Pads are generally more popular globally and in many regions, especially for older age groups, due to factors like lower cost, cultural familiarity, and less stigma, though tampons are very common, particularly among younger people in Western countries who use them for activities like swimming. Many people use both, opting for pads on lighter days or as backup and tampons for convenience during heavier flows or activities, making them both go-to options.
The world goes mad for pads. In fact, according to Statista, as of 2018 tampons held a world market value of 4.25 billion USD, next to a massive 20.5 billion USD for pads.
Through doing some personal research and speaking with some Koreans, I was told that Korea is a pad-centric culture- meaning that pads are usually the most available menstrual hygiene product in South Korea. As such, I decided to explore for myself.
Pads, followed closely by tampons, are the most frequently chosen period product for maintaining menstrual hygiene. Pads and tampons are made with a combination of absorbent fibers, both natural and synthetic, including cotton and rayon. Pads are adhesive and rest on the inside of your underwear to absorb your flow.
Similar to masturbation, using tampons became frowned upon or considered sinful in cultures all over the world, and it's still taboo in various Christian denominations and many strictly religious Jewish and Muslim households.
And since you've asked, I have to tell you—aside from the risk of TSS from tampons—there really is no “healthier” choice. What is important is proper use and comfort. You should change your tampons ever 4-6 hours and pads every 2-4 hours.
It's not their job and it's beyond their capability. While many have written on the fallacy of using tampons for hemorrhage control and wound packing in massively bleeding wounds,1, 2 there are still those on the internet who continue to endorse this misguided technique.
Japanese pads are often considered better due to their focus on skin comfort (soft, breathable materials), superior absorbency (fast-wicking polymers keeping skin dry), and innovative designs that move with the body to prevent leaks, alongside features like unique bumpy textures to reduce stuffiness and strong adhesive for security, all rooted in Japanese quality and a cultural emphasis on cleanliness.
The short answer is: Yes, you can sleep with a tampon in. But it's important to pick the tampon with the right absorbency for you and not wear any tampon for longer than eight hours. Ob/Gyn Stacie Jhaveri, MD, dives more into sleeping safely with a tampon.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared. Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed.
South Korea's 52-hour work rule caps most employees' weekly working hours at 52, consisting of 40 standard hours plus 12 allowed overtime hours, aiming to reduce overwork, improve work-life balance, and boost productivity by ending excessively long workweeks previously common in the country. Implemented in phases for different company sizes, this law applies to a seven-day week, including weekends, and was a major revision to the Labor Standards Act, phasing in from 2018 to 2021 for most businesses.
Why would pads win? Pads “take-it-to-the-matt” when it comes to absorbency, especially with all of their neat super-hero accessories like wings and mesh. They are also great for unpredictable periods; you know, the periods that act like a misbehaving four-year-old at Walmart?
Scotland has become the first country in the world to make period products free for all. There is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to "anyone who needs them".
Dr Holmes says pads are more likely to generate odour than tampons, so if you're worried about vaginal odour, tampons may be a better choice for you. Change both pads and tampons regularly, and clean your crevices regularly, too.
Key points. Periods that last for more than 7 days are considered heavy. Periods that require a new tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or involve passing large clots are considered heavy. Your healthcare provider can determine if you might need testing for a possible bleeding disorder.
Tampons are more likely to leak than pads because they can't always absorb all the blood flow. For those with heavy periods, using a combination of tampons and pads can help manage bleeding more effectively. Pads are better at absorbing blood, making them a good choice for people who are worried about leaks.
You know your tampon is full when you feel resistance pulling the string, notice blood on the string or in your underwear, or feel it inside you; however, for hygiene, you should change it every 4-8 hours regardless, as a "dry" tampon (not full) can be uncomfortable to remove, and a full one will leak. The best signs of fullness are leaking (blood on underwear) or the string appearing bloody, indicating it's saturated and needs changing soon.
You can go about your day, sleep comfortably at night, or even exercise, knowing your blood flow is absorbed and secure. Another reason is comfort. Many people say wearing regular underwear with pads feels bulky or awkward, whereas period pants feel just like everyday undies — but with hidden leak protection.
Complications from a lost tampon or other object
You should change your tampon regularly — around every 4 to 6 hours depending on your flow. Most tampon manufacturers advise that a tampon shouldn't be left in for more than 8 hours. Long term, a lost tampon or other object poses a risk of: infection.
The Japanese 80/20 rule refers to Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分目), a Confucian teaching meaning "eat until you are 80% full," a mindful practice from Okinawa linked to longevity, where you stop eating before feeling completely stuffed to avoid overconsumption and promote health. It encourages slowing down, listening to your body's hunger cues, and leaving some space in your stomach, leading to lower calorie intake and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Allegedly, only two percent of Chinese women use tampons, so they aren't widely marketed or sold there. According to Euromonitor, tampons are not sold in Nigeria, Turkey, Kenya, Thailand, Morocco (see above), and the United Arab Emirates.
The washlet can replace toilet paper completely, but many users opt to use both wash and paper in combination—although use of paper may be omitted for cleaning of the vulva. Some wipe before washing, some wash before wiping, some wash only, and some wipe only—each according to their preference.
In the book, authors Elissa Stein and Susan Kim also recount how women wrapped lint around wood to create tampons in ancient Greece and Rome. In ancient Japan, women turned to paper to absorb blood, while the Native Americans made pads out of moss and buffalo skin. These were the first “all natural” products.
In the 15th century B.C., Egyptian women used soft papyrus tampons. Hippocrates wrote that tampons made from lint wrapped around a small piece of wood were used in the 5th century B.C. by the Greeks. The ancient Romans used wool.
Feminine napkins and tampons, which are super absorbent, are great for helping to control bleeding wounds. Tampons fit bullet wounds (some better than others) pretty well and swell to help stop bleeding. Pads are pretty much, if not exactly the same thing as battle bandages.