How Often Do Need to Change Tampons or Pads During My Period?

Question: How Often Do Need to Change Tampons or Pads During My Period?

Answer: Generally, most girls and women change tampons or pads every three to six hours. However, exactly how often you’ll need to change your tampons or pads depends on the heaviness or lightness of your menstrual flow. Tampons or sanitary pads/napkins require changing as often as necessary to prevent them from getting over-soaked with menstrual blood. Eventually, you’ll learn to know how long you feel comfortable before you need to change pads or tampons during your period. Tip: When using tampons, make sure you change them every 4 to 8 hours to help prevent toxic shock syndrome or TSS.

See also: Tampon Tips

_{Source: Menstruation and the Menstrual Cycle; National Women’s Health Information Center; http://www.4women.gov/faq/menstru.htm; accessed 12/30/07}