How to put on a pad for the first time
A disposable pad sticks to the inside of your underwear. The soft, absorbent side faces your body; the sticky side faces the fabric. If it has wings, they fold around the edges of the underwear and stick underneath.
How to put on a pad, step by step
- Wash your hands. Open the wrapper. Keep it for wrapping the used pad later.
- Find the sticky side. Peel off its backing paper, if there is one. Some pads peel away from the wrapper directly.
- Center it inside your underwear. Run the pad lengthwise along the fabric between your legs. Press the sticky side onto that fabric, with the soft side facing up. Follow any front/back directions on the package.
- Fold the wings underneath. If your pad has side flaps, remove their backing and wrap them around the underwear’s edges. They attach to the outside of the fabric, not your skin.
- Check the fit. Pull your underwear up. If the pad is folded or bunching, lower your underwear and straighten it. Wash your hands when you’re done.
The part to remember:
Soft side → your body
Sticky side → your underwear
Wings → around the edges, underneath
What if the backing paper or wings confuse me?
Take it one piece at a time: open the wrapper, find the adhesive underneath the main pad, then look for any separate backing over the wings. Some products have one backing piece and others have more. The package picture is the best guide to yours. Keep the adhesive on fabric, not on your skin.
If a wing sticks to itself before you have finished, pause and check the product rather than adding another pad on top. Thefit guide helps with folding and bunching; the disposal guide covers the used pad.
Which way does a pad go?
The soft side faces you, and the adhesive faces the underwear. For front and back, use the directions on your pad’s package rather than guessing from the pattern. If it bunches or leaks at the sides, our pad-fit guide helps you check the fit.
What if my pad doesn’t have wings?
That’s okay. Skip the wing step. The adhesive underneath holds it to your underwear. You don’t need a particular brand or a special “first period” pad to learn.
When should I change it?
For a school-day routine and earlier change cues, see when to change a pad.
During the day, change a pad about every 3–4 hours, sooner if it feels wet, uncomfortable, or gets full. Follow the product instructions too. Unscented pads can help you avoid irritation from fragrance.
For school, think about a bathroom opportunity between classes and another at lunch, adjusting to when you put the pad on and how quickly it fills. You don’t have to wait for a planned break if you need to change sooner.
Taking it off
Unstick the wings, then peel the pad from the underwear. Wrap it in toilet paper or its wrapper and put it in a trash can or sanitary disposal bin. Don’t flush it. Wash your hands afterward.
If it feels strange or leaks
A pad may feel noticeable at first. Check whether it’s centered and lying flat. You can try a different shape, length, or absorbency if this one doesn’t suit you. If a product causes irritation, stop using it and ask a trusted adult or clinician for help.
Keep a spare where you can reach it. If you’re learning in a school bathroom right now, our school guide has words for asking for help.
Where this comes from
- Saba: how to use a period pad — manufacturer instructions for placing a disposable pad and folding wings
- Nemours KidsHealth: period supplies — pad changes, disposal, and choosing unscented products
Sources checked October 28, 2026. General education, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. These organizations have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Tell us about a correction.