Periodos

Pads, tampons, cups and period underwear

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

There is no single best period product. Here is how pads, tampons, cups, discs and period underwear work, how to choose, and how to use them safely.

Pads and period underwear

Pads sit inside your underwear and soak up blood, held in place by a sticky strip. They come in different sizes and absorbencies, including overnight pads, so you can match them to your flow. Change a pad every few hours. Disposable pads go in the bin, not down the toilet. Reusable cloth pads can be washed and used again. Period underwear has absorbent layers built in. You will need several pairs and a way to wash them. One pair may last up to about a day on light days, but on heavy days you may need to change every 4 to 6 hours. Check the maker's advice.

Tampons

Tampons are worn inside the vagina. They soak up blood there, so it does not reach your underwear. Each pack shows how absorbent the tampons are, so you can match them to your flow. Use the lowest absorbency that works for you, and only use tampons while you are bleeding. Change a tampon every 4 to 8 hours, and never leave one in for more than 8 hours. You can wear one overnight if you will sleep for 8 hours or less. Change it as soon as you get up.

Menstrual cups and discs

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup, usually made of medical-grade silicone. It sits inside the vagina and holds blood until you empty it, rather than soaking it up. A menstrual disc is a wider, shallower shape. It sits high in the vagina, near the cervix (the neck of the womb), tucked behind the pubic bone. You take out a cup or disc, empty it, rinse it and put it back. Most cups and discs can be worn for up to about 12 hours, but empty them sooner if they are full, which can happen on heavy days. Always follow the instructions for your product. Some discs are disposable.

How to choose

The best product is the one that suits your body, your flow and your day. Flow usually changes during a period, so some people use different products on different days, such as a tampon or cup on heavy days and a pad on light days. Think about comfort, whether you can wash reusable products, and how you will throw away disposable ones. It is fine to try a few options before you find what works for you.

Using products safely

Wash your hands before you put in or take out a tampon, cup or disc. Anything worn inside the vagina carries a small risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious illness, so never leave it in longer than the instructions say. If you suddenly get a high fever, vomiting or a rash, or feel dizzy or faint, while using a tampon, cup or disc, take it out and get medical help straight away. If you feel very unwell or confused, or have trouble breathing, call your local emergency number. If you notice an unpleasant discharge and think you may have forgotten a tampon, see a doctor or nurse as soon as you can.

This is general information. Always follow the instructions that come with your product, and talk to a doctor or nurse if something feels wrong.