How to Choose the Right Sanitary Pad25 October 2023 | Admin Choosing the right sanitary pad for you can make a WORLD of difference to how you feel on your period. Here at Team Cheeky we've been in the business of 'Simple Reusables' since 2008. Over that time, we've heard from many people who've switched to reusable period protection and told us it was 'gamechanging' for them. That's not because our products are miracle workers. It's because they had found sanitary products that were right for their period length and flow. Instead of reaching for the same type of sanitary napkins, they tried something different and found it worked much better! Here's our list of considerations on how to choose the right sanitary pad: 
Different strokes for different folks is so true when it comes to period protection. What works fine for one period just won't work for another one. Periods vary from 'flooding a maxi pad in an hour' to 4 days of light flow. Bodies differ in height, width and sensitivity too. What works for your Mum / friends may not work for you. If your current pads are leaving you feeling sore, chafed and irritated, look for an alternative. It's possible to be allergic to either the chemicals inside your sanitary pads or the materials they're made from. Or If you can't leave the house because you're bleeding through maxi pads in an hour, those pads aren't right for you, Don't put up with this! Look for alternatives that will work better for you. Material matters when it comes to sanitary pads, whether that's reusable sanitary pads or disposable. Cotton pads, organic cotton or bamboo pads are generally softer and more comfortable to wear against your delicate skin. When it comes to reusable pads, our bamboo charcoal pads have a microfleece topping which is very soft and super absorbent but can feel warmer to wear. Our cotton pads are more like your regular knicker gusset and of course for extra sensitive skin, there's organic cotton to consider too. Many cotton absorbent pads are great for heavier flow too. That's because they have multiple layers of thinner cotton absorbent material, capturing blood within the layers also. 
Take the recommended absorbency level the manufacturers recommend as a guideline. If a pad says it's for heavy flow days, you'll be able to use it overnight (provided it's long enough). You know your menstrual flow better than anyone. Panty liners can also be used for those days of lighter flow and spotting at the end of your period. Use your common sense and if you're bleeding through a pad quickly, try a higher absorbency for heavier flow next time. 
What size sanitary pads you try is also critical for comfort! Generally if you find a pad uncomfortable it's because the sanitary pad size isn't right for you and it needs to be longer. Shorter pads tend to move around more than longer pads which stay wedged in place better. Extra long pads are brilliant not just for sleeping but they'll also absorb the blood flow of heavier periods. Generally if you're quite an active person, pads can be tricky with the possibility of moving around in your knickers. Consider glue backed disposable pads, or reusable pads with a non-slip backing instead of regular pads. Or maybe switch to period pants for your period flow? Period pads are generally a lower cost period purchase. And if you're cost conscious, switching brands of period protection can save you £. However you might also want to consider switching to reusable period pads. They cost on average between £3 to £8, but once you have bought them, you can wash and rewear over and over again. They will pay for themselves MANY times over. .jpg)
If environmental impact is high on your agenda, look for plastic free disposable pads such as natracare. They'll be more comfortable to wear too! Alternatively, consider reusable pads which are much better for the environment as they can be washed and reused. We all LOVE a review. Check out the reviews of whichever pad you're considering switching to and see what actual customers say. It's a great way to establish whether a particular product might work for your needs. "Lovely feel and pretty patterns. Comfortable to wear and do not cause the irritation I've experienced with disposable sanitary products." We hope you enjoyed our top tips on choosing the best sanitary pad. As always, if you have more questions about reusable period protection, contact us or take our reusable period protection questionnaire. The team all LOVE to help people make the switch! Alternatively, if you'd like to research further yourself, you may also be interested in these articles: Top 6 Reusable Sanitary Pads Reusable Period Products & Toxic Shock Syndrome Are reusable pads safe? How to prevent leaks on your period The best pads for heavy periods About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable incontinence pads, kits and accessories. The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021. | 
