Sanitary pad, which is also known as sanitary napkin or menstrual pad, is a thin pad made of absorbent material that absorbs the menstrual fluid during menstruation. Some sanitary pads are disposable and are meant for single use only. Most sanitary pads available in the market are disposable ones. Reusable sanitary pads are mostly cloth pads that can be washed, dried and reused over a number of times.

Sanitary pads come in different shapes and sizes, with different capacity to absorb for days of heavy and light menstrual bleeding. You will have to experiment with different kinds of sanitary pads to know which one best suits your needs.

Adolescence refers to that transitional phase between childhood and adulthood in a person’s life. This period is characterized by a plethora of physical, psychological and emotional changes.

A combination of physical changes such as height and weight gain, development of sexual organs and characteristics that ensure the maturation of a child into an adult is termed as puberty. It is during this period that adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of procreating.

At the onset of puberty, girls usually have their first vaginal bleeding, which over time becomes a regular occurrence. The onset of this regular cycle is termed as menarche. Girls start menstruating somewhere between the ages of 9 and 16 and continue to do so till their early 50’s. 

Women have hundreds of eggs in their ovaries at any given time. Every month, in response to reproductive hormones – mainly oestrogen and progesterone – a woman's womb gets ready for pregnancy [2].  

Once every 21-40 days, an egg is released by the ovary, travels through the fallopian tubes and reaches the uterus. The inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium forms a soft, cushiony layer made up of several minute blood vessels in anticipation of an embryo in case the egg is fertilized by a sperm.

If fertilization does not occur, there is no need to retain the uterine cushion as there is no embryo to nourish and protect. Dropping progesterone levels serve as a cue and the uterus sheds the cushiony blood vessel lining which flows out of the vagina as the menstrual flow

On average, a menstrual period lasts somewhere between 3 and 7 days. This varies from person to person. 

Scientific studies reveal that on an average, a woman can lose anywhere between 30 and 90 ml of fluid which constitutes both of blood and mucosal tissue over 3-7 days of menstruation. 

Slight abdominal pain and cramping during periods is normal. The intensity and duration varies from person to person. This is due to the release of hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins which stimulate contractions of smooth muscles of which the uterus is one [3].

Unless the pain is completely debilitating, in which case visiting a doctor would be recommended, most symptoms can be cured using home-made remedies such as hot water compresses and abdominal massage.

Women usually experience one or a combination of physical and emotional symptoms just before they start their monthly periods. Some of the symptoms include temporary weight gain or feelings of heaviness, tenderness of the breasts, headaches, cramps and general irritability. All these together constitute what is known as Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

PMS usually sets in a week or so before menses starts and goes away before the bleeding starts.

The topic of menstruation is shrouded by a heavy veil of taboo. For centuries, communities across the world have associated menstruation with all things dark and evil. Menstrual blood is considered impure and menstruating women are often forbidden from entering places of worship, kitchens and farmlands due to fear of ‘polluting’ these spaces. 

Over the years, these perceptions have been proven wrong and science has helped confirm that menstruation is a perfectly normal, healthy, biological function.

Majority of females have very limited or no knowledge about menstruation and the importance of personal hygiene while menstruating. Maintaining adequate hygiene during menses is necessary to stay away from infections as well as for general comfort and easy mobility.

Due to this lack of knowledge, many women follow very unsafe practices such as using coir and unsanitary cloth pads during their menses.

It is important to use an absorbent material to soak up menstrual blood in order to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. It is a known fact that many women use traditional cloth napkins during their period. While this may not be totally sanitary, it is not completely unsanitary either. If cleansed well and dried properly under the sun, these pads can be re-used a few times. But in most cases, this does not happen. In order to avoid the ‘shameful’ exhibition of these cloth napkins, women hide them in nooks and reuse the unsterile pads leading to infections and complications.

Sanitary napkin – The most widely used sanitary product is the disposable ‘sanitary napkin’. Most napkins have an absorbent core and a leak-proof barrier that holds the napkin together [4]. These use and throw napkins are available in a variety of sizes and are by far the most popular female hygiene product in India.

One time use sanitary products should be disposed of with care. Sanitary pads should not be thrown out in the open as it may turn into a breeding ground for bacteria. They should not be flushed down the toilets either as the plastic can choke up drains.

 They should be wrapped in newspaper and thrown out along with the garbage. If your village or town does not have daily garbage collection facility, it is better to burn them instead of letting them lie around.

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The time between the first day of a menstrual period and the beginning of the next one is referred to as a menstrual cycle. Usually a typical cycle lasts for 28 days. However, this differs from person to person and can last anywhere between 22 and 45 days.