According to healthdirect's guide to menstruation, your choice of period product may depend on cost, comfort, sustainability and how heavy your period is. Its list runs from sanitary pads and tampons to a period cup and period underwear, and it notes that cups and period underwear are washed and reused.
Plenty of commentary says Gen Z wants nothing to do with period shame. Instead of repeating generational surveys, this article sticks to what Australian health services and a state education department say about choosing products and about talking openly with young people.
Quick answer: Australians can choose from pads, reusable cloth pads, tampons, period cups, menstrual discs and period underwear, and healthdirect says the best fit depends on cost, comfort, sustainability and flow. Schools are part of the conversation too: Queensland's education department points schools to a free period education program for students in Years 5 to 8.
What period products can you choose from in Australia?
There are more options than the classic pad-or-tampon choice. Jean Hailes for Women's Health describes these:
| Product | What Jean Hailes says |
|---|---|
| Tampons | Absorbent plugs worn in the vagina, made of cotton or a cotton and synthetic blend |
| Pads | Absorbent, with an adhesive side; 100% cotton, scent-free pads may suit you if others irritate |
| Reusable cloth pads | Washable, with a waterproof lining and wings that fasten with clips or hook-and-loop tape |
| Period underwear | Layers of fabric that absorb your period; worn alone or with other products |
| Menstrual discs | Sit at the base of the cervix; single-use or reusable |
| Period cups | Made of rubber or silicone, collect blood and use suction to stay in place |
How do you work out which product suits you?
Start with your own priorities. Jean Hailes lists comfort, cost, sustainability, absorption and your activities as the factors to weigh, and says you may find certain products more comfortable and easier to use than others. Cups come in different shapes and sizes to suit your body and your periods, and it recommends reading the instructions before you use a cup or disc for the first time.
Cost works differently for reusables. Jean Hailes notes that products such as cups are more expensive up front but may save money over time. A Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
Are Australian schools talking about periods?
Yes, and Queensland is one example with an official program. The Queensland Department of Education says its Period Talk program is designed to teach students in Years 5 to 8 about menstruation and the impact of periods, covering topics from menstrual cycles and period products to period pain, nutrition and environmental impacts. Free access to the program is offered online.
The department is candid about why: some students might feel uncomfortable discussing the topic, and a lack of access to period products may lead to students missing school. It says free products together with Period Talk contribute to students' wellbeing and their readiness to engage with learning. For tips you can use at home, read our article on how to talk about periods.
What should you know before trying a period cup?
Know how it stays put and how often to empty it. healthdirect explains that a menstrual cup uses suction to stay in place and needs emptying when it's full. Follow the timing on your own cup's instructions: the Lunette period cup sold in Australia can be worn for up to 8 hours. Lunette makes two sizes, with Size 1 suggested for a light to medium flow, a low cervix or teens, and Size 2 for a heavier flow or a higher cervix.
When to see a doctor
healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor if:
- your periods are heavier than usual or the pattern changes;
- your periods last more than 8 days;
- they are less than 3 weeks or more than 2 months apart;
- they have stopped for more than 6 months and you're not sure why;
- you bleed between periods or after sex;
- severe period pain disrupts your daily activities.
Frequently asked questions
Are period cups and menstrual discs the same thing?
Jean Hailes describes them separately. A period cup is made of rubber or silicone, collects blood inside the vagina and uses suction to stay in place. A menstrual disc sits at the base of the cervix and can be single-use or reusable. Read each product's instructions, because insertion and emptying differ between them.
Do period cups carry a risk of toxic shock syndrome?
Jean Hailes says a very small number of toxic shock syndrome cases have been linked to cups and that more research is needed. healthdirect explains it is the bacteria, not the product itself, that can lead to TSS. If you think you have it, call triple zero (000) or go to an emergency department.
Who can I call for period advice in Australia?
healthdirect runs a helpline on 1800 022 222, where a registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also suggests keeping a list or diary of your symptoms before an appointment, and says your doctor should listen to you and take your concerns seriously.
Weighing up a reusable option? The Lunette period cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone. See how to wash, store and look after it in our period cup cleaning guide.
This article shares general health information and isn't medical advice. For personal concerns, speak with your GP or call healthdirect.
