When female face their period, they need the assurance that their sanitary napkin provides them reliable absorbency with no leakages. After all, what could be more embarrassing than having a period stain on the skirt? Comfort is of upmost importance, make sure your napkin is comfortable and doesn’t cause you any itchiness or irritation. Here are three important things to note when choosing a sanitary napkin:
1. Length and Flow
Blood discharge is usually heavier at the start of your period, so it is essential to choose a pad that can quickly and effectively absorb your flow.
Sanitary napkins are classified as Day-use (180mm-245mm) or Night-use (350mm-420mm), with Day pads being shorter (ranging from 180mm-245mm) and Night pads going all the way to 350mm or more. The longer the pad, the more fluids it can absorb.
Night pads also come with added features like wide hip guards to effectively prevent back leakages as you lie down. Some pads also come with side gathers to fit your body contours; this is to prevent side leakage throughout the night.
2. Material Comfort
Sanitary pads are either made of cotton or plastic netted. Everyone’s skin is different, thus the comfort levels with certain materials differ as well. Some girls prefer a soft touch whilst others may prefer a netted top layer. The type of material also affects its breath-ability.
According to a survey conducted by Kao Laboratories in Japan, when you put on a sanitary pad, humidity levels in that area of your body elevates to 85% or higher. This change could make the skin damp, tender and very sensitive.
The menstrual flow itself could lead to your discomfort. On light flow days, moisture levels are lower but the constant rubbing of your skin against the sanitary pad can give rise to abrasions, making your skin red and itchy. A common misconception among women is that having rashes in their pubic area is something all women have to go through during their period. The truth is, the problem may quite easily be alleviated by simply changing to cotton-type sanitary pads!
3. Good Absorbency
One of the most important elements of a good sanitary pad is the ability to absorb a large volume of blood in a short span of time. Blood absorbed should also be locked into the center core, eliminating the chance of back-flow when pressure is applied to the pad (for example when sitting down).
One way to tell whether the discharged blood is absorbed to the center core is to observe the color of the blood on the pad surface. The brighter or fresher the color, the nearer the blood is to the surface, potentially leading to back-flow and dampness. Conversely, if the color appears a duller red, this means that blood has been effectively absorbed so that you feel dry, confident and are able to go about your daily activities without worrying about any leakage!
