Menstrual discomfort isn't uncommon. While much of mood swings and fatigue are attributed to natural hormonal fluctuations, skin irritations are mostly due to the usage of the wrong period pads. To avoid this, it's important to find your skin friendly hygiene sanitary napkins in Pakistan. 

In this blog, let us walk you through how sanitary napkin pads can cause period discomfort and how to find the suitable one according to your skin type. 

Can Sanitary Pads cause discomfort?

Yes, the usage of the wrong and harsh material female hygiene products can surely cause discomfort and skin irritations. In fact, pad rash is a skin irritation that usually develops on the vulva, inner thighs, or buttocks after prolonged contact with sanitary pads. Many menstrual pads use harsh materials that can lead to moisture buildup, painful friction, and skin sensitivity. 

Consequently, this can cause rash formation, itching, inflammation, and discomfort.

How Women's Sanitary Napkins Cause Pad Rash?

Certain menstrual pads and panty liners, unlike our breathables, are more likely to cause pad rash and skin irritations. This is due to the usage of harsh chemicals and materials in their structure. To understand this better, take a look at the main components of a sanitary napkin. 

• Top Sheet: 

It is the layer that comes in direct contact with your labia and the Vulva. Period pads mostly use plastic or nonwoven fibers like polypropylene or polyethylene. These fabrics can instantly cause skin irritations and rash formation. In contrast, we at Butterfly use breathable fabric soft or cottony top sheets that are skin friendly, allow air circulation, and can be used on sensitive skin. 

Similarly, our top sheet allows easy absorption of menstrual and other vaginal fluids

• Absorbent Core:

This one is the middle layer that soaks and holds up menstrual fluid and blood. Butterfly pads including Maxi thick and Ultra Thin have a highly absorbent core with leak guards for maximum coverage and to prevent leakage. 

• Back Sheet:

Lastly, the back sheet is the bottom most layer that prevents period blood from leaking to your underwear. It comes with underside adhesive to help stick through properly. Our breathable pads use a breathable back sheet to allow air circulation and prevent leakages through leak guards. Similarly, along with strong adhesive, we also incorporate cottony side wings for better pad placement. 

In hindsight, you are more likely to develop a pad rash and period discomfort if your feminine pads use harsh material top and back sheets. Luckily, with butterfly you are in safe hands!

How to Avoid Pad Rash?

One way to avoid pad rash is by using skin friendly and breathable sanitary products. For instance, Butterfly has a range of breathable sanitary products made up of skin friendly material. Our collection is all for teens, moms, and adults and uses different top sheets such as (Maxi Thick Fabric Soft top sheet, Maxi Thick Cottony top sheet, Ultra thin Cottony top sheet) with breathable back sheets to allow maximum air circulation. 

These fabrics are super skin friendly and go gentle on your skin. They allow air to pass through without building up moisture and dampness. Hence, it ultimately reduces the chances of developing pad rash or period discomfort. 

How to Choose the Best Period Pads for Your Skin Type

Choosing the menstrual pads primarily depends on two things: your blood flow and your skin type. 

Blood Flow

Your period blood flow plays a significant role in helping you choose your sanitary pad. Usually women experience three types of blood flow:

• Light Blood flow

 Light menstrual flow appears as small drops of blood that may not require a full-sized pad. It often looks like pink, brown, or light red discharge.

Common Causes

• Beginning or end of a period
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Birth control pills
• Stress or lifestyle changes
• Pregnancy (implantation bleeding)

For this, we recommend using our breathable panty liners. 

• Regular/Normal Blood Flow 

A steady, manageable flow of blood that requires changing a pad every 4–6 hours. The blood is typically bright red and may contain small clots.

Common Causes:

• Regular menstrual cycle
• Balanced hormone levels
• Healthy uterine shedding

Try our Breathable Ultra Thin pads for normal bleeding. 

• Heavy Bleeding

Furthermore, heavy bleeding is a strong, excessive flow where you need to change a pad or tampon every 1-2 hours. Blood may appear deep red with large clots.

Common Causes:

• Hormonal imbalance (PCOS, thyroid issues)
• Fibroids or endometriosis
• Iron deficiency or anemia

Our Breathable Maxi thick pads are the best pads for heavy periods. 

Pad Top Sheet According to Skin Types 

Moving forward, to avoid period discomfort and rash formation, it is important to look for skin friendly top sheet. Here is what to look for:

Period Pads For Sensitive Skin:

People with sensitive skin can relate to skin irritations, rash formations, redness, itching, and redness with menstrual pads. This is often caused by harsh chemicals, that can trigger allergic reactions.

For this, it is important to have breathable pads with cottony top sheet to go gentle on your skin. They allow maximum absorption, leak protection and air circulation to prevent moisture and dampness. 

Butterfly Pad for Sensitive Skin:

• Use of breathables Ulta Thin Cottony sheet sanitary pads for regular blood flow
• Buy Breathables Maxi Thick Cottony Sanitary pad for heavy bleeding. 

They both use a cottony top sheet and breathable back sheet that are ideal for sensitive skin. 

Menstrual Pads for All Skin Types 

Our Fabric soft top sheet and dry mesh top sheet pads work well for all skin types. They have a high absorbency core, cottony side wings, breathable back sheet, and leak protection. 

• Buy Breathable Maxi Thick Fabric Soft Top Sheet sanitary napkins for heavy blood flow
• Shop Breathables Ultra Thin Dry Mesh Sanitary Pads for light flow. 

Other Tips to Avoid Pad Rash

• Use cold compress: Apply a gentle cold damp cloth to the rash area. Use cold water to wash it. 
• Frequent Pad Changes: Regularly change your feminine pads every few hours to minimize irritation
• Wear Breathable Underwear: Use cotton or other breathable underwear to avoid dampness and friction 
• Use Hydrocortisone creams: Over the counter topical creams with hydrocortisone can relieve itching and inflammation.

Remember, to take care of yourself and use only the skin friendly pads for your periods Afterall, your skin deserves the best! Stay rash free with butterfly!