8 Best Period Pads, Approved by Gynecologists & Our Reviewers

Menstruation can sometimes make our vulva extra sensitive. If you’re having discomfort, Dr. Buckheit suggests sticking to cotton underwear and pads. “Cotton products are better and potentially less irritating than plastic-based products—synthetic materials are more likely to trap moisture,” she explains. She also suggests avoiding dyes and fragrances. “The fragrances often will have additives that are irritating,” she says. (If you’re worried about odors, Franziska Haydanek, DO, an ob-gyn in New York, suggests looking into pads with charcoal, which offsets the smell of blood.)

Glamour reviewer Deja Monet says Always Pure Cotton pads are her top pick to stay comfortable on her cycle, whether she’s headed to work or going to bed. “These pads don’t irritate me,” she says. “I’m very sensitive during my period and it literally feels like nothing is there when you wear the pad.” She adds that they last throughout the day without odor or leaks.

• Pros: Made with nonirritating cotton; unscented; long-lasting
• Cons: The top cotton layer can get fuzzy and shred a little

If you want to stay leak-free even when your flow is extra heavy, Dr. Haydanek has a few suggestions: Look for pads that are long enough to cover you from front to back and have wings for a little more width. You’ll also want them to be super absorbent. “My patients who deal with that also often wear period underwear so they don’t have leakage through the pad into their pants,” she adds.

These 15.75-inch overnight super pads from U By Kotex are designed to last you up to 12 hours, with so much coverage and absorption that they’re virtually leakproof. They might be longer than your forearm—and look a little intimidating at first—but they’re your best bet to stay dry on days when it seems like your flow just won’t stop.

• Pros: Extra long; great adhesive; soft
• Cons: Bulky

“When you’re thinking about a pad that you might wear working out, you may want to use one that is thinner and that has the adhesive that wraps around the outside of the underwear a little bit more so that you can have more mobility and less bulk,” Dr. Buckheit says. She warns that might mean you can only wear the pad for a short amount of time because it’s less absorbent. “But it might be more comfortable during the workout,” she says.

Several athletes swear by these ultrathin pads from Always for workouts on their menstrual cycle since they stay in place thanks to extra adhesive, and are designed to not bunch up, no matter how much you’re moving (yes, even in yoga class). The cotton material is also breathable, but highly absorbent.

• Pros: Don’t bunch; thin; stay in place
• Cons: Not individually wrapped so it can be tricky to throw just one in your gym bag

A massive maxi pad can overwhelm a teen body. “Those big, heavy pads may be too much for them and also uncomfortable if they don’t need it,” Dr. Haydanek says. U By Kotex makes these Balance Sized for Teen pads shorter and narrower to better fit smaller physiques. “They feel almost nonexistent to wear, as opposed to most bulkier pads, while being very absorbent,” says Glamour reviewer Hayley C. “To me they’re suitable for all activities.”

• Pros: Short and narrow for extra comfort; good absorbency; gentle on sensitive skin
• Cons: Can be too small for some

Organic pads made without harsh chemicals can be gentler on sensitive skin than traditional period products. “With vulvar hygiene products, be it a wash, a cream, a pad, anything that’s going to be in the vulvar area, my mantra is less is more,” Dr. Buckheit says. “So if a pad has a larger ingredient list, I would avoid that pad.” The 100% organic-cotton top sheets on Cora’s pads are made without chlorine, fragrances, dyes, or GMO ingredients to be extra kind to your most delicate body parts. What’s more, the soft organic cotton is known for being exceptionally breathable so things don’t start feeling swampy.

“I love Cora pads because they’re fragrance-free, and they have a super-soft cover but are not flimsy or rubbery. They conform to my vulva area really well, especially the regular absorbency pads,” says Glamour reviewer Chloé-Ana B. “I really love how thin they are because they’re comfy to wear when traveling but still keep me protected. I have a lighter flow, and they provide just the perfect amount of coverage for me,” she says.

• Pros: Simple ingredients; comfortable; breathable
• Cons: Expensive

If you want to keep your menstrual flow planet-friendly, Dr. Buckheit says you can look into reusable pads (many are sold on Etsy) that you can rinse in the washing machine. But if you’re not quite ready for that level of commitment, August sells some of the most sustainable disposable pads you can find. One percent of the company’s profits are donated to sustainability-focused nonprofits. Plus, the wrappers are compostable. And, importantly, they’re actually really comfortable.

“These are the only pads I’ve found that don’t cause any irritation, or itchiness. They’re super soft—so much so that I don’t mind wearing them,” says Glamour reviewer Taylor C. “The wings are also sticky enough that they don’t slip or crumple throughout the day.”

• Pros: Lightweight; made with soft organic cotton; sustainable company mission; compostable wrappers
• Cons: Not absorbent enough for heavy flows