Women and girls worldwide rely on sanitary pads to manage their periods effectively. Today’s modern pads provide increased comfort, leak protection, and eco-friendly options that cater to different feminine needs.
Sanitary pads provide easy access for women and girls during menstruation, enabling them to continue with daily activities uninterrupted by menstrual cramps or period underwear.
Absorbency
Modern sanitary pads offer women several advantages over the cloth-like menstrual products of yesteryear. These modern pads come in various shapes and lengths to meet various user needs; many can even be worn overnight and provide side leak protection called wings to reduce leakage on underwear.
Sanitary pads use SAPs (Superabsorbent Polymers) to quickly absorb and secure fluids within its core, where a top layer funnels it. SAPs may either be mixed with fluff pulp to form an absorbent structure which is then covered with nonwoven fabric layers.
Hot melt adhesives are used to adhere the layers together. It must be strong enough to keep it from moving around on skin but gentle enough that removal doesn’t cause discomfort or irritation. Each sanitary pad must then undergo a final inspection process to ensure it meets quality and safety standards before being packaged for shipping.
Comfort
Unlike tampons, sanitary pads feature both an absorbent side to comfortably lay against your vulva and an adhesive part which adheres to underwear for easier usage throughout the day. This makes sanitary pads convenient and comfortable to wear as frequent changes can be made throughout your day if desired.
There is an assortment of sanitary pads to select from, varying in terms of thickness and absorbency. Girls with lighter periods might go for thinner pads while those experiencing heavier bleeding might prefer thicker pads for maximum absorbency.
Some sanitary napkins come equipped with wings – absorbent flaps that can be wrapped around panties to stop leakage from the sides – which is especially helpful if someone experiences heavy bleeding during certain days of their period. This feature makes heavy bleeding less of an issue.
UNICEF procures disposable, fragrance-free sanitary pads designed for girls and women experiencing medium to heavy menstrual flow. Each set includes holders, winged and straight pads that can be worn over underwear; these disposable sanitary pads can be reused up to 60 times before needing to be washed out and replaced with clean pads.
Disposal
Disposable pads are an efficient and practical solution for managing menstrual flow. Their use is straightforward and they remain in place during use; plus, many sizes have wings available at most grocery stores and pharmacies.
Prior to the advent of disposable sanitary pads, women used cloth rags or even linen towels to absorb their periods. Once used, these were washed and reused.
Initially, disposable pads took the shape of cotton wool or similar fibrous rectangles covered with an absorbent liner and extended front and back to fit through loops in a special girdle or belt worn under undergarments – an arrangement which often proved problematic as it allowed its position to shift either forwards or backwards over time.
Once used, pads should be wrapped in toilet paper or one of the special disposal bags sold by certain brands for easy disposal. Once packaged up properly and placed into a bin with lid for proper disposal. Flushing pads down toilets isn’t advised as this can clog pipes and damage sewage systems.
Size
Finding a comfortable, leak-free pad size is crucial for providing comfortable protection. Your flow may fluctuate during your period; therefore, utilize a size chart and try various pads before selecting the ideal option for yourself. Active women might benefit from long or wing pads to increase coverage and security.
On days with heavy flows, large pads may be your ideal solution. These longer length pads have wide backs for extra absorbency to allow you to move and sleep comfortably without fear of leakage.
People today are opting for non-chemical, biodegradable and organic pads due to an increase in environmental awareness. This trend has driven manufacturers to innovate more sustainable products which is further driving market expansion. Retail pharmacies and supermarkets are prominent distributors of sanitary pads due to their easy availability for customers while offering trusted advice and support – another factor contributing to their popularity.
