Period Education - How To Use Sanitary Pads

Menstruation and menstrual cycle are natural biological processes that hold a vital place in any woman’s reproductive life. These form the basis of the entire human existence and therefore it is also crucial to not just celebrate them but also learn about them rightly through mandatory period education. This will ensure the good reproductive health of menstruators and also inculcate in them a sense of confidence. The first step towards this is learning about the menstrual cycle and menstruation, their significance and the various menstrual hygiene products, especially the most commonly used sanitary pads. This article will thus help you learn about them, with a primary focus on pads and how to use sanitary pads for managing periods and staying hygienic and healthy during this time. 

Period Education - What is the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation 

The menstrual cycle refers to the series of changes that occur in your body periodically to hello make pregnancy possible. This includes changes in the production and level of certain hormones as well as structural changes in your uterus and ovaries. Your menstrual cycle consists of 4 phases viz. Menstruation, Follicular phase, Ovulation and Luteal Phase. Typically, this cycle repeats itself every 24-38 days. 

Menstruation marks the beginning of this cycle and can last anywhere from 3 to 7 days and is more commonly known as periods. You experience the discharge of bloody fluid from your vagina during this time which is essentially a mixture of the uterine lining, mucous and blood. An ovum is released by your ovaries during the ovulation phase and enters the uterus which is already prepared for its nesting with the thickening of the uterine lining (follicular phase). In the absence of fertilization though, this egg and the lining disintegrate and are ejected out of the body in the form of menstrual blood, causing menstruation or periods.

Through a first-period guide, you can learn to manage this stage by using menstrual products such as sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups etc. The most common of them are pads. So, let us learn more about them including how to use sanitary napkins properly. 

Period Education- Sanitary Pads

What are Sanitary Napkins? 

Sanitary napkins, also known as sanitary pads or period pads, are simple devices used to manage periods by absorbing menstrual blood. They are made using an absorbent fabric which is laid down in several layers to form a potent system preventing leakage and staining. Pads greatly help to keep you dry and comfortable all through the day by quickly soaking up the fluid preventing it from seeping out. They also help to keep you fresh by absorbing odours and imparting a pleasant smell.

Types of Sanitary Napkins

There are many different kinds of pads available in the market today. You can find different pads designed to accommodate different flow intensities, If you usually experience low, normal or heavy period flow, you can opt for corresponding pads viz low, regular or heavy flow pads respectively. In addition to these, you can also get thick and cushiony pads or thin and discreet pads. Or if you need a pad to protect you from leakages and staining during the nighttime, then you can choose overnight sanitary pads which are specially designed for use while sleeping and protect for longer hours. 

How to Use Sanitary Napkins? 

If you have just started experiencing periods or if you are unaware of how to use sanitary pads correctly then this first-period guide can help you. Pads are the simplest menstrual hygiene products which are the easiest and the most convenient to use. Just follow the below-given steps to use them properly. 

Using a Pad:

• First of all, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Take out a fresh pad from its package.
• Sit in a relaxed position on a chair or on the toilet seat. You can also stand if you are more comfortable that way.
• It is best to be wearing your underwear beforehand and then pulling it down to your knee level to be able to use the pads most effectively.
• Now peel off the backing paper of the pad and carefully paste it on the gusset of your panty. Make sure the core of the pad falls directly below your vaginal opening.
• If your pad also has wings, peel their backing papers and stick them as well, going around the sides of your panty.
• You are now ready to use the pad. 

Changing or Removing a Pad:

If your pad is full or it is more than 6 hours of using it, then you must change it. Make sure to never keep the same pad on for more than 8 hours to prevent rashes due to wetness overflow or infections caused by bacterial growth. Regular changing ensures dryness, comfort and safety.

To change a used pad, all you need to do is peel it off from your panty’s gusset and roll it up in a tissue. Now dispose of it in a dustbin. Never flush a pad as it can lead to the choking of the toilet. Now you can use a fresh pad as instructed above. 

Conclusion 

Period education is crucial for every girl and woman in her reproductive age as it sees to their well-being. It provides them with appropriate knowledge regarding the natural phenomena of menstruation and the various practices needed for optimum hygiene during this time. Now that you also know how to properly use a sanitary pad for the same, you can be on that path can be protected, healthy and confident.