Wingless type (left) and winged type (right) of disposable sanitary napkin.

A sanitary towel, sanitary pad, sanitary napkin, Maxi pad (U.S.), menstrual pad or pad is an. absorbent item worn by a woman while she is menstruating, recovering from vaginal surgery, for lochia (post birth bleeding), abortion, or any other situation where it is necessary to absorb the flow of blood from the vagina. Image File history File links 衛生棉。 基本型衛生棉（左）與側翼型衛生棉（右）。 Sanitary towel Basic type (left) and winged type (right) of Sanitary towel. ... Image File history File links 衛生棉。 基本型衛生棉（左）與側翼型衛生棉（右）。 Sanitary towel Basic type (left) and winged type (right) of Sanitary towel. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Look up absorption in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Diverse women. ... Menstrual cycle. ... A vaginoplasty is any surgical operation with the aim of correcting structural defects in the vagina or even to construct or reconstruct it. ... In the field of obstetrics, lochia is post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ...

These pads are not to be confused with incontinence pads, which are worn by men or women who have bladder control problems or experience stress incontinence. Incontinence pads are a similar item to a menstrual pad, perhaps with a high absorbency. Menstrual pads may be used by some people for this purpose. This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Urinary incontinence is the involuntary excretion of urine from ones body. ...

History

Menstrual pads have been mentioned as early as the 10th century, in the Suda, where Hypatia was said to have thrown her "feminine rags" at an admirer in an attempt to turn him off. Suda (Σουδα or alternatively Suidas) is a massive 10th century Byzantine Greek historical encyclopædia of the ancient Mediterranean world. ... Hypatia could refer to: Hypatia of Alexandria (?370–415), a neo-Platonic philosopher, mathematician, and teacher. ...

Through the ages women have used different forms of menstrual protection. The Museum of menstruation has articles and photos of some early forms of menstrual protection. Including among other things, knitted pads, and menstrual aprons. Women often used strips of folded old cloth (rags) to catch their menstrual blood, which is why the term "rags" was used to refer to menstruation. Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiological changes that occurs in the females of human beings and great apes. ...

Disposable menstrual pads appear to have been first commercially available from around 1895 through Curads and Hartmann's. Disposable pads had their start with nurses using their wood pulp bandages to catch their menstrual flow, creating a pad that was made from easily obtainable materials and inexpensive enough to throw away after use. Products like the Johnson & Johnson Lister's Towel failed because of a lack of publicity. Unlike today, the subject of menstruation was not as widely discussed or advertised. One advertising company addressed this, by allowing women to place money into a box (so that the woman would not have to speak to the clerk) and take a box of Kotex pads from the counter themselves. Kotex would appear to be the first of these early disposable menstrual pads to really take off. Several of the first disposable pad manufacturers were also manufacturers of bandages, which could give an indication of what these products were like. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is a global American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. ... Kotex is a brand of feminine hygiene products, including maxi pads, pantiliners (named Lightdays), and feminine wipes. ... Kotex is a brand of feminine hygiene products, including maxi pads, pantiliners (named Lightdays), and feminine wipes. ...

Until disposable sanitary pads were created, all women used some form of cloth or reusable pad to collect menstrual blood. Even after they were commercially available, for several years they were too expensive for many women to afford. It took many years for disposable menstrual pads to become commonplace, but since then in most areas of the industrialised world, their use became almost exclusive.

The first of the disposable pads were generally in the form of a cotton wool or similar fibrous rectangle covered with an absorbent liner. The liner ends were extended front and back so as to fit through loops in a special girdle or belt worn beneath undergarments. This design was notorious for slipping either forward or back of the intended position.

Later an adhesive strip was placed on the bottom of the pad for attachment to the saddle of the panties, and this became a favoured method with women. The belted sanitary napkin quickly became unavailable after the mid-eighties.

The ergonomic design of the pad also changed through the 1980s to today. With earler materials not being as absorbent and effective, and early pads being up to 2 centimetres thick, leaks were a major problem. Variations such as quilting the lining, adding "wings" and reducing the thickness the pad by utilising products such as sphagnum. The ergonomic designs changed over the years. For example, the Australian Libra brand initially had a pad that was wider at the front, tapering at the back to provide a more aesthetic appearance. The current variation now has a wide dovetail at the back, giving functionality a higher priority. Species See text. ... Libra (Latin for scales or pound) may refer to: Libra (constellation), a star constellation in the sky Libra (astrology), an astrological sign Libra (2005 album), a 2005 album by Toni Braxton Libra (novel), a novel by Don DeLillo LIBRA, a political party in Croatia Libra (genus), a genus of butterflies...

Cloth menstrual pads made a comeback around the 1970s, with their popularity increasing in the late eighties and early nineties. Popular reasons why women choose to switch to cloth menstrual pads include: comfort, savings over time, environmental impact, and health reasons. Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ...

There are many styles of cloth menstrual pads available today. Popular styles include All in Ones (AIO), inserts on top style, envelope stye, and folding style cloth menstrual pads.

General

A menstrual pad is worn during a woman's period to absorb her menstrual flow. It is worn externally, between the vulva and a woman's undergarment, unlike tampons which are worn inside the vagina. Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiological changes that occurs in the females of human beings and great apes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the types and styles of womens undergarments, see lingerie. ... A tampon with an applicator. ...

Menstrual pads are made from a range of materials, differing depending on style, country of origin, and brand.

