The Deal With Feminine Hygiene

 


The Deal With Feminine Hygiene

As you've probably noticed, puberty comes with all kinds of changes - including the way your body looks and even the way you might think it smells. These changes are a normal part of becoming a woman, but lots of girls worry about them. You may wonder what you can do to feel as clean as possible during your period, whether to use a pad or tampon, and if you should use any feminine products like douches or deodorant sprays.
Pads and Tampons
Super, slender, overnight, with or without wings, deodorant, maxi, mini . . . what's the best one for you?
Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to soak up the menstrual blood - either a pad or a tampon. Pads are made of layers of cotton, and they are sometimes also called sanitary pads or sanitary napkins. Some have extra material on the sides (called "wings") that fold over the edges of your underwear to better hold the pad in place and prevent leakage.
Some girls have periods with heavier bleeding, and others have lighter periods with less bleeding. Pads come in several different thicknesses for heavier or lighter menstrual periods or for day or nighttime use. Some pads come with a deodorant or deodorizing substance in them. All pads have a sticky strip on the bottom that helps them to adhere to your underwear.
Pads are easy to use: You peel off the strip that covers the adhesive, press the pad into the crotch of your underwear (wrapping the wings around and sticking them under the crotch if the pad you're using has wings), and you're done. It's best to change pads every 3 or 4 hours, even when you're not menstruating very much. Why? Because regular changing prevents buildup of bacteria and eliminates odor. Naturally, if your period is heavy, you should change pads more often because they may get saturated more quickly. Once you've removed your pad, wrap it in toilet paper and put it in the trash can (or if you're in school, in a special disposal box that's found in most stalls). Don't try to flush a pad down the toilet - they're too big and may back up the toilet and make a huge (embarrassing!) mess.