For the record, you’re considered to have a heavy flow when you soak through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Needing to change your pad or tampon during the night and needing to wear more than one pad at once to control your flow also qualify, ACOG says. This pad is different from some other incontinence pads on the market in that it uses wings to attach the pad to the underwear. Although this helps secure the pad in place, we found that the wings could bunch around the underwear in certain places.

Hypoallergenic Material: Kotex Ultra-Thin Pads are made from hypoallergenic materials, making them gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. When testing each type of incontinence pad, we first unwrapped the pad and placed it in a pair of cotton underwear. After application, we followed the pad’s absorbency instructions and poured the designated amount of liquid on top of the incontinence pad. Once the liquid was poured, we noted how fast the pad absorbed the liquid and whether or not all liquid was absorbed. After pouring liquid on the pad, we then tested how dry the pad remained by pressing our fingers into the pad. In addition to our testing process, we also spoke with the following experts about what features to look for in incontinence pads:Despite the pad’s soft exterior, the material does pill if you rub it enough. Nonetheless, we found that the pad’s softness against the skin and high absorbency far exceed any pilling concerns. Urinary incontinence, or the inability to hold one’s bladder, is a more common problem than you might expect. Minor incontinence can cause small amounts of leakage when you laugh or sneeze, while more severe incontinence entails a loss of bladder control that results in larger leakage. No matter the severity, it can feel embarrassing when it happens. After the pad absorbed the liquid, we found it was dry to touch. The underwear also remained dry underneath. Additionally, the pad assisted with masking some of the liquid’s smell. We did detect the occasional whiff, but the pad masked most odors.

Of course, “heavy flow” can also just mean you’re having more bleeding than usual for you on any given day. Most women experience this during their period—it’s usually in the beginning—and it’s good to be prepared so you're not constantly swapping out lighter pads to try to control your flow. Most disposable pads are made from cotton. Cotton is an all-natural, breathable fabric that absorbs moisture, but it’s often grown with harmful chemicals that can be irritating and potentially unsafe. Buying organic pads is gentler on sensitive skin and delicate areas. Eco-friendly Absolutely! The wings on Kotex pads keep the pad in place throughout your day, while the pad itself has a unique shape to fit and flex with your body delivering comfort. Why do all pads have wings now?

We put each product’s odor control to the test by pouring apple cider liquid onto each pad, noting whether or not any scent came off the pad. We also took note of how well each pad covered the underwear and whether the pad felt comfortable to wear.

Are you getting the right protection from your pad? Did you know that 60% of women are wearing the wrong size pad? Using the wrong pad size can lead to leaks. Step up in size to help stop leaks. Now you can find your fit with Always My Fit, a tailored sizing system to help you find the best protection based on both your flow AND panty size. Use the sizing chart in the images to find your fit for day and night. For daytime protection, Always Maxi, Size 2, Super Pads Without Wings give you 15% better coverage where you need it most* with a flexible design that moves with you, plus a LeakGuard Core that absorbs in seconds for up to 9 hours of protection. Yes, Kotex offers a variety of pads without wings that are specifically designed for heavy-flow days. The Super and Overnight pads provide superior protection, ensuring you feel comfortable and secure throughout your period. Do Kotex pads have wings?Poise Ultimate Absorbency Regular Incontinence Pads hit the mark for what you need most in an incontinence pad: high absorbency, odor control, and a leak-proof design. During our test, we found the pad instantly absorbed the liquid as soon as the liquid touched the surface. This left the pad feeling completely dry to the touch, no matter how hard we pressed on the surface. We also found that after pouring apple cider on the pad and letting it sit for ten minutes the acid’s smell was completely masked.