Let’s talk Period:
Menstrual Products at a Glance

Answers to these questions are provided in a video on menstrual health in different languages:

There are menstrual products that

• are inserted into the vagina (tampon, menstrual cup, menstrual disc),
• are used outside the vagina (pad, period underwear),
• are for single use only (tampon, disposable pad),
• can be reused several times (menstrual cup, menstrual disc, cloth pad or reusable pad, period underwear).

The following questions can help when deciding:

• How easy or difficult is it for me to use?
• How comfortable is it for me?
• How can I dispose of it?
• Are water and sanitary facilities available for changing and washing?
  Because: water is important for washing hands and cleaning menstrual products if they are to be reused afterwards.
• How much does it cost?
• What effect does it have on the environment?

Sometimes different products have to be tried out to find what feels best. This can also change over time.

After illnesses or operations in the genital area, you should speak with a gynaecologist about which menstrual product can be used.

Cotton wool or toilet paper is not recommended for menstruation. They are only suitable if nothing else is available. Cotton wool and toilet paper can easily absorb bacteria and germs. This can increase the risk of infections (Infektionen) in the genital area. In addition, they do not absorb as well as menstrual products.

• Regularly changing menstrual products is important to prevent infections (Infektionen). They should be changed after a certain period of time. Detailed information can be found on the information sheets (PDF, 670 KB) (Infoblätter).
• Washing your hands – also before changing – is important so that no bacteria can form which could cause infections (Infektionen).
• If the menstrual product is not changed regularly, bacteria can develop. These bacteria can trigger what is known as toxic shock syndrome (see Toxisches Schocksyndrom).
  But don’t worry: the risk is low, even if it should be taken seriously.
• It is important to know: if a menstrual product has been worn longer than recommended and symptoms appear afterwards, it is best to see a doctor or call the free health advice hotline on 1450.

• Before inserting and also before removing, always wash your hands. This reduces the risk of bacteria entering the vagina.
• A comfortable position helps when inserting the product. This could be sitting on the toilet, standing (for example with one leg on the edge of the bathtub), or squatting.
• Lubricant can also help when inserting. It is available in pharmacies or chemists.
• It is important to know: menstrual products do not change so-called “virginity”. The hymen (Hymen) (formerly mistakenly called the “virgin membrane”) is elastic and does not close the vagina. Otherwise, period blood would not be able to flow out. A gynaecologist can also never see whether a tampon has been used or not. Menstrual products that are inserted therefore cannot tear the hymen.
• Information about the hymen in different languages can be found here: www.oegf.at.

During pregnancy and for postpartum bleeding, no menstrual products that are inserted into the vagina should be used. At this time, there is a higher risk of infections (Infektionen). After birth, it is important that the postpartum bleeding can flow out and that the wounds heal first. For this, pads or period underwear are best.

With female genital mutilation (weiblicher Genitalbeschneidung) (FGM/C) , inserting menstrual products into the vagina can cause pain, infections (Infektionen) or other complications.

With FGM/C type 3 (infibulation), the use of menstrual products that are inserted is not possible.

• The materials and substances in menstrual products vary. In some products, there may also be chemicals or fragrances. In that case, it is important to change the product.
• The substances can often be read on the packaging.
• In the media, there are repeatedly false reports about metals in tampons. They are said to get into tampons during production and be harmful to health. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Germany), however, tampons are not a danger to health.

Free tampons or pads are available here:

• Rote Box Vienna
• Women’s counselling centres in Burgenland: An overview of the centres can be found at Wir regeln das gemeinsam.
• Periodenservicestelle (City of Salzburg)

Further information about menstrual products:

• Video (German, Turkish, Arabic): Menstrual products explained (Ready for Red)
• Website (multilingual): Hygiene during menstruation (zanzu)
• Information in Austrian Sign Language: Hygiene Monatsblutung (Sex, baff!, equalizent)
• Websites (German):
  • Which is the best period product for me? (gesund-informiert.at)
  • Tampons, pads and more (Feel-ok.at)
  • How to use tampons, pads, cups and more (Rat auf Draht)
  • Menstrual hygiene (sexgesund.at)

First points of contact for questions about menstrual products:

• Doctors, in particular:
  • Gynaecologist
  • GP
  • School doctor

Doctor search (Austrian Health Portal)

• Women’s health centres 
• Women’s and girls’ counselling centres
• First Love Clinic (counselling centres and online counselling for young people on love, sexuality and relationships) 
• Youth centres
• COURAGE counselling centres (counselling in the area of same-sex, bisexual and trans*gender lifestyles)
• Telephone hotlines:
  • The free 1450 health advice hotline, available around the clock for complaints and uncertainties:
    Telephone: 1450
  • Women’s service: free information for all situations in life, Telephone: 0800 20 20 11
  • Rat auf Draht: Telephone: 147

Videos in several languages on healthcare in Austria:

Video collection (Austrian Health Portal)