Sanitary pads are available in a choice of styles; either Maxi pads or Ultra thin pads. Choosing a style of sanitary pad is less important than getting the correct absorbency to suit your menstrual flow. It may also be the case that your preference for a thicker or thinner pad changes throughout the day and may even depend on your level of physical activity.
Maxi pads generally have a soft, absorbent cushioning which makes the design thicker. The pad fits close to the body making you feel better protected. Maxi pads, although thicker than Ultra pads, can be available in a range of styles including body contoured, slender cut and extra long.
Ultra thin pads are designed to be thin and as a result, the fluffy core is replaced with a compressed absorbent core, therefore, less bulkiness. Many manufacturers use a compressed wood pulp or cotton core with the addition of an embedded super absorbent powder (SAP) manufactured from crude oil. This is to allow them to maintain the higher level of absorbency that is often only achieved in a Maxi pad. Instead of crude oil derived absorbents, Natracare maintains the absorbency of the Natracare Ultra Thin Pads by using natural, absorbent plant starches.