If you’ve ever wrapped up your period feeling more annoyed than relieved, you’re not alone. Period rashes, chafing and discomfort during periods are much more common than they are talked about. Just as often, the culprit isn’t only hormonal fluctuations or sweat, it may be the very product that should be helping you through your cycle: your sanitary pad.
While I haven’t experienced this myself, I’ve spent years diving deep into the world of feminine hygiene—talking to users, studying products, and breaking down what actually goes into them.
But here’s the truth: hardly anyone is talking about rashes.
The unspoken problem of rashes
Period rashes are one of those problems that so many people quietly endure. Women and menstruators often switch positions constantly during meetings, discreetly adjust their clothing, or avoid long commutes, without realizing it might be the pad causing the discomfort.
Most women think period rashes are a normal part of menstruation. It is often treated as a side effect of a period, “It just happens.”
This silence is part of a much larger problem in the menstrual hygiene space, where a user is expected to adapt to the product, and not the other way around.
Why do pads cause rashes?
- Prolonged Moisture & Pressure
The vaginal area is warm, moist, and sensitive, all ideal conditions for chafing. Throw a pad in the mix (particularly one that’s not breathable), and you’re basically creating a heat trap. This combination of friction + sweat is a recipe for rashes.
- Synthetic Top-Sheets
Most pads have topsheets made from plastic which are not always kind to skin - it can lead to redness, itching and even micro-abrasions.
- Fragrances and Additives
Pads with “fresh” or “floral” scents can sound appealing, but that fragrance is usually an irritant. These perfumes, deodorants, or masking agents aren’t safe for skin and may cause allergic reactions or upset the area’s natural pH.
- Adhesive Wings & Materials
Something that goes undetected but even the glue in the wings can cause rashes. Each time the wings fold over, rubbing against the inner thighs, they can leave your skin feeling raw and inflamed.
- Wearing Pads for Too Long
Being unable to change pads regularly, perhaps because you are too busy or if you forgot heightens the issue. The longer you wear a pad, the more heat and bacteria it accumulates.
The Deep Emotional Toll of a Silent Problem
This isn’t just about skin irritation - it’s about what that irritation does to a person over time.
Here’s what I’ve heard from real users:
“I just assumed this is how periods are supposed to feel.”
“Even the smallest movement feels uncomfortable.”
Because these rashes aren’t visible like a pimple on your face or a cut on your arm, they often go unspoken. They are endured quietly, brushed off as “normal,” and rarely addressed head-on. But that silence takes a toll. It chips away at confidence. And slowly, it conditions women to believe that comfort is optional.
The most common pattern I’ve seen? A tendency to adjust. To tolerate discomfort - as long as the pad isn’t leaking.
And it’s not anyone’s fault. Back in the day, there weren’t better options. People weren’t picking bad pads - they just didn’t have better pads or the power of choice. Most pads felt the same, offered the same, and came with the same problems.
But today? That’s no longer the case. Comfort, breathability, and leak protection can - and should - coexist. You don’t have to choose one over the other anymore.
What you can do?
- Switch to pads with cotton or natural top-sheets – These let the skin breathe.
- Skip anything with fragrance – Even if it says “mild” it's a big no.
- Breathable backsheets matter, especially in Indian weather. Our heat and humidity make it worse down there. A pad that lets your skin breathe can make all the difference. It’s not just a feature, it’s a must.
- Change your pad every 4–6 hours, even on light flow days.
- Document your symptoms to figure out whether they’re related to the pad or due to something else (like an infection).
If your pad makes you sore or itchy, realize that it’s not how it should be, and you don’t have to simply adjust to it.
