Panty liners and sanitary pads are both hygiene products that people can use during their menstrual cycle. While they are similar, there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, I'll discuss the differences between the washable versions and which product is best for you. This blog post is about LottePads products; other brands will offer different advice and offer different absorption capacities.
What is a washable panty liner?
A reusable panty liner is a thin, small, absorbent piece of material placed inside underwear to absorb vaginal discharge, urinary incontinence, or small amounts of menstrual blood. These products are designed to be worn throughout the day and can help prevent stains on your underwear. They are made of soft material and are designed to be comfortable. Reusable panty liners are available in various sizes and shapes, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
What are washable sanitary pads?
Washable sanitary pads are an absorbent material used to absorb blood loss during the menstrual cycle. Made of fabric, they are washable and can be reused monthly. They consist of a long, flat piece with snaps at the end of the wings. These wings clip into the center of your underwear at the bottom. The pads vary in size and thickness depending on your menstrual flow. These products are designed to be worn throughout the day and should be changed regularly for hygiene reasons and to prevent leakage.
What are the differences?
Although both are designed to absorb moisture, there are some key differences between these two products:
Purpose: The purpose of panty liners is to absorb light discharge or urinary incontinence, while the purpose of sanitary napkins is to absorb blood loss during menstruation.
Thickness: Washable panty liners are thinner than washable sanitary pads. LottePads sanitary pads have a core of one to three layers of fabric. This core absorbs 16 times its own weight in blood.
Size: Panty liners are smaller than sanitary napkins. Sanitary napkins are larger and can accommodate heavy flow.
Absorbency: Washable sanitary pads have a greater absorbency (about 20 to 120 ml!) than panty liners and can accommodate more blood loss.
Wearing time: Panty liners are designed to be worn throughout the day and can be helpful; you'll need about 2-4 per day. Washable sanitary pads should be changed regularly for hygiene reasons and to prevent leakage; you'll need about 4-5 per day, including overnight.
Exclusion
Reusable panty liners and sanitary towels are reusable; you wash them in the washing machine after each period. You can read the best way to do this in our washing instructions . You can reuse them month after month, making these products a sustainable alternative. You'll never run out and never have to scour the shelves at the supermarket or drugstore to choose from all the different colors. Line-dry the pads, as this ensures they absorb a lot of blood.
Which product is best for you?
The best product for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you experience heavy discharge, urine leakage, or expect your period any time soon, a panty liner is ideal. There are panty liners for almost every type of underwear, and your body shape can also play a role in choosing the right liner.
For example, there are genuine thong panty liners for thongs and Brazilian briefs. Super handy if you like wearing thongs; the panty liner is shaped so it doesn't get caught between your buttocks, yet still provides plenty of protection.
Mini panty liners are perfect if you prefer to wear the smallest panty liner possible. And for young girls, they're a good introduction to washable panties. Young girls can experience a lot of discharge, also known as white discharge, even before their first period. This can be contained with a mini panty liner.
Panty liners without wings are a good option if you cycle a lot and the snaps can be bothersome. That's why we designed panty liners without wings. These panty liners are also very handy to wear with boxers. The anatomical shape and the fabric on the back ensure a secure fit.
Extra-long panty liners. This style is handy if you find that panty liners easily creep between your buttocks. The extra length prevents this from happening. The extra-long panty liner offers a little more security and is incredibly comfortable.
We also have special incontinence pads, specifically designed to absorb more than just a little urine. The top layer of these pads is ultra-soft and provides a dry feel. The incontinence pads also contain a hidden moisture-wicking layer, ensuring no leakage.
With washable sanitary pads, it's important to choose the right size for your flow. This may mean you don't wear the same size every day.
Light sanitary pads are suitable for light menstrual flow; the absorbency of washable pads is approximately 15 ml at LottePads. These pads are worn at the beginning of your period or at the very end, when your flow has almost stopped.
Medium sanitary pads are the mid-range option, for normal to heavier periods. LottePads medium pads absorb about 30 ml. These pads are ideal for those days when you have heavy bleeding, usually days 2 and 3 for most menstruators.
Heavy-duty sanitary pads are suitable for heavy periods, use them overnight, or even as maternity pads. LottePads heavy-duty sanitary pads absorb approximately 60 ml. These pads are 31 cm, which seems impressively long, but if you take a measuring tape and measure where you can comfortably wear your pad, you'll find that +/- 30 cm is actually quite reasonable.
Then there are our genuine maternity pads, featuring a concealed moisture-resistant layer. These pads easily hold 120 ml and even more. They're 45 cm long and allow you to lie comfortably in bed without worrying about leaks.
Which product you choose depends entirely on your situation. Need advice? You can! I'm happy to help, and a short conversation about your period can tell you exactly what you need. Want to see and feel the products first? You're welcome to visit my studio in Biddinghuizen by appointment. If my studio is too far away, you can email me at contact@lottepads.com or visit our FAQ page . You can also use the WhatsApp button to connect directly with Lotte.
