PANTY LINERS TESTING

Panty liners are thin, fluid absorbent pieces of pads that are worn on the inside of panties and act as a barrier against a wide variety of vaginal discharges.

Panty liners are usually thinner and narrower compared to sanitary napkins or pads. Hence, their absorption capacity is less compared to sanitary napkins and must be changed more often compared to sanitary pads. Panty liners offer external protection against light menstrual discharges.

Some common daily uses of panty liners are: 

• Protection against light menstrual flow
• Feminine odor control
• Vaginal perspiration
• Post-intercourse leakage
• Urinary incontinence

Panty liners exist in various shapes, colours and sizes, varying from small, compact panty liners to large, protective panty liners created for heavy vaginal discharge and light period flow. Different styles of panty liners are designed to fit for different body types. Disposable panty liners contain a sticky adhesive on the backside of the pad to be able to remain in an appropriate position inside the underwear. Reusable panty liners also exist, which are made from cellulose. 

The vaginal microbiota in females is highly complex and plays a crucial role in vaginal health. Candidiasis is a fungal infection of the vagina, which is likely to occur in every woman at least once in her life. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans that occurs naturally in women. When the fungus in the vagina has been escalated to grow too much, it causes a vaginal yeast infection. Pantyliners keep the vaginal area dry and clean by absorbing all the discharge that occurs. Also, pantyliners must be able to maintain optimum skin temperature and pH so as to maintain the natural vaginal microbiota, which is essential for female health. Pantyliners are tested as per Bureau of Indian Standards specifications in IS 5405.