Ask Iris
Iris Prager, Ph.D., is one of our experts on menstrual periods and puberty, and she's here to answer all of your questions about those subjects. She's a woman (obviously) and a mother (her daughter is 20; her son, 26), so whether you're a teen or a mom, she knows what you're going through.
So what's on your mind? You can ask Iris just about anything. Chances are, lots of other women have the exact same question, and Iris's answers can help everyone. So don't be shy just ask Iris!
Here are Iris's Top 5 most frequently asked questions:
Pantiliners are products designed for your daily hygiene. A lot of women/girls wear them on the days in between their period to absorb any natural discharge to help keep them feeling clean. They can also be worn at the beginning or end of your period when the menstrual flow is light or as a backup to a tampon. They are not meant to be used during your period alone, as they are not absorbent enough for a moderate to heavy flow of menstrual fluid.
Pantiliners typically have three layers: A top layer, a thin absorbent layer and a back layer. The top layer is permeable, allowing the moisture to be pulled into the absorbent layer away from your skin. The back layer helps keep moisture inside the pantiliner and away from your underwear.
Pads and pantiliners are worn outside the body. They're attached to your underwear and absorb fluid and/or secretions after they leave your body. Pads are typically used to absorb menstrual fluid and pantiliners, to absorb natural discharge. Tampons are worn internally and are inserted into the vagina. They absorb fluid before it leaves the body.
Yes, pantiliners are actually designed so that they can be worn for everyday use to absorb natural discharge and light urine loss, and to help keep you feeling clean.
If any of these products are going to be worn at the same time, it would typically be a tampon with a pantiliner or a pad as backup protection. A pad and pantiliner are not normally worn at the same time.
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