Kotex Sanitary Pads

Kotex was created In hospitals and first aid stations during World War I, Kimberly-Clark's cellulose wadding often replaced cotton, which was in short supply. Through the ingenuity of army nurses, the wadding was adapted for menstrual purposes.

In 1920, Kotex was introduced as Kimberly-Clark's first consumer product. Short, easy to say and remember, the name was derived from the words "cotton texture."

Maxi Pads and Lightdays Pantiliners are made mostly of wood cellulose fibers, the same raw materials paper is made from. The fibers are "fluffed" to make the material absorbent and soft. The outer cover and the moisture-proof shields are made with a moisture-proof plastic to help minimize leakage. Kotex Security Tampons are made from a blend of natural cotton and synthetic rayon, with a moisture-proof, plastic cover.

How often do I need to change my Maxi Pad?  Usually every four to six hours is fine. If you have a heavy flow, you might need to change it more often. When the pad is almost saturated, it's time to change. Even if you have a light flow, you should still change frequently for cleanliness. The blood from your body is clean, but once it hits the air and accumulates on your Maxi Pad, odors can develop.

What are tampons and how do I use them? Tampons are small rolls of absorbent material that are inserted in the vagina to absorb menstrual flow. They come in different absorbencies. If you use a tampon, you should use the minimum absorbency necessary to manage your menstrual flow on a given day. Kotex Security Tampons have smooth applicators that make them easy to insert. You throw away the applicator after you've put in the tampon. You remove tampons by pulling on the attached string, which hangs outside the body. It is important to change tampons at least every four to eight hours. Please see usage instructions on the tampon package for more detailed information. Tampons are associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a very rare but serious disease. Studies indicate that higher absorbency tampons increase the risk of contracting TSS.

Can I leave my tampon in all day if I have a very light flow? No. Toxic shock syndrome, although rare (and usually preventable), is a serious disease. The symptoms of TSS are a sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, a rash that looks like sunburn, dizziness and muscle aches. If you experience any of these symptoms, take out your tampon and call your doctor immediately. In general, use the lightest-absorbency tampon you can and change it often – at least every four to eight hours. Or use pads. Actually, switching between tampons and pads is a good idea. And at night, pads are the way to go.