For Teens & adults · Sources checked 22 September 2026 · General education.
Keep a few useful things nearby
Pack the period products you use, spare underwear and a small bag for carrying them. Choose based on flow, comfort and practicality. Reusable options also need a washing and drying routine you can follow. There is no single product that suits everyone.
Healthdirect: menstruation and period productsUse period products carefully
Wash your hands before changing products and follow their instructions. Never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours; change it sooner as directed or when needed. Use the appropriate absorbency for your flow. Do not flush disposable period products. Painful, unusually heavy or irregular periods deserve medical advice.
Healthdirect: menstruation and period productsGentle care is enough
For the external vulva, use water or a suitable soap-free wash. Avoid douching, vaginal washes and perfumed products in this area. After exercise, change out of damp clothes. Body wash and deodorant in the general care collection are for their labelled uses, not for inside the vagina.
Jean Hailes: caring for your vulva and vagina