Kotex lists the materials used in their Maxi and Regular disposable pads as being made "mostly of wood cellulose fibers", with the "outer cover and the moisture-proof shields are made with a moisture-proof plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene". Their tampons are made from a blend of "natural cotton and synthetic rayon, with a polypropylene cover." Kotex is a brand of feminine hygiene products, including maxi pads, pantiliners (named Lightdays), and feminine wipes. ... A tampon with an applicator. ...

It is recommended for a menstrual pad to be changed every 4-6 hours, however, a pad may be used longer without changing it, depending on the pad's absorbency and the woman's flow.

Types of menstrual pads

There are several different types of disposable menstrual pads:

• Panty Liner - Designed to absorb daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow, "spotting", slight urinary incontinence , or as a backup for tampon use.
• Ultra-thin - A very compact (thin) pad, which may be as absorbent as a Regular or Maxi/Super pad but with less bulk.
• Regular - A middle range absorbency pad.
• Maxi / Super - A larger absorbency pad, useful for the start of the menstrual cycle when menstruation is often heaviest.
• Night - A longer pad to allow for more protection while the wearer is lying down, with an absorbency suitable for overnight use.
• Maternity - These are usually slightly longer than a maxi/Super pad and are designed to be worn to absorb lochia (bleeding that occurs after childbirth).

The shape, absorbency and lengths may vary depending on manufacturer, but usually range from the short slender panty liner to the larger and longer overnight. Long pads are offered for extra protection or for larger women whose woman's undergarments might not be completely protected by regular length pads, and also for overnight use. A pantiliner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... A diagram of a tampon in the vagina A tampon with applicator The elements of a tampon with applicator. ... Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiological changes that occurs in the females of human beings and great apes. ... In the field of obstetrics, lochia is post-partum vaginal discharge, containing blood, mucus, and placental tissue. ... For the types and styles of womens undergarments, see lingerie. ...

Other options are often offered in a manufacturer's line of pads, such as wings or tabs wrap that around the sides of the woman's underwear to add additional leak protection and help secure the pad in place. Deodorant is also added to some pads, which is designed to cover menstrual odour with a light fragrance. There are even pantiliners specifically designed to fit into thong/G-string type underwear. Odor receptors on the antennae of a Luna moth An odor or odour (see spelling differences) is a chemical dissolved in air, generally at a very low concentration, which we perceive by the sense of olfaction. ... Odor receptors on the antennae of a Luna moth An odor is the object of perception of the sense of olfaction. ... A pantiliner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. ...

Reusable cloth menstrual pad with Kokopelli motif.

Alternatively, women can use a washable or reusable cloth menstrual pad. These are made from a number of types of fabrics--most often cotton flannel, or hemp (which is highly absorbent and not as bulky as cotton). Most styles have wings that secure around the underpants, but some are just held in place (without wings) between the body and the underpants. Some (particularly the older styles) are available in belted styles. Washable menstrual pads do not need to be disposed of after every use and therefore offer a more environmentally friendly and economical alternative for women. Many women report that washable products are equally or more comfortable than disposable ones and are just as effective a form of protection. They are considered especially comfortable during the post-partum period, when the woman may have a very sensitive vulva. Also called "mama pads", reusable menstrual pads can be found on a number of websites, or can be easily made at home (instructions are available online). Washable pads are often advertised in feminist publications such as Bitch magazine, as well as environmental and natural health magazines. reusable cloth menstrual pads have become a popular alternative among some groups of women, (e.g. feminists, environmentalist and mothers who use cloth nappies/diapers), because they are more environmentally friendly, but they are also gaining in popularity among more mainstream women, because they are allergen, chemical and perfume-free, and can be more comfortable for women who suffer from irritations from using disposable pads. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1552x1049, 1148 KB) I took the picture myself. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1552x1049, 1148 KB) I took the picture myself. ... Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with a huge phallus and antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by many Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. ... Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ... Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ... The phrase environmentally friendly is used to refer to goods or services considered to inflict little harm on the environment. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ... Bitch magazine, which bills itself as a Feminist response to pop culture, is a quarterly black and white magazine published in California. ... Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ... Feminism comprises a number of social, cultural and political movements, theories and moral philosophies that are concerned with cultural, political and economic practices and inequalities that discriminate against women. ... Bold textHello ...

A papyrus sanitary pad has been developed in Uganda for the rural poor, targeted at primary school girls who might otherwise be prevented from attending school during menstruation. A papyrus sanitary pad, or Makapad, is a sanitary napkin made from papyrus, a natural material. ...

Uses

Menstrual pads are worn to absorb menstrual discharge (and thereby protect clothing and furnishings). They are usually individually wrapped so they are easier and more discreet to carry in a purse or bag. This wrapper may be used to wrap the soiled pads before disposing of them in appropriate receptacles. Some women prefer to wrap the pads with toilet paper instead of (or as well as) using the wrapper. Menstrual pads (of any type) should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can cause blockages. In the West, public toilets almost always include a purpose made receptacle in which to place soiled pads. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

See also

• Pantiliner
• Menstrual cup
• Tampon
• Cloth menstrual pad
• Feminine hygiene
• Menstruation
• Vulvovaginal health

A pantiliner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A diagram of a tampon in the vagina A tampon with applicator The elements of a tampon with applicator. ... Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. ... Feminine hygiene is a general term used to describe products used by women during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva. ... Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiological changes that occurs in the females of human beings and great apes. ... Vulvovaginal health is the health and sanitation of the human female vulva and vagina. ...

External links

• Museum of Menstruation