How to Use Sanitary Pads
Sanitary pads are made of absorbing fabric and attach to the underwear using a sticky layer on the back and wings. The inside part of the pad is made of the material that absorbs the menstrual fluids.
5-Minute Crafts has prepared detailed instructions regarding sanitary pads, including how to use them, how to throw them away correctly, how often they should be replaced, and what you should pay attention to.
The advantages of using sanitary pads
- Pads are easy to use, which is why women that have just started getting their periods prefer them.
- Pads are produced in a lot of different variants for different intensities of menstruation.
- They’re ideal for wearing overnight since tampons can only be used for 4-8 hours and menstrual cups, 8-12 hours.
- Using pads almost completely excludes the risk of toxic shock syndrome — a dangerous complication that happens because of a toxin buildup produced by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Usually, the risk factors increase when you use superabsorbent tampons or menstrual cups.
The disadvantages
- The outline of the pad can be seen from under the clothes, which may make women feel uncomfortable.
- Women can’t swim with pads and it’s hard to do certain kinds of sports.
- Sanitary pads can get displaced, which can lead to leaks.
- Pads are hard to wear with thong underwear.
- Disposable pads end up in dumpsters and hurt the environment.
How to choose sanitary pads
There are different sizes of sanitary pads.
- Thin for if you’re not bleeding a lot
- Regular for average bleeding
- Superabsorbent for heavy bleeding
In addition, there are pads with wings that fix the pad on the sides of the underwear to protect it from leaks and stains. You can use any pad that suits your needs.
How to use pads
- Open the pad.
- Remove the protective layer from the sticky part on the pad.
- Put the pad into your underwear with the sticky side facing the fabric. Make sure they stick together — it will help you prevent leaks.
- If you have wings on the pad, spread them, remove the protective piece from the sticky part, and wrap them around the sides of your panties.
How to dispose of pads
Wrap the used pad in toilet paper or a pack from a new pad and throw it into the trash. Never flush the pads down the toilet — it can lead to clogging.
How often you should replace the pads
Experts recommend replacing pads every 4-8 hours or even more often if you feel uncomfortable.
Also, pads can be left on overnight in order to prevent you from having to get up in the middle of the night to change them. If you’re bleeding too much, you need superabsorbent pads.
Reusable pads
Reusable pads are made of thick fabric and function like regular pads but can be washed and used again.
Reusable pads are good if you suffer from skin irritation from regular pads, you want to save money, or you care a lot about the environment. Of course, it’s not very easy to wash and dry such pads, especially if you’re away from home.