Menstrual panties or sanitary napkins, what's the difference?

Do you know how many times we get our period in our lifetime? We get our period about 500 times , between our first period (usually between the ages of 11 and 14) and the transition to peri-menopause.

Perimenopause is the transition period between the end of regular periods and menopause (absence of total periods) which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Remember the first time you had your period, you have probably since evolved and changed your means of protection. Our periods change, their duration, their flow, the symptoms can vary from one period to another for multiple reasons (change of contraceptives, hormonal change, taking medication, postpartum etc.). More and more choices are available to us, but how to choose the right hygienic protection?

Here, we focus on external protections. You can find more information on internal protections in the dedicated article.

Before you start, (it may seem logical, but it's always good to remember!) Whatever protection you use, wash your hands well before using sanitary protection and afterwards to avoid infections .

Sanitary napkins

What is a sanitary napkin?

There are a multitude of models, from single-use disposable protection to reusable protection. Disposable pads have external wings that allow them to fit over your underwear. There is something for all flows and, depending on the moment of your cycle, different levels of absorption are possible.

How to choose disposable sanitary napkins?

We pay attention to their composition, since last week in France all manufacturers will have the obligation to make it appear by January 1, 2023. So, we pay particular attention to this one which can include derivatives of petrochemicals and other synthetic absorbents, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, not to mention perfumes or the chlorine bleaching of cotton which disrupts the balance of the vaginal flora. It is for this reason that we choose them organic and in cotton, a soft material and respectful of your flora, without toxic products for your body.

=> At Gapianne, we have selected menstrual pads in organic cotton and without superfluous additives which are also biodegradable from the Jho brand.

How long can you wear a sanitary napkin?

It is recommended to change it at most every 4 hours in order to avoid the proliferation of bad bacteria which can lead to bad odors and possible infections (mycoses etc.).

Reusable sanitary napkins

There are also reusable pads, very often made of cotton. Their use is similar to menstrual panties. They are rinsed with water after each use and then machine washed at 30 degrees without fabric softener.

Menstrual panties

What are menstrual panties?

Menstrual panties are reusable absorbent panties with hyper-absorbent fabric overlay technology that prevents leaks. They come in all sizes, for medium and heavy flows and in many different materials, with or without elastic... the choice is huge! These last few years have seen the flowering of superb initiatives that we welcome with joy.

But how to choose your menstrual panties?

Comfort, comfort, comfort. This is why at Gapianne, we have tested many in order to select the crème de la crème for you, this involves panties that:

• is as comfortable to wear as your everyday lingerie

• does not fit the size

• is designed with materials that are healthy for the body and the environment

• does not have a “layer” effect

At Gapianne, we have selected for you panties with invisible seams in a very soft material with a hyper-absorbent bottom that dries in a flash to avoid a feeling of humidity. They are REACH labeled, so safe for the body and the environment and do not contain any silver nanoparticles, find Smoon medium and heavy flow panties here.

If you are used to wearing thongs, we have selected for you the first menstrual thongs made in France Ma Lucette. With a GOTS cotton lining, Ma Lucette thongs are OEKO TEX certified for a guarantee free of toxic products for the body and the environment.

How long can you wear period panties?

You can wear your period panties for up to 12 hours, however for your comfort, we recommend that you change them every 6 hours if possible. Often period panties are equivalent to absorbing several tampons, but this depends on the flow of the panty and the technology used.

How to wash period panties?

After its use, it is rinsed with clean water until the water is no longer tinted, then it can be put in the washing machine without fabric softener at 30 degrees. It is left to dry naturally, without a dryer to avoid damaging the absorbent fabrics. You can also wash it by hand with a non-greasy soap, remember to wring it well so that it dries faster. The lifespan of menstrual panties is between 2 and 3 years on average, this is comparable to the wear of your usual lingerie and obviously depends on the care you give it.

Can we use period panties for urinary leakage?

For small urinary leaks or to absorb white losses, your menstrual panties are effective thanks to their absorption technology.

Can I use my period panties with a tampon?

You can absolutely wear your period panties in combination with a tampon or a cup to prevent leaks. However, it would be useless to wear it with a sanitary napkin, as this would obstruct the absorbent area.

How many period panties do we use during our period?

It will depend on the people and when do you want to use them. Some people prefer to wear them only at night, others wear them day and night, it's up to you to find what suits you best. As we are all different, we advise you to test their use for the first time outside your most abundant flows in order to feel comfortable. You can use 2 to 4 panties per cycle, taking the time to rinse them well after each use and wash them too.

Another question you can ask yourself: what hygienic protection to use after childbirth?

We favor external protections to preserve the already very sensitized internal area. And once the area has healed well, you can reuse the sanitary protection of your choice.

As for the first week following childbirth and to compensate for its abundant leaks called lochia, the best thing is to opt for special maternity sanitary napkins which are ultra-absorbent (we lend you some at the maternity ward in general) and that you can find in pharmacies for your return home.

And for more information on internal hygienic protections such as tampons or cups (menstrual cups), then we give you an appointment on our dedicated article.