Tampon breakdown: sports vs. regular vs. the Diva Cup

Tampons and running isn’t a very talked about subject. But let’s face it, periods often affect running and race performance. So do tampons. Why do you have to be more mindful of your tampon choice when going for a run? Running is a very vigorous sport and tampons can become an annoyance if they don’t stop leaks or if they slip out of place. That just makes running uncomfortable. Luckily there are many options out there, from regular tampons to sports-specific ones to the diva cup. Here’s your breakdown on each.

Regular tampons: 

Regular tampons will do just fine while you’re running. If you get the right ones. Not all non-sports tampons are the same and not all are equal when it comes to running. Finding the best type is going to be a case of trial and error as different shapes work for different women. Test a variety of brands and absorbency to find the one that works best. In general, many women find plastic tampons with contoured applicators are easier to use. When it comes to selecting one that will stay in place during a run though, look for ones that are shorter in the body but still absorbent like U by Kotex or Tampax Pearl. Longer ones are more likely to shift out of place so steer clear.

Sports tampons:

There are a bunch of different sports or active tampons on the market for athletic women. Many of them claim to be slimmer fit or have special extra leak guards. Perhaps the best-known sports tampon is Playtex Sport Tampon. Playtex’s claim to fame with this one is that the tampons expand 360 degrees, not just width-wise. They advertise it as being ideal for swimming, biking and running. Keep in mind when shopping for these products that though they have extra bells and whistles, part of their success is clever marketing. You can still be active and use the same tampons that you use when not working out.

Diva Cup:

Many runners swear by The Diva Cup. The cup is extra flexible and made of silicone. Plenty of women claim that they cannot feel the cup which is a good enough reason to wear it while running. The Diva Cup only has to be emptied twice daily so that means that it could be a really great option when a heavy flow day happens on the long run.