Choosing the Right Sanitary Pad

When you have your period, you need the assurance that your sanitary pad provides you reliable absorbency with no leakages. After all, what could be more embarrassing than having a period stain on your skirt? The sanitary pad you use should also be comfortable without giving you nasty itches or abrasions at your delicate area. Here are three important things to note when choosing a sanitary pad:

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 centre core, eliminating the chance of backflow when pressure is applied to the pad (for example when sitting down).
One way to tell whether blood is absorbed to the centre core is to observe the colour of the blood on the pad surface. The brighter or fresher the colour, the nearer the blood is to the surface, indicating higher chances of backflow and dampness. Conversely if the colour appears a duller red, it indicates that blood has been effectively absorbed so that you feel dry, confident and able to do all the activities you want without having to worry about your period!

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 pads are classified as Day or Night, with Day pads being shorter ranging from 17cm to 25cm and Night pads going all the way to 35cm or more. The longer the pad, the more fluids it can absorb.
Night pads also come with added features like wide hip guards, preventing back leakages effectively. Also, some pads come with side gathers to fit your body contours, effectively preventing side leakage when you toss and turn in bed.

Material Comfort
We're talking about the type of material the sanitary pad is made of. Sanitary pads are either cotton type or plastic netted. Each lady's skin is different, with some preferring a soft touch whilst others may prefer a netted top layer. The type of material also dictates breathability.
To add to the skin discomfort, menstrual blood and perspiration tend to stay on the skin and make it sticky on heavy flow days, giving a feeling of stuffiness and wetness. 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. While some women may think that having rashes in their delicate area is something all women have to go through during their period, they may be surprised to know that the problem may be alleviated by changing to cotton-type sanitary pads.