Pads against tampons are a common encounter. This competition has been on for quite some time now. But it's high time we put this matter to rest. Note that both pads and tampons get the job done. Some people adore pads, while others are tampon sweethearts. But in what situations do you need to use pads over tampons?

Pads

Pads are also known as sanitary pads, sanitary towels, or menstrual pads. Women wear them under their underwear during menstruation to prevent menstrual fluid from flowing out into the clothes.

Pads are rectangular and comprise soft absorption fabric materials that facilitate fluid absorption. Women can also use pads to absorb blood from the vagina postpartum, after a gynecologic surgery, or a miscarriage. 

There are two types of menstrual pads namely disposable pads and reusable (cloth) pads.

Pros

• Pads are great for beginners because of their easy-to-use nature.
• Sanitary pads are a good option for women who have a hard time wearing tampons especially for young women who find it extremely painful to insert tampons in their vagina at a young age.
• Women with urinary incontinence can wear incontinence pads.
• Manufacturers wrap pads individually making them more comfortable and discreet for women to carry in their purses and bags.  
• Pads are great for women who experience heavy bleeding during their periods.
• Women who have light bleeding can wear pads as well.
• Women who wear pads are unlikely to suffer from Toxic Shock Syndrome (TTS) and other infections.
• Women can wear pads overnight. This makes pads the perfect choice, especially for women who experience frequent bleeding in their sleep. No need to wake up in a messy, bloody bed anymore. 
• Pads are available in many forms giving women a variety of options.
• Pads are thinner these days, thus reducing their visibility under a woman's clothes and panties. 

Cons

• It's impossible to swim in pads. If you don't want to create a mess and embarrass yourself by the pool, don’t swim in your pads.
• Pads are only available to wear with their panties and underwear. Pads are therefore not an option if you want to wear thongs or G-strings. 

Tampons

Tampons have recently taken over the menstrual products world. They differ from pads because, unlike pads that women place on panties, women insert tampons inside the vaginal canal. Like the pad, women can use a tampon to absorb menstrual fluid, blood, and vaginal secretions. The tampon is held in place by the vaginal walls. Once the tampon is in the vagina, it absorbs menstrual blood and expands in the process. Tampons absorb not only menstrual blood but also other vaginal fluids. Our organic tampons are made from natural organic cotton with zero additives and fragrances.  

Pros

• Tampons with different rates of absorbency.
• Tampons are small and tiny making them discreet and less bulky. Tampons are more handy compared to pads.
• Clinically during tooth extraction, dentists can use tampons to reduce post-extraction bleeding on their patients.

Cons

• It's not advisable to use tampons while on vaginal medications because tampons can soak or absorb the medicine from the vagina denying the body from entirely utilizing the medication. Health experts refer to this relationship as tampon-drug interactions.
• Toxic shock syndrome

TSS is the leading disadvantage and risk of using tampons today. It's a life-threatening disease that should be avoided at all costs. TSS develops due to infections and bacteria in the vagina.

Here are tips to reduce the risk of contracting TSS while using tampons :

1. Change the tampon every 6-8 hours.
2. Don't use tampons while sleeping or overnight.
3. Switch between pads and tampons once in a while.
4. Stop tampon use immediately when you notice signs of TSS.
5. Depending on your flow, ensure that you use the lowest absorbency tampons.

• Environmental pollution

Tampons, especially inorganic ones, contribute to environmental pollution. For example, there have been cases where people found plastic tampon casing in beaches. This case indicates how tampons are an enormous threat to the marine world. 

• Clogging

Manufacturers do not recommend flushing tampons down the drain as this may lead to clogging and waste management problems. You should, therefore, ensure that you dispose of your tampons appropriately.

• Because tampons absorb natural vaginal secretions, they can make your vagina dry, which eventually causes irritation and reddening in the vagina.     

Conclusion

The showdown between pads and tampons will live forever. Unless, one day, magically, women stop having their periods. Therefore, instead of choosing one over the other, you should focus more on yourself and what works for you. Whichever option you choose, consider the cost and comfort level of using it. Finally, you should be open to trying other solutions. Don't be afraid of trying other options. You never know. They might just be the missing piece of the puzzle.