Period products, compared

There is no "best" period product, only the best one for you, today. Plenty of people use a tampon by day, period pants at night, and a pad when they cannot be bothered. All valid. The NHS lists pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period pants as the main choices.

The line-up

• Pads: stick to your pants, with no insertion. Plenty of sizes, and reusable cloth pads exist too. ACOG says to change at least every 4 to 8 hours, or when it feels full or wet.
• Tampons: go inside the vagina. Handy for swimming and sport. Use the lowest absorbency that works for your flow, and change every 4 to 8 hours (never more than 8, says the FDA).
• Menstrual cups: soft silicone cups that collect blood rather than absorb it. Reusable, so cheaper and lower-waste over time. ACOG says to empty every 8 to 12 hours, more often if your flow is heavy. They can take a few cycles to get the hang of.
• Discs: sit higher up, near the cervix. Some people find them more comfortable than cups. Wear times differ between brands, so follow the packet.
• Period pants: absorbent washable underwear. ACOG says you can wear them for a full day, and change sooner on heavy days. Lovely for lighter days, overnight, or as backup.

What does the research say?

The best evidence is on menstrual cups. A 2019 review of 43 studies (3,319 people) found leaks with cups were similar to or lower than with pads or tampons, and cups did not harm the vagina's natural bacteria. Roughly 3 in 4 people wanted to keep using one at the end of the studies. The authors also said the evidence was mostly low quality, and research on discs is thinner still.

A 2024 lab study found trace metals in some tampons, which made headlines. The FDA says it has since reviewed the research and found the amounts likely to be released during use are too small to cause harm. If you are worried, pads, cups and period pants are all fine alternatives.

A word on toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome is rare, but serious. The NHS says it can happen with tampons or menstrual cups. To lower your risk, wash your hands, follow the instructions, and do not leave tampons or cups in longer than needed or recommended.