The first commercial tampons were launched in the 1930s and today women use up to 12,000 menstrual hygiene products per lifetime.

1930 年代發明了第一個衛生棉商品，而時至今日，女性在一生中使用了一萬兩千個生理衛生用品

But is there a better option?

但是，有沒有更好的替代產品呢?

Should you stop wearing tampons?

你是否應該停止使用衛生棉條呢?

Despite being a completely normal biological process that half the population faces, menstruation is often taboo.

僅管這是一個半數人口會經歷的正常生理歷程，但生理期卻經常被視為一種禁忌

The menstrual cycle begins every 28 days on average, and repeats from puberty to menopause.

平均來說，生理期每28天為一個循環，從青春期到停經期，周而復始

Every month, in response to the reproductive hormones progesterone and estrogen, the lining of the uterus grows and thickens preparing for a potential pregnancy.

每個月，為了因應生殖激素黃體素與雌激素，子宮內膜會增長、加厚以便作為可能的懷孕準備，

However, if pregnancy doesn't occur, progesterone drops and the thickened lining sheds.

然而，如果沒有受孕，黃體素就會下降，增厚的內膜也會剝落

The menstrual flow is a combination of this uterine lining and blood from the arteries in your uterus,

經血是子宮內膜與來自子宮動脈的血液所組成

which is a unique trait as few other species menstruate at all.

幾乎沒有其他物種有著這樣的獨特特性

In every other mammal other than humans, primates, bats and the adorable elephant shrew,

除了人類、靈長類、蝙蝠以及可愛的象鼩之外的哺乳類動物，

the endometrium only thickens in response to getting pregnant.

子宮內膜只有在懷孕時才會增厚

During menstruation, 30-90ml of fluid is lost, and 81% of women use tampons as the primary method to absorb this blood,

在月經期間，會流失 30-90 毫升的液體，有 81% 的女性會使用棉條作為主要的方式來吸收經血，

at times in combination with pads.

偶爾會搭配使用衛生棉

Tampons use exceptionally absorbent materials like cotton and rayon that interact strongly with water.

棉條利用特殊具吸收力的物質，例如棉花和縲縈這些吸水力強的材料

And while cotton and rayon are biodegradable, the rest of the tampon isn't,

而且雖然棉花和縲縈能被生物所分解，但棉條的其他成分卻不行，

contributing to 300 pounds of waste in a woman's lifetime.

因此一名女性一生中會製造 300 磅的垃圾

The materials also provide an environment that the bacteria staphylococcus like,

這些物質也提供了像金黃色葡萄球菌這類的細菌一個適合的環境

which can lead to a rare but potentially fatal disease known as Toxic Shock Syndrome.

這可能會導致一種稱為中毒性休克症候群的疾病，雖然這情況罕見但卻有可能致命

As menstrual blood adds neutralizing proteins to the vagina, which is normally more acidic,

經血增加了原本偏酸性的陰道內的中和性蛋白，

its ability to kill bacteria is reduced.

使得其殺死細菌的能力下降

In 1983 more than 2,200 cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome were reported to the CDC, but by 1997 there were only 5 cases.

美國疾病管制中心表示在 1983 年有超過 2,200 件中毒性休克症候群的案例。但到了 1997 年卻只有五件

This decrease is attributed to education about tampons, like the need to change it at least every 8 hours

得病案例的減少歸因於有關棉條的教育，像是至少每八小時就要更換棉條，

and using the lowest absorbency for your flow.

以及根據你的流量使用吸收力最小的棉條

On top of this, tampons can lead to vaginal dryness and breakage in the skin, leaving you prone to further infection.

另外，棉條可能導致陰道乾燥、皮膚破損，讓你更容易導致後續的感染

On average, women spend close to $100 on tampons and pads a year,

平均來說，女性一年花費在衛生棉條或衛生棉的費用接近美金一百元，它們通常都被視作為

which are often taxed as "luxury goods" despite being a basic necessity.

奢侈品來徵稅，儘管它們是基本必需品

Protests have influenced governments like Canada to remove the "Tampon Tax"

抗議者已經影響了加拿大的政府取消「衛生棉條稅」，

but in many lower income nations, the high price of tampons causes girls to miss school.

但在許多低收入國家，棉條的高單價造成女孩們失學

In South Africa, 9 million girls ages 13-19 miss school because of a lack of menstrual hygiene products

在南非，有九百萬名 13 到 19 歲的女孩們因為缺乏生理衛生用品

or facilities to change them throughout the day.

或是在一整天找不到可以更換它們的地方而不能上學

One alternative solution to tampons is a menstrual cup. It's a non-absorbent reusable barrier cup that collects blood.

關於棉條的另一種替代方案是月亮杯。它是一種不吸水、可重複使用的杯裝物體，用來收集經血

The cost of the cup is significantly less than tampons, and is reusable for multiple years.

月亮杯的成本遠低於棉條，而且可重複使用好幾年

It can also be worn for 12 hours, meaning women can change it at home,

它可以置入體內十二個小時，意思是女性可以在家更換

as opposed to school or work, and it creates substantially less environmental waste.

而不用在學校或工作場合更換它，而且它大幅減少環境廢棄物

In a study where women aged 19 to 40 who had previously used tampons as their main method, were given menstrual cups for 3 cycles,

在一個實驗中，讓原先主要使用棉條 19 至 40 歲的女性使用月亮杯三個周期，

and 91% said they would continue to use the cup

91% 的受試者表示他們會繼續使用月亮杯，

and recommend it to others despite the learning curve.

並且會將月亮杯推薦給其他人，雖然使用月亮杯需要時間上手

Period blood could also save your life!

經血甚至還可以救你一命！

Scientists are developing diagnostic tests that women can use at home to monitor early signs of cancer,

科學家正在發明一些診斷測驗，好讓女性可以在家利用她們的經血來進行監測癌症、

reproductive diseases, STIs and endometriosis using their menstrual blood.

生殖疾病、性病及子宮內膜異位的早期徵兆

Additionally, stem cells found in menstrual blood are more powerful than those found in bone marrow.

此外，從經血裡頭找到的幹細胞比那些在骨髓中找到的幹細胞更為強大

These stem cells can differentiate into nine different types of cells,

這些幹細胞可以分化為九種不同的細胞類型，

meaning period blood might provide a potentially unlimited, easily collected,

意即經血也許可以提供一個可能無限制、易收集、

inexpensive and without ethical dilemma, source of stem cells for regenerative medicine!

價格低廉且不用面臨倫理困境的幹細胞來源給再生醫學！

From gross and taboo, to normal, to potentially life saving, periods are pretty cool! Period.

從噁心、禁忌，到正常生理機制、到拯救生命的潛能，經期是非常酷的啊！完畢

If you want to learn interesting scientific hacks to minimize physical pain, and emotional pain during your period, head over to my channel Ask Kimberly.

如果你想要知道更多有趣的科學秘訣來減緩經期時生、心理上的疼痛，快到我的 Ask Kimberly 頻道瞧瞧

Or you can check out my other videos, where I tackle all kinds of relationship issues as a relationship expert and a therapist.

或者你也可以看看我的其他影片，裡頭有我作為一位兩性關係專家及治療師如何處理各種感情的疑難雜症

Thanks to my brother Mitch for having me on the channel and subscribe for more weekly science videos!

感謝我的哥哥 Mitch 讓我上這個頻道，趕快按下訂閱來獲得更多的每周科學影片喔 ！