Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of common menstrual products/materials

Pads:

single-use

Often preferred by users/programmes; numerous brands; absorbent; convenient; accessible

Repeat expense; variable quality; require disposal mechanism; include plastic/pollutes; require users to wear pants/underwear

Pads:

Reusable [30, 31]

Reusable; absorbent; cheap; accessible; relatively environment-friendly

Require water, soap, and a private space and sunlight to dry; variable quality; require users to wear pants/underwear; debate about risk of infection

Tampons [15]

Absorbent; numerous brands; does not require users to wear pants/underwear; permits users to participate in all activities

Repeat/higher expense; may violate norms in some contexts around vaginal insertion; require disposal mechanism; include plastic/pollutes; variable accessibility; require training/support on safe use; debate about risk of infection

Cups [32,33,34]

Absorbent; does not require user to wear pants/underwear; numerous brands; permits users to participate in all activities, environment-friendly

Initial/upfront expense; may violate norms in some contexts around vaginal insertion; include plastic/pollutes; variable accessibility; require training/support on safe use

Cloth [15, 35]

Reusable; cheap; accessible; environment-friendly

Require water, soap, a private space and sunlight to dry; debate about risk of infection; require users to wear pants/underwear

Sea sponges

Absorbent; reusable; natural; does not require users to wear pants/underwear; permits users to participate in all activities; environment-friendly

Limited availability; can contain bacteria/sand/sharp shells/hard coral; require training on safe use

Period panties

Reusable; absorbent; permits users to participate in all activities

Initial/upfront expense; variable accessibility; require water, soap, a private space and sunlight to dry; may require use with tampons or pads for heavy periods