Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2008 Sep;14(3):173-180.

A Study of the Perception about Menstruation and Discomforts of Using Disposable Menstrual Pads

• Ahn S
• Kim YM

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the perception about menstruation and discomforts of using disposable menstrual pads in menstruating women. METHOD: A survey was conducted of 132 menstrual women recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview and a study questionnaire, and analyzed by frequency and chi-square-test. RESULT: More than half of the subjects expressed a negative perception about menstruation, while 25% expressed a mixed perception and 24.2% expressed a positive perception. Women who perceived their menstruation negatively had more menstrual pain than the others (p<.001). The most frequently experienced discomforts of using disposable pads were an unpleasant smell (18.9%), leakage (18.9%), and discomfort (16.6%). Adverse effects of using disposable pads were reported as an itching sense (23.1%), skin rash (20.2%), and skin irritation (10.6%). Alternate materials were reported with tampons, alternate washable pads, and maternity pads.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that disposable menstrual pads cause several discomforts and common adverse effects such as skin problems. To decrease these discomforts and relieve adverse effects, planned nursing education including women's personal hygiene methods and information about an alternate pad may be helpful.

Keyword

Menstrual pads; Comfort; Adverse effects; Menstrual pain; Perception

MeSH Terms

Dysmenorrhea
Education, Nursing
Exanthema
Female
Humans
Hygiene
Menstrual Hygiene Products
Menstruation
Pruritus
Surveys and Questionnaires
Skin
Smell