Different Kinds of Pads

ByChondo সেপ্টেম্বর 18, 2022জুন 6, 2023

Pads are one of the widely used sanitary products in the world. They are rectangular cotton absorbent that collects released menstrual blood. We also call them sanitary napkins.

Did you know that there are different kinds of pads? They have different densities and capacities for different flows. The perfect pad should be able to absorb your flow for more than 4 hours.

Different Kinds of Pads

You might have seen sizes S-XXL written on pad covers. Sizes are a good flow indicator. Bigger sizes mean the pad is longer and wider on both ends.

Regular Pad: There are regular or standard pads that can hold medium flow well. They are about 21-24 cm in size.

Maxi Pad: Then there is the thicker sanitary napkin called the ‘maxi’ pad. This is perfect for heavy flows and medium flows too. It allows a safety net because of how much it can absorb. If you have a heavy flow, especially during the first three days, you can try out the super pad which has the most absorption capacity. These large-sized pads are 25-29 cm.

Ultra Pad: However, for those with lighter flows or period spotting, you can go for the thin or ‘ultra’ pads. They are perfect for the last day of the period too. Usually, they are not smaller in size but rather in thickness (3-4mm).

Slender Pad: Some people struggle with wearing pads because they can be visible in tight clothes. For that, you can try out the slender pads which are narrower and ideal for small-size clothes. These are not the same as panty liners.

Panty Liner: Panty liners are smaller and lighter. They are best for spotting or vaginal discharge rather than menstruation.

Night-time Pad: When it comes to sleeping during periods, you can’t change your pad within 6 hours. To counter that, there are night time pads that are longer and wider on both ends for more absorption. They are XXL size and bigger than 30 cm. You can move around but the pad will stay in place. You can prevent overnight leakage with this.

Reusable Pad: There are also reusable pads that can be cleaned with soap and water and used again. But, cleaning them after each use can be a hassle.

Scented Pad: You might have come across scented and unscented pads. Scented pads mask the smell of period, but they also have scent chemicals. This can cause irritation. However, if you smell bad during every period, it can indicate infection.

Since there are numerous pad variations, consider your flow and preferences to choose. You can use different pads for different phases as well.