Sleep quality based on the use of different sanitary pads during menstruation

To evaluate sleep quality among women using 2 different types of sanitary pad.

Seventeen women (18-40 years) with menstrual cycles of 28-30 days and self-reported moderate-to-intense menstrual flow were enrolled in a crossover study from March to August 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sleep assessments were made by polysomnography and by means of validated questionnaires. The first evaluation of sleep (control condition) was performed during the follicular phase (7-10th day of cycle). There were subsequent evaluations during the 2nd and 3rd day of the menstrual period, and a different type of absorbent pad (A or B) was used on each day. The participants were randomly assigned to an order of pad use (AB or BA).

The use of absorbent pad A or B did not affect the parameters of sleep or the quality of sleep. The results obtained with use of either absorbent pad did not differ significantly from the control condition and were within the normal limits.

There was no significant difference in sleep quality between the follicular phase and the menstrual period; in addition, the use of different absorbent pads over consecutive nights during the same menstrual cycle was not associated with changes in sleep.