Your International Women’s Day: Going with the FLOW Care for Yourself Every Month
The 8th of March is the once-in-a-year International Women’s Day, aiming to commemorate the effort made by our predecessors for equal rights and opportunities. Many things we now take for granted were all once a luxury they could only wish for in their wildest dreams. It is from their sweat and persistence that we get to enjoy what we have today.
Women in Hong Kong have always been the smart, industrious figures in our minds. Not even “that time of the month” could stop them from striving toward their goals. Such unyielding dedication is both inspirational and heartwrenching.
In Cantonese, menstrual cycles are often known as the “great aunt” (大姨媽). It seems that menstruation has its very own whimsical and witty euphemisms in every different culture. In the U.S., it’s known as the “Auntie Flo”. In Germany, it’s “Strawberry Week” (Erdbeerwoche); and in France, it’s “Ketchup Week” (La semaine Ketchup).
Period is arguably the hardest time of the month for many women. Apart from the pain, some might even experience other symptoms, like diarrhea, mood swings, and fatigue, just to name a few. (If this is just a piece of cake to you… How I envy you!) An average woman will experience approximately 450 cycles, which is roughly about 6 years of our entire life! Learning to take care of yourself in this time and making peace with your Auntie Flow is a lesson that might take us years to truly master.
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It was heavy and now it’s light… Do you know your flow?
Understanding your period is the first and most important part of finding out which period product suits you best. While changing out the sanitary products, you’ll probably have a faint idea about how heavy your flow is. In regular circumstances, you will lose about several tablespoons of blood throughout the entirety of a cycle. If it seems a lot on the pad, it’s only because the technology of absorbency makes it seem so, so you don’t have to lose any sleep over losing too much blood.
It’s always more reassuring to have a solid grasp of our bodies. Sanitary products can be more than our monthly companions, but also a means for you to calculate your flow. Run a little calculation based on the full duration of your period as the graph below directs. If the total sum is lower than 20, it implies your flow can be too light. If it exceeds 100, you might have too heavy a flow.
Different types of sanitary products all have their pros and cons in catering to the different needs of different women. Pads, tampons, pantyliners… Where do these come from and how do you choose the one you need? Let’s start by getting to know them.
Sanitary Pads - The First Comfort in the Age of Malaise
Sanitary pads are likely the first feminine product that women in Asia first came to learn of. It’s also the most chosen type of sanitary product in Hong Kong.
In 1921, Kimberly-Clark from the U.S. created the first piece of sanitary innovation that was destined to change the lives of many women decades beyond, Kotex. Kotex’s soft-to-touch, comfortable approach quickly gathered wide support from women, in a time when the troublesome and uncomfortable “Menstrual Belt” was the sole resolution.
The stickable and disposable design came out in the 80s. With a total upgrade in reliability, convenience, and comfort, these pads became a pivoting product that remained in the designs we most commonly see and use in Hong Kong today.
There are many different types and sizes of sanitary pads, all crafted to serve the needs of different women.
Sanitary pads for daytime usually come in a smaller size and a thinner build, perfect for days with a lighter flow and women with a regularly lighter flow. Always Ultra Normal Sanitary Pads (23cm) offer you invisibility with their ultra-thin design and barely-there comfort. With instant absorbent technology, Always Ultra stops the leakage before it even happens.
Overnight pads are designed so that the users can sleep restfully with peace of mind, no matter how much they toss and turn. The sizes are typically larger with even better absorbency to prevent nightly leakage. Always Ultra Secure Night Pads (31.5cm) comes with a widened tail design, preventing displacing in your sleep while making sure all is absorbed before any leakage can happen.
If you’re experiencing heavier flow even during the daytime, you can also opt for using extra-long daytime pads. Always Ultra Long Daytime Pads (27cm) come with a longer design to give you that extra protection. With instant absorption and leak-guard technologies, you can feel free and relaxed even on days with a heavier flow.
Sanitary pads provide you with full coverage protection during periods and allow us to venture into every day with confidence. However, the full coverage also creates a humid and warm environment, the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Ideally, changing the pad every 2-3 hours will keep it clean and prevent the chances of bacteria rampage.
Sanitary pads are a reliable option for a work day or a day in the city. However, it might not be so for women who enjoy a more active lifestyle.
