Even if you don’t bleed much, you should change your pad every 3-4 hours to stay healthy and hygienic. Here are 3 guidelines for changing your pads.
“How often should I change my pad?” It’s one of the top questions teens and tweens ask us. And like most things with your period, there isn’t one “right” number of times to change your pad. It depends on you, your flow, and your comfort.
That being said, there are some guidelines you might want to consider for changing your pad to keep things hygienic and comfortable down there…
#1 It’s best to change your pad every 3 to 4 hours
If you have a lighter flow, you might be able to stretch this a bit longer. On heavier flow days (like the first 2 days of your period), you may need to change your pad more often.
But in general, a good guideline is every 3 to 4 hours.
Aside from flow, here are a few other reasons to change your pad regularly:
- Personal comfort
- It’s good hygiene
- Helps prevent odor
- Helps avoid accidental leaks
Even if you’re not bleeding much, you’ll still want to swap out your pad regularly.
Why? Because the period blood combined with the heat and moisture can make it easy for bacteria to grow, increasing the chances of getting a yeast infection or other infections.
The good news: unlike with tampons, you don’t have the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)!
#2 How many pads should I use in a day?
On average, many go through 4-7 pads in a day. But again, this changes from person to person and depends on several factors, which we’ll go into now.
➤ If you have a heavy flow, you may want to change your pads more frequently to feel comfortable.
➤ If you’re using a thicker or high-absorbency pad, it may last longer.
➤ If you exercise, you may find the sweat makes the pad feel uncomfortable. It also can increase the likelihood of bacteria growth and infection.
Tip: After a workout, take a shower and use a fresh pad to keep things comfortable and clean!
➤ It’s more hot and humid outside. Just like working out, the sweat can make things uncomfortable fast, and you may want to change your pads more frequently.
#3 What kind of pad should you use?
It’s important to remember that not all pads are equal! Most of the pads you’ll see on grocery store shelves use synthetic and processed materials like rayon and polyester. Those that do use cotton often don’t use organic cotton. Instead, they use conventional cotton that’s treated with toxic pesticides and soaked in chlorine to bleach it. All of these extra chemicals can upset your vagina’s natural pH balance.
So, when it comes to pads, the best option is pads that are toxin-free and made with 100% organic cotton topsheets (like the type we have here at Pinkie!) Our ultra-thin pads are designed for maximum absorption with a super-absorbent core and up to 100% leak-proof wings.
*If you use period underwear, you’ll want to follow the same guideline in changing them out every 3 to 4 hours to keep things hygienic.
Once you decide on the type of pad you want to use, your next choice depends on how heavy your flow is and your personal preferences for fit.
For example:
➤ Pinkie mini – these pads measure just 7.5 inches long and are designed for a lighter flow. They’re sized for tweens 8 to 12 years old.
➤ Pinkie small – these pads measure 8.2 inches and are designed for a “regular” flow. They’re sized for tweens and teens between 10 to 14 years old.
➤ Pinkie regular – these pads measure 9.5 inches long and are designed for superior absorption on heavy flow days and nights. They are sized for tweens and teens between 12-16 years old.
Bonus! Pinkie Pads come in cute, soft, rip-proof drawstring baggies instead of the usual plastic-wrapped crinkly pads you find at most stores. This makes it easy to pack a few extra and pass them to friends.
Ultimately, the most important factor behind when you should change your pad is your comfort. If you forget to change your pad and it’s been longer than 4 hours, that’s okay. Just change out your pad when you can. This is all about your health, hygiene, and happiness!
