Dealing with your monthly period can be challenging; there are mood swings, menstrual cramps, and the fear that your period will leak through your pants at any time. Fortunately, you can cross one worry off the list by getting a good pack of sanitary pads or napkins that will keep you protected, dry, and fresh!
With the plethora of sanitary napkin brands that will greet you as you walk down the feminine care aisle, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this article, we've prepared a buying guide, fact-checked by Obstetrician-Gynecologist Chona Fabian-Madarang, MD, and a top 10 list of recommended napkin brands below to help you.
Dr. Chona Fabian-Madarang is a private practitioner specializing in women's health. She is always on the lookout for new innovations and inventions.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Experts featured in this article only reviewed the content of our buying guide. They had no part in the selection or ranking of products or services listed.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to sanitary napkins. To ensure that there are no leaks and you're provided with complete protection during your period, it is crucial to pick a sanitary napkin with a length, size, and absorbency level that can correspond to your flow.
For light to moderate flow, regular-sized napkins can suffice. They provide medium length and absorbency that can work well when your menstrual flow has started to lighten, which usually happens from day three onwards of your menstrual cycle.
Some women also prefer to wear regular pads regardless of their flow intensity and simply change pads more frequently. They are also perfect for people who dislike the uncomfortable and bulky feeling that longer and broader napkins provide.
For days when a regular-sized napkin seems to be filling up too fast, it would help to look for pads that are indicated to be "long" or "extra long." These pads usually offer a surface that has a higher absorbency and is a few centimeters longer than regular napkins. Thus, it can help prevent leakage from the front and back, making them suitable for days when your menstrual flow is at its heaviest.
If you particularly hate waking up to stained sheets on your period, overnight napkins are your best pick. Among all the types, these pads have the highest absorbency and longest and widest surface to help prevent leaks from the front, back, and side. This ensures that you stay protected, clean, and dry all night long, even if you toss and turn as you sleep.
Sanitary napkins are typically available in two types: the basic non-wing pads and the ones that come with wings. These two kinds of menstrual pads have different qualities that may be more advantageous or disadvantageous for you. Learn more about them in the section below.
If your day requires you to move a lot or engage in physical activities, pads with wings will come in handy. These napkins have added "wings" or flaps on the sides that you can fold over the edges of your underwear to keep them in place even if you move, as well as prevent side leakage.
However, the flaps they have on the side can be uncomfortable at times, especially when they start to lose some of their adhesive midday. They can come in contact with your skin, leaving you with an itchy feeling and irritation.
Compared to sanitary napkins with wings, non-wing pads are more comfortable to wear. They don't have the flaps that may come in contact with your inner thigh and leave you with an itchy or uncomfortable feeling.
Apart from that, they are also easier to apply and remove should you need to change your pads frequently. The only downside with non-wing pads is that they tend to slip out of place and curl in your underwear, increasing the chance of leakage. They can also get deformed, especially when you move a lot.
Another aspect you should pay attention to is the sanitary napkin's material or composition. It is best to look for one that is soft, comfortable, and gentle on the skin, especially if you are prone to developing skin rashes and infections. Below are the most common materials used in sanitary pads:
If you wish to go the eco-friendly route, there are also reusable pads that you can find online. Unlike the single-use regular napkins that you have to dispose of, these cloth pads can be washed and reused. They will also allow you to cut on your feminine hygiene expenses since you won't need to constantly buy packs of disposable pads.
However, shopping for reusable pads can be trickier, as you have to thoroughly inspect the materials they're made of. You have to ensure that the one you're getting is made of soft, breathable, and absorbent materials, or else you might get one that would not be as effective as your regular disposable pads.
AirQueen is a Korean brand known for producing premium quality cotton products. Their sanitary pad, the Nano-Breath, prides itself on being the world's first nano-material sanitary napkin. This means that you get a product made of nano-membrane, a specially engineered web-like fabric that improves breathability by a whopping 20, 000 times more than conventional pads!
The pad is also highly absorbent, thanks to the 100% organic cotton composition. It also has secure side panels to help prevent side leakages. This makes for outstanding air flow, foolproof protection, and high absorbencyーeverything you want in one soft and lightweight pad!
These ultra-long and slim pads with wings are one of your best bets when it comes to managing your period on heavy flow days. They are free of harmful chemicals like perfumes, dyes, and GMO ingredients. The brand is also recommended by gynecologists and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Plus, it's absolutely plastic-free and environment-friendly because it's made of certified organic cotton and plant cellulose material. The pads are even compostable, so you can chuck them in your compost bin at home after use to allow them to decompose naturally back into the earth.
