Feminine hygiene

This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in Swedish. (September 2011) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Swedish article. Machine translation like DeepL or Google Translate is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 857 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Swedish Wikipedia article at [[:sv:Mensskydd]]; see its history for attribution. You should also add the template {{Translated|sv|Mensskydd}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in German. (December 2019) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the German article. Machine translation like DeepL or Google Translate is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 7,746 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at [[:de:Monatshygiene]]; see its history for attribution. You should also add the template {{Translated|de|Monatshygiene}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Camelia Populär - sanitary napkin around 1942 from military stocks for nurses

Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products, including menstrual pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges and period panties. Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches, feminine wipes, and soap.

Feminine hygiene products are either disposable or reusable. Sanitary napkins, tampons, and pantyliners are disposable feminine hygiene products. Menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads, period panties, and sponges are reusable feminine hygiene products.^[1]

Types[]

Menstrual hygiene products[]

A menstrual pad with wings

The elements of a tampon with applicator. Left: the bigger tube ("penetrator"). Center: cotton tampon with attached string. Right: the narrower tube.

Reusable cloth menstrual pad with Kokopelli motif.

A menstrual cup

Menstrual panty

Disposable:

• Pantyliner: Sticks to the inside of underwear to absorb blood and uterine lining during menstruation, sometimes worn with a tampon or for light discharge.^[2][3]
• Menstrual pad: Worn on the inside of underwear to absorb a heavier menstrual flow. Available in many different absorbencies and lengths, with or without wings.^[2][3][4]
• Tampon: Inserted inside the vagina to absorb menstrual blood, can also be used while swimming. Available in different levels of absorbency.^[2][3][4]

Reusable:

• Menstrual cup: Inserted inside the vagina to catch blood/uterine lining.^[5]
• Cloth menstrual pad: Worn inside underwear.^[5]
• Period underwear (AKA period panties): Can refer to either underwear that keeps pads in place, or absorbent underwear that can take the place of tampons and pads.^[5]
• Menstrual sponge: Inserted like a tampon or cup and worn inside the body.^[6]
• Towel: large reusable piece of cloth, most often used at night (if nothing else is available), placed between legs to absorb menstrual flow.^{[citation needed]}

Cleansing products[]

• Douches: A fluid used to flush out the inside of the vagina.^[7][4]
• Feminine wipes: A moist, sometimes scented cloth used to wipe the vulva.^[8]

• Unscented soap: A gentle way to wash the vulva to minimize the risk of irritation.^[9]

Feminine hygiene products that are meant to cleanse may lead to allergic reaction and irritation, as the vagina naturally flushes out bacteria.^[10] Many health professionals advise against douching because it can change the balance of vaginal flora and acidity.^[11]

Risks[]

The different products may carry some health risks, some of which might be proven, others speculative.^{[12][13][14][15]}

• Toxic shock syndrome: A rare illness that may occur when tampons are worn for long periods of time, although not directly linked to tampon use but caused by poison linked to bacteria of the Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus type.^[4][3]
• Irritation: Can be caused by fragrances, neomycin (adhesive on pads), tea tree oil, benzocaine. Inflammation can also be a risk associated with some products.^[4]
• Yeast infection: A fungus.^[3]
• Bacterial vaginosis: Overgrowth of naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina that leads to a type of vaginal inflammation. The imbalance of bacteria from its natural state has been connected to bacterial vaginosis ^[16][17][18]

Society and culture[]

According to the World Health Organization, as of 2018 there are about 1.9 billion women who are of reproductive age.^[19] In low-income countries, women's choices of menstrual hygiene materials are often limited by the costs, availability and social norms. Not only are women's choices limited but, according to the WHO and Unicef, 780 million people do not have access to improved water sources and about 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. The lack of proper hygiene leads to a harder time for women to manage feminine hygiene.^{[20][21][19][22]}

Costs and tax[]

Menstrual hygiene product dispenser

Tampon tax is a shorthand for sales tax charged on tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. The cost of these commercial products for menstrual management is considered to be unacceptably high for many low-income women. At least half a million women across the world do not have enough money to adequately afford these products. This can result in missing school or even dropping out. In some jurisdictions similar necessities like medical devices and toilet paper are not taxed. Several initiatives worldwide advocate to eliminate the tax all together. In some countries, such petitions have already been successful (for example parts of the UK and the United States).^[23][24][25]

Access to products in prisons[]

The Federal bureau of Prisons in the United States announced that women in its facilities would be guaranteed free menstrual pads and tampons. In section 411 of the First Step Act which was passed on May 22, 2018 states, "The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall make the healthcare products described in subsection (c) available to prisoners for free, in a quantity that is appropriate to the healthcare needs of each prisoner".^[26]

Other social views[]

Some girls and women may view tampons and menstrual cups as affecting their virginity even though they have not engaged in sexual intercourse.^[4]

For those with autism, using pads before menstruation begins may help reduce sensory issues associated with menstrual hygiene products. Prior education and practice may help familiarize an individual with body changes and the process of using products associated with menstruation.^[27]

Menstruation may occur despite paralyzation; product use depends on the individual's personal preference.^[28]

History[]

Historical types of menstrual hygiene products[]

• Cup^[29]
• Pad^[29]
• Panty^[29]
• Sponges^[29][30]
• Nothing^[30]
• Sheep's wool^[30]
• Underwear^[30]
• Raw cotton^[30]
• Sanitary belt & napkin holder^[30]
• Crocheted sanitary napkins^[30]
• Clouts^[30]
• No belt^[30]
• Baby diapers^[30]

• Plants^[4]

See also[]

• Menstrual hygiene management

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to Feminine hygiene at Wikimedia Commons