Prevent Pads from Leaking While on Your Period

Having to deal with the cramps, mood swings, and other unpleasant side effects of your period can feel like more than enough to handle. If you have to worry about leaking when you’re wearing a pad on top of that, then your time of the month can be very overwhelming. However, there are many tricks you can use to make sure that you have a leak-free and worry-free period.

Steps

Getting the Best Coverage

  1. Make sure you’re putting on your pads correctly. In order to put on your pads correctly, you have to take them out of their packaging, remove them from their wrappers, and then make sure to place them right in the middle of your underwear, so they don’t go too far up or too far down. If they have wings, then remove the wrapper from the wings and make sure you wrap them tightly around the bottom of the middle of your underwear to hold the pad in place. Once the pad is securely placed inside your underwear, you can put it on, smoothing it down to make sure everything is in place.[1]
    • Make sure to wash your hands before you put on the pad on and that you dispose of it in a trash bin after wrapping it up in its wrapper or in toilet paper.
    • Some women prefer to use cloth pads over the more common pads. Though they are not said to be more absorbent, they are more environmentally conscious.
  2. Wear pads of correct length and thickness. If you’re having trouble with leakage and have a heavy flow, then you should aim to get pads that have super absorbency and which are as long as possible. At night, you should make sure to wear overnight pads, which are even longer; though these are quite thick, you can even wear them during the day if your flow is very heavy and you tend to leak often.
    • You should try to get pads with wings to make sure that they don’t move around too much and that they are tightly stuck to your underwear.
  3. Consider using pantyliners for extra coverage. Some people like to place pantyliners sideways above and below their pads. This can give you some extra coverage in places where you tend to leak. You can even place some lighter pads perpendicularly to your pad to really get some extra coverage. That said, this can get a bit uncomfortable, especially if the sideways pads or pantiliners get loose, so make sure you’re wearing tight underwear and that the pads are secure.
    • If you always tend to leak either in front or behind your pad, you can also move it up or down a bit, depending on where you tend to leak.
  4. Wear thicker underwear. Another way to minimize your leaks is to wear thicker underwear that is less prone to leaks. Though this can’t protect you from leaking all together, it can help you minimize how much you leak and will absorb more of your blood if you do have a leak. Just knowing that you’re wearing thicker, more absorbent underwear can make you feel more comfortable.
    • Just make sure that the underwear isn’t too loose. Looser underwear will actually make your pad move around more and will make it more likely that you’ll have an accident.
  5. Consider wearing period panties. If you really have a heavy flow and a problem with leaking, then you can consider getting special period panties. No, this doesn’t refer to those old ugly pairs of underwear that you only wear on your period because you don’t care about what happens to them; “period panties” are a special kind of underwear that are made of three distinct layers that protect your pads from leaking. The first layer is absorbent, the second is leak proof, and the third is made of cotton. These layers breathe and keep you cool and comfy while also ensuring that you have the strongest protection.
    • Though a pair of period panties can cost $20-30 dollars or more, if you get just a few pairs and always wear them on your period, they can be a worthwhile investment.

Taking Extra Precautions

The best way to prevent leaks is simple; just apply one pad as it is, and apply a second pad .i.e,apply one pad in the start of your underwear, and another one in the end. Carry an extra bag of supplies just in case. If you want to be safe during your period, then you should make sure to be prepared with extra pads, pantyliners, underwear, or even a change of bottoms if you really need them. If you have room in your bag or locker, having a change of clothes can help you feel extra secure. Though you probably won’t ever have to use them, just knowing that they are there can help you feel more safe.

    • If you’ve run out of pads or pantyliners, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or even a teacher for some backup. Remember that every woman has had her period, and even if your friends can’t help you, they will be sympathetic. If you’re one of the first of your friends to menstruate, then you can try to ask the people who you know may be able to help.
  2. Don’t move around quite as much as you normally would. Though you should be able to do pretty much whatever it is you normally do when you’re wearing a pad, you should know that you will be a bit more likely to leak if you’re doing cartwheels, running around, jumping up and down, or just moving to and fro really fast. Be careful about how you move when you’re on your period, especially on really heavy days; you don’t want the movement to move your pad around or to get it to bunch the wrong way, leading you to leak.
    • That said, you shouldn’t feel like you have to skip gym class or spend all day sitting in a corner feeling miserable when you’re on your period. In fact, exercising can help reduce cramps!
  3. Wear darker, looser clothes. You will worry less about leaking if you’re wearing clothes that are less likely to display your leaks. Darker clothes won’t show any potential stains you get, and you’ll also have to worry less about staining lighter clothes and not being able to get them clean. Looser clothes will also make you feel less self-conscious about the fact that you’re wearing a pad and you’ll be able to move around more freely.
    • Though you don’t need to wear frumpy clothes during your period and you should feel beautiful all the time, if you wear darker clothes, then you’ll be less worried about having an accident.
  4. Go to the bathroom more often. Another way to make sure that your pads don’t leak is to go to the bathroom more often than you normally would. Take a trip to the bathroom every hour or two to change your pads or just to make sure that everything is running smoothly. This is a great way to prevent any leaks before they happen. You’ll know exactly when it’s time to change your pads and will feel safe and protected.
    • If you have to go during class, don’t worry about your teacher getting annoyed; if you ask nicely and don’t make a habit of it thirty days a month, everything will be just fine.
  5. Sleep on a darker blanket or old towel. If you’re worried about leaking at night, especially if you’re having a sleepover at a friend’s house, then you can lie down on an old blanket or even an old towel that you don’t care about as much. This way, you don’t have to worry about staining the sheets and you can sleep soundly without checking the sheets too often. This can help you sleep soundly and feel less self-conscious about leaking.
    • Think about: the worst case scenario is that you’ve leaked on the sheets and someone else finds out about it. It’s likely that only another woman will find out, and she will completely understand what happened, so you really have nothing to worry about.
    • If your dad or another male sees the bloody sheets, he will understand what happened, too. Don’t worry so much about what can happen and focus on having a sound, restful sleep.
  6. Be proud of your period. Your period should not be something you’re embarrassed about, whether you have a little leak now and again or not. You should be proud of this aspect of your changing body and know that this is something that all women have to live with and manage; the sooner you accept it, the better. Talk to your friends or even your female family members about your period and see that you have nothing at all to be ashamed about because it’s perfectly natural.
    • Sure, if you leak in public, it can be embarrassing for a minute or two, but you shouldn’t go out in public feeling scared when you have your period because you’re afraid you could leak at any minute. Don’t let your period prevent you from living your life.
    • If you really find that you can’t feel comfortable when wearing a pad, then you can see if using a tampon or menstrual cup is more comfortable for you. Though you have to change tampons every 8 hours at most, and menstrual cups every 10 or so hours, they can help prevent leakage and may feel more comfortable than pads.

