A042 How to Choose the Right Sanitary Pad Size?

## What does your first period look like?

Getting your first period is full of excitement and anticipation.

But what does your first period look like? It’s a question on a lot of girls’ minds.

Most girls get their period somewhere between the ages of 10 and 13. Don’t worry if you get yours earlier or later than your friends. Everyone is on their own schedule, and there’s no “good” or “bad” age to get your period. But when it does come, it’s pretty exciting!

You go to the loo – and TA-DA!! There it is. Period blood. But it may not be that straightforward.

[Your first period](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/what-is-a-period/ "Your first period") (and the next few after that) may just look like brown spotting in your knickers. It’s not the red blood you may have been expecting. So what actually DOES your first period look like?


A017 - What Does Your First Period Look Like?

Read the full article below 

Always Night sanitary pads were especially designed for overnight protection and offer more coverage, no matter how much you toss and turn, while Normal (Size 1) and  Long (Size 2) sanitary pads were designed for optimal daytime protection.

What is the difference between Day & Night sanitary pads?

My Period category icon

A061 Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

Don’t Be Worried about Your First Gynaecological Examination

Your period will last between 3 to 7 days. Once your menstrual cycle is more predictable, your period will come regularly, about every 28 days. You may want to mark down on a [calendar](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Calendar") when you get your first period.

This way, you’ll have some idea when your next one will come. Your period will likely be [irregular](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/home-remedies-for-irregular-periods-in-teenagers/ "Irregular") at first. It’s totally natural. It can take a while for your body to settle into a regular cycle.

A017 - T04 - How long will my period last?

How Often Is a Period

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Always Infinity FlexProtect period pads are uniquely made of super-absorbent holes and flexible SmartFoam technology. Click here and choose the best one for you!

Always FlexProtect period pads listing page

Always FlexProtect period pads

Make sure you use the size best adapted to your shape and flow. For additional leakage protection, try a higher size and consider changing your sanitary towel more frequently. Sanitary towels with wings provide a closer fit to you knickers that not only helps keep the pad in place but also keeps it closer to your body’s shape further reducing the risk of leakage. Check out our product recommender to find the best product for your need.

How do I avoid leaks?

Product Recommender Flexible Promo - PLP and PDP - Blue BG

Always FlexProtect

WHAT'S YOUR FLOW LIKE - HEAVY

Always Infinity is the only feminine protection product with SmartFoam, a technology that absorbs 10x its weight yet you barely feel it. Also, Always Infinity is the only product with micro holes, form-fitting channels, and a unique, intuitive; “wider-at-the-back” shape to help the sanitary towels achieve a critical three-dimensional body fit for effective protection.

Why do you call Infinity “revolutionary”?

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Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

Did you know that there are even health benefits to wearing the correct size for your body? Take bras, for instance. Without the right fit, you may experience backaches, stretched tendons, and discomfort.

But have you ever stopped to think… then why settle for ‘one size fits all’ when choosing feminine hygiene products? Why settle for a standard issue, ill-fitting and leaky sanitary pad? Why settle for less, when you deserve more?

Finding the right fit is necessary ‘down there’ as well. We each have our own unique shape and flow. But how many of us have given thought to the size of our sanitary pad? So why is that we all wear the same size sanitary pad?

That’s why the [Always Ultra](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/always-ultra/) range of pads comes in distinct sizes for every woman’s unique flow and shape. 

Here’s how to find the right size for you.


A042 - D02 - Did you know that...

- Up to Zero Feel Zero Leaks
- Moderate / Heavy Flow
- Recommended for the night

Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra(Size 4)

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) sanitary pads

FPG02 - How to Dispose a Pad?

How to Dispose a Pad?

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How to use a Pad?

Discovering a little blood on your knickers before your period is due can be confusing. But breathe deep. It’s usually no big deal. Click to learn more!

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Can PMS cause fatigue? If you're feeling tired before your period, click here to learn what you can do about this!

A149 Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies | Always

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Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) sanitary pads 9ct

9 ct

Find helpful resources about periods categorised into subtopics. Get informed with expert insights, navigate your period journey with confidence.

First Period & Puberty

Period Hub: Explore Period Articles by Category | Always UK

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A042-One-Size-Does-Not-Fit-All/One-Size-Does-Not-Fit-All.png

Period Hub - PH01 - First Period & Puberty

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra image 3

A010-T01-Calculate your menstrual cycle

Calculate your menstrual cycle

A010- Related Articles 

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In order to calculate your menstrual cycle, you’ll need to learn how to track your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Don’t worry. It’s pretty simple. All you need to do is mark down when your period started on a calendar for a few months in order to figure out how to count your period cycle days and to calculate the average length of your menstrual cycle.


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Scent - NO

FPG05 - Comfortable Pads for Periods

Comfortable Pads for Periods

Always FlexProtect - a pad made like no other 

- Absorbs like no other, Feels like nothing
- Thanks to its super-absorbent holes, FlexProtect Normal absorbs up to 40% more than Always Ultra Normal pads, for up to Zero Leaks
- Features a thin and flexible SmartFoam core, for up to Zero Feel
- Follows you at every movement, for up to Zero Bunching
- Always FlexProtect comes in a delightful carton box, for a nice and easy storage in your bathroom

Why You Will Love It?

