Feminine hygiene products are personal care products used during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva and vagina. Products that are used during menstruation may also be called menstrual hygiene products, including menstrual pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges and period panties. Feminine hygiene products also include products meant to cleanse the vulva or vagina, such as douches, feminine wipes, and soap. Feminine hygiene products are either disposable or reusable. Sanitary napkins, tampons, and pantyliners are disposable feminine hygiene products. Menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads, period panties, and sponges are reusable feminine hygiene products. Types Menstrual hygiene products Disposable: Pantyliner: Sticks to the inside of underwear to absorb blood and uterine lining during menstruation, sometimes worn with a tampon or for light discharge. Menstrual pad: Worn on the inside of underwear to absorb a heavier menstrual flow. Available in many different absorbencies and lengths, with or without wings. Tampon: Inserted inside the vagina to absorb menstrual blood, can also be used while swimming. Available in different levels of absorbency. Reusable: Menstrual cup: Inserted inside the vagina to catch blood/uterine lining. Cloth menstrual pad: Worn inside underwear. Period underwear (AKA period panties): Can refer to either underwear that keeps pads in place, or absorbent underwear that can take the place of tampons and pads. Menstrual sponge: Inserted like a tampon or cup and worn inside the body. Towel: large reusable piece of cloth, most often used at night (if nothing else is available), placed between legs to absorb menstrual flow. Areas of concern: Toxic Shock Syndrome: The use of tampons or menstrual cups can rarely cause a dangerous condition called toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare, life-threatening complication of certain types of bacterial infections. To help prevent toxic shock syndrome, the lowest needed absorbency of tampon should be used and tampons should be changed at least every four to eight hours. Minipads should be used for light menstrual flow. Women may have difficulty with staining of their garments or sheets during menstruation. This can be mitigated by wearing dark or black underwear or pants and sleeping on top of a towel at night. Cleansing products Douches: A fluid used to flush out the inside of the vagina. Feminine wipes: A moist, sometimes scented cloth used to wipe the vulva. Unscented soap: A gentle way to wash the vulva to minimize the risk of irritation. Feminine