Pads Vs. Tampons: The Big Debate

Feminine hygiene products are a constant need in the lives of women and girls who have started their menstruation journeys. While I recognize the menstrual inequity that exists in Kenya and other parts of the world, I would like to talk about two of the most commonly used menstrual products, pads and tampons. This is because I constantly find myself in such talks with the women around me debating over which one is more comfortable, efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Let’s start with pads:

These have been trusted for ages by several generations of women I have come across, including my mother and her mother. They are worn externally on the underwear to collect the menstrual flow. They vary in size and absorbency; such that different women can get them according to their flow. I love that pads are easy to use, with not much technicality while placing on the underwear. Additionally, they are comfortable and with them, it is easy to monitor the period flow and progression to know when to change into a new clean pad which is usually three to four hours.

Now to tampons:

These are my personal favorite because of how discreet they are since they are worn internally. Instead of wearing a tampon on the underwear, it is inserted into the vaginal canal to absorb the menstrual flow internally. Just like pads, they also vary in size and absorbency depending on a woman’s flow. They also need to be changed every three to four hours, to avoid staying in the body for too long and causing toxic shock syndrome. I love tampons because they can be worn while swimming among other athletic activities, something one cannot do with a pad. They do not easily leak when inserted properly, therefore adding to confidence and security.

Final thoughts

While the debate between pads and tampons is never-ending, both products cater to different preferences. The choice ultimately remains to be made by the individual, depending on matters such as comfort and lifestyle. This is a great conversation that also needs to continue to be had for awareness purposes and reach all parts of the world. In addition, women need to continue to be empowered to make informed choices on these products and the many more that exist to cater to menstruation.