Periodic protection: which one to choose for your periods ?

There are many types of sanitary protection on the market. Which one should you choose s?

What is periodic protection?

In the minds of women, they are the friends and foes of everyday life, intimately linked to the menstrual cycle, white discharge, pregnancy and gynecological diseases such as endometriosis. periodsThey are intimately linked to the menstrual cycle, to menstrual bleeding, to pregnancy and to gynecological diseases such as endometriosis.
On average, a woman will menstruate almost 400 times in her life, i.e. nearly 2,400 days. On average, around 1,500 disposable sanitary pads are used every second worldwide, representing almost 45 billion a year.
Brands and manufacturers offer sustainable, disposable alternatives with varied compositions. Protecting oneself during one's menstrual flow is a societal issue that guarantees well-being and confidence for menstruating women. They have not been a matter of course throughout history, and still aren't today!

The history of sanitary protection: from the Middle Ages to the present day

Here's a timeline of the history ofsanitary protection, to help you assess the evolution of our choices. Before theindustrialization of sanitary protection, women always found "homemade" solutions to protect themselves from periods. Generally speaking, women in precarious menstrual situations made their own, using fabric, wood or other materials of varying degrees of hygiene.

The first traces of sanitary protection date back to Antiquity:

• The beginnings of the stamp were found in 1950 B.C.
• Egyptian women used rolled-up cotton bands to insert into the vaginal canal.
• As for the Romans, they used compresses of papyrus, grass or wool wrapped around pieces of wood.

Finally, it wasn't until the early 19th century that Pasteur's work demonstrated the importance ofintimate hygiene. From then on, the use of suitable undergarments and hygienic devices was recommended, and the first menstrual panties appeared! Modern tampons didn't see the light of day until 1929.

What are the different types of sanitary protection?

There are many different types on the market: here's a brief overview of the most common.

Visit period pants

The period pants is our preferred choice at Elia! It's a real revolution that has hit the feminine hygiene sector in recent years. It's an easy-to-use sanitary undergarment that replaces or complements a conventional sanitary device. Menstrual panties can be slipped on just like conventional underwear, absorbing and drying menstrual blood for up to 12 hours. Thanks to aningenious fabric assembly that's only a few millimeters thick! It's soft, healthy, non-intrusive protection that's very economical for women, since period pants can be kept for up to 7 years. The periods panty is an ideal hygienic system for night-time use, especially for women with heavy bleeding. With unrivalled comfort, it's common for users to almost forget about their periods!

The buffer

The tampon is the absorbent protection that has created a real revolution in the lives of women and menstruating people. It's an intra-vaginal system that slipsinside the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. Menstrual blood is absorbed and retained inside for a few hours. Very practical, tampons can be used at any time periods. They're a good intimate solution for sports, especially swimming, but much less easy to use for the first periods. However, to avoid infections and TSS ( Toxic Shock Syndrome), there are a number of recommendations to be taken into account at all costs, such as how long to wear them and washing your hands before and after use.

Sanitary towels and panty liners (washable or disposable)

Sanitary towels are solutions that absorb blood from periods. As with tampons, there are different levels of absorption: pads for medium to heavy bleeding, panty liners for lighter bleeding or spotting. Very practical, pads are placed at the bottom of the panties and ensure absorption for a few hours. Pads are a good solution for all those who wish to avoid internal sanitary protection. They are the most widely used option in the world today. They can be washable or disposable, and in any case should be made from the most natural and least processed materials possible.

The menstrual cup

The menstrual cup is anintravaginal protection , like the tampon, but with different properties. It's a biomedical silicone cup that collects rather than absorbs menstrual blood. Once the cup is full, you remove it from your vagina, empty the blood, clean it and replace it. It's a low-cost, long-lasting solution that's been very popular, especially with students in precarious situations. Putting on and taking off the cup takes some getting used to. lThere are different sizes of cup to suit s'abundance of menstruation. However, there are a few points to bear in mind periods : don't wear your cup for more than 4 hours, wash your hands and, above all, sterilize it every day!

Menstrual sponge

Themenstrual sponge is a form of sanitary protection that is rarely used in France. It's a sea sponge that, like a tampon or cup, is placedinside the vagina. It absorbs and holds menstruation for a few hours. It's a durable solution, both in terms of manufacture and longevity. This little sponge can be changed every 3 to 5 months. Be careful not to keep it in for more than 4 hours, and wash it thoroughly after each use. This absorbent protection could cause infections and irritations.

The instinctive flow

Free instinctive flow is not protection in the strict sense of the term. It's a technique for holding menstruation in the vagina until it's time to flush it downthe toilet. Instinctive flow consists in controlling the flow of periods using the muscles of the perineum in particular. Few women practice this method: in fact, it's easier to apply the instinctive flow method if your perineum is muscular and if you have light discharge than if it's not. For those who haven't yet mastered the technique, beware of running to the toilet or getting a stain on your pants! Free instinctive flow takes several cycles tolearn. Don't hesitate to use sanitary protection such as period pants to prevent minor inconveniences.

How to choose sanitary protection?

Today, there are many different types of protection available for collecting bleeding, and every menstruating person can make a choice with ease. However, not all intimate solutions are equal in terms ofabsorption, durability and resistance over time. It's important to be aware of the differences and the composition of each product, so as not to be put off and potentially endanger your health.

To avoid: polluting sanitary products

Today, we have a responsibility towards theenvironment andecology. Whatever your choice, we recommend that you avoid using polluting sanitary protection. Not only for your body, but also for our planet! A source of enormous waste, they take between 500 and 800 years to decompose in nature.
Here are a few examples of traces of toxic substances to avoid in view of the health risks involved:

• Pesticides, dioxins, phthalates, halogen derivatives
• Non-OEKO-TEX dyes and colorants
• Perfumes and other additives
• Silver and copper nanoparticles
• Non-breathable synthetic materials

All these pollutants contain endocrine disruptors that can be carcinogenic to the body. Some intravaginal solutions, such as tampons, can also shed fibers during use, and particularly during removal. This can lead toirritation, repeated infections and even mycosis!

Healthy, natural protection is the best choice

Choose healthy, natural options for your underwear and sanitary protection! Here are a few criteria to keep in mind when making your choice:

• Natural materials such as cotton (organic if possible)
• External and non-internal devices as soon as possible
• Products with clear labels and composition
• Products with external certifications
• Brand transparency to consumers
• Price and long-term savings, especially if you're a student on a tight budget

FAQs on sanitary pads for periods

How to choose your sanitary protection?

What is the best periodic protection?

Why choose Elia Lingerie menstrual panties as sanitary protection?

What are chemical-free sanitary products?

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