Choosing the Right Protection for Your Flow
Women’s Health & Wellness
Period Care
Choosing the Right Protection for Your Flow
Absorbency levels, overnight vs daily protection, and the comfort features that actually matter — a straightforward guide to picking between Always and Tampax for every day of your cycle.
🛒 Shop Always & Tampax — both available now on Medorna
01 — The BasicsWhy Absorbency Matters More Than the Label
Every period is different — not just from person to person, but day to day within the same cycle. Choosing the wrong absorbency is the most common reason for leaks, discomfort, or that “changed it too soon” feeling. The fix isn’t a stronger product across the board; it’s matching absorbency to your actual flow, and adjusting as your flow changes through the week.
Both pads and tampons are labelled using a standard absorbency scale, so once you understand it, comparing Always and Tampax becomes simple. Both brands are stocked on Medorna, so you can shop across the full range — light to overnight — in one place.
02 — Absorbency LevelsUnderstanding Absorbency: Light to Extra Heavy
Tampon absorbency is measured in grams of fluid absorbed, and pad absorbency is described by size and coverage. Here’s how the two brands line up:
| Absorbency | Tampax (tampons) | Always (pads) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Under 6g — Tampax Pearl Light | Size 1 Ultra Thin | Spotting, final days |
| Regular | 6–9g — Tampax Pearl Regular | Size 2 Ultra Thin | Everyday moderate flow |
| Super | 9–12g — Tampax Pearl / Radiant Super | Size 3 Ultra Thin | Heavier flow days |
| Super Plus | 12–15g — Tampax Radiant Super Plus | Size 4 Ultra Thin | Heavy flow, longer wear |
| Extra Heavy / Overnight | — | Size 5 Extra Heavy Overnight | Overnight, first 1–2 heavy days |
03 — Day vs NightOvernight vs Daily Protection
Daytime and overnight protection are built for different problems. Daytime products are optimised for repeated changes and all-day comfort under clothing. Overnight products are built to be worn for up to 8 hours without a change, while you’re lying down — which changes where the protection needs to be.
- Daily pads (Always Ultra Thin, Sizes 1–3): thinner profile, standard-length back coverage, designed to be changed every 4–6 hours.
- Overnight pads (Always Ultra Thin Overnight, Size 4–5): up to 45–75% more back coverage to guard against lying-down leaks, built for up to 8 hours of wear.
- Daytime tampons (Tampax Pearl Light/Regular/Super): built for activity and changed every 4–8 hours.
- Tampons overnight: fine to wear to bed within the 8-hour limit, but many people pair a tampon with a thin overnight pad as backup on heavy nights.
04 — Comfort FeaturesWhat the Comfort Features Actually Do
- RapidDRY / quick-absorb core (Always): pulls fluid away from the surface in seconds, so the pad feels dry rather than damp.
- LeakGuard core (Always) / LeakGuard Braid (Tampax): channels fluid back into the core or absorbent center instead of sideways, reducing side and back leaks.
- Wings (Always): fold around underwear to stop the pad shifting — worth choosing on higher-absorbency and overnight pads especially.
- Anti-Slip Grip applicator (Tampax Pearl): a textured applicator grip for easier, more comfortable insertion.
- Smooth Removal Layer (Tampax): makes lighter-day tampons more comfortable to remove.
- Unscented options: both brands offer fragrance-free lines across pads and tampons for sensitive skin.
05 — Shop by FlowRecommended Lineup for Every Flow Type
A simple way to build a period care kit — one option per flow stage, from both brands:
Light Flow
Always Ultra Thin Size 1
Slim, discreet protection for spotting days and the tail end of your cycle.
Light Flow
Tampax Pearl Light
Under-6g absorbency with a Smooth Removal Layer, made for comfort on your lightest days.
Regular Flow
Always Ultra Thin Size 2
The everyday pad — thin profile with up to 12 hours of RapidDRY, LeakGuard protection.
Regular Flow
Tampax Pearl Regular
6–9g absorbency, LeakGuard Braid, and up to 8 hours of protection for daily wear.
Heavy Flow
Always Ultra Thin Size 3–4
6–9g absorbency, LeakGuard Braid, and up to 8 hours of protection for daily wear.
Heavy Flow
Tampax Radiant Super Plus
12–15g absorbency for heavier days, paired with Tampax’s LeakGuard Braid technology.
Overnight Pick
Always Ultra Thin Extra Heavy Overnight (Size 5) — up to 75% more back coverage than a regular pad, built for up to 8 hours of lying-down protection. This is the go-to for the first one or two heaviest nights of your cycle.
06 — FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my pad or tampon?
Pads roughly every 4–6 hours, tampons every 4–8 hours and never beyond 8 hours, regardless of flow — this applies even on lighter days.
Can I wear a tampon overnight?
Yes, as long as total wear time stays under 8 hours. If your nights are longer than that, a tampon paired with a thin backup pad, or an overnight pad alone, is the safer choice.
What’s the difference between Always Ultra Thin and Always Overnight?
Both use the same RapidDRY and LeakGuard technology. The Overnight version simply has significantly more back coverage to protect against leaks while lying down.
Should I always size up “just in case”?
No — match absorbency to your actual flow. Sizing up unnecessarily doesn’t add protection, and for tampons, using a higher absorbency than needed is linked to increased Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) risk. Use the lowest absorbency that keeps you comfortable and leak-free.