If you wish to make the switch from your disposable sanitary napkins, look no further than this pad by Haliya Cup. Aside from being reusable, this washable sanitary pad can last for two years or longer when properly cared for. Made of bamboo terry, a fabric that can reduce bacterial growth, it does not contain any chemical or synthetic material that could irritate your skin.
It also has a microfiber layer responsible for the pad's strong absorption power. Aside from that, the outer layer is composed of waterproof PUL, a breathable and hardwearing fabric that also helps prevent leakage. This particular pad is intended for heavy-flow days, but the shop also offers pads for light and moderate menstrual flow.
Looking for a biodegradable option that's easy on the pocket? Check out these day pads from Nala. Made of 100% cotton and a biodegradable backsheet film, they are guaranteed to decompose in 3 years, unlike traditional pads that will stay in the landfill for more than 500 years. The wrapper of the pad is also made of cornstarch and is biodegradable as well.
Aside from that, it's fragrance-free and chemical-free, so it's a better option for those who are prone to developing irritations and rashes. It's also highly absorbent and effective in dealing with light, regular, and heavy flow.
If you're worried about odor, this sanitary pad by Kotex is a good pick. It has an antibacterial layer enhanced with natural ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile extracts. This helps to inhibit up to 99% of bacterial growth, preventing the development of unpleasant odors during your period.
Apart from that, it also comes with a micro-dry cover, which has up to 3000 micro holes all over the surface to minimize friction between the pad and your skin. This feature provides extra breathability and prevents irritations. It also has a rapid-absorb core that gives you leakage protection and a sense of security during your period.
Pads made of organic cotton definitely have the edge over synthetic pads when it comes to comfort. The Organyc Cotton Day Pad is one such example. Made of 100% organic cotton, this is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic, gentle on the skin, and utterly comfortable and breathable.
It also does a great job absorbing fluid, as it comes with an organic cotton top sheet and a highly absorbent core. To ensure that there are no leaks, it also has an anatomic design and protective wings. The pads also come individually wrapped in a Mater-bi protective pouch for optimum hygiene.
From ₱104
This overnight sanitary napkin by Modess is sure to keep you feeling protected and dry all night as you sleep. With a length of 30.5 cm, it's 7.5 cm longer than its regular counterparts. It also comes with wings and a fit-to-body design that allows the pad to adapt well to the curves of your body and stay in place as you sleep.
Aside from its extended size, it has a wide surface that provides all-around leak protection. Its design also features a close fit center with a leak-lock channel that effectively absorbs fluid and evenly spreads it within the pad, leaving you with a dry feeling. It also has a soft cottony cover that gives you that clean and comfortable feeling even on heavy flow days.
From ₱94
Are you tired of constantly checking your pants for period stains? Do away with your period woes with this sanitary napkin by Whisper! It comes with a blue lock core technology and soft cottony dri-weave cover that work hand-in-hand to instantly absorb and lock fluid in and keep you protected from possible leakage all day long.
It also has a wider back surface that provides extra coverage. On top of that, it is also composed of anti-leak barriers that offer protection from all sides for up to 12 hours, allowing you to go through your day without worrying about tagos and just feeling clean, fresh, and dry!
The Whisper Skin Love pad is a great choice for those who want an extra-gentle and skin-friendly option. It has an air-dry cushion top sheet that offers better air circulation around your intimate area. It also has an ultra-thin construction to give you as light a feeling as possible, even on heavy flow days.
Although it's thinner than its counterparts, you can count on its absorbency, thanks to its magic gel that can absorb 40x its weight and keep wetness concentrated at the bottom of the pads, well away from your skin. It also has a unique odor control technology that eliminates unwanted odor and leaves you with a fresh and clean feeling during your period.
From ₱25
For days when your menstrual flow is at its heaviest, you'll need a pad that can give you extra coverage and quicker absorption like this one by Sisters. For a very affordable price, you get a pad that measures 34 cm, much longer than ordinary pads. It also comes with a four-wall shield that prevents leakage from the sides.
This pad is also enhanced with a super gel that has the ability to turn liquid into gel instantly. It also has a perforated top sheet that allows liquid to pass through the pad rapidly. The absorbent structure will then trap it to reduce the chances of leakage even on your heavy-flow days.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by OB-GYN Dr. Chona Fabian-Madarang.
Aside from sanitary napkins, women now have different options when it comes to practicing proper hygiene during that time of the month. Stay clean and protected from bacteria, as well as feel fresh during your period with these intimate care items. Check out the links below for more buying guides and product recommendations!
Author: R. Victoriano
Re-editor: R. Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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