How Often We Should Change Tampons, Menstrual Cups, and Pads During Periods

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and special lingerie help millions of women all over the world lead their usual lifestyle and prevent leakage from getting on clothing during periods. However, one should make sure to change these things in a timely manner in order to maintain hygiene and avoid unpleasant consequences.

5-Minute Crafts is going to tell you how often one should change hygienic products.

❗ The article is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a specialist.

The frequency of changing a hygiene product primarily depends on the amount of flow and the type of product you are using.

• Experts recommend changing tampons every 3-5 hours, 8 hours at most in extreme situations, but no longer than that. Long use of tampons can lead to the development of a potentially dangerous condition known as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Also, take into account that the absorbency of tampons should correspond to the abundance of flow. Using large tampons on low flow days also puts you at risk of developing TSS. For heavy bleeding, you should either use more absorbent tampons or change regular tampons more often. If you find that your tampon is not fully saturated by the time you change it, consider switching to a product with less absorbency.
  ❗ Because of the necessity to be changed every 8 hours at the very most, tampons are not the best option for using overnight.
• Despite the fact that you can wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, it’s better to change it more often, like every 4-6 hours. It’s also important to regularly clean menstrual cups if you are using reusable options.

• You can change pads based on your personal feelings, as there are no precise limitations about how long one should wear them. However, keep in mind that when the blood gets accumulated in a pad, bacteria start to develop faster and this can cause an unpleasant smell. On average, the interval between changing pads can be from 4 to 8 hours. Although, in order to avoid the appearance of any odor or discomfort, some people prefer to change pads after each visit to the bathroom.
• Panty liners are not meant for wearing throughout the entire day regardless of whether you use them during menstruation or as a daily hygiene product. It is recommended to change them every 3-5 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria.