Buzz
Have you ever stained your sheets during your period? You’ve probably tried washing out the blood stains, but it never really worked. Don’t worry, these steps will help you keep your sheets and sleepwear clean and fresh.
Steps
Use period panties from Adira. These are designed to prevent leaks, ensuring your clothes and bed sheets stay clean. You can opt for a snug-fitting boxer style for maximum protection. (Check out the product at http://us.adirawoman.com/, Adira offers worldwide shipping; also, you can explore other leak-proof underwear brands available in Vietnam).
Track your monthly cycle. If you haven’t figured out your menstrual cycle yet, try to recall when your period typically occurs each month (beginning, middle, or end). If you feel your period is approaching, consider wearing a pad throughout the day. You can choose pads with light to moderate absorbency, depending on your flow during the early days of your cycle.
Use a Menstrual Cup. The method is similar to using a tampon (a type of sanitary napkin shaped like a stick, inserted into the vagina), but menstrual cups do not carry the risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome), allowing you to wear them for up to 12 hours (including overnight), unlike tampons. Menstrual cups hold more fluid than tampons or pads, and they offer light absorption, which makes them leak-resistant.
Wear a tampon or sanitary pad. It’s recommended to change your tampon before bed and after waking up. You can use either a daily pad or a nighttime pad, depending on your needs. However, if you’re still a teenager, it’s better to opt for pads instead of tampons, as you can sleep longer than the tampon’s time limit and are more at risk of TSS.
Try cloth pads like Lunapads, Willow Pads, or GradRags.
You could even make your own pads. These are not only healthier and more hygienic than store-bought pads, but they are also more comfortable and fit better. Plus, you can add extra fabric if needed. While they are comfortable, cloth pads may require you to limit movement while sleeping to avoid shifting, which can cause leaks.
Take two winged overnight pads and layer them on the bottom of your underwear, with one pad facing forward and the other facing backward. If necessary, you can add a third pad in the center.
You can also arrange two pads in a T-shape by placing one as usual and the second pad perpendicular to it towards the back.
Find an old towel that you no longer use and place it on the mattress. When sleeping, lie on the towel so that if there’s an accident, the blood will absorb into the towel instead of staining the mattress and its cover. Some people refer to these soft towels as period pads and often use them to cover or wrap around themselves to avoid stains in the morning before they have a chance to put on regular absorbent products.
Fold several pieces of toilet paper lengthwise and carefully place them between your buttocks. Be sure to dispose of them right after waking up.
Use bed pads similar to those used for babies. There’s no shame in using these, as they will protect the mattress from stains or unpleasant odors if your period leaks out during the night.
If nothing else works, you can use adult diapers. The best option is pull-up type diapers, but other kinds will work as well, as long as they help protect your bedding while you sleep.
You can also wear a second pair of underwear over your first pair.
Place a sanitary pad or liner towards the front of your underwear and sleep on your stomach.
Sleep and relax without worrying about stains! Use a women’s mattress protector (Cycleliners' Feminine Bed Protection). No need for an additional towel underneath, as these bed pads are waterproof, comfortable, and feature a long flap that tucks under the mattress to keep them in place. Most of these products are discreetly available in a burgundy color.
Advice
- A menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours.
- You can wear two pairs of underwear or use a pad with wings to secure it properly in place.
- Try Maxi Pads, which are highly absorbent and comfortable to wear.
- It’s a good idea to wear dark-colored underwear, sleepwear, and bed linens.
- Try adding a few pieces of tissue between the pad, wear an extra pair of underwear to hold everything in place, and sleep on a fleece blanket.
- If you’re staying at someone’s house or want to keep your bedding clean, here's what you need: two pads or pieces of tissue, two pairs of underwear, and a fleece blanket. Place the pads/tissues at the bottom of your underwear, with one towards the front and the other towards the back. (Make sure they overlap in the center.)
- If you sleep on your back or side, position the pad more towards the back. If you sleep on your stomach, shift the pad further towards the front.
- Avoid wearing pajamas during your period, in case of leaks, to prevent too much staining of your clothes.
- You can use tampons that are specially designed for overnight use. However, using tampons while sleeping is not recommended due to hygiene concerns and the risk of infection.
- If you don’t normally wear pajamas, workout pants can serve as a great secondary “protection layer.” In case of leaks, the pants will absorb the blood and help keep your bed clean. This is a good option if it’s cold.
Warnings
- Wearing a tampon while sleeping is very risky, as you may not wake up on time to change it. Leaving a tampon in for more than 8 hours can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
- If excessive bleeding causes you to experience 'leakage' at night, this could be a sign of gynecological issues such as endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, or fibroids (benign tumors in the uterus). It also means that your iron levels may be lower than normal, so it’s important to see a doctor to check your health condition.
