Woman forgets how pad size works after a hysterectomy and ends up bringing post-birth-size pads for her sister
It was an honest mistake.
We often joke that once you leave a certain phase of life, your brain deletes the operational data associated with it. For TikTok creator Selina Rae (@therealrealwitraerae), that data loss involved the entire feminine hygiene aisle. But the fallout went to her sister, who just needed some normal pads.
Having had a hysterectomy in 2020, Selina hasn’t had to think about “time of the month” logistics in years. But recently, her sister asked for a quick favor of buying pads for her. What Selina brought home instead from the Dollar Tree has over 23,000 viewers laughing.
Selina thought that a pad is just a pad. But when her sister saw the pack, she immediately went, “What the f—k is this?” And now you know that “size matters” isn’t just a cliché; it’s a structural requirement for some.
The ‘aloe-infused’ pads distracted Selina from what really mattered
Selina was at the Dollar Tree when her sister requested some pads. Wanting to be a “top-tier” sister, Selina spotted some overnight pads that seemed like a total win. They were 100% cotton, chlorine-free, and infused with aloe and a smidge of lavender. “Bitch, I got you, say less, right?” she recalled thinking.
Selina felt like she was helping her sister “level up” her cycle with a premium, natural product. But the realization happened when her sister came out of the bathroom in total disbelief and asked, “Selena what the f—k is this?” Selena, obviously, was puzzled.
The sister