Most have self-adhesive strips on one side to hold the pad in the crotch of a pair of panties. Pads are made of absorbent fibers inside an overwrap material, designed to draw wetness away from the body. A thin layer of plastic with lengthwise strips of adhesive covers the back of the pads. They range from maxis for the heaviest flow to panty shields for the lightest flow. Panty shields can also be worn when women are expecting their periods.
Some pads have wings' or extra flaps on each side to prevent leakage.
In some situations, playing sports, for example, pads may tend to cause discomfort or irritation, or there may be leakage and a tendency to move. And, pads are unsuitable for swimming. When menstrual flow comes in contact with air, an odor can develop. To avoid developing an odor, pads should be changed every two to four hours. Used pads must be folded up and wrapped in plastic or toilet paper, and thrown away in the trash - not flushed down the toilet.