Ariel, 16 July, 2022
Did you know there are sanitary pads made specifically for men?
Sanitary pads have always been considered a feminine hygiene product, so men rarely discuss or learn about them, thinking they are irrelevant to them.
Even some men feel very embarrassed when "forced" to buy sanitary pads for their girlfriends because they think sanitary pads are not something men should touch, being very private female items.
What if you knew a man around you was using sanitary pads? What would you think?
Would you find him strange?
Suspect he might be a potential pervert?
Think he has a mental issue?
Or maybe he is actually a woman!
Using sanitary pads seems to be incredibly unimaginable for men, something we probably have never heard of from childhood to adulthood, including men using sanitary pads.
However, despite the rarity of men using sanitary pads, the demand among men is not small. Why do men need sanitary pads? Why Do Men Use Sanitary Pads?
Why Do Men Use Sanitary Pads?
In fact, many men have been "secretly" using sanitary pads for their strong absorbency and soft material, which make them a good choice in many scenarios, such as:
Using sanitary pads as insoles to prevent foot sweat during military training or other sports;
Placing sanitary pads under poorly designed straps to prevent shoulder strain;
Attaching sanitary pads to the bike seat or inner thighs during outdoor cycling to prevent discomfort from friction, etc.
These various uses of sanitary pads are considered by many women as overkill, even offensive:
"Men don't get periods, so there's no need to buy sanitary pads for use as insoles/butt pads/shoulder pads! Can't they buy products specifically designed for these scenarios? What's the mindset behind using period pads?"
But there is a group of men who genuinely need sanitary pads, using them just like women do by placing them in their underwear. Facing skepticism, they have their unspoken difficulties.
Indeed, some men do need to use sanitary pads.
The unspoken reason is that these men suffer from urinary incontinence or hemorrhoids.
Male urinary incontinence occurs when men, due to actions like sneezing, laughing, or diseases such as prostatitis, cannot control urination regardless of the time or place.
Imagine, while happily dining with friends, you laugh out loud and suddenly feel a chill down there. Looking down, you find a large wet spot on your crotch. At that moment, you can neither laugh nor cry... all you can do is silently scream in your mind, "Oh heavens! What should I do?"
Or during a department meeting, an accidental sneeze leads to urinary incontinence, and you're next to present. Scratching your head, even if your crotch luckily escapes unmarked, the moist, uncomfortable feeling already makes it hard to focus on presenting your work.
For those troubled by urinary incontinence, these scenarios are not unfamiliar, and the frequent embarrassment can lead to a sense of inferiority. Fear of being judged by others severely affects normal life and work. With age, the number of men troubled by urinary incontinence increases, so the demand for male sanitary pads rises.
Moreover, the saying goes, "Ten out of ten men have hemorrhoids," indicating that a significant number of men suffer from them. Those with hemorrhoids risk rupturing them, which is not only excruciating but also can stain trousers with blood. Even worse, you never know which action might trigger this "bloody disaster."
To avoid social death, it's better to use a sanitary pad just like women do. Some perceptive businesses have noticed this unspoken need among men and quickly launched sanitary pads for men to help avoid embarrassing situations.
About Male Sanitary Pads...
The physiological structure of men's lower bodies is vastly different from women's, so male sanitary pads are designed differently from female ones.
Male sanitary pads focus on protecting the male groin area, so they come in a triangular shape with a wider front and narrower back, as well as a wrap-around cylindrical form.
Since absorbing urine is also a primary function of male sanitary pads, they focus more on quick absorption and strong anti-seepage capabilities compared to female sanitary pads, which absorb thicker menstrual blood.
Since their invention, male sanitary pads have quickly spread across different countries.
Denmark, France, Sweden, and the United States, among others, have introduced male sanitary pads.
Japan's male sanitary pads mainly target older men facing urinary incontinence. With Japan's serious aging population issue, the demand for elderly needs is growing. These male sanitary pads not only prevent urine leaks but are also more discreet, helping men maintain their dignity.
In France, the city of romance, the pursuit of refinement never ceases. Thus, French male sanitary pads mainly focus on solving the issue of odor caused by sweat or disease in men's private areas, helping to create the image of the "perfect man" and shedding the negative stereotype of being unclean and sloppy.
In a country that values freedom and equality like the United States, male sanitary pads were naturally introduced, aiming to satisfy the needs of any group. Their soft, body-hugging design carefully protects men while absorbing secretions and locking in odors.
How to Use Men's Sanitary Pad
These male sanitary pads differ in focus but share a basic method of use:
1. Peel off the sticker on the back.
2. Place the wider side in front and the narrower side in back.
3. Stick it onto the underwear.
It's evident that using male sanitary pads is quite convenient. However, despite being around for several years and their growing global influence, the popularity of male sanitary pads, especially in China, remains low.
Many people have prejudices against male sanitary pads, thinking they are "not manly" or "weird," and men themselves are too concerned about face to use them. Fear and unfamiliarity with this new item are understandable. But for men who need them, we recommend taking that brave step and trying sanitary pads to solve their issues. You might find that many problems aren't really problems at all.
The purpose of this article is not only to inform about the existence of male sanitary pads but also to call for a more inclusive, open, and understanding attitude towards men who use sanitary pads.
Lastly, men using sanitary pads should also keep in mind:
Change frequently to prevent bacterial growth;
If there's a strong sensation of friction or even allergic reactions, switch promptly to a product with a softer, more skin-friendly surface;
Buy products with good absorbency and simple ingredients.
As women gradually come to freely choose sanitary pads on shelves, we also look forward to men being able to freely buy suitable sanitary pads in supermarkets and face "cool down there" situations more confidently.
Sanitary pads, like toilet paper, help maintain cleanliness and hygiene when needed. If one day, both men and women can face sanitary pads as naturally as they do toilet paper, without the need to hide, it will be a sign of societal progress.
