During your period, you typically release about 1/3 to 1/2 of a cup of fluid. Doesn’t sound like much, but it definitely calls for some protection.

You have two basic choices: sanitary pads or tampons, both commonly available in drugstores and supermarkets.

• Pads come in a lot of different shapes and sizes—maxi pads for heavy days, thin pads for light ones. They’re backed with adhesive that attaches the pads to your underwear to absorb the fluid.
• Tampons also come in various sizes—regular, medium, super—and are designed for different flows. They’re inserted into the vagina and are a good choice if you’re going swimming or just don’t want to wear a pad.

Tampons must be changed every four to six hours to prevent the possibility of an illness called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Wearing tampons (especially the super absorbent kind when your flow is normal) for a long time can trap bacteria inside your vagina and can cause TSS. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, headache, dizziness, sore throat and a rash or peeling skin on your hands and feet. It is rare and can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough.

Avoid scented menstrual products and douching, both during your period and beyond. They can irritate the vagina and aren’t necessary.