Can I use expired menstrual pads?

Menstrual napkins, also known as sanitary napkins, should not be used after their expiration date.
Sanitary napkins are sterilized using high-temperature disinfection methods to achieve sterility and have a specific period of validity. Beyond this period, there is no guarantee of sterility. Prolonged storage or expiration can lead to deterioration and contamination. During menstruation, the vagina is particularly sensitive and vulnerable with reduced external resistance, making it susceptible to invasion by pathogenic microorganisms. It is advisable not to stockpile too many sanitary napkins as even if they are packaged and stored in a dark and humid environment, bacteria can still proliferate. Using expired sanitary napkins may lead to infections such as vaginitis or urethritis.
It is important to change sanitary napkins frequently due to the rich nutrients in menstrual blood which provide an ideal "culture medium" for bacteria. Prolonged use without replacement leads to local accumulation of menstrual blood resulting in increased humidity and poor ventilation, creating favorable conditions for bacterial reproduction and potential infection. Therefore, it's essential to diligently replace sanitary napkins every 2-3 hours or even more frequently during summer.
When using expired sanitary napkins, it is recommended to cleanse the vulva with warm water or a diluted vulva cleaning solution such as Baian lotion, and ensure that the area remains dry. While sanitary napkins are sterilized at high temperatures, their one-time sterilization has a limited validity period. If stored for an extended period, even unopened sanitary napkins may develop mold. Women have reduced resistance during menstruation; therefore, using expired sanitary napkins can easily lead to female vaginal infections or gynecological diseases such as vaginitis, posing potential risks to vaginal health.
Sanitary napkins will expire, because the shelf life of sanitary napkins is generally about three years, if there is an expiration, you need to stop using immediately, so as not to breed bacteria, after use may lead to gynecological diseases in women, so the expired sanitary napkins can not be used. Sanitary napkins are often used by women, used during menstruation, have a certain validity period, and can not be used after the expiration.