Period Hub - PH01 - ADP - First Period And Puberty - Related Articles 

When you’re pregnant, every little change in your body takes on greater significance, and you can read each of them as a sign of what is happening with your baby. That is great, as long as you don’t over-interpret, or assume everything is an indication that things are going wrong! The same thing applies to your discharge.

A127 - Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: What's normal?

FPGA - Download PDF- Not sure where to start?

Not sure where to start?

SmartFoam is a technology that is found only in Always Infinity feminine sanitary towels. It is a soft, very absorbent foam. Its layered structure allows fluid to be quickly drawn from the top of the sanitary towel deep into the bottom layer, where it is stored.

What is SmartFoam?

When you get your first period be sure to [tell your mum](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/how-to-explain-periods-and-puberty-to-your-daughter/ "Tell your mum") or a trusted adult. (No one will know you have your period unless you tell them!). It can be good to tell them, so they can help support you and provide you with what you need (period products, tips…).
<br/><br/>
Next, you’ll want to put on a [sanitary towel](/en-gb/feminine-products/sanitary-towels/ "Sanitary towel") in order to absorb period blood and protect your knickers and clothing from it.

A017 - T05 - What to do when I get my first period?

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A010-T03-Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

Calculating your average menstrual cycle length

A017 - T02 - How much will I bleed during my first period?

How much will I bleed during my first period?

PH00 - A012 Why Am I Bleeding Before My Period Is Due?

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A010-T02-How to count the days in your menstrual cycle 

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SmartFoam is the only light foam sanitary towel available in feminine hygiene products. This foam structure with open and interconnected cells acquires liquid and distributes it effectively. SmartFoam keeps its shape even when wet. Traditional sanitary pads are constructed from cellulose fibers, which store fluid more "locally" and can collapse when wet.

How does SmartFoam differ from current super-absorbent materials?

Always Platinum

Contour Flex to catch the fluid right at the source

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The frequency with which you change your sanitary pad depends on your particular flow. The heavier your flow, the more often you should change your sanitary towel to reduce the risk of leaking. The lighter your flow, the less often you may need to change your sanitary towel. It is recommended to change your sanitary towel every four to eight hours.

How often should I change my Always Infinity FlexProtect sanitary towel?

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night (Size 3) sanitary pads

WHAT'S YOUR FLOW LIKE - LIGHT

Always Infinity FlexProtect Normal (Size 1) sanitary pads 12 ct

12 ct

Always Infinity Night Secondary Image 1

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Confidence

With Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) period pads with wings, you may even forget you are wearing a pad so you can enjoy a good-night sleep.

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra (Size 4) period pads with wings

Fit is critical to a sanitary pad's performance. A sanitary pad with proper fit will absorb better and provide a better experience for women. The combination of the SmartFoam core and the holes helps make the Infinity sanitary towel able to achieve critical three-dimensional body fit and ultimately provide women effective protection.

Why all this talk about fit?

 Always Ultra Secure Night Extra (Size 5) sanitary pads

Always Pads Ultra Night Heavy Flow

Always Infinity FlexProtect Night Extra image 5

A017 - T03 - How much blood will I shed?

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Period Tracker

Track your period

Find your perfect fit - Comparison chart - PADS 

Absorption technology

Exceptionally soft

Fit to body

https://images.ctfassets.net/aqfuj2z95p5p/6N9jI9FvRcsO3noigmZZgJ/d432f209be5fe553ec4e923e3bef8124/Night_Icon.svg

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Now, figuring out when your next period will come is easy as pie. Starting on the first day of your last period, just count out the average number of days between your periods (aka your average cycle length that you calculated) and that gives you the projected start date of your next period.

Voila! Now you know how to calculate your [cycle](/en-gb/period-tracker/ "Cycle"). Calculating your period isn’t an exact science but knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle will give you a good approximation of when your period will come. 

Your period may not come regularly. In fact, when you first start menstruating, it’s totally normal for your period to be irregular. It may take up to a year or two for your body to get into a regular pattern so keep on tracking. 

Did all this make you a little cross-eyed? Don’t worry. You can use the [period calendar](/en-gb/period-tracker/) on this website. Knowing how to calculate your menstrual cycle is a big help for being prepared and confident around your period.

How to know when your next period is due

always_en_uk-articles-a070-first-period-stories-first-period-stories-jpg

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A052-What-is-a-Period/What-is-a-Period.jpg

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Always_EN_UK/Articles/A036-How-to-Dispose-Sanitary-Pads/00-How_to-dispose-sanitary-pads.jpg

Red liquid is poured on pad that absorbs up to 30% more vs Always FlexProtect Size 1.

Always FlexProtect Night Pads Size4 Fiona 3.0 RBU UK SI03

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Your-Guide-to-Breast-Development 

Parents looking for tips?

Always_EN_UK/Articles/A119-How-To-Raise-A-Daughter/00-How-To-Raise-a-Daughter-For-Dads.jpg

always_en_uk-articles-a062-how-to-feel-better-during-your-period-how-to-feel-better-during-your-period-jpg

Finger leaves an indentation in Always FlexProtect's SmartFoam that moulds to your body.

Always FlexProtect Night Pads Size4 Fiona 3.0 RBU UK SI05

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Materials for Teachers

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