How often is it normal for sanitary towels to leak?

[SettingsO]

I have a DD who uses sanitary towels. Personally, I have not used sanitary towels in over 30 years, so I’m struggling to remember what’s normal re frequency of leaks. My ex DH wants me to speak to her, as he thinks there must be something she can do about it. I will tell him that the leaks are normal, but I also wanted to check if the rates she experiences are normal.

I have name changed in case I decide to show him this thread, it’s not a first post due to being some kind of weird period troll

Weird thread.

I'd say not very often at all, so maybe you could check product suitability and frequency of changing. You could also look into changing to period pants.

What brand and style is she using?
I dont think my dd has leaks often - she uses bodyform night ones with wings (for daytime too)

I am perimenopausal so I don't have many periods and they're quite light and I use tampons so rarely get leaks

I get leaks all the time. Daily for 3-5 days, even when I use heavy flow pads and change them frequently. I’ve now (last 2 months) switched to period underwear for my heavies flow days and they are wonderful.

I don't think knowing everyone's rate of leaks will be helpful. Perhaps try a more absorbent pad.

Well fitting knickers, a reasonably wide gusset, decent sized winged towels and changed often enough they shouldnt leak unless she is really heavy. Some towels are tiny and only really suitable for light flow.

Yes, I know it’s a bit of a weird thread, hence me assuming people might think I was a troll. However it’s not the kind of thing you can generally ask of people in RL, so I thought I’d risk it.

She’s pretty new to it, so we’ve tried a couple of types of pad, not settled on anything in particular yet. Interesting that some people are saying not very often. Tis not what I expected!

What kid does she uses? How often does she changes them? How heavy are her periods? What kind of underwear she uses?
once you find a brand that works with your underwear and change frequently there are no leaks…
but if the pad is not properly positioned you’ll get leaks
if you’re very heavy you may get a leak
have she tried period underwear? My DD has very heavy periods, she used to leak at least once if not twice a day, for about 3 days…
she now uses period underwear with pads on the heavy days… and leaks are very infrequent - and she’s 11, does gymnastics on her period, just puts a new pad + period underwear (or just the period underwear or light days) and no leaks

Maybe needs a longer towel. Dd tried the teen range at the start but they were too short and leaked at the back. She likes long night towels with wings

I don't think knowing everyone's rate of leaks will be helpful

I think I was just looking for reassurance that she (and me when I young I think) was normal, and thought everyone would pile on to tell me my ex was a twat Disappointed

Use period pants or menstrual cups.

Too many variables, her size, her flow, her activity level, the product.
my friends Dd suffered with horrible flooding periods needed mattress padding, eventually medication (the pill).
even myself as an older adult would get night time leaking if I didn’t adjust my pad further back for nighttime.
during heavy days I needed to change pads every 2 hours (set a timer).
why does your dh care? Is he washing the laundry?

I think as a teen I leaked through my pants 3 times. I used tampons though.

From experience with my DD, it took about 6 months before leaks stopped… takes a while to figure out how to properly position the pad
period underwear - has been a game changer

I used to use them before they invented wings

Shes extremely tall, so maybe that could be it? Maybe I should suggest she try’s long night time ones for daytime?

Its already difficult enough trying to find unscented ones!

Leaks so that there's a bit on your pants, occasionally. Occasionally on to bedsheets overnight but not sure your DH would see that? Leaks through clothes so that other people (eg DH) are aware, really not common at all. In fact I can't actually remember a time that has happened ever.

Does she need more absorbent pads, or to change them more frequently? If she's young and not used them much before, is she actually sticking them in correctly? i.e sticking them on to her pants so that they don't move about. How long do they last before leaking ?

I've used washable pads for years but with 2 x teen dd now, I have discovered period pants and I wish I'd discovered them years ago. They are definitely the way forward, love them.

why does your dh care? Is he washing the laundry

Yes. She is with him half the time.

Most bodyform ones are unscented
We avoid Always as they smell disgusting

Most bodyform ones are unscented
We avoid Always as they smell disgusting

good to know, thanks! When I did use a scented one recently I swear to god I could smell it on my breath!

I leaked through my pants often. For me when I start it is always morning - I get up and sit on the side of the bed and it runs down my legs - crap I think. If I’m not wearing a pant or pad in advance it’s then a waddle to the bathroom in time to get the first of it in the toilet and then a shower to clean up. Day 1 is light day 2 3 4 is heavy but heavier during the night. Day 5/6 it finishes abruptly. Mine is heavy and I have to change pads every couple of hours. The thickness of the pads, position (they can move) is a nightmare. In my youth I like most of my friends were encouraged to use tampons - what a bloody nightmare soaked or hurt to pull them out. Can tell how full they are so had to wear a pad.

before DD started we had long conversations and I invested it heavy period pants - she’s very tall and slim and we got the right size - nice fit. Brought 8 pairs and didn’t look back. It’s been marvellous. We brought really good brand and all brand. I brought a little circular peg thing. She rinses and bungs in the machine a pair when she gets home. Again before bed changes in the morning - we bung them in an hour wash hang them up on the peg thing above the radiator all ready for the next go. The wears them a couple of days before her period is due. And a day after it stops.

some Girls can go all day without changing some can only go an hour!

period pants all the way here

Rarely. My teen uses period pants and towels. The pants as back up really. Is it the underwear washing he is complaining about or bath towels, bedding and clothes? If it's just underwear maybe buy her black pants or period pants to wear as well. I'd also check she is positioning them in the right place as there have been many discussions on here about the gusset being in the wrong place in underwear.

Thanks Clifton think my and my DDs experience is much more like yours. I am actually feeling like it might have been a bad idea to post as have gone from thinking was pretty normal, and feeling quite relaxed about it, to worrying a bit that I’ve passed on some kind of ‘messy bleeder’ gene.

She shouldn’t really have to put up with leaks. Except for maybe slight spotting overnight I don’t think it’s normal with products available now and would indicate she’s either got an abnormally heavy flow, is not changing frequently enough, or not using the right products

I think you get leaks often. If your flow is heavy a night pad is definitely needed. People prefer different brands too I used to like Always.. they over priced and the purple Body form are much better.

When I was a teen, all the time even with extra-long wing pads: little bits on my knickers day 1-3; generally a nighttime accident through knickers and PJs to the sheets for days 1-3 too.

I’d help her experiment with different options like period pads, but also accept that periods can be different for everyone, hers may (a) be heavy and (b) take a while to settle down. She’s probably not thrilled about leaking either and your ex-DH needs to settle down about it! My parents never made a big deal of it, simply showed me how to soak knickers and sheets before the wash.