Résumé
Objective: To assess the blood absorption capacity of various sanitary pads available in Thailand. Methods: Forty-eight models of sanitary pads, 10 pads per each model, were tested. Whole blood was poured into the center of each pad. Three volumes were recorded: volume-A, the volume recorded when the seeping blood reached at least one lateral rim of the pad, volume-B, when it reached at least one longitudinal end, and volume-C, when it showed the maximal absorption capacity of the pad. Results: The blood volume absorbed in each model ranged from 2.4+0.5 to 23.5+2.9 mL for volume-A, 4.9+0.9 to 40.7+2.1 mL for volume-B, and 7.9+1.2 to 90.0+16.9 mL for volume-C, respectively. Some models did not allow blood to reach either a lateral rim or a longitudinal end of the pad. Conclusion: The blood absorption capacity of sanitary pads largely varied on model and brand. Therefore, in order to use pad counting for estimating the volume of excess menstrual blood loss, it is necessary to know the exact model of sanitary pad used by the patient.