Types of Menstrual Protection: Pros and Cons

Choosing the right menstrual protection is crucial for many women to ensure comfort, health, and peace of mind during their period. A wide variety of products is available to suit different needs and lifestyles.

Menstrual protection can be divided into two main categories:
1. Internal menstrual protection
2. External menstrual protection

In this post, we will explore the pros and cons of internal and external menstrual protection in detail. The data is based on a safety report on women's menstrual products prepared by the French Public Health Agency, using research conducted between 2016 and 2021.

We also recommend reading our article, 'Say Goodbye to Health Issues Linked to Disposable Menstrual Products!'. You will learn more about the benefits of reusable menstrual products and how their proper use can positively impact your health.

1. Internal menstrual protection

Internal menstrual protection includes tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, and other similar products that, as the name suggests, are inserted into the vagina.

Pros:

• Higher sense of hygiene.
• Discreet and practical solution, especially during sports and swimming.
• Long-lasting wear without frequent changes (though this can also be a drawback, as explained below).

Cons:

• Higher chance of forgetting to change them on time, leading to less frequent replacements on average.
• Rushing during removal is common, even though tampons, menstrual cups, and menstrual discs should never be removed quickly. For menstrual cups, you must always break the vacuum seal first before gently pulling them out.
• Surgical-level hand hygiene is required. Hands must be thoroughly washed or sanitized before insertion and removal, making sure not to touch dirty surfaces like doorknobs, faucets, or clothing.
• Cleaning and sterilization are mandatory for menstrual cups and discs before every use.
• Risk of introducing air into the vagina, which creates a breeding ground for dangerous microorganisms. Research shows the highest risks are associated with probiotic tampons, super-absorbent tampons, large tampons, and oversized menstrual cups. Crocheted tampons are also risky because they introduce even more air, and their inefficient cleaning and leftover fibers increase the risk of unwanted bacterial growth.
• Exposure to harmful chemicals – tampons often contain synthetic materials and are treated with chemicals that enter the body through the vaginal mucosa, harming your health.
• Poor material quality – even expensive, well-known, and certified organic (BIO) brands are frequently contaminated with pesticides and suffer from low quality. Among menstrual cups, those treated with a patina process performed best in safety tests.

2. External menstrual protection

External menstrual protection includes cloth menstrual pads, reusable panty liners, and period underwear. These are designed for comfortable and reliable protection on the outside of the body.

Pros: 

• Better hygiene monitoring – data shows women change external menstrual products more frequently due to a cleaner overall feeling.
• It carries a proven lower risk of toxic shock syndrome because it does not require inserting objects into the body.
• Reusable products (pads, liners) are washed with neutral detergents, minimizing exposure to irritating and harmful materials like perfumes or manufacturing chemicals, which has a proven, highly positive long-term effect on health.
• Eco-friendly choice: opting for reusable menstrual products reduces waste and helps protect the environment.

Cons:

• Suboptimal material quality is a frequent issue among disposable external menstrual products.
• Washing reusable menstrual pads and panty liners requires a bit more time, though it is quickly mastered with a few simple tricks.
• Less "freedom" during use, which is the trade-off for higher health safety.

Panty liners are another popular choice among women, but the question often arises whether they are truly necessary. To help you make the right choice, read our article, 'Panty Liners: Yes or No?'.

Based on the latest research on women's menstrual protection, reusable cloth menstrual pads are the safest choice for your health and a highly sustainable solution. Your period is just another opportunity to take care of yourself and connect with your body – because you deserve the best!