Get ready for back-to-school with the best possible period protection
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Time to read 11 min
September means back to school—and new resolutions. Why not start a new menstrual routine that’s healthy, calm, accessible, and easy?
To make sure that back-to-school, already a stressful time, isn’t made even more anxious by period management, we’ll help you find the best possible period protection for you, your preferences, your needs, your habits, and your flow.
At school, college, high school, university, or work—planning ahead is key! With unpredictable flows, limited bathroom access, and busy schedules, find the perfect period protection that makes your life easier and keeps you comfortable.
Here are all our tips for choosing the right menstrual protection. So, what will you go for? Tampons, pads, cups, or period underwear? You’ll see—there’s no single right answer, but plenty of options. For long days out, sports sessions, or overnight, choose what’s best for your body and, if possible, for the environment too.
In this article
Back-to-school peace of mind: the keys to choosing your period protection 💼 Don’t add more stress to an already busy back-to-school season 🤔 Tampon, pad, cup, or period underwear? ⁉️One choice, many factors Key criteria for choosing your period protection 🏊🏼♀️ Lifestyle 🧶 Comfort and personal preference ♻️ Personal beliefs 🤑 Budget The ultimate comparison of available period products External protection: simple and safe 🌸 Disposable or washable sanitary pads 🌸 Washable period panties Internal protection: discretion and freedom 🌸 Disposable tampons 🌸 The menstrual cup Comparison chart for quick decision-making Health and safety: how to use your protection with confidence Toxic shock syndrome (TSS): understanding the risks to better avoid them Ready for back to school: your stress-free period management checklist FAQ: The best period protection options To learn more... Cool and affordable period products?
Back-to-school peace of mind: the keys to choosing your period protection
💼 Don’t add more stress to an already busy back-to-school season
Back-to-school or returning to work often means getting back into busy routines. For women who menstruate, this time can add extra stress: how do you manage your period without sacrificing comfort or well-being? Choosing the right period protection becomes crucial for getting through these days with confidence.
🤔 Tampon, pad, cup, or period underwear?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a solution for every body, every lifestyle, and every environmental value. Whether you prefer pads for their simplicity, the menstrual cup for its eco-friendliness, disposable tampons for their affordability, or period underwear for their convenience, we’re here to help you explore your options.
Good to know: you’ll often need to experiment to find your perfect combination.
Did you know? Since 2021, a measure to fight period poverty among students has been implemented: free sanitary product dispensers have been installed in CROUS dorms and across all university campuses.
⁉️One choice, many factors
Managing your period is a very personal matter. Even if you want to protect the environment or do the "right thing"—in short, have good intentions—in reality, it can be more complicated for a variety of reasons.
Is your flow very heavy or irregular? Do you experience spotting? Do you have endometriosis? Are you a high-level athlete? Do you travel a lot? Do you swim? In short, there are lots of situations that can affect your choice!
In the next few lines, discover the pros and cons of each option for a stress-free back to school.
Key criteria for choosing your period protection
🩸Assessing your menstrual flow
For a stress-free back-to-school season, knowing your menstrual flow is essential. It can be light, medium, heavy, or very heavy. So how do you know? The frequency you need to change your protection: every 6 to 8 hours for light flow, every 4 hours for medium flow, every 2 to 3 hours for heavy flow.
FYI: period underwear for heavy flow is right for you if you change protection more than 5 times a day.
Good to know: you probably already know this, but it’s worth repeating—your flow varies over the days of your period. The first day is light, the next two are heavier, and then it tapers off. It’s helpful to choose protection suited to these changes.
🏊🏼♀️ Lifestyle
Your daily routine and lifestyle guide your choice.
Are you working from home or spending most of your time at home? Period panties and washable pads are ideal!
Do you have long days out, use public transportation, and don’t always have easy access to restrooms? Double-protection heavy flow menstrual underwear or sanitary pads are a great solution.
Are you an athlete who trains several times a week? Tampons or cups are great options.
Do you swim? In this case too, tampons and menstrual cups are perfect.
🧶 Comfort and personal preference
Another factor: the type of protection—internal or external? Do you prefer, or are you used to, external protection (panties, pads) or internal protection (tampons, cups)?
Both have their strengths and offer a certain level of comfort.
While the organic cotton period underwear offers a certain softness, the cup has the advantage of being hygienic by capturing blood without oxidation (no contact with air).
♻️ Personal beliefs
Another important factor: your personal beliefs and your values. Knowing that disposable products are highly polluting and non-recyclable, you might want to go zero-waste and take real action against the overuse of plastic. That’s truly admirable!
