Sanitary pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material designed to adhere to undergarments and collect menstrual blood. Also referred to as sanitary napkins.
Soft pads offer an ideal alternative for girls with heavy periods and those who find tampons irritating to the vaginas, helping prevent leakage while still enabling girls to participate in their usual activities without worry of leakage.
Comfort
Comfort is of primary concern when selecting sanitary pads for many women. They want to feel clean and dry, protect themselves from leaks and odors, and enjoy an ideal fit. Sanitary napkins can meet these needs through various design features such as special topsheets that funnel fluid directly into their core; others have wings or adhesive strips to stop movement during physical activity; modern pads also use thin cores which contain SAPs to minimize leakage.
Absorbency levels in pads should also be carefully considered. Because most girls experience both heavy and light days, some may find it beneficial to use different absorbencies during each period. Furthermore, some brands offer reusable or washable menstrual pads which can be washed and sterilized – these offer an environmentally-friendly option made of non-toxic materials and come complete with biodegradable disposal bags for disposal purposes.
Absorbency
Absorbency is of critical importance to women’s confidence and comfort. Early pads were up to two centimetres thick and leakage was an issue; nowadays they’re much thinner with a thin topsheet funnelling fluid into an absorbent core made of natural or synthetic fluff materials called SAPs for optimal absorbency.
Position and size of SAP particles play a pivotal role in optimizing the absorption capacity of composites. Furthermore, their swelling rate plays a major role and the design of the core has an immense effect on performance of pads.
Modern feminine hygiene products feature thin cores manufactured using air-laid technology that are loaded with SAPs to quickly capture menstrual blood and lock it away, thus minimizing leakage and odour. Furthermore, for comfort and fit purposes these products feature wings to prevent leakage while holding securely into place.
Breathability
The pads must quickly pass liquid through (rapid strike-through) while restricting back flow (wet-back). Furthermore, their surfaces must present soft yet fibrous textures to the skin for maximum comfort and performance.
Breathability is essential in sanitary pads as it prevents an anaerobic environment that typically prevails between skin and wearer-facing surface of pad, and allows oxygen into the area to reduce sweat production and inhibits microorganism growth that causes unpleasant smells.
Butterfly’s breathable menstrual pads are specially crafted from high-grade materials that are free from VOCs and phthalates, making them suitable for women with sensitive skin who come into prolonged contact with multiple substances and long exposure periods. Their pads have also been certified OE Sterilization to ensure maximum hygiene levels during your cycle – great news if your flow varies between medium to heavy! They offer various sizes as well for added convenience!
Leakage
Leakage can be one of the most annoying parts of having a period, so choosing an appropriately sized pad and positioning it properly to reduce leakage. Donning underwear securely is also key in this regard and can significantly decrease leakage.
Manufacturing processes involve coating sanitary pads with chemicals known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which have been linked with hormone disruption and health concerns such as liver damage and thyroid disease. Some tampons also contain PFASs that have been linked with liver damage and thyroid disease.
Disposable menstrual pads can irritate skin that is thinner and more delicate around the labia and vulva area, such as thin labia and vulva skin, due to friction, moisture or heat irritating it. Certain brands of disposable pads that contain fragrances, dyes or synthetic materials could also contribute to this rash; changing type or brand could help avoid this outcome.
