Say it with us: Period pads are not for pee leaks! We know it’s true, but the fact is that many women opt to use pads designed for period care instead of incontinence products. As a result, they may deal with more leaks, discomfort, and odors as well as skin irritation because period pads really aren’t designed to handle pee leaks. There are some fundamental differences because menses (period flow) and urine are simply different fluids.
Blood is thicker and has a completely different viscosity (thickness) than urine. So, your favorite pad may work great for your period, but not feel so fresh when it comes to bladder leaks. Here are the big differences.
The Difference: Pad Shape and Adhesion
If you’re accustomed to using pads for your period, you’ve likely noticed that the design of our pads is a little different from your average maxi-with-wings. Rest assured that each aspect of our product design is intentional to help minimize your chance of leaks and skin discomfort.
For example, period pads are intentionally designed to lay as flat as possible in your underwear, but urine is trapped more effectively when the pad is curved slightly—more like a bucket that can catch the fluid.
The wings on period pads are a design feature that helps keep the pad flat and prevent blood from getting on your underwear, but for pee leaks, a pad with a side cuff is a better choice to help create that curved capture area you need.
The Difference: Absorbency
A bladder pad also needs a lot of absorption power to quickly trap and lock in fluid. Attn: Grace pads range in absorbency from 50 mL (our Liners) all the way up to 760 mL (our Ultimate Pads). The average period flow is approximately 60 mL total over several days; as a result, period pads have way lower absorbency requirements.
All Attn: Grace pads use a powerful absorbent core to lock away even the heaviest leaks in a way period pads never could.
The Difference: Materials and Topsheet
Premium period pads commonly use a cotton topsheet, chosen for its softness. There’s a big problem with cotton, though: when saturated with urine, it will stay wet, potentially leading to odor, skin irritation, and leaks. Attn: Grace pads are designed with a topsheet made from a sugarcane-derived, plant-based material that wicks moisture away quickly to keep you 10x drier than a cotton pad.
You deserve comfort and confidence all day long, which is why choosing a pad that’s specifically designed to absorb pee is the right choice. If you need a double-duty pad for period flow and occasional incontinence, our Hybrid Pads are worth checking out; they’re designed to absorb both and keep leaks locked up. And if you ever need help selecting the right product, just send a note to our customer service team who would be happy to help.