It goes without saying that one must maintain proper cleanliness and hygiene during their menstruation cycle. Skipping regular cleaning and frequent pad change can pose a risk bigger than rashes and discomfort. Maintaining cleanliness not only helps ensure good hygiene but also prevents the risk of catching certain diseases like UTIs or yeast infections.
It's been a long time since many women, including those living in rural areas, are using sanitary napkins. However, many still don’t know the exact time in which your pad needs to get changed. They keep one napkin for a prolonged time which invites certain infections to do their job.
This begs the question: how often should you change your pad? Before we get into the number, let’s discuss the implications of using a sanitary napkin for too long.
Risks And Implications Of Using A Sanitary Napkin For Too Long
We reached out to Dr. Neha Abhijit Pawar, Consultant, Gynaecology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai to understand the risks of keeping a pad for too long. She said, trapped moisture provides a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Prolonged contact with wet pads is the most common reason for troublesome fungal infections and rashes.”
She further said, “Wearing a pad or period underwear for too long can lead to contact allergy and rashes as well.”
Here is the breakdown of implications associated with not changing pads before they are due:
Odour
The stinky smell is one of the most common problems every woman goes through. When blood exits the vagina, it gets mixed up with bacteria, mucus, and various body fluids. When trapped in the pad for too long, it can result in a damp and rotten smell.
Rashes
Wherever there is trapped moisture, there are rashes, just like you experience with armpit sweat. Additionally, the pad worn for too long can chafe your skin, resulting in redness and rashes.
Risk Of Infections
Wearing a sanitary napkin for too long can lead to the build-up of bacteria that are emitted alongside blood.
Should You Change Your Sanitary Napkin Every Six Hours?
“Pads should be changed every 3–4 hours, even if you have a light flow,” said Dr Neha. Regular changing prevents the build-up of bacteria and stops odour. If you have a heavier flow, you might need to change pads more often to make sure you don't leak.
She further said, “Not just sanitary pads, but frequent changes are important even with tampons and menstrual cups. As forgotten tampons in the vagina can lead to life-threatening infections called Toxic shock syndrome. Tampons or menstrual cups should be changed at least every 8-10 hrs. Even though marketing companies advertise super absorbent pads with claims of keeping you dry for many hours, they pads still need to be changed at frequent intervals,”
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