← Back to Hygiene Hub
Pad Application
Safe, comfortable, and confident period care.
Watch
How to apply a pad.
Video created by EmpowerHygiene Volunteer, Abigail Li 🧡
Why this matters
Good menstrual hygiene prevents infections and helps you feel your best during your period.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Wash your hands before you start.
- 2
Pick a pad that matches your flow (regular, super, overnight).
- 3
Unwrap the pad and keep the wrapper, since you'll use it to wrap the old one.
- 4
Peel the paper strip off the back (sticky side).
- 5
Place the pad sticky-side down along the middle of your underwear.
- 6
If it has wings, peel their strips and fold them under the underwear.
- 7
Press down so it sticks flat, then pull your underwear up and check it feels centred.
- 8
Change it every 4–6 hours, or sooner if it feels full.
💡 Practical & quick tips
- ✓Wrap the used pad in the new pad's wrapper or toilet paper and bin it; never flush.
- ✓Wash your hands again after changing.
- ✓Overnight pads are longer at the back for lying down.
- ✓Carry a spare pad and wrapper in a small pouch.
- ✓Free pads are often available at donation centres (check the map!)
- ✓Snug cotton underwear keeps the pad from moving.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- •Leaving a pad on too long, which can cause irritation and odour.
- •Sticking the pad on crooked so it shifts or leaks.
- •Forgetting to remove the wing strips before folding them under.
Explore more topics
Sources