Know Your Flow

The Pinkie® Blog

Should you wear a tampon overnight to sleep?

Should you wear a tampon overnight to sleep?

With tampons being as easy as they are to use, it’s natural to just forget about them and drift off for the night. But most experts advise switching to pads or period underwear for the night, and there’s good reason why. While the risk remains low, wearing a tampon...

How many tampons should I pack for vacation?

How many tampons should I pack for vacation?

Wondering how many tampons to pack for an upcoming trip? From daily guidelines to swim days, here's your complete guide to stress-free period prep for any trip. Holiday Packing List: Warm fleece coats ✅ Thermal leggings ✅ Fuzzy hat and scarf ✅ Then you remember… "Wait...

Swimming on your period: should you wear a tampon?

Swimming on your period: should you wear a tampon?

Wondering if tampons work for swimming? Learn why tampons are perfect for the pool or beach, which absorbency to choose, and top tips for swimming on your period. First off, it’s time we crush the myth: you can 100% swim on your period! If you feel up for it, that’s...

Tampon materials: the good, the bad, and the Pinkie!

Tampon materials: the good, the bad, and the Pinkie!

Tampons, heavy metals, lead - oh my! Unpack the recent research on trace metals found in tampons, what’s safe, and how to choose the best tampons for teens. Ever wonder what's actually in the tampons you're using? With studies finding unexpected chemicals in...

Tampon Hygiene: 7 Essential Dos and Don’ts

Tampon Hygiene: 7 Essential Dos and Don’ts

From how to put in a tampon to tampon hygiene best practices, learn the golden rules for safe tampon use. Plus, answers to "are tampons safe?" and more. Thinking about trying teen tampons? Already using them but want to make sure you're doing it right? You're in the...

What happens if you leave a tampon in too long?

What happens if you leave a tampon in too long?

If you’re worried about leaving a tampon in too long, you’re in the right place. Learn the golden rule for safe tampon use, TSS symptoms to watch for, and 6 easy hygiene habits. Let's be real - most of us don't write down the exact minute we put in a tampon. Between...

7 signs it’s time to change your tampon

7 signs it’s time to change your tampon

Learn the 7 key signs your tampon is full and ready to go, from the ‘tug test’ to signs of leakage. Plus, how long to safely keep tampons in. When you first start using tampons, it's natural to worry about leaks and wonder, “How do you know when your tampon is full?”...

How to Choose the Right Tampon Size for You

How to Choose the Right Tampon Size for You

From absorbency to applicator types, learn how to choose the right type of tampon for your flow, activity level, and comfort every day of your cycle. Regular, light, super, ultra tampons - oh my! These days, walking down the feminine hygiene aisle of your local CVS or...

How often should I change my tampon?

How often should I change my tampon?

Discover the golden rule for tampon changes, special situations that require sooner swaps, and easy tips to stay comfortable and safe. Wondering how long you can keep a tampon in? You're not alone! Between different absorbency levels, flow changes throughout your...

12 Honest Answers to Your Top Tampon Questions

12 Honest Answers to Your Top Tampon Questions

New to tampons? Learn ‘how long should you keep a tampon in,’ if you can swim or sleep with them, and the answers to 12 essential tampon FAQs for beginners. Thinking about trying tampons? It's completely natural to have questions. While tampons are straightforward...

Can I play sports while on my period?

Can I play sports while on my period?

The short answer: yes! In fact, research suggests exercise might actually help PMS symptoms. Explore how your menstrual cycle can affect your workouts and how to stay active throughout your cycle. You're lacing up for soccer practice when you feel it - your period...

How many pads should I pack for a summer camp?

How many pads should I pack for a summer camp?

Whether you're going on vacation or heading to summer camp, knowing how many pads to bring can be a challenge! Consider this your official guide to period planning for the summer. You just finished packing for your 3-week summer sleepaway camp: ☑ Pajamas ☑ Day clothes...

My period is heavier than my friends’. Should I be worried?

My period is heavier than my friends’. Should I be worried?

Having a heavy period is 100% normal. But if you're using 1+ pads an hour and feeling more tired than usual, something else might be going on… When you first get your period, it's natural to wonder, "Is my period normal?" And it’s only natural to look to our friends...

My period blood is brown. Is that normal?

My period blood is brown. Is that normal?

Most of the time, brown discharge or menstrual blood is nothing to worry about! But if you’re experiencing other symptoms, it could be time to see a doctor. When you hear the word, “blood,” what color do you think of? Odds are, red comes to mind pretty fast....

How do I stop overnight period leaks?

How do I stop overnight period leaks?

Wonder how to sleep on your period without leaking? Learn why overnight leaks happen and practical tips for keeping your sheets and PJs clean all night. If there’s one surefire way to throw off your plans for the day, it’s waking up to red stains on your sheets. No...

Why do I poop more on my period?

Why do I poop more on my period?

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A Teen’s Guide to Vaginal Discharge Colors & Changes

A Teen’s Guide to Vaginal Discharge Colors & Changes

Confused about changes in your discharge? Don't worry - we've all been there! Learn what different vaginal discharge colors mean, when it's healthy, and when to check with a doctor. Have you ever looked at your underwear and wondered, "Is this normal?" If so, you're...

What Your Discharge Means: Period Prediction Guide

What Your Discharge Means: Period Prediction Guide

Wondering if those discharge changes mean your period's on its way? From timing to texture, learn how to tell if your period's coming and what's normal for each stage of your cycle! You've probably been there - staring at your underwear, trying to figure out if that...

What’s this white stuff on my underwear?

What’s this white stuff on my underwear?

Internet sleuthing whether the white stuff on your underwear is normal or a sign of an infection? Here’s everything you need to know. Trying to match the substance you're experiencing with all the internet keywords can be tricky. Is your discharge pale white, or is it...

How many pads should you use a day?

How many pads should you use a day?

Wondering how often to change your pad or how many you need per day? Here's everything you need to know about the basics of pad hygiene. From "How many pads a day should I use?" to "How many times a day should you change your pad?" — there are plenty of questions to...

How do you get period blood out of clothes? 6 Simple Steps 

How do you get period blood out of clothes? 6 Simple Steps 

Period stains on your favorite clothes? Don't panic! Here's your complete guide to getting blood out of clothes with simple household items in 6 easy steps. It happens to nearly all of us - in fact, staining clothes or sheets with period blood is practically a rite of...

Can I swim on my period?

Can I swim on my period?

Worried about swimming during your period? From safety tips to shark facts, here's everything you need to know about enjoying the pool or beach during your menstrual cycle. Ahh, the old myth "you shouldn't swim on your period" — most of us have heard it at some point....

7 Quick pain relievers for period cramps

7 Quick pain relievers for period cramps

Read to explore 7 fast-acting, at-home options for pain relief for menstrual cramps. Period pain can be a real… Well, pain! But the truth is, the vast majority of women experience some pain during their menstrual cycle, with as many as 40% reporting that they get...

What do period cramps feel like?

What do period cramps feel like?

The vast majority of women experience cramps that can range from irritations to major roadblocks to our daily lives. Read to uncover common types of period pain, what causes period cramps, and more. Menstrual cramps are perhaps the most infamous of PMS symptoms. But...

Does my period smell? Plus, 6 tips to help.

Does my period smell? Plus, 6 tips to help.

The short answer: maybe a little. But probably not enough for anyone to notice! Explore the common causes of period blood smell, 6 tips to prevent period odor, and when to see a doctor. If you’ve had your first period, you may have noticed an unusual smell that came...

When and why would I need a panty liner?

When and why would I need a panty liner?

Want to know, "What are panty liners for?" You're in the right place. Explore the key differences between panty liners versus pads and when to use each! Most people think of panty liners as a menstrual product, but they're actually used much more frequently! Many...

What is vaginal discharge?

What is vaginal discharge?

Explore the colors, textures, and other signs of healthy versus unhealthy or abnormal discharge. Plus, 3 key tips to help maintain vaginal health. In the 6 months to 1 year before your period, you might notice an off-white or cream-colored fluid when you wipe with...

How to use a tampon: 5 easy steps

How to use a tampon: 5 easy steps

First time using a tampon? We’ve got you covered. Read on for 5 easy steps to comfortably insert a tampon and care tips you need to know. Using tampons can be confusing the first time. But after the first time, you’ll find tampons are a simple and easy option to use...

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms 101

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms 101

Discover key facts about PMS, from how long it lasts and what causes it to common symptoms and 4 tools for PMS relief. From movies and TV shows to pop culture, PMS has become a catch-all phrase for bad moods and cramps around the time women get their period. But PMS...

How Often Should I Change My Pad?

How Often Should I Change My Pad?

Even if you don't bleed much, you should change your pad every 3-4 hours to stay healthy and hygienic. Here are 3 guidelines for changing your pads. "How often should I change my pad?" It's one of the top questions teens and tweens ask us. And like most things with...

How Can I Prepare for My First Period?

How Can I Prepare for My First Period?

Feeling worried about getting your first period? Here are 7 quick and easy tips to get ready for your first period and say goodbye to stress! Even when you learn about periods in health class or from friends or family, it’s hard to understand what to expect until you...

What If You Get Your Period Without A Pad?

What If You Get Your Period Without A Pad?

If your period comes and you don’t have extra tampons or pads, don’t worry — You still have options! Explore 5 options for emergency period protection. We’ve all experienced that “oh no” moment when we feel our period come and realize we don’t have an extra pad,...

What is a Period? (For Teens & Tweens)

What is a Period? (For Teens & Tweens)

Demystify menstrual periods with this quick guide to everything you need to know about what a period is.  The more you learn about this naturally monthly cycle that most women go through, the less scary it becomes. In this blog, we'll walk you through all the...