Health impact: Some brands are advertised as antibacterial; these likely contain chemicals or nanoparticles. Other brands disclose all materials and are made of only cotton and spandex. 100% organic cotton or natural fibers, additive-free options are available and typically the healthiest for vaginas, as they contain no harmful chemicals. They don’t require anything to be put into the body and present zero risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
  • Practical Use: Period underwear are comfortable and easy to use. After several hours of absorption, underwear must be stored until they can be washed, this makes them less convenient in situations where laundry facilities are less accessible.
  • Sports, sex, sleep: They work for non-water sports activities and are a good option for sleep. They do not impact penetrative vaginal sex.
  • Sizes: Period underwear are available in multiple styles and sizes. The boxer brief styles are a great solution for people with a uterus who identify as men and/or experience body dysphoria in association with their menstrual cycle.

    • Updated on 07-05-2023

    Period Tracker
    noun

    is one tool in the process of natural family planning. When combined with recording basal body temperature and tracking cervical mucus it has the potential to provide information to increase or decrease the likelihood of pregnancy. These tracking methods have been used in this way for hundreds of years.

    Updated on 07-05-2023

    Reusable Pads
    noun

    Made of cotton or other natural fibers, these are flat, contoured, soft pieces of absorbent fabric. Reusable pads typically have “wings” on each side that snap around the underwear to keep the pad in place during use. They are removed from the underwear and stored in a waterproof bag until they can be rinsed out, washed, dried, and reused.
  • Availability: Can be purchased online, individuals with sewing skills can make their own
  • Capacity: 5-50 ml of fluid, or about 4-8 hours without attention
  • Cost: $5-$40 USD per pad, or about $400 over an average menstrual lifespan.
  • Environmental impact: Low, two to four pads are needed for several years worth of menstrual cycles. They must be washed between uses, which slightly increases the environmental impact.
  • Health impact: 100% organic cotton or natural fibers, additive-free options are available and typically the healthiest for vaginas, as they contain no harmful chemicals. Pads provide a chance to see and monitor the amount of menstrual flow. They don’t require anything to be put into the body and present zero risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
  • Practical Use: The fabric can be chosen by the user for comfort, absorbency, and pattern. They are the least discreet option, as they may be evident under tight-fitting clothing and are often bulkier than disposable pads.
  • Sports, sex, sleep: They are okay for non-water sports activities and sleep, though some people find them cumbersome as they can shift during more physical activities. They do not impact penetrative vaginal sex.
  • Sizes: Reusable pads come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, ranging from very thin underwear liners all the way up to long, thick overnight pads. The thickness of the pad impacts both the comfort level of the wearer and the amount the pad is able to absorb between changes.

    • Updated on 07-05-2023

    Tampons (with and without applicators)
    noun

    These are cylindrical or tent-shaped pieces of compressed material, usually rayon and/or cotton. The tampon is inserted into the upper vagina with a finger or with a tube-shaped applicator made of cardboard or plastic. It then absorbs the menstrual flow. The tampon is removed from the vagina by pulling on its attached string.
  • Availability: Online, most grocery stores, most drugstores
  • Capacity: 3-12 ml of fluid, or about 4-8 hours without attention
  • Cost: $8-$30 USD per box, or about $3,000 over an average menstrual lifespan. These are the second most expensive products.
  • Environmental impact: Very high, plastic packaging and applicators, along with the tampons themselves, contribute to pollution.
  • Health impact: Tampons should not be left in longer than 8 hours, whether sleeping or awake. This is because there is a very rare (1 to 5 per million) risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a serious infection, with longer use. They may also contain synthetic materials and may be bleached with chemicals, contain fragrance, or be coated with plastics or wax. As with pads, 100% organic cotton or natural fibers, additive-free options are available and typically the healthiest for vaginas, as they contain no harmful chemicals.
  • Practical Use: Tampons require comfort with one’s vaginal anatomy to be used correctly. They can be messier to change than a pad, as they require removal from the vagina. This makes them less convenient in situations where hand washing facilities are less accessible. Some users with heavy flow may choose to wear a thin pad in addition to a tampon to catch overflow.
  • Sports, sex, sleep: Excellent for for sports activities and sleep. They are not able to be used during penetrative vaginal sex.
  • Sizes: light (3mL), regular (5mL), and super (12mL)

    • Updated on 07-05-2023