You can use a tampon, a sanitary napkin, or a menstrual cup during your menstrual cycle. [When using a tampon, select a narrow one. The narrower it is, the easier will it be for you to insert it and pull it out after the tampon absorbs blood and swells up. This becomes more of a concern for a girl with intact hymen," says Dr. Shah. [If you are using a sanitary napkin, opt for cotton pads instead of the ones with net or nylon at the top. Cotton pads are less likely to give you rashes as they are more absorbent," she adds. Stick to one brand to understand whether it`s comfortable for your or not. When using a menstrual cup, do wash it nicely in boiling water, pat it dry and wrap it nicely before reusing it. It can invite UTIs. Therefore, be very careful and maintain the cup`s hygiene properly
Clean yourself properly:
Wash your genitals frequently during the menstruation days. The area in and around your genitals should be washed thoroughly to clean the blood staining the area. This will ensure proper genital hygiene. Wash your vagina and labia (the projecting part of the female genitals) before changing into a new pad and keep it dry.
Avoid using vaginal hygiene products:
Your vagina has its own cleaning mechanism which helps to maintain its pH balance. Cleaning it with soap and vaginal hygiene products can rip it off of the good bacteria making it easy to develop infections. All you need is some lukewarm water to flush your genitals clean. Do not use soap or hygiene products inside your vagina or vulva. Just clean the external parts with it.
Use the right washing technique:
While washing, the motion should be from the vagina to the anus. If you do it in the opposite direction, germs from the anus may crawl into the vagina leading to UTI.
Stick to one method of sanitation at a time:
Do not try and use two methods of menstruation methods together. Using two pads or one pad and a tampon will make you feel the blood flow is less which can keep you from changing at regular intervals. This can result in rashes, infections and TSS (Toxic shock syndrome, a rare bacterial infection).
Avoid using two pads at a time is it may keep your clothes from staining but can lead to a very bad rash and high level of irritation.
The article is taken from thehealthsite