Update your 2024 sanitary napkin list! Let's find out the types of sanitary napkins and how to choose them.
July 17, 2024
•5 mins
Sanitary napkins come in contact with your vulva, which is a sensitive area, every month. This is why we should choose pads that are the most delicate and soft for your skin and health, checking their ingredients can help you protect your body from any harsh chemicals that might be present in the sanitary pads. Moreover, we should carefully choose which sanitary pad size and shape fits well with our body to protect yourself from any leakage or discomfort during your menstrual phase. Finally, for anyone who have sensitive skin that may experience allergies and rashes, make sure you know what's in your pads! Our advice? Choose one with the least ingredients and most natural components.
Currently, there are many types of sanitary napkin that are designed to answer many lifestyles, from different thicknesses, wings, or even pull-up sanitary pads. Let's not forget other types of menstrual products, i.e. menstrual cups, reusable cloths, or tampons, that are designed to handle more diverse activities, such as water sports, as well. Some shapes and sizes are also designed for how active you are during the day and night, whether you feel like sitting at home for a relaxing day or having an adventurous day - we have all options for you! For those of you you loves to move around a lot at night whilst sleeping, choosing night pads are perfect to prevent any leakage. Now, let's have a look at the different sanitary pads shapes and sizes and how we choose the most suitable one for you.
How many types of sanitary pads are there? Let's look at ira's options.
- ira Day Pads 24cm. long and 3mm. thick with wings. This pad will give you the famous "feels like touching clouds" feeling that you must try! It's suitable for moderate or heavy flow and contains 10 pieces per box for 120THB.
- ira Light Day Pads 24cm long and 1mm. with wings. Being thinner and slimmer than Day Pads, our Light Day Pads offer an invisible look and comfortable feel. However, the absorption level is lower. One box contains 10 pads for 110THB.
- ira Night Pads 35cm. long and 3mm. thick with wings. No more worries about leakage during the night because our pad also covers the side for those who move or sleep sideways, making sure you're protected from all angles and have a good sleep. One box has 6 pads for 95THB.
- ira Panty Liners 15cm long. This is suitable for all secretions, whether it's discharge, period, or pee. For those who doesn't like scrubbing your underwear everyday, this is also a solution to help you wash your underwear quickly and take care of your favourite pants so they can last longer. A box has 16 pieces for 75THB
Sanitary pads and panty liners by ira are made of all natural ingredients with no chemical additives compared to conventional pads that are made of 100% synthetic fibres and chemicals, making ira pads 99% biodegradable. This means are ira sanitary napkins and panty liners are suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive ones, and doesn't cause rashes, allergies, or redness. Our natural bamboo and corn fibre blend also means you will experience silky smooth texture that are breathable.
How many sizes do sanitary pads have, and how do you choose?
As many of you already know, liquids drip down in the direction of gravity and so does our menstrual blood. This is why finding the right size and shape of sanitary pads for you is so important. Some things you have to pay attention to include the amount of period, the shape of your body, and how active your lifestyle is. By choosing the right fit for you, you will remove all worries and danger of leakages throughout the day. Sanitary napkins are mainly distinguished by their length and thickness - let's take a look at them.
- 19 - 25 cm. or day pads are suitable for day use and normal activities like walking or sitting - nothing too adventurous. You can opt for the slim and thin version for the invisible look or the soft and cushiony ones that give you comfort and more absorption.
- 29-35 cm. or night pads are suitable for nighttime. They are designed to prevent leakages throughout the night by ensuring protection in all angles and sides. Whether you're sleeping sideways or moving a lot during the night, these pads are designed to support all motion. For anyone who moves around a lot during the day or like to lay down a lot during the day, you might want to opt for these pads as well to make sure there is no leakage during the day. If you feel like day pads, which are shorter, don't fully cover your front or back, you may also prefer going for night pads that are longer instead. Our advice? Go for whatever gives you the most confidence whether it's day pads, night pads, or two day pads stuck top and bottom!
- 35 - 42 cm. the longest sanitary napkin you'll ever see! This is for the girlies with heavy flow or those who move around a lot. For people who like to flip from side to side at night this might be the length range for you too. For people with wider hips, you should also go for this length range to ensure that all areas are covered and won't give you any period stains during the day or night!
- 15 - 17 cm or panty liners are suitable for everyday use. Most people would use panty liners for discharge, light menstrual flow, or bladder leakage. However, you can use this every day to prevent any secretions from ruining your favourite pair of underwear since discharges from your vagina are acidic and can bleach your fabric over a long period of time. For those who use panty liners every day, don't forget to always change your panty liners every 2-3 hours as well despite having no secretions. Wearing your panty liners for a long time could lead to dampness and infections.
Tips and tricks for clean and hygienic use of sanitary napkins for your vaginal health.
- Wash your hands before and after changing your sanitary napkins to prevent any germs from entering the vagina.
- No matter how dry your sanitary napkin feel or how good the absorption is you should still change your sanitary pad every 2-3 hours for good hygiene. This will prevent any bacterial growth that could lead to infections or unpleasant smell from happening.
- For people with sensitive skin and can get allergic reactions or redness easily, you should choose sanitary pads with no chemicals e.g. dyes, perfumes, or bleach. Opt for sanitary pads that use natural fibres and organic. This will reduces the risk of allergies, rashes, and redness from occuring.
- Choose sanitary pads that are soft to touch, so you feel comfortable and not irritated during the day. Synthetic fibres or plastics can also cause friction and irritation on the skin if you move around a lot, expecially around the wing areas, so choosing a delicate material for you will be very helpful.
- Check the expiry date before use! For those of you that love stocking up, don't forget to always check the due date for your products because the quality may decrease the longer you keep them.
- After using your pads, remember to roll and wrap them up before disposing to be mindful of others. If you use biodegradable sanitary napkins, such as ira pads, you can also dispose them by burying it in your backyard or in your compost bin!