What do you do if your Aunt Flow visits during basic training, a field training exercise, or just any other time you have to switch out your beloved joggers for your duty uniform? We break it all down in this article.
These are the most common questions that females have when they join the military. Lucky for you, I’d like to think of myself as a period product connoisseur.
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I’ve literally tried everything from tampons, pads, reusable cups/discs, and even period panties!
But first, let me tell you a little bit about my cycle so that I can gain just a little bit of credibility before you take my recommendations.
I have always struggled with a heavy cycle. For the longest time I would pair a tampon with a pad, because if I didn’t, then I would be leaking within an hour or so of insertion. It only took me 19 years to find the perfect solution to my period problems. Here is my personal experience with all and how I got to where I am today.
Pads
Using pads are great for a quick disposable option…however, I will never forget that time I was on my period during basic training and we were getting smoked in the rain.
At Ft. Leonardwood, you could get all forms of extreme weather in one day. That day, it was practically flooding and the weapon of choice our drill sergeants used was the swimmer (haha, funny coincidence right?). Wellll, it wasn’t funny because I was on my period and I was wearing a pad.
After the smoke session, I ran up to one of my drill sergeants and told them that I needed to use the bathroom. I didn’t even have to explain my urgency.
Some female recruits are under so much stress and doing way more physical activity than their bodies are used to that they don’t get a period during initial entry training. I wasn’t one of them.
Not only do I not like using pads because of my PTSD with that incident, but also considering the opposite extreme: heat and humidity. Diaper rash anyone? Yes, I said it and it happens!
Not only do I despise pads because of those two reasons, but if you’re out in the field (with no shower, mind you), how are you going to change your underwear at the end of the day without ripping off that pad in front of the rest of the tent and putting a new one on (cue sound effects)? A bloody mess.
Not to mention sleeping at night and getting that dreaded drip down your crack that always happens to make it past the end of your pad. I know we’re all females in there and we’ve found our own way to hide this fact of life, but there is an easier and more hygienic way.
Tampons
Ah yes, tampons. So easy to use (for some of us) and even easier to hide in one of your many cargo pockets.
The only two issues I have with tampons is that they have a timer on them and they tend to make cramps 10 times worse. For me, my timer is extremely short even when using super tampons. I don’t usually get bad cramps now, but when I used tampons they were so bad that they radiated through my legs.
I’m not sure what the science is behind that, but I know there is definitely a correlation between when I used tampons to how bad my cramps got the higher the absorbency was.
Tampons are a good choice for basic training and field exercise periods because they are inconspicuous and generally mess free to use. However, we all want a better option for solving all of our period problems.
Reusable Menstrual cups
There are sooo many options when it comes to reusable menstrual cups!
I wanted to love all the ones I tried: Divacup (large and small), Saalt cup, and Juniper. However, you need to have some real patience when it comes to learning how to use menstrual cups.
If you can figure it out, this is a great solution! A great thing about menstrual cups is that you can leave them in for up to 12 hours at a time. This is awesome for those of us who don’t have access to a restroom for long periods of time (e.g. field training exercises, long TDY trips, etc).
One thing that is important to consider when choosing a menstrual cup is that everyone’s vagina is different. There are tons of reviews on Youtube for various brands, but you should not take an experienced menstrual cup user’s word on the ease of use because there is a huge learning curve for these little guys.
In order to use a menstrual cup, you’ll need to fold the cup in a U shape (although there are other types of folds out there), insert opening into your vagina, release fold and pinch the bottom as your turn the cup clockwise in order to create a seal.
Most menstrual cup users report mastering use after 3-4 cycles. If you have the time to do that, then this could be your golden ticket for an easier period.
However, most of us have jobs and do not have the time to be chained to the bathroom practicing insertion, creating a seal, and removal for 3-4 cycles.
Another thing to consider when choosing to use a menstrual cup is whether you have bore children through vaginal births. I’m not suggesting that our lady parts get stretched out beyond recognition, but I do know that the strength of our pelvic floor tends to suffer after giving birth.
I believe this might be the reason why I had such a difficult time creating a seal with any cup that I used.
Although I am working on repairing my pelvic floor now, I’ve already fallen in love with the next two period solutions.
Reusable Menstrual Discs
This, my battle buddies, is my favorite period product by far.
Menstrual discs are similar to cups because they are eco-friendly, you can wear them for long periods of time, and they tend to reduce cramping.
There are disposable and reusable menstrual discs out there.
To use a menstrual disc, you simply fold it in half, insert in a downward motion toward your tailbone, and make sure it goes far enough to hook behind your pelvic bone—that’s it!
You don’t have to worry about creating a seal by twisting and turning it around or breaking a painful seal for removal.
When ready to remove, simply bear down so that it pushes the disc further down your vaginal canal and hook your finger underneath the rim to pull it the rest of the way out in an upwards motion to prevent spillage on your hands. You’ll then pour the contents into the commode and rinse/wash the menstrual disc.
What I usually do is have an extra menstrual disc in my pocket so that I can switch it out.
Now, if you’re out in the field or using a public restroom with stalls and don’t have a private sink right next to you, then that’s where you can either use your camelback and/or a bottle of water to rinse out the disc right over the commode.
How do you pick the perfect size for your menstrual disc and/or cup? There are two things to consider: cervix height and comfort level. There’s a first time for everything if you’ve never measured your cervix height. It’s time to get up close and personal with your vagina, but don’t worry—it’s super quick and easy!
How To Measure the Height of Your Cervix
Step 1: Insert one finger into the vagina until you reach your cervix (it’ll feel spongey but hard at the same time).
Step 2: Check to see which knuckle is visible at the opening of your vagina.
Step 3: If you can reach it at the first knuckle, your cervix is low. If you can reach it at the second knuckle then your cervix is normal. If you can’t reach it at all, you have a high cervix.
Please keep in mind that the height of your cervix can change.
For instance, my cervix is high during the first few days of my period, but it lowers towards the end of my period. I use a large menstrual disc the first few days and a small one during the last few days. There are two reasons for this: my flow is much heavier the first few days and my cervix is high during that time too. Period Nirvana actually has a legit chart of various cups and discs based on your body’s unique design.
My all-time favorite reusable menstrual disc is the Lumma Disc! It is so easy to use, ready sturdy, and they have really cute colors to choose from. Instead of having to insert your finger into your vagina for removal, they come with a silicone string that allows you to pull it out and pour the contents into the commode—mess free!
Using the Lumma Disc has made the week of my period so easy and worry-free. I’ve gone on long trips without leaks or cramps, because you don’t have to worry about your pelvic floor muscles holding up the device or the absorbency of your tampon making your legs hurt like mine did.
My most recent experiment with using the Lumma Disc was in the swimming pool. Let me tell you that it passed with flying colors, and it was even during the first few days of my period! I’m smitten.
Period Panties
I usually pair my Lumma Disc with period panties, because I have long withstanding traumatic trust issues with period products (anyone else check their backside for leaks constantly, just in case?).
My brand of choice is Thinx. I have never had to worry about getting that dreaded red stain on my uniform since using Thinx.
With period panties, you don’t have to worry about leaks, smell, diaper rash, or contributing to landfills. Luckily, they are coming out with more designs as their business grows and females realize there are more easier options out there than pads and tampons.
They sell underwear with various absorbency levels based on your needs and they even have period swimsuits (just in case you’re caught doing the swimmer during your cycle).
I like Thinx because they aren’t bulky—it feels like regular underwear with a little extra padding even if you wear a high absorbency underwear. I usually get a few high absorbency undies for the first few days of my period and moderate ones for the last few days.
I honestly could just use the lighter absorbency underwear (for the unpredictable leak), but sometimes I go without my disc and opt for a less stress choice.
Period panties are a great option if you aren’t comfortable with any products that require vaginal insertion. You don’t have to worry about that dreaded drip while you sleep.
If you’re out in the field or traveling, then you can pack a wet bag. I used to use wet bags for when I cloth diapered my babies, and trust me, you won’t have to worry about any smells escaping. You can find cute travel size ones here.
Once you have access to a washer, I’d recommend soaking them in Oxiclean before throwing them in the washer. Any other day, I usually bring them into the shower or rinse the panty line in the sink with some soap and water. You don’t have to do this, but I like to ensure that I have scrubbed it a little before it is thrown in the washer. This is a personal preference because the agitation in my washer machine isn’t the greatest.
There are tons of solutions out there for your period problems and you don’t have to take my word for it. I wish the alternatives to pads and tampons were more normalized so that young girls had the opportunity to figure out what works best for their bodies early on.
I haven’t had to worry about running to the store to stock up on period products for almost a year and I find myself checking my rear end less with each cycle that passes! What period solution has worked best for you? Let me know down in the comments!
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