Utilizing sanitary pads is key to enjoying an easy period. They seal away blood leakage while simultaneously keeping you feeling clean and dry.
Sanitary napkins come in different sizes and absorbencies, making it essential to conduct some experimentation to determine which is the ideal one for you. Pad options range from small panty liners to overnight pads.
They soak up menstrual blood
A sanitary pad is an absorbent cloth designed to absorb menstrual blood. Available in different shapes, sizes and absorbencies (from slim panty liners to large overnight pads), they come in handy during menstruation to keep panty liners from becoming overflowing with blood. Some even feature deodorant capabilities.
As with baby diapers, disposable pads utilize superabsorbent polymer (SAP). SAP fabrics are thin nonwoven fabrics designed to keep skin feeling clean while also being used for light menstrual flows, spotting, backup tampon use and post-intercourse discharge.
Low-income women and girls struggle to maintain good menstrual hygiene due to a lack of affordable and reliable sanitary products, leading to school absence, decreased educational achievement and social embarrassment. It is possible to lower costs by seeking out low-cost natural materials with biodegradability such as Goonj’s recycling of urban surplus fabric into pads by hand cutting it, bamboo wadding has proven itself as having superior absorbency compared to cotton terry cloth, hemp cloth and linen cloth – such as this item from Goonj.
They are made of absorbent material
A sanitary pad consists of three components: the top sheet, absorbent core and water-resistant barrier film. The top sheet channels menstrual flow directly into the absorbent core which is protected with polyethylene back cover that keeps it waterproof; additionally, this pad features non-woven fleece fabric that keeps its bottom dry to reduce leakage.
The best reusable menstrual pads are constructed of breathable fabrics that quickly absorb and dry out, such as cotton or bamboo, without synthetics, chemicals, fragrances or GMOs – plus small batches are produced and labeled for easy identification in your stash.
FRI is used to measure absorbency of sanitary pads. To perform the test, place a sample of fabric into a container filled with liquid and measure how quickly it absorbs it – this time period typically ranges between four minutes and two hours for cotton terry cloth or bamboo wadding materials to absorb all liquid.
They have a sticky bottom
Sanitary pads feature an adhesive strip at the base that presses into the crotch of underwear to keep it secure, while most also include wings that fold over edges of underwear to help prevent leakage. Many also contain fragrant aromatherapy scents to leave them smelling fresh and pleasant; however, such scents may irritate sensitive skin so it is wiser to opt out if possible.
Sticky bottom sanitary pads may cause friction against your vulva, leading to contact or friction rashes. You can avoid this situation by choosing smaller pads or wearing loose underwear; alternative options like tampons or menstrual cups might also prove helpful in managing menstruation symptoms.
Some sanitary pads come equipped with adhesive strips or press studs that make fastening them under clothing easier, using FDA-approved glue similar to craft glue sticks; additionally, there are also elastomeric adhesives which provide greater elasticity and bonding strength.
They can be scented
Pads offer an alternative to tampons that is more comfortable and does not involve touching your vagina. Unfortunately, pads may cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS), so be mindful when changing them frequently or risk developing toxic shock syndrome yourself. Furthermore, some women may react badly to scented pads and switch over to unscented versions instead.
No matter if a woman chooses scented or unscented feminine hygiene products, she should regularly cleanse her intimate area using a gentle vaginal cleanser and avoid tight leggings, thongs or synthetic underwear that may irritate sensitive vaginal skin.
Recent research discovered that scented pads produce volatile organic compounds which are toxic, can cause irritation, and some are even considered carcinogenic; several are carcinogens deemed reproductive and developmental toxicants; these emissions also threaten environmental contamination while harming those exposed; particularly with those that contain hydrocarbons in them.
