Unfortunately, it's a common issue during the night as the blood flow can fall either to the side or not entirely on the pad or on the side of the menstrual cup, causing leaks. On top of that, you may be a sleep shuffler, meaning there are more chances your pad or pants are likely to move out of place.
hormonal influence on blood flow
In particular, prostaglandins — hormone-like substances that regulate inflammation and blood flow — tend to be more concentrated during the nighttime hours. Prostaglandins play a vital role in the uterus, causing it to contract and shed its lining during your period.
Sleeping tucked up all cozy on your side with your legs squeezed together actively helps decrease period leaks. In addition, this sleep position helps take pressure off of the abdominal muscles and may reduce symptoms of cramping.
You can still swim without period protection. The pressure from the water around you helps prevent menstrual blood from leaking. Don't push your vaginal muscles and be prepared for when you get out of the water! As the pressure of the water is removed, you might experience leaks when out of the water.
The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days – but everyone is different. When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will be red. On lighter days, it may be pink, brown or black. You'll lose about 5 to 12 teaspoons of blood during your period although some women bleed more heavily than this.
The first day of menstrual bleeding is considered Day 1 of the cycle. Your period can last anywhere from 3 to 8 days, but 5 days is average. Bleeding is usually heaviest on the first 2 days. Once the bleeding stops, the uterine lining (also called the endometrium) begins to prepare for the possibility of a pregnancy.
Incorrect absorbency for flow
Wearing panty liners, light flow period pants, or low absorbency light tampons can all lead to leaks if you have heavy menstrual bleeding. You may need increased absorbency such as overnight pads which will keep you leak-free for up to 12 hours.
A significantly greater number of cycles (70.4%) commenced during the night or in the first 4 h after rising, compared with later in the day. In a large proportion of these (29 out of 76), blood was noted to be present on waking, menstruation thus having begun at some time during the hours of sleep.
Rate and amount of menstrual bleeding is different for each individual. The amount does not change day to night. Your period doesn't care if you're sleeping or not, and flow continues. The difficulty with night time is that we are not as aware of what is going on.
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.
In fact, we asked a few experts about the best way to sleep when you're on your period, and they unanimously agreed on one position: the fetal position. "Sleeping in the fetal position takes pressure off the abdominal muscles," explains Lisa Lindley, M.D., board-certified gynecologist with Eisenhower Women's Health.
You can use two pads, but not one over the other. One should be a bit towards the front and the other a bit towards the back. This way, the pads will slightly overlap in the middle and provide you with a lot of coverage area.
Your cycle should last 26-32 days - anywhere in between is fine as long as it is regular and consistent for you. Your bleed should be the color of cranberry juice from start to finish, with no clots. A nice, strong, flow that isn't inconveniently heavy and has you running to the bathroom every hour.
If you notice on heavy days of your period that blood seems extra-thick, and can sometimes form a jelly-like glob, these are menstrual clots, a mix of blood and tissue released from your uterus during your period. They can vary in size and color, and usually, they are nothing to worry about.
The simple answer is, it's not hygienic to wear a pad for 12 hours even if you have a light flow. Bacteria can build up in this duration and cause odour or lead to infections. So, how often should you change your pad? After every 3-4 hours is a good time frame.
Check regularly when you go to the bathroom. You might notice a feeling of wetness or dampness, occurrence of stains or the pad may feel heavy in your undies. These are all signs that the pad may be full. In this case, switch to a clean pad.
How many pads a day is normal for a period? The short answer - as voiced by Dr Malik - is that it can vary from person to person. "On average, most individuals use around three to six pads or tampons per day during their menstrual cycle."
Although it can feel like a lot more at times, the total amount of blood lost during one period is usually about 60 milliliters (around 2.7 ounces). That's about one-and-a-half shot glasses full. At that rate of bleeding, it takes about four hours for a regular tampon or pad to become fully soaked.
After your period is over, the lining of your uterus starts to build up again to become a thick and spongy 'nest' in preparation for a possible pregnancy.
Period Fatigue Recommendations
Some ways to combat the feeling of tiredness during your period include drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, improving sleep quality by getting at least 8 hours of sleep, and doing some physical activity or exercise – as it is the best fighter of period fatigue.
HealthShots Period Tracker. “Managing better sleep during periods can help alleviate the painful cramps, improve your mood, reduce fatigue and discomfort, and make the period cycle more comfortable.”