There are several potential causes of a rash due to wearing a pad. They include friction, an allergic reaction to the pad's materials, and irritation from heat and moisture.
Pad rash is usually caused by excessive friction or sweat whilst wearing a pad. Most pads on the market are made from unnatural materials that aren't breathable and include nasty chemicals like bleach & plastic.
“Wearing a sanitary pad often leaves unwanted rashes leading to itching, swelling, redness, and other infections. The rash can be caused by friction, moisture, heat, and irritation that contribute to bacterial buildup,” Dr Tishya Singh, a dermatologist, wrote on Instagram.
"Sanitary pads have fibers that are chlorine bleached to give them a clean and sterile appearance. This bleaching process creates dioxin, a highly toxic pollutant that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, hormone dysfunction, endometriosis, and even cancer.
Wearing damp pads for too long can cause you to get a rash on the skin, lead to urinary tract infections or yeast infections, or even cause the odor you were trying to avoid in the first place. If you have a normal or light flow, change your pad about every six hours. If it is heavy, you will need to do it more often.
Yes, your period can clear up the yeast infection as it raises the vaginal pH. That in turn decreases the number of yeast cells. But you can always go for antifungal medications in the form of ointments, creams, or even oral medications. These can be prescribed by your doctor to you for a certain number of days.
Some women's skin is so sensitive that even a plain, unscented pad is enough to make them itchy and red down there whenever they use them. Funky smells down there during your period usually come from not changing your pad often enough.
Mistakes like not changing the pad will result in fungal and bacterial infections, which can also cause rashes and irritation. According to Dr Sharma, not changing pads on time is the leading cause of UTI.
No matter how light your flow is, or even if there is no flow, bacteria can build up. Changing your pad every 3 or 4 hours (more if your period is heavy) is good hygiene and helps prevent bad odors. This is especially true if you'll be playing sports or rushing around from class to class.
Can Pads Cause Thrush? Yes, wearing traditional plastic sanitary pads can create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, which can lead to thrush. Pads can also irritate the skin around your vagina, leading to chafing and inflammation. Both of these further increase your risk of thrush.
Bacteria loves blood, sweat, and hair. So when blood gets caught in those crevices, it will start to smell.” Dr. Holmes says pads are more likely to collect odor than tampons, so if you're worried about vaginal odor, use the latter. Change both pads and tampons regularly, and clean your crevices regularly, too.
Wearing a pad can lead to contact dermatitis, which can lead to an annoying rash. It can be caused by the pad you're wearing, a scented pad, too much friction, or too much moisture. It will typically leave the skin looking red, swollen, and bumpy, and may burn, or feel itchy.
When to see a doctor. Seek medical help before your next scheduled exam if you experience: Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour for more than two hours. Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding.
This number is backed up by Dr Nye, who adds that "considering a normal sleep pattern of seven straight hours and minimum exercise, you would expect to use four to five pads per day or around 20-23 pads per cycle."
Cyclical yeast infections occur when estrogen surges between ovulation and menstruation. Then, the symptoms resolve when the period starts. But people have their unique microbiomes, and hormonal imbalance could be a perfect environment for yeast overgrowth following your period.
Redness and swelling of the vulva. Vaginal pain and soreness. Vaginal rash. Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance.
If it is strong enough to be noticed through your pants, for example, it's more likely that you have sprung a leak than anyone can smell anything through your menstrual care device. If you don't have a leak and a smell is still noticeable, you may have another infection and should go see your doctor about the issue.
Spotting is light bleeding that can occur between periods. It usually appears as a small amount of blood when wiping or on underwear. Possible causes include birth control, pregnancy, menopause, and more.