As a woman, your body may experience many changes over the course of a lifetime, including puberty, pregnancy and menopause. When juggling the ever-changing demands of studies, career, family and more, the last thing you want to worry about is feminine protection. This guide is designed to help you find the to best suit your lifestyle.

In order to choose the right feminine hygiene product for your lifestyle, it's a good idea to brush up on what options are available to you.

Sanitary pads, or sanitary napkins, are made of layers of cotton or synthetic materials and have a sticky strip on the bottom that adheres to your underwear. Pads, which soak up menstrual fluid after it leaves the body, are made in different thicknesses for lighter and heavier discharge. To prevent embarrassing leaks and unsightly stains, some pads offer extra cotton on the sides that fold over the edges of your underwear, called "wings." Pads also come in deodorized or unscented varieties.

It's best to change pads at least every 3 to 4 hours. If your period is heavy, you may need to replace your pad more often. If pads are not changed frequently, you may run the risk of vaginal bacteria buildup and odor.

Another type of feminine protection, similar to sanitary pads, is pantiliners. Also known as panty shields, pantiliners are usually shorter and thinner than regular pads. Pantiliners are worn on very light flow days, or may be used as added protection in combination with a tampon.

A tampon is also made of cotton, rayon or a combination of both materials compressed into a tiny tubular shape. Tampons are inserted into the vagina using a special applicator or with your fingers to absorb menstrual fluid. As with pads, tampons come in different sizes for heavier and lighter periods, and they also come in deodorizing scents. Tampons should be changed at least every 4 to 8 hours.

Tampons are associated with TSS, a rare but serious disease which may sometimes cause death.

TSS is believed to be caused by toxin producing forms of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is normally found in the vagina of some women. Without this bacterium, tampons alone have not been found to cause TSS. However, there are studies which have indicated that tampons, in the presence of some forms of this bacterium, are associated with an increased risk of menstrual TSS.

Leaving a tampon in for longer than the recommended wear time and using tampons with higher absorbency than needed may increase your risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS),

Therefore, you should use a tampon with the lowest absorbency that meets your menstrual flow needs. In addition, you should not leave a tampon in for longer than 8 hours.

Symptoms of TSS may include a sudden high fever accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea, fainting or near fainting when standing up, dizziness or a sunburn-like rash. These symptoms usually appear very quickly and are often severe. Not all TSS cases are alike. All symptoms are not always present. Other signs might be aching of muscles and joints, redness of eyes, sore throat and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue using tampons at once and see a doctor.

Once you know your protection choices, it's time to evaluate your lifestyle to choose the feminine hygiene product that's right for you.

When menstrual cycles first begin, usually after the age of 12, some teenagers may experience irregular periods for the first few years as their bodies adjust. In order to prepare for a sometimes irregular period teenagers may want to wear a pad designed for light to moderate protection in case their period arrives unexpectedly. Such pads can save teens embarrassing moments at that pool party or sleepover.

Heavy protection pads with wings are ideal for nighttime menstruation as well as perfect for the athletic on-the-go teenager.

For women who become pregnant and give birth, sanitary pads offer protection on a variety of different levels. Some women may experience spot bleeding during pregnancy and want a little protection by using a light pad and for post partum bleeding, new moms may choose the heavier pads with wings. After pregnancy, women may continue to experience light bleeding and bladder leakage and may choose to wear a thin pad

During perimenopause, when a woman's periods become more irregular and, therefore, less predicable, spotting may be common and your period may arrive more irregularly - sometimes light or heavy. Women experiencing this change in their menstrual cycle might consider using a light pantiliner and keep a more durable pad around for the heavier days. Most sanitary pads also offer odor freshness and control that can be associated with menopausal vaginal dryness.

Just as women now have more choices in life than in past generations, they also have more freedom to choose from a variety of products that best suit their active lifestyles. Today's feminine protection products are designed to help women of all ages feel comfortable and confident throughout their busy lives. No matter what changes your body is going through or what challenges life throws your way, using the right feminine protection products will help you be prepared for just about anything.

This article was provided by the makers of STAYFREE® Brand, McNEIL-PPC, Inc. STAYFREE® Brand offers a full line of designed to help women of all ages feel fresher and drier throughout their busy lives. For more information, please visit