Just came across this wonderful review from the sweet home of the best menstrual cups available. Their eco-friendliness and money saving virtue is what leads most people to choose them but as your health practitioner I highly recommend them for other reasons!
When tampons are used they not only absorb menstrual fluid but also the normal mucous membrane secretions. These secretions are acidic (lactic and acetic acids) and are necessary to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. The menstrual pad is also not ideal (though far superior to the contraptions even a generation ago had to endure), their wicking ability helps protect the health of the labial skin but the inherent plastic liner at the bottom leads to a lack of air circulation on the labia skin itself. This effect is worsened if the person sits a lot or chooses to remove pubic hair. I’ve seen labial irritations and mild lichen sclerosis that we can trace to pad use.
There is a learning curve with menstrual cups but it is highly worth it!