This study was to explore the perception about menstruation and discomforts of using disposable menstrual pads in menstruating women.

A survey was conducted of 132 menstrual women recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview and a study questionnaire, and analyzed by frequency and χ²-test.

More than half of the subjects expressed a negative perception about menstruation, while 25% expressed a mixed perception and 24.2% expressed a positive perception. Women who perceived their menstruation negatively had more menstrual pain than the others (p<.001). The most frequently experienced discomforts of using disposable pads were an unpleasant smell (18.9%), leakage (18.9%), and discomfort (16.6%). Adverse effects of using disposable pads were reported as an itching sense (23.1%), skin rash (20.2%), and skin irritation (10.6%). Alternate materials were reported with tampons, alternate washable pads, and maternity pads.

The results indicate that disposable menstrual pads cause several discomforts and common adverse effects such as skin problems. To decrease these discomforts and relieve adverse effects, planned nursing education including women's personal hygiene methods and information about an alternate pad may be helpful.