Tips

  • Make sure to always carry at least two pads with you where ever you go! You never know when you are going to have your period.
  • Skirts aren't exactly the best articles of clothing to go with. Jeans or other pants are close to your crotch, so they will hold the pad from moving all over the place.
  • If you have a sweatshirt, tie it around your waist to hide spots of leaked blood.
  • If a period leaks onto your underwear don't throw them out, just put them in the wash and put them back in your underwear drawer for the next time you have your period because then you can wear the 'stained' underwear and it won't matter if you leak onto them again.
  • Wear compression shorts or spandex if you are going to wear a skirt.
  • If you're wearing jeans or a colour other than black as trousers, wear a pair of leggings or tights underneath.
  • Wearing long shirts can be helpful if you are to be faced with a "spot"
  • Buy super or maximum absorbency pads.
  • If you do leak don't be scared and don't freak out, just calm down go to the bathroom with your supplies and clean everything up. You can try to to use thicker pads or even the " night protection" pads.
  • Don't let being on your period put a damper in your plans!
  • Wear a wingless maxi pad over an ultra thin pad with wings. Therefore, if you leak through the first pad you can bleed onto your ultra thin pad underneath. With 2 pads, your period protection method will be closer to you which will prevent your menstrual flow from leaking down an edge of your pad. If you want extra protection, try wearing a tampon and a pad or the pad combination mentioned earlier.
  • Change your pad every 3 hours.
  • Wear leggings under your PJ's at night to keep your pad in place.
  • If you are with your girlfriends or with a close girl friend of yours, ask if she would happen to have an extra pad on her.
  • If you don't have a pad with you, toilet paper may work for lighter periods.
  • If you have an old bikini, you can wear the bottoms as one of you pairs of underwear. They will absorb a little blood and since they're old, you can toss them when if you do leak.
  • Try to wear a maxi pad and wear two pairs of undies to thicken the protection to prevent any leak this works for me and I am on my 7 th period and it works very well!
  • If your pads leak often, try night-time pads during the day and night. They usually go all the way up to the rear-ended waist of your underwear. Certain types, like Stayfree Maxi pads, have wings around the crotch and on its extended behind.
  • Always keep a extra pair of pants in your locker/backpack just in case you leak.
  • Wear 2 pairs of knickers at night if you leak a lot.

Wear a heavy (long) night pad but also wear 2 knickers. This will prevent leakage.

  • If blood leaks onto your underwear, hand wash the underwear in cold water and soap. This will help prevent permanent stains.
  • Wear spandex under your pants, and other clothing.
  • It's better to wear a heavy pads as they protect better. Even on your light days, you can go longer without changing them.
  • You should wear black brown or red pants\shorts\sweats .
  • Avoid wearing white bottoms while on your period to prevent getting those embarrassing prominent stains.
  • Change your pad or tampons frequently and don't get tense if you face a stain, just make sure you have an extra underwear and pad to change. Also make sure to carry a disposable packet if there are no areas to dispose your pad.
  • An alternative would be to try folding several squares of toilet tissue and placing it inside of your underwear. This acts as a catch all barrier. You can change it every time you go to the bathroom.
  • Do not wear light-colored bottoms! If you do, the blood will be very noticeable if you leak. Wear darker jeans instead.
  • If you're scared of doing an activity where you are on you feet a lot or work or your feet, where a night-time pad on the bottom and put a thick pad on top! If you end up going to the toilet and have not leaked through onto the night-time pad, you can just take off the thick pad and put on another one!
  • If you get caught without a pad and no one else does either, then you could take off your sock, wrap that in toilet paper and put it in your underwear. This works far better than toilet paper as toilet paper is not very absorbent by a sock. You could also use a flannel or a cloth napkin if you don't want to use your sock.

Warnings

  • Make sure to change your pad every so often, or if you find that it is almost all "used up." Wearing a dirty pad could pose as a health risk, not to mention a nasty leak. It is recommended that you change your pad every 6 hours for a light or regular flow or every 3 hours for a heavy flow.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.beinggirl.com/article/underwear-and-your-period/
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