Both menstrual cups and period underwear are durable, reusable, and much more eco-friendly compared to tampons or disposable pads. Properly cared for, washable menstrual products can be used for several years, on average more than 5! It’s a positive, practical, and truly meaningful way to respect the environment and protect wildlife and nature.
Did you know? According to Régl'Élémentaires, 49 billion disposable period products are thrown away every year worldwide.
🤑 Budget
Finally, the last thing to consider is your budget. While tampons and pads are inexpensive, you have to buy new packs every month. In the end, the total adds up quite a bit by the end of the year.
Menstrual underwear or period cups are more expensive upfront. At Louloucup, all our products are €28.90 each (but there’s a discount if you buy a bundle!). However, once you’ve bought it, washable period protection lasts and can be reused. Over and over. Month after month, year after year, it pays for itself in no time!
The ultimate comparison of available period products
Discover leak-proof period underwear for heavy flows, organic cotton tampons without harsh fragrances, budget-friendly reusable cups, or eco-friendly washable pads. Weigh the pros and cons and choose what works best for you!
External protection: simple and safe
🌸 Disposable or washable sanitary pads
Sanitary pads are still a go-to option. They’re easy to attach to your underwear and work for light, medium, or heavy flows. Whether washable or disposable, they offer a simple solution with no insertion. However, some can show under clothes (they’re not very discreet) or cause irritation (disposables don’t always have clean ingredients).
Reusable pads are made from organic cotton or bamboo, with certifications like Oeko-Tex to ensure safe contact with your skin. They’re eco-friendly, healthy, and safe.
🌸 Washable period panties
The period panty stands out for its integrated absorbent area, ideal for nighttime, sports, or daytime use. Reusable and washable, it reduces waste while providing excellent support. Stylish and practical, you’ll often feel great in them thanks to thoughtful designs or seamless construction (for an invisible second-skin effect).
Available in a range of sizes (from 34 to 52) and cuts (high-waisted, shorty, thong), it adapts to all body types. Don’t hesitate to check out our guide to period panties!
Internal protection: discretion and freedom
🌸 Disposable tampons
For discreet protection, tampons remain a popular option. Perfect for swimming or physical activities, they come with or without an applicator. Just remember to change them every 4 to 6 hours to avoid the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Also, tampon composition remains unclear. With petrochemical derivatives and herbicides, always choose organic brands with clear ingredient lists on the package.
🌸 The menstrual cup
The menstrual cup, on the other hand, is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. With its high capacity, it’s perfect for heavy flows—even when you’re on the go. It’s the most budget-friendly period protection option.
It takes a little patience to learn, but it stands out as a long-lasting solution. Made from medical-grade silicone or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), it’s hypoallergenic and phthalate-free. Models are available for young girls or IUD users, with sizes from S to XL to fit every body.
Don't hesitate to check out our guide to menstrual cups!
Comparison chart for quick decision-making
|
Protection |
Type | Wearing duration | Benefits | Drawbacks | Ideal for... |
| Sanitary pad | External, disposable | 4 - 6 hours | Easy to use, no insertion needed |
Not always discreet, risk of irritation |
First periods, light and medium flows |
| Menstrual Panties | External, reusable | 8 hours max for overnight use | Leak-proof, maximum comfort |
Regular maintenance, purchase price |
All flows, nights, sports |
| Tampon | Internal, disposable | 4 to 6 hours | Very discreet, suitable for sports. |
Risk of vaginal dryness |
Water activities, fluctuating flow |
| Menstrual cup | Reusable internal | up to 6 hours max | Eco-friendly, high capacity |
Adjustment needed |
Long trips, heavy flow, swimming |
| Reusable pad | External, reusable | 8 hours max for overnight use | Zero waste, economical |
Daily maintenance |
Home use, cup companion |
Choosing menstrual protection is all about balancing comfort, flow, and eco-friendliness.
Disposable pads are still accessible but create waste. Tampons, while convenient, require extra caution.
Reusable alternatives like period underwear or cups are a long-term investment with a smaller environmental impact. For example, one cup can replace hundreds of tampons over 5 to 7 years, saving up to €1,500.
Try out several options to find the one that fits your needs: every body is unique, and your well-being deserves this attention. And why not mix and match different solutions? Use a cup during the day, underwear at night. For days at home, a pad; for an occasional swim, a tampon? Anything is possible!
Health and safety: how to use your protection with confidence
Composition and transparency: what’s in your period products?
