Victoria offers a local example of making menstruation inclusive in public spaces. The state government's free pads and tampons in public places program is rolling out vending machines to up to 700 sites, including public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, staffed train stations and major cultural institutions, on the principle that people should be able to access them whenever and wherever they need them.
Free access is one part of the picture. The other is choice: gender and period care products only feel inclusive when anyone who bleeds can find something that suits their body and comfort.
Quick answer: Period care products work the same regardless of gender: pads, tampons, period underwear, menstrual cups and discs all manage bleeding for anyone who menstruates. The right one depends on ease of use, comfort, cost, your activities and your flow, and you may need to try a few before one feels right.
What should you think about when choosing a period product?
Jean Hailes for Women's Health suggests weighing a handful of practical points in its Easy Read guide to period products:
- how easy the product is to use;
- comfort;
- cost;
- whether it suits activities such as swimming;
- how light or heavy your flow is.
For trans and non-binary people, there may be one more factor on top: how the product feels emotionally. A product that keeps your period out of sight and out of mind may be worth more than one that is cheaper or more familiar.
Which products don't need to be inserted?
Pads and period underwear sit outside the body. The Jean Hailes guide notes that pads let you see your flow and judge how light or heavy it is, and suggests changing them every three to four hours or when they hold a lot of blood. Reusable fabric pads are washable.
Period underwear soaks up blood without any other product and can be worn for up to 12 hours, according to the same guide. Used pairs can go into a toiletry bag until you get home, then be soaked in cold water and washed.
How do tampons, cups and discs compare?
All three are worn internally. Healthdirect's menstruation page says to change a tampon every 3 to 4 hours or when it's full, never to leave one in for more than 8 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome, and suggests avoiding tampons overnight. For menstrual cups, it advises emptying them when full and following the product's removal instructions to help prevent TSS.
Jean Hailes describes cups and discs as reusable products that come in different shapes and sizes, and says it may take time to learn how to use them. Read the pack information first. If you're weighing the two, our article on menstrual cup vs menstrual disc compares them.
How can you make changing away from home easier?
Healthdirect suggests keeping a period kit in your bag, along with pain-relief medicine and a spare pair of underwear. Wrap used tampons in toilet paper and bin them, since Jean Hailes advises against flushing them, and keep a small bag handy for anything reusable.
When to see a doctor
Healthdirect recommends seeing your doctor if:
- your periods are heavier than usual or last more than 8 days;
- your periods come less than 3 weeks or more than 2 months apart;
- you bleed between periods or after sex;
- you have severe pain that disrupts your daily activities;
- your periods affect your wellbeing or enjoyment of life.
Healthdirect's toxic shock syndrome page lists sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, aching muscles, confusion and a sunburn-like rash as possible signs. If you think you have TSS, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
Are menstrual discs the same as menstrual cups?
Not quite, but they do a similar job. Jean Hailes describes both as products that go into the vagina to catch blood, come in different shapes and sizes, and can be washed and used again. Both take some practice. Read the instructions on the pack, and give yourself a few cycles to get comfortable.
Can I wear a tampon overnight?
Healthdirect suggests avoiding tampons overnight and says a tampon should never stay in for more than 8 hours, because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Change it every 3 to 4 hours or when it's full. Overnight, a pad or period underwear may be a better match for longer stretches.
Where can I get free period products in Victoria?
The Victorian Government is installing free pad and tampon vending machines in up to 700 public places, including public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, staffed train stations and cultural institutions such as Melbourne Museum. Jean Hailes also notes that schools and hospitals sometimes offer free products in their bathrooms.
For a reusable option in a colour you choose, including clear, the Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and can be worn for up to 8 hours. It comes in two sizes, and the period cup size guide helps you work out which menstrual cup suits your flow.
This is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your GP, pharmacist or another health professional.
