This Period Pad Size Guide Is The Key To Staying Leak-Free, Clean, & Confident

Shopping for a comfortable pad is like shopping for comfortable pants. Some options leave you a little exposed, and others are too loose and bunch up in all the wrong places. But when you find the perfect fit? You feel unstoppable.

Just like you’ll need different pant sizes throughout your life (been there!), Walgreens knows the pad size you need may change over time too. Your period ebbs and flows for all sorts of reasons (hormonal fluctuations are a common culprit), which is why being prepared is key. “Periods are one of the most routine practices a menstruating person will experience in their life,” says Christie Cobb, M.D., FACOG, a board-certified OB-GYN in Little Rock, Arkansas. “And life doesn’t have to come to a halt for a few days every month when the right products are available.”

That’s why Bustle asked two board-certified OB-GYNs for the best advice on finding the right pad size for you. Keep reading for their expert-backed advice, plus learn about a few Bustle-favorite Always Radiant Pads with FlexFoam to consider for your unique flow.

How To Tell If You Need A Higher Absorbency Pad

Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified OB-GYN at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology, says one of the most important things to think about when considering your ideal pad size is: How does my period really affect my life?

If you have a moderate-to-heavy flow, you may find yourself planning your day-to-day life around your period. This could look like rushing to the bathroom before a big work meeting, after the gym, or in the middle of brunch to check if you need to change your pad. Dr. Greves, who is not affiliated with Always or P&G, recommends asking yourself: Can I go about my daily life with ease? Am I staining my underwear or leaking through my clothes? Am I changing my pad more often than I’d like? If any of these feel familiar, you may want a higher absorbency pad, she says.

Depending on your panty size, Always Radiant Pads with FlexFoam pads in sizes 2 or 3 are a great place to start. They’re conveniently available at Walgreens, and are super absorbent to help you stay dry, yet thin and flexible so you hardly notice you’re wearing one.

Another thing to consider is how your pad feels once you’re tucked into bed. Do you feel like you’re supported in any sleep position? A pad like Always Radiant with FlexFoam size 4 are designed for overnight use, with a 50% wider back compared to size 1. (Need more overnight absorbency? Size 5 is made for extra heavy overnight flows and has a 60% wider back than size 1.)

How often you’ll need to change your pad is the most important thing to consider for day versus night wear, says Dr. Cobb, who is not affiliated with Always or P&G. You shouldn’t wake up every few hours for a refresh, so you’ll likely benefit from a higher absorbency option while you snooze. Plus: “Movement and position can be unpredictable,” Dr. Cobb explains. “Extra-long wings can offer additional coverage from leaks and provide a more secure fit with less risk of bunching.”

How To Tell If You Need A Lighter Absorbency Pad

Whether you tend to have a lighter flow in general, or it lightens up a couple of days into your period, you’ll quickly be able to tell if your pad is too absorbent because it may give that dreaded diaper-like feeling, Dr. Greves says.

“Wearing a thin pad on a light flow day and changing it periodically may feel fresher and more comfortable,” Dr. Cobb agrees. “A pad that is too big and bulky can be just as uncomfortable as a pad that is too small and shifting out of place.”

That said, ultra-short or thin pads are more prone to slipping and sliding. For max comfort, she says you’ll want to think about three things: your anticipated flow level throughout your period, the shape of the pad (like whether you need wings because you move or exercise a lot), and how securely it adheres to your panties.

Enter: Always Radiant FlexFoam pads in size 1 (and maybe 2, if you lean more moderate than super light). They’re thin enough for a barely-there feel, with wings to help them stay in place. Just keep in mind that you may need to size up at night, even if your flow is lighter during the day. For night time, Always Radiant with FlexFoam size 4 will give you the extra coverage you need on the back of the pad with enough absorbency to handle moderate to heavy flow over night.

How You’ll Feel When You Find The Perfect Fit

Finding the right pad size may require some trial and error. Pads are designed to fit all bodies, so sizing really comes down to your personal preference. As Dr. Cobbs puts it, “Feeling like yourself and not worrying about leaks are the ultimate confidence boosters.” So what’s the best way to tell when you’ve found the right fit? That feeling of confidence and comfort that stays with you all day (and night).

Experts:

Christie Cobb, M.D., FACOG, board-certified OB-GYN

Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified OB-GYN at the Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies