Table of contents:
- The difference between pads and pantyliners
- Why do people wear pantyliners every day?
- The risks of wearing pantyliners every day
- 1. Irritation
- 2. Vaginal infection
- So, can you wear a pantyliner every day?
In matters of maintaining feminine health, every woman has her own choice. The large selection of feminine products available makes women really wise in determining which one is the best for their respective vaginas which also have different characteristics. One of the many women's products that are sold is the pantyliner.
Pantyliners are shaped like pads but smaller in size. Currently, many women wear pantyliners every day for some reason. However, is this product as safe as promised? The following is a review about pantyliners and their dangers for vaginal health. Listen carefully below.
The difference between pads and pantyliners
Pads and pantyliners are feminine products made from real or synthetic cotton. These products are able to absorb fluids that come out of the vagina such as menstrual blood or vaginal fluids.
Although both have similar basic shapes and materials, pads and pantyliners have different functions and properties. Sanitary pads are larger and have a much higher absorption rate than pantyliners. So, sanitary pads are more ideal for use as an absorber for menstrual blood when there is a lot of it.
Meanwhile, the pantyliner is very small and thin. It has little absorption, so it is not suitable for use when you have a lot of menstrual blood. Usually pantyliners are used in the last days of menstruation or before, when the vagina produces spots.
Why do people wear pantyliners every day?
There are many women who wear pantyliners every day, except during menstruation where they will wear pads or tampons. Every woman's reasons for wearing pantyliners every day are different.
Most women who are accustomed to wearing pantyliners feel compelled to do so because of the excessive production of vaginal fluids. This vaginal fluid will make underwear moist and uncomfortable to wear. So, pantyliners function to absorb vaginal fluids and keep the pants dry and free from blemishes.
Some women also have problems spotting or irregular spotting of blood. This can happen even when the woman is not menstruating. Because these blood spots are unpredictable, pantyliners can be a solution so that the spots that suddenly come out don't seep.
Another problem that causes women to wear pantyliners every day is urinary incontinence or the urge to urinate continuously. In order to prevent the incontinent discharge of urine, some women decide to use pantyliners. Pantyliner is able to absorb liquid but still feels comfortable for everyday wear because it is not as thick and as big as adult diapers or pads.
The risks of wearing pantyliners every day
Because it turns out that there are quite a lot of women who admit they wear pantyliners every day, debates about using pantyliners often arise. Pantyliner itself is actually safe for vaginal health. According to dr. Jessica Sheperd, an obstetrician and obstetrician, wears a pantyliner every day as long as you change it every 4 hours at the most.
In addition, you should also choose products that do not contain fragrances or other harmful chemicals. However, if you use a pantyliner every day and use it less wisely, there are some risks that you may have to bear.
1. Irritation
Wearing a pantyliner every day risks causing irritation of the vulva or the outside of the vagina that comes in contact with the pantyliner. The reason is, pantyliners that are sold in the market are usually not made of 100% cotton which is soft on the skin. As a result, friction with the pantyliner that occurs during the whole day is more at risk of causing irritation than friction with soft underwear.
In addition, various pantyliner products are currently mixed with several chemicals such as bleach or fragrance. For people who are sensitive to this material, even wearing a pantyliner once can cause irritation.
2. Vaginal infection
A healthy vagina is one that is breathable and has adequate air circulation. Meanwhile, the pantyliner cannot provide air circulation in the vaginal area because the bottom that is attached to the underwear is made of plastic. The plastic blocks air circulation. As a result, your feminine area will become moist due to the production of vaginal fluids and sweat. A vagina that is too humid and warm is an ideal place for bacteria and yeasts that cause vaginal infections.
So, can you wear a pantyliner every day?
If you use a pantyliner every day to treat certain problems, you should contact your doctor to provide a better diagnosis and recommendation for your problem. Excess vaginal fluid and irregular blood spots can be signs of certain diseases such as infection or uterine cancer.
However, if you choose to wear pantyliners every day, remember to keep your feminine area dry by diligently changing pantyliners every 4 hours and wearing light cotton underwear.
To prevent infection, also clean your vagina with a special feminine cleanser containing povidone-iodine, so that fungi, bacteria, and other parasites do not settle in your vagina.
In addition, you are also advised to give the vagina the opportunity to breathe at night when you sleep without wearing a pantyliner or underwear at all.
x