Since April 2024, a decree requires manufacturers to detail the composition of menstrual products on packaging or in instructions. This measure, overseen by ANSES, is intended to inform users about the possible presence of PFAS in period underwear ("forever chemicals") or phthalates, substances linked to hormonal disruptions. Non-compliant products can be sold until December 31, 2024, but the goal is to limit long-term exposure.
Always opt for certifications like Oeko-Tex or GOTS, which guarantee there’s no chlorine, dioxins, or allergenic fragrances (as is the case for Louloucup products). Organic cotton tampons reduce the risk of irritation, while medical-grade silicone cups limit bacterial growth due to their non-porous surface (as with Loulou cups). Period panties combine natural fibers and PFAS-free waterproof layers, offering comfort and environmental responsibility (all Louloucup lingerie is lined with organic cotton).
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS): understanding the risks to better avoid them
TSS, although rare (about 20 cases per year in France), is a serious medical emergency. It’s caused by the TSST-1 toxin from Staphylococcus aureus, especially if a tampon is worn for too long (>6 hours).
Symptoms—fever over 102°F (39°C), skin rash, vomiting—require immediate removal of the protection and urgent medical consultation, as organ failure may occur.
To avoid TSS, here are a few tips:
Wash your hands before and after every change.
Never wear a tampon or cup for more than 6 hours at a time.
Adjust the size to your flow to avoid leaks or vaginal dryness.
Alternate between internal (tampons) and external (panties) protection to reduce risks. For example, wear panties or a pad at night.
For users of internal protection, ANSES reminds you to choose products with an appropriate absorbency level. If you’re unsure about TSS, questionsexualite.fr recommends keeping the used product for analysis. External protection, like washable underwear, carries no risk of TSS and is ideal for nighttime or heavy flow.
Ready for back to school: your stress-free period management checklist
Choosing the right period protection depends on personal factors: flow, comfort, activities, and eco values. Each option has unique benefits, like period underwear for reusability or tampons for discretion. Trying out different products or switching them up during your cycle can make period management easier.
It's crucial to choose products that are safe for your body and the environment. For example, Louloucup underwear, certified OEKO-TEX 100 and made of organic cotton, combines comfort, effectiveness, and durability. They're suitable for all flows and body types, with an average lifespan of five years. Their design prevents irritation and odors, while also featuring stylish looks.
Did you know? At Louloucup, we believe that quality doesn’t have to mean sky-high prices! Since day one, Louloucup has always aimed to make its products as accessible as possible to everyone.
A few things to know about Louloucup:
Shipping is always free—you only pay for your period products and nothing else! However, please note that return shipping is at your expense.
The unit price for each item is set at €28.90 (except for a few specific models with double protection).
The unit price of each product changes when you add more items to your cart. The more products you add, the lower the price per item. That’s the idea behind our sliding scale packs.
Basically: 1 product costs €28.90. If you select 5 products (any combination), each item is €22.90.
Choosing your ideal protection means picking what suits your needs, your flow, and your lifestyle. Prioritize comfort—don’t let your period hold you back. Solutions like Louloucup combine convenience and eco-friendliness for a worry-free start to the school year.
Whether you choose pads, tampons, or reusable options, the important thing is to feel free and confident. Your period shouldn’t hold you back from your daily life. By finding your ideal routine, you turn this time into a calm experience that fits your needs.
Back to school is looking stress-free!
FAQ: The best period protection options
What is the definition of a menstrual product?
A menstrual product is a device designed to collect or absorb menstrual flow. There are two main categories: internal protection (tampons, menstrual cups) and external protection (pads, period underwear). Each type offers specific advantages: internal options are more discreet, while external ones provide more comfort. The choice depends on your flow, activities, and personal values (such as environmental concerns or budget).
Which period protection meets all your needs?
The "best" protection depends on your lifestyle and your body. Tampons are great for sports or swimming, but cups work too! Period panties offer 6 to 8 hours of comfort, even for heavy flows, while pads are easy to change. For light flows, liners are enough. You can also use period thongs or strings, which are just as absorbent and more eco-friendly. The key is to experiment: switch between products depending on the situation (sports, nights) and adjust absorption to your flow. Reusable products save money and reduce waste in the long run. Disposable products are accessible and sometimes easier to use.
Is it recommended to wear tampons overnight?
No, ANSES advises against using tampons or menstrual cups overnight due to the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Internal protection should not be worn for more than 6 consecutive hours. For safe sleep, choose menstrual underwear, thick pads, or washable pads, which can last 8 to 12 hours. These options help you avoid the risks of forgetting and provide greater peace of mind while you sleep.
To learn more...
Cool and affordable period products?
