According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-2016, about 121 million women use sanitary napkins in India. But despite being the mainstream period product, it is still not used correctly. The result? Well, apart from ruining your lacey undies and fancy lowers, it causes discomfort, irritation, and worse still—infections! It may be annoying but Aunt Flo’s monthly visit is a part and parcel of life. You know what the silver lining is? You can avoid the discomfort and leakage while you’re on the go, sleeping, or working out. How? Scroll down to all about how to use sanitary pads correctly.
How To Use Disposable Sanitary Pads
Let’s admit it disposable sanitary pads make our lives easier during a hellish period week. The use-and-throw aspect of this period product is what makes them so popular. However, cashing in on their convenience boils down to using them correctly. If you’re wondering how to use sanitary pads the right way, here are four easy steps to follow:
Step 1: Choose The Right Pad
Using the right pad means half the battle is won. If you experience heavy bleeding, use a high-absorbency, large-sized pad with wings. If you have sensitive skin, go opt for a breathable cotton pad without wings. Light period flow calls for a thin, medium or small-sized pad to keep you comfy. You can even mix and match and use thinner, smaller pads for lighter days and bigger, thicker ones for heavy-flow days.
Step 2: How To Put It On
Before you pick out a pad from the pack, make sure you wash your hands and sit in a comfortable position with your undies down to your knees. Now, remove the wrapper and stickers from the pad and place it on the base of your underwear. If your pad has wings, fold them around the outside of your panties. Press it gently to make sure it sticks properly and wear your underwear like you normally do. You can do a little ‘walk test’ to check if the pad is placed right and feels comfortable. And you are all done! Pro tip: to prevent staining, infections, and irritation, don’t forget to change your pad every three-four hours.
Step 4: Remove & Dispose
For pad removal, you’ve got to get in the same sitting position with your undies down to your knees and hands thoroughly washed. Detach the wings from the back of your underwear’s base and pull out the pad. Wrap it in newspaper or a biodegradable disposal bag and toss it in the bin. Do not flush the pad as it can clog the drains and lead to a back flow of dirty water. Put a new pad on by following everything mentioned in the previous step and you’re good to go.
POPxo Recommends Best Sanitary Pads: Sirona’s Rash-Free Pads
Sirona’s Rash-Free Pads are ultra-thin, bio-based, breathable, and gentle on the skin. Unlike most pads in the market, they don’t contain toxic chemicals like chlorine, parabens, and artificial colours. They’re extremely absorbent and provide long-lasting, leak-proof protection. They’re available in two different sizes—large and small—so you can choose one according to your body type and period flow.
How To Use Reusable Sanitary Pads
By now, you’re already familiar with how to use sanitary pads and their convenience. However, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board, 12.3 billion sanitary napkins, amounting to 113,000 tonnes of waste, reaches India’s landfills annually. Given this staggering number, it is important to take a step towards “green menstruation” and give sustainable period products a go. Enter reusable pads. They’re made with skin-friendly fabric and keep you comfier than their disposable synthetic counterparts. They can last for up to 60-100 washes, making them fit for use for almost three years. They help you save a tonne of money and miminise waste creation. If you’re planning to switch but have no idea about how to use them, we’ve got you covered. All you need to do is to follow these two easy steps:
Step 1: How To Put It On
The process of putting on a reusable pad is almost the same as that of a disposable one. You need to sit comfortably with your undies down to your knees and hands washed thoroughly. Now, place the reusable pad on the base of your underwear. Instead of adhesives, reusable pads are fastened around your underwear with poppers, clips or velcro. So use them to secure your pad and you’re set to go about your day as you would with a disposable pad on.
Step 2: Change & Wash
Reusable pads must be changed every four-six hours. Remove it by unclipping it or pulling it out if it has a velcro. When you’re on the go, you can carry a few reusable pads along with an odour-concealing sanitary bag to store the used ones. You can go home, wash them thoroughly and dry them before using the pads again. While at home, you can simply wash your pad immediately after removing it and leave it out to dry.
POPxo Recommends Best Reusable Pads: Sirona Reusable Sanitary Pads
Made with skin-friendly, breathable fabric, these pads come with wings that can be buttoned together for leak-proof protection for up to six hours. Their contoured design keeps you comfy and fresh all day long while on your period.
POPxo Recommends Best Sanitary Bag: Sirona’s Sanitary Disposal Bags
These oxo-biodegradable sanitary disposal bags come in handy if you’re using a reusable pad while on the go. They’re leak-proof, tamper-resistant, and odour-concealing. So you can store and carry your used pads back home easily.
Now that you’re equipped with all the info on how to use sanitary pads, we’re sure that your period will be manageable and hassle-free. We’d also like to urge you to switch to reusable pads. If not, make sure that your sanitary pad is made of biodegradable material instead of plastics and toxic chemicals. Cheers to a happy and sustainable period!
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read:
Facts About Period: Get to know Aunt Flo better in order to manage her well.
Benefits Of Using Period Tracker: You’ve got to keep track of Aunt Flo and the changes that happen in your body during your menstrual cycle. Here’s why.
Best Exercises During Periods: Yes, it’s actually healthy to work out during shark week.
Foods To Eat During Periods: Including these foods in your diet can make shark week easier.
Kinds Of Sanitary Pads: Sanitary pad users, take note. Read on to know about the different kinds of pads and choose the best one for yourself.
