How Menstrual Discs and Period Panties Changed my Life…

Imagine this: your friend hands you a package within which a nearly 3″ wide circular disc is contained and tells you can use it to replace tampons and pads. You would likely look at this disc in utter disbelief, and think, “This is supposed to go where?” This is exactly what happened to me the first time I saw a menstrual disc. I had used menstrual cups in the past, and those were a bit daunting, but the discs seemed impossible!

But, I was interested in the idea of something I could use for up to 12 hours before having to change it out. I have a flow that sends me to the bathroom nearly every two hours even when using the most absorbent tampons. This is a huge inconvenience for my active lifestyle, particularly when hiking or biking for hours or even days on end, or traveling on airplanes or trains or being in a foreign country and not knowing where the next bathroom might be or whether it will have running water. So I sat there and stared at this nearly 3″ wide disc, and then decided to give it a go. And I liked it! I liked it more than the menstrual cup I had used and after pairing the disc with period panties, I have never gone back to pads and tampons. It has truly been a life changer.

What is covered here:

What are menstrual cups?

They are flexible, funnel-shaped cups made of silicone, latex or rubber
They sit part-way up in the vaginal canal
They collect menses rather than absorb it the way a tampon would, which can then be disposed of in the toilet once you remove the cup
They are reusable and can last many years

What are menstrual discs?

They are flexible, circular discs usually made of medical-grade silicone
They sit around the cervix at the widest part of the vaginal canal, higher up than the menstrual cup
They collect menses rather than absorb it, similar to the menstrual cup
They can be disposable or reusable, with reusable options lasting several years.

Why are they advantageous over tampons and pads?

Can be worn up to 12 hrs, minimizing the number of times one needs to find a bathroom to remove, empty and clean the disc or cup
Can be a game changer if you have a heavy period and are typically changing your tampon every hour or two
Reduce waste
Save money as the reusable options are a one-time purchase that can last several years.
No need to worry about guessing the right tampon or pad absorbency for the day, removing a tampon too early or too late, or wet tampon strings from swimming or peeing
Once you find the right one for your anatomy, they can minimize leakage that can happen for example when using a tampon or a pad
If you hike/bike/backpack/bikepack/travel/etc., they take up far less space in your backpack or suitcase

What are the disadvantages?

Since they do not absorb your menses, the process of removing and emptying them can be messy, which can be a dealbreaker for some people.
Can be more difficult to remove.
Can take some time to get used to insertion. You need to be comfortable with your anatomy.

Menstrual cups vs menstrual discs

Cup

Can do a better job at containing menses so they are less messy
Suction-based, can be uncomfortable to remove
Finding the right fit for your anatomy can be a trail-and-error process, can have leaking
Might have to be emptied more often if you need a smaller cup for your anatomy

Disc

Will be the most messy compared to other options.
Do not create suction, so they can be more comfortable to remove
Finding the right fit for your anatomy can still be a challenge but less so than the menstrual cups
You will notice some leaking when using the bathroom due to the natural bearing down on pelvic muscles – this is normal.
Since they sit higher in the vaginal canal, they can be harder to reach.

What are period panties?

Underwear that has a built-in pad to absorb menses
Made of different materials for different activities (cotton for everyday, synthetic for activity)
Different styles – briefs, high-rise, low-rise, thongs, boy shorts
Different levels of absorbency – light days, heavy days
Can be worn in combination with menstrual discs and cups
They can go in the wash
Don’t have to worry about bulky or shifting pads, leakage on underwear

How these products have changed my life

Now that I have become comfortable with using these products and found which ones work best for me, I rarely use tampons and pads anymore, especially when traveling or recreating outdoors for hours or even days on end. They take up less space in my suitcase or pack, they create less waste that I have to carry with me when hiking/backpacking/etc, they are reusable and therefore more affordable and require fewer trips to the bathroom. I completely forget that I even have my period most days. I highly encourage others to give them a try!

What brands are there, and what have I used?

Since these products have become more popular, many different brands have popped up, and some make all three of these items:

Menstrual cups: Lena, Saalt, DivaCup, Pixie Cup, Flex, Cora
Menstrual discs: Flex, Softdisc, Nixit, Cora, Saalt, Luuma
Period panties: Thinx, Knix
*As an Amazon associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

I have tried the DivaCup, Flex Disc and Nixit Disc, and prefer the Nixit Disc for myself. I have had less leakage and more comfort with it compared to the other brands, but this will be different for everyone. I have tried both the Thinx and Knix period panties and like both, but prefer the Knix synthetic panties for wearing when I’m at the gym or hiking or biking. I haven’t been as impressed with the high-absorbency options of the Thinx period panties yet, and will try other brands at some point. I am also really curious to try menstrual discs that have a plastic “string” to make removal even easier.

Comment below to tell me what your experience has been with these products, what you have liked or any questions you have!

From Trails 2 Tales