Mistakes Everyone Makes With Period Products

With so many new menstrual products coming onto the market all the time, there is a constant learning curve in figuring out which might be best for you, and how to use them. Furthermore, as more information becomes available on best sanitary practices regarding menstrual products we already know and love, the learning process is truly never-ending.

While processes might seem glaringly obvious to some, studies have shown that not all women around the world have equal access to information surrounding menstrual hygiene. According to a 2018 study that was carried out in India, girls, particularly in rural areas, had "little, inaccurate, or incomplete knowledge about menstruation" (via Journal of Environmental and Public Health). The study also mentioned that women in rural areas of the country did not have access to period products, "or they know very little about the types and method of using them or are unable to afford such products due to high cost."

While those of us in the U.S. are fortunate in the sense that we have more access to information about menstrual health and more resources available, there is still much to learn. Continue reading to learn about — and correct — some of the common mistakes women make with their period products.

You've heard of washing your hands after using the bathroom (hopefully), but before? You heard right. It might seem strange, but there are several reasons why washing your hands before you insert menstrual products — whether they are tampons, menstrual cups, etc. — is the way to go. Michael Ingber, a board certified doctor of urology, female pelvic medicine, and reconstructive surgery spoke to Health Nation on the subject: "Women should always have clean hands when inserting a tampon. They should wash with soap and water to minimize introduction of any harmful bacteria into the vagina."

The same logic applies for menstrual cups or any other product that is being inserted into the vagina. If you're not in a position to wash your hands with soap and water, ob-gyn Laurence Orbuch turning to a bottle of antibacterial liquid. He told Health Nation, "If there's really no clean water anywhere, at least you'll be able to use it to wash your hands."

A lot of information has been gathered in recent years about how exactly tampons are made and what goes into them. You might be surprised to know that conventional tampons can contain a variety of unsafe chemicals including pesticide residue from non-organic cotton, and dioxin, a residue of bleach (via Prevention and National Center for Health Research).

Although the FDA has dismissed many concerns related to the level of dioxin in tampons, research suggests that the accumulation of these chemicals over time in the sensitive and permeable vaginal tissue is cause for greater alarm (via Prevention). Eden Fromberg, an integrative ob-gyn, told Prevention that "Women absolutely do need to be concerned about pesticides and dioxin exposure from tampons and pads. Numerous medical journals and scientists have called for these substances to be better regulated." Some of the potential long-term effects from exposure to these chemicals include gastrointestinal disorders, reproductive harm, early menopause, endocrine disruption, and cancer, according to two studies published by The Journal of Environmental Science and Health and Frontiers in Public Health. Luckily, organic and unbleached tampons are available on the market, so you can have a worry-free period by going straight for those.

It's natural that you may develop a slight odor during your period, especially if you are using menstrual pads, as they trap a lot of moisture and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. While it makes sense to want to combat odor by reaching for a scented product, it's probably best to think twice on this one. Certified nurse practitioner Dana Leslie, told the Cleveland Clinic about the dangers of using scented menstrual products, as well as some of the myths surrounding feminine hygiene in general: "The idea that the vagina is dirty and needs to be cleaned is simply not true. For centuries women have been told this and it's not only causing unnecessary distress, but it's a dangerous message to send," she says.

In fact, using scented feminine products around the delicate vaginal area can both upset its pH and the balance of good and bad bacteria, which can lead to a whole host of problems, including "irritation, itching, infection, or an allergic reaction." As you are shopping for pads or tampons, be sure to read the label carefully and avoid any added chemicals or anything that claims to have a "clean" scent. 

After you've found the perfect fit, it's time to learn how to properly clean your menstrual cup. While maintenance of cups is pretty simple, it's important to clean them properly to avoid bacterial growth that could lead to infection. Dr. Felice Gersh, founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, spoke to Bustle and explained the "why" behind keeping your cup clean: "Cleaning a menstrual cup according to the manufacturer's instructions is important to maintain the integrity of the material of the cup — so it doesn't develop cracks or holes and result in the leakage of the menstrual blood," she explains.

One rule to remember is not to use scented soap on your cup, especially during your cycle. Instead, you could opt for a gentler cleaning agent like vinegar between uses, which can be diluted with nine times as much water. Also, be sure to clean out the small holes on the rim of your cup between uses to avoid buildup of menstrual fluid. Those can be gently cleaned out with a toothbrush.

When you are finished with your cycle, it is time to sanitize your cup by boiling it. Fill up a small pot with water, and once the water is boiling, place the cup in the pot and let it boil for 10 minutes. There is no need to worry about damaging the cup by doing this — they are all made from medical-grade material that can handle the heat.

While this day in age douching has a pretty bad rap, unfortunately there are still a number of women who use these products. According to the Office on Women's Health, one in five women in the U.S. ages 15 to 44 still use douches. While some women think that douching — which is washing the inside of the vagina with water or cleansing agents — might help clean the vagina and eliminate odor, studies have shown there is no benefit to douching and that it actually causes more problems than it solves. The Office on Women's Health says that not only do they increase your risk of certain health problems, they can also lead to fertility issues. While period odors may be uncomfortable to deal with, douching is not a healthy or advisable solution to manage that.

Douching disrupts the balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina and can lead to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Furthermore, if you already have these conditions, douching can push them further up into the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, potentially leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. If you are embarrassed about period odor, the best tip is to leave the vagina alone and to gently wash the vulva with warm water and unscented soap during your cycle to eliminate any smell.

Periods can come with a host of inconvenient ailments like bloating, mood swings, cramps, tender breasts, and acne (via Cleveland Clinic). While there are a lot of over-the-counter medications that could potentially help, there are also a lot of natural remedies you can try. Emmett J. Hughes, an associate professor of basic and clinical sciences at the University of Bridgeport, spoke to Good Housekeeping about a novel way to help reduce cramping: "Magnesium helps to relax the myometrium — the muscular layer of the uterus. Think Epsom salt. Magnesium is its primary ingredient." Hughes suggests taking either liquid magnesium or magnesium citrate tablets three to four days before your period, or eating foods that are rich in magnesium like avocados, whole grains, and leafy greens.

If mood swings are your thing, a natural alternative could be chasteberry. While its efficacy to treat period symptoms hasn't yet been clinically proven, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the herb has been used to manage menstrual cycle issues including PMS and pain. The medical center explains that berries from the tree may help stimulate progesterone, which is the hormone that elevates two weeks before menstruation begins and is linked to PMS — but more research is needed to confirm this connection.

If you are someone who deals with a heavy flow, there are herbal tinctures that can help reduce bleeding. According to a study published by The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, red raspberry leaf, cinnamon, Shepard's Purse, and yarrow are just a few of the herbs that can help manage excessive bleeding.

As you are probably already aware, there is a safety window for wearing almost all period products, and leaving your tampon in for too long is one of the most common mistakes people make during that time of the month. Tampons, like pads, are only meant to be worn for four to eight hours (via Healthline). Although it's very rare, according to the FDA, leaving a tampon in for more than the recommended time can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which includes symptoms such as "a sudden fever (usually 102°F or more), vomiting, diarrhea, fainting or feeling like you are going to faint when standing up, dizziness, or a rash that looks like a sunburn." If you experience any of these symptoms either during or after your period, the FDA recommends seeking immediate medical attention. Some more common negative effects of leaving a tampon in too long include the risk for infections such as vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and genital contact allergy (via Healthline).

With that said, one of the primary questions about tampon use is whether they can be worn while you sleep. If you sleep eight hours or less, they are fine to use, but if you sleep any more, it may be better to find an alternative nighttime product (via Healthline).