A Guide to Menstrual Products

In Female Pelvic Pain by Emily Tran

By PHRC Admin

Menstruation is a natural part of life for most. However, navigating the world of menstrual products can be a daunting task, given the variety of options available today. This guide aims to break down the different types of menstrual products on the market, their benefits, and why you might choose one over another.

 

Traditional Disposable Products

1. Pads

Pads, or sanitary napkins, are often the first menstrual product one encounters. They are worn inside the underwear and absorb menstrual blood externally. Pads come in various sizes and absorption levels, making them versatile for light to heavy flow days.

2. Tampons

Tampons are inserted into the vagina where they absorb menstrual blood internally. They’re compact and discreet, offering freedom for physical activities such as swimming. However, they need to be changed every 4-8 hours to prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome.

 

Reusable Products

3. Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are bell-shaped devices made of medical-grade silicone, latex, or elastomer. They are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood rather than absorb it. Menstrual cups are reusable, environmentally friendly, and can be left in for up to 12 hours.

4. Cloth Pads

Cloth pads function like disposable pads but can be washed and reused. They’re eco-friendly and free from potentially harmful chemicals found in some disposables.

5. Period Underwear

Period underwear is designed with multiple absorbent layers to catch menstrual flow. They can be worn alone on light days or as a backup with other menstrual products on heavier days.

 

Innovative Solutions

6. Menstrual Discs

Menstrual discs are similar to menstrual cups in that they collect menstrual blood. However, they sit at the base of the cervix instead of the vaginal canal. Some innovative menstrual discs come with TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and heat features for pain relief.

7. Period Patches

Period patches are transdermal patches that release natural ingredients into the body to help alleviate menstrual cramps. They’re a non-invasive, drug-free option for pain management during periods.

Making the Right Choice

Making the ‘right’ choice means finding what works best for you. Choosing the right menstrual product depends on various factors such as comfort, lifestyle, flow volume, and personal preferences.

  • If you’re looking for convenience and single-use products, traditional disposable pads or tampons might be your go-to.
  • For those seeking eco-friendly alternatives, reusable options like menstrual cups, cloth pads, or period underwear would be ideal.
  • Active individuals might prefer tampons, menstrual cups, or discs for their ability to accommodate physical activities.
  • If cost-effectiveness over time is a critical factor, reusable options like menstrual cups or period underwear offer long-term savings.
  • For those who experience significant menstrual pain, menstrual discs with TENS and heat features or period patches can provide much-needed relief.

Remember, it’s okay to try different products before finding the one that suits you best. After all, comfort and convenience during your period are what matters most.

Ultimately, the evolution of menstrual products means that there’s something out there for everyone. It’s all about exploring your options and finding what works best for your body and your lifestyle.

 

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FAQ

What are pelvic floor muscles?

The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that run from the coccyx to the pubic bone. They are part of the core, helping to support our entire body as well as providing support for the bowel, bladder and uterus. These muscles help us maintain bowel and bladder control and are involved in sexual pleasure and orgasm. The technical name of the pelvic floor muscles is the Levator Ani muscle group. The pudendal nerve, the levator ani nerve, and branches from the S2 – S4 nerve roots innervate the pelvic floor muscles. They are under voluntary and autonomic control, which is a unique feature only they possess compared to other muscle groups.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy. Currently, physical therapists need advanced post-graduate education to be able to help people with pelvic floor dysfunction because pelvic floor disorders are not yet being taught in standard physical therapy curricula. The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center provides extensive training for our staff because we recognize the limitations of physical therapy education in this unique area.

What happens at pelvic floor therapy?

During an evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction the physical therapist will take a detailed history. Following the history the physical therapist will leave the room to allow the patient to change and drape themselves. The physical therapist will return to the room and using gloved hands will perform an external and internal manual assessment of the pelvic floor and girdle muscles. The physical therapist will once again leave the room and allow the patient to dress. Following the manual examination there may also be an examination of strength, motor control, and overall biomechanics and neuromuscular control. The physical therapist will then communicate the findings to the patient and together with their patient they establish an assessment, short term and long term goals and a treatment plan. Typically people with pelvic floor dysfunction are seen one time per week for one hour for varying amounts of time based on the severity and chronicity of the disease. A home exercise program will be established and the physical therapist will help coordinate other providers on the treatment team. Typically patients are seen for 3 months to a year.

What is pudendal neuralgia and how is it treated?

Pudendal Neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis that means pain in the sensory distribution of the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve is a mixed nerve that exits the S2 – S4 sacral nerve roots, we have a right and left pudendal nerve and each side has three main trunks: the dorsal branch, the perineal branch, and the inferior rectal branch. The branches supply sensation to the clitoris/penis, labia/scrotum, perineum, anus, the distal ⅓ of the urethra and rectum, and the vulva and vestibule. The nerve branches also control the pelvic floor muscles. The pudendal nerve follows a tortuous path through the pelvic floor and girdle, leaving it vulnerable to compression and tension injuries at various points along its path.

Pudendal Neuralgia occurs when the nerve is unable to slide, glide and move normally and as a result, people experience pain in some or all of the above-mentioned areas. Pelvic floor physical therapy plays a crucial role in identifying the mechanical impairments that are affecting the nerve. The physical therapy treatment plan is designed to restore normal neural function. Patients with pudendal neuralgia require pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from medical management that includes pharmaceuticals and procedures such as pudendal nerve blocks or botox injections.

What is interstitial cystitis and how is it treated?

Interstitial Cystitis is a clinical diagnosis characterized by irritative bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and hesitancy in the absence of infection. Research has shown the majority of patients who meet the clinical definition have pelvic floor dysfunction and myalgia. Therefore, the American Urologic Association recommends pelvic floor physical therapy as first-line treatment for Interstitial Cystitis. Patients will benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy and may also benefit from pharmacologic management or medical procedures such as bladder instillations.

Who is the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Team?

The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center was founded by Elizabeth Akincilar and Stephanie Prendergast in 2006, they have been treating people with pelvic floor disorders since 2001. They were trained and mentored by a medical doctor and quickly became experts in treating pelvic floor disorders. They began creating courses and sharing their knowledge around the world. They expanded to 11 locations in the United States and developed a residency style training program for their employees with ongoing weekly mentoring. The physical therapists who work at PHRC have undergone more training than the majority of pelvic floor physical therapists and as a result offer efficient and high quality care.

How many years of experience do we have?

Stephanie and Liz have 24 years of experience and help each and every team member become an expert in the field through their training and mentoring program.

Why PHRC versus anyone else?

PHRC is unique because of the specific focus on pelvic floor disorders and the leadership at our company. We are constantly lecturing, teaching, and staying ahead of the curve with our connections to medical experts and emerging experts. As a result, we are able to efficiently and effectively help our patients restore their pelvic health.

Do we treat men for pelvic floor therapy?

The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center is unique in that the Cofounders have always treated people of all genders and therefore have trained the team members and staff the same way. Many pelvic floor physical therapists focus solely on people with vulvas, this is not the case here.

Do I need pelvic floor therapy forever?

The majority of people with pelvic floor dysfunction will undergo pelvic floor physical therapy for a set amount of time based on their goals. Every 6 -8 weeks goals will be re-established based on the physical improvements and remaining physical impairments. Most patients will achieve their goals in 3 – 6 months. If there are complicating medical or untreated comorbidities some patients will be in therapy longer.