How To Sleep During Period To Avoid Leakage

You know what sucks? Waking up in a pool of your own blood. It’s literally the worst feeling, and it happens to so many women every single day. If you’re tired of being awakened by period leaking at night, this article is for you! Learn how to stop period leaks once and for all.

How to Prevent Period Leakage While Sleeping:

1) Line toilet paper behind your pad

Do you get period leaks to your bum crack, even on your longest maxi pads? I do! This one is an exclusive hack I discovered to prevent period leaks for you girls who tend to leak to the back. It may not be very glorifying but it’s easy, cheap and I swear by it. Just put 1-2 squares of toilet paper in between your buns. Adjust the toilet paper at the height where your pad ends. The reason why it works is that the toilet paper sits snugger than your pad on your backside and catches any leaks. Pads with wings stop leaks to the sides and I believe this method stops leaks to the back.

2) Sleep in the fetal position

Sleeping in the fetal position is the best position to prevent period leaking. Do experiment with what works for you though! I tend to sleep on my side, or in the fetal position to help with period cramps. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as this position puts pressure on the womb. This can cause more period leaks overnight and cramps.

3) Wear overnight pads

First things first, you have to figure out what kind of pads work best for you. Different types of pads will provide different levels of protection against leaks. If you want the most protection possible, opt for night pads. Even better, go for night pads with wings. Trust me, these are the BEST and are worth the extra few dollars.

4) Wear a tampon

If you’re not a fan of overnight pads, you can always opt for tampons when you’re sleeping. Most tampons stay in place even when you’re sleeping, so they won’t cause any leaks. Go for a high absorbency tampon for sleeping overnight. The only downside of wearing a tampon at night is that it can be difficult to remove it when you wake up in the morning. That’s why we recommend changing tampons every eight hours. This is just a good practice for your general health to prevent infections, but it will also help you remove the tampon before you start leaking.

5) Invest in a menstrual cup

Menstrual cups are the third option when it comes to how to stop period leaks at night. These are great for overnight use since they can hold a lot of fluid. They last for 12 hours and do not leak. We recommend changing it regularly as you can still get infections if left in for too long. You have to be really good about cleaning and fitting them in beforehand too. They take some getting used to at first, but most women prefer them over other forms of period protection once they get the hang of it. These are wonderful because they’re reusable and last for 20 years!

6) Change your pad or tampon before bed

Change your period product right before you go to sleep at night too rather than first thing in the morning. This will give you a better shot at preventing leaks because the pad won’t be full of menstrual fluid. This is a simple tip, but it makes a difference. Some women tend to wear their pads or tampons through the night and forget to change them!

7) Set an alarm to check for leaks

You can set an alarm to wake up once every few hours and check if your menstrual product is still in place. When it’s full or almost full, take it out and replace it with a fresh one. Most menstrual products are absorbent enough to stay in for 8 hours at a time. This is why it is recommended that you check your product every few hours instead of wearing it overnight without changing it. This can be quite disruptive to your sleep. But, if it helps you avoid leaks at night, it could be worth a few groggy mornings.

8) Wear snug bottoms

Wearing undies and pants on the tighter side will hold your pad in place so it can’t move around and cause you to leak. I personally wear yoga pants or leggings to sleep.

9) Wear period undies

Period undies are also known as absorbent period underwear. They are made from a special type of fabric that absorbs menstrual fluid. They are slightly more expensive than pads or liners, but they can be used for months at a time before you need to dispose of them. They’re basically like normal underwear but made with an absorbent material that soaks up the blood before it reaches your pants. Some can hold up to four tampons’ worth of menstrual blood!

10) Wear another pair of undies

Just put on another pair of undies on top of the one you have been wearing throughout the day. This will help keep your pad from shifting around too much and causing a leak.

11) Get out of bed slowly

Ease yourself out of bed in the morning. When you are sleeping, the period pools in the vagina and cervix. If you get up quickly, it can cause a sudden rush of menstrual fluid due to gravity, causing a period leak.

12) Use bedding protection

Use mattress protectors and waterproof sheets to protect your bedding from stains. Also, use a dark-colored duvet cover so blood does not get on it as easily. Dark towels are great to use to sop up any period leaks. You can also place a towel between your legs and the mattress to avoid staining.

13) Be prepared and plan ahead

Track your period on calendars, apps, or even on paper. Know when your period will start so you can prepare everything you need to sleep through the night as discussed above. Prevention is key.

How to Clean Period Stains

So, you’ve made the accident…There’s no need to be embarrassed about period stains – we’ve all been there! With a few simple tips, you can easily remove any bloodstains from your clothing.

What you’ll need:

1. Blunt knife
2. Soap or liquid detergent
3. Hydrogen peroxide or lemon
4. Cold water (hot water can cause worse staining!)

What to do:

1. First, use a blunt knife to scrape off dry old blood stains
2. Mix water and liquid detergent together
3. Soak the fabric in the soapy mixture for 15 minutes (don’t throw out the mixture just yet!)
4. Rub the backside of the stain, then leave it out for 30 minutes
5. Re-soak your fabric in the mixture for 15 minutes
6. Rinse with cold water
7. Spray with hydrogen peroxide or lemon on older stains for an hour
8. Chuck into the laundry and walk away

What else works to remove period stain:

1. Home remedies: White vinegar, Salt and water, Baking soda and water
2. Bleach

If all else fails, why not reuse these as period undies/towels/bedsheets!

Conclusion

Period leaks can be a huge problem for women, but thankfully there are plenty of things you can do to stop them. Take steps beforehand to prepare yourself. Choose the right menstrual product for your needs and wear clothing that will hold up against leaks at night. Preparation and prevention may sound simple. These two things together are what it takes to stop period leakages at night during your sleep.

FAQ

Why do I bleed more at night on my period

So, your period is leaking more when sleeping? It’s not a great surprise – but it’s not because you’re bleeding more at night! During the day, you do things to avoid leaking constantly and consciously e.g. regular pad changing, sitting and standing upright, and checking if your pad is positioned correctly. But when you’re asleep, you lose control of these things.

• Your period pad gets full without changing it.
• You lose gravity when you’re lying down, so period blood can fall anywhere causing a leaky situation on your sanitary products or sheets!
• You shuffle around from position to position while sleeping, causing your bottoms to bunch up.

These all lead to leaking more at night.

Why does my period leak to the front?

Your period may leak to certain places more often depending on how you are sitting or standing. The gravity changes too with each position, which guides the flow of your period. There is not enough scientific evidence to support the idea that the direction of period flow is associated with your vagina or uterus’ anatomy. If you find that you tend to leak towards the front, try shifting your pad forwards!

Why does my period leak to the back?

Again, your period can leak in any direction depending on how you’re positioned. Your period is more likely to leak to the back if you tend to sleep on your back. Your period is more likely to leak to the back if you tend to sleep on your back.