Disposable sanitary napkins:
There are several different types of disposable sanitary napkins:
- Panty Liner - Designed to absorb daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow, "spotting", slight urinary incontinence, or as a backup for tampon use.
- Ultra-thin - A very thin pad, which may be as absorbent as a Regular or Maxi/Super pad but with less bulk.
- Regular - A middle range absorbency pad.
- Maxi / Super - A larger absorbency pad, useful for the start of the menstrual cycle when menstruation is heavier.
- Night used - A longer pad to allow for more protection while we are sleeping, with absorbency suitable for overnight use.
- Maternity - These are usually slightly longer than a maxi/Super pad and are designed to be worn to absorb bleeding that occurs after childbirth.
The shape, absorbency and lengths varies depends on manufacturer, but usually range from the panty liner to the larger and longer overnight napkins. Long pads are offered for extra protection or for those women’s whose undergarments might not be completely protected by regular length pads, and also for overnight use.
Other options are often offered in a manufacturer's line of pads, such as wings or tabs that wrap around the sides of the woman's underwear to add additional leak protection and help secure the pad in place. Deodorant is also added to some pads, which is designed to cover menstrual odor with a light fragrance. There is even panty liners specifically designed to be worn with a thong/G-string.
Reusable menstrual pads
Main article: Cloth menstrual pad
Alternatively, women can use a washable or reusable cloth menstrual pad. These are made from a number of types of fabric —cotton flannel, or hemp (which is highly absorbent and not as bulky as cotton). Most styles have wings that secure around the underpants, but some are just held in place (without wings) between the body and the underpants. Some (particularly the older styles) are available in belted styles. Washable menstrual pads do not need to be disposed of after use and therefore offer a more environmentally and economical alternative for women. Many women response that washable products are as comfortable as disposable napkins. They are considered especially comfortable during the post-partum period, when the woman may have a very sensitive vulva. Also called "mama cloth", reusable menstrual pads can be found on a number of websites, or can be easily made at home (instructions are available online). Washable pads are often advertised in feminist publications such as Bitch magazine, as well as environmental and natural health magazines. They have become a popular alternative among some groups of women, (e.g. feminists, environmentalists and mothers who use cloth nappies/diapers), because they are more environmentally friendly, but they are also gaining in popularity among more mainstream women, because they are allergen-, chemical- and perfume-free, and can be more comfortable for women who suffer from irritations from using disposable pads.
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