Tips for choosing sanitary napkins that are safe and comfortable to wear

Menstruation is a guest that always comes to you every month. During menstruation, you really need sanitary pads to collect the blood that comes out so it doesn't leak everywhere. However, don't choose pads carelessly! Choose sanitary napkins that are safe for the health of your reproductive organs, and also still comfortable to wear.

Tips for choosing safe sanitary napkins

You should at least change pads up to 4-6 times a day during your period. In order to stay safe and comfortable with your activities, choose sanitary napkins that meet the following characteristics:

1. Types of pads

There are two common types of dressings, disposable pads and cloth pads. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

Cloth pads can be used repeatedly after only spending one money. However, some women may find cloth pads to be quite a hassle. The reason is that you have to wash the pads every time you use them so that they can be used again.

In addition, as reported by Kompas, Frederico Patria, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, stated that cloth pads tend to get damp quickly and make them uncomfortable.

On the other hand, disposable pads are well known for their practicality. After use, you can immediately throw it away. However, disposable pads are produced by a variety of chemical processes. Wearing sanitary napkins may make some women prone to irritation due to exposure to chemicals.

So consider the advantages and disadvantages before buying. After that, you can determine which pads are the most safe and comfortable to use.

2. Absorption

The amount of menstrual blood that comes out may vary for each woman every day. There are people who menstruate profusely, some are a little at a time.

Well, how much blood you usually bleed must also be a consideration when choosing the safest sanitary napkin.

Choose pads with good absorption and in accordance with the amount of blood that usually comes out when you are menstruating.

Usually, different brands of pads may also have different absorbency.

Apparently, the thickness of the bandage did not significantly affect the absorbency of the bandage itself. So, thin pads will not necessarily leak easily. There have been many thin pads but can accommodate a considerable volume of blood.

The absorbency of the pads that can be felt between individuals can also be different. For that, you can first try different brands of pads to find the one that suits you best. Also, ask your friends or those closest to you for recommendations.

You may want to wear pads with high absorption or maximum thickness on days when a lot of blood is coming out. Meanwhile, when the blood has started a little, you can use a thin bandage with a lighter absorption.

3. Sanitary napkins

Now there are many choices of sanitary napkins that are added with fragrances. However, you should choose pads that don't contain perfume or fragrances to be safe. Especially if you have sensitive skin.

Adding perfume to pads is not vaginal safe. Even so according to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., an obstetrician in the United States. The fragrances in sanitary napkins include allergens that can easily irritate sensitive vaginal skin areas.

The reaction can range from itching, rash, to swelling of the vagina. In addition, sanitary napkins that contain fragrances can also damage the balance of bacteria in the vagina. If the balance is disturbed, the risk of bacterial and fungal infections can increase.

Of course, this makes you very uncomfortable during menstruation. So, choose sanitary napkins without added fragrance so that the vagina is protected from irritation.

No need to buy scented pads just to make your vagina smell more friendly. Vaginal odor during menstruation does tend to be more offensive to the nose, but generally this is normal.

4. The length and shape of the bandage

Apart from absorbency, you can also choose pads based on their length and shape.

Some people may feel safer when wearing very long pads. However, some others prefer to use pads of standard length.

Some women are also more comfortable wearing bandages with wings. while others are not.

Again, this is a personal choice. It's just that it is important to consider the absorption capacity so that all the blood that comes out can be fully accommodated and not easily leak.

To be safe, change the bandage more often if you are concerned that the blood that flows out will leak or not be fully absorbed.

Also, you may need to change them more frequently if you don't like wearing long pads for added protection.

When to change pads?

Too long not changing the bandage is not good. When the pads are no longer able to hold blood and you can't replace them, leaks can occur. This of course will be very troublesome.

Reporting from the Kids Health page, changing sanitary napkins depends on how much blood comes out. However, in general, it is recommended that you change the pads every 3 to 4 hours. This also applies when the menstrual blood that comes out is not too much.

However, it is important that you change your sanitary napkins regularly even if you don't have much blood or can still be absorbed. This is not only to prevent leakage, but also to prevent odors and bacteria from the menstrual blood.

Don't forget to wash the full sanitary napkin until there is no more blood in it. If you can't wash it, wrap the used sanitary napkin in a plastic bag first before throwing it away.