Tampons - A Love Letter From A Husband To A Wife
The original concept of a tampon can be traced back to Ancient Rome, where it was typically made with wool. In 1933, American doctor, Earle Haas, after witnessing how his wife, a Ballerina, struggled while practicing on her period, invented the first ever tampon with an applicator in history. As more and more women entered the workplace during WWII, the convenience and comfort of tampons also skyrocketed in popularity. It was a testament to how women first stepped out of their homes and truly began their integration into modern society.
To this very day, tampons remain low in popularity in Hong Kong due to their application method. In a survey conducted by「女事續群」in 2016, only 6.41% of interviewees had reported tampons as their first choice of menstrual products. The life of a modern woman is filled with activities of every sort. Most wouldn’t opt to rest at home during their period. Tampons enabled full comfort and flexibility for women to enjoy sports, even swimming while being on their period. The unique design bars any leakage from happening without the clunkiness of a pad.
Tampons absorb the flow from inside, lowering the risks of leaking or heightened humidity. Compared to pads, tampons offer even drier comfort. Its small shape and application also take away the risk of showing under tight outfits.
Just as pads, tampons are varied by flow absorbency. The difference is that tampons are only labeled as regular, super, or extra flow, instead of labeled for daytime or overnight use.
Recommended to be the first choice of tampons by American gynecologists, Tampax’s tampons are tested independently to ensure they don’t contain harmful substances. TAMPAX Super Tampons are designed with a smaller shape with excellent absorption, preventing leakage from happening so you can triumph over everyday challenges with confidence and comfort.
When choosing the right tampons, it’s essential to start with choosing the smallest size you need. For example, if you think you’re a “Super” flow, you should opt for the “Regular”. This measure is to prevent the tampon from expanding too much and creating uncomfortable friction or drying yourself out during removal.
When wearing a tampon, it’s also crucial to remember to change it at least every 4 hours. Each tampon shouldn’t be used longer than 7-8 hours. Wearing the same one for too long can create the perfect environment for bacterial growth and increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is caused by the toxins created after Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Strep enter your bloodstream. Therefore, changing often is the best precaution you can take to care for yourself.
Pantyliners - Your Everyday Invisible Guardian
Think of pantyliners as the child of sanitary pads, pantyliners are there to handle lighter flows with their much thinner and smaller designs, typically used on the last days of your period. They are a reliable choice to absorb any daily discharge. Always Dailies Fresh Scent Normal Panty Liners is the perfect choice for it, paired with a fresh floral scent for freshness and dryness every day.
Due to the difference in their size, pantyliners are more breathable than pads, but their lower absorbency also makes them disqualified to fully replace pads. Like all other sanitary products, it’s recommended to change your pantyliners every once in a while to prevent bacterial growth.
Which is your best companion?
- Which one is the most comfortable for you?
Internal use---> Tampons.
External use---> Pads. - Are your cycles accurate?
Yes---> Tampons; using without flow might cause dryness and discomfort during removal.
No---> Pads; even in case of mistaken predictions, they’re easier to remove or change. - Will you be exercising or going into the water?
Yes---> Tampons; tampons will expand according to your shape to absorb all flow without the worry of leaking even in water. Pads will absorb water once coming into contact. Not only will the shape become more noticeable, but it also makes moving in water more difficult.
No---> Both tampons and pads, depending on your choice. - Will you be traveling during your period?
Yes---> Tampons; tampons’ structure made it easier to stop leakage so you can move with flexibility during travel at ease.
No---> Pads; compared to tampons, pads are riskier in terms of preventing leakage. Their coverage also makes it feel more stuffy and uncomfortable. - When will you need to use it?
Daytime---> Tampons; tampons can only be used for 8 hours at most. If you plan to have a good 10 hours of sleep, you may need to get up to change it.
Overnight---> Overnight pads; although it’s recommended to change your pads every 2-3 hours in the ideal situation. A suited overnight pad is designed with proper absorbency and stability to ensure a longer time of dry comfort for a restful slumber on weekends.
The 8th of March, International Women’s Day is more than a day to commemorate the great leap toward true gender equality and its future, it’s also a day to celebrate your very own existence. On this once-in-a-year day, take the time to appreciate your efforts every day, and give yourself a much-needed break. As small and insignificant as your day might seem to you, there’s achievement within the smallest of things, even if it’s just getting up and getting out of the door to work. No matter what you’re doing, never stop being proud of yourself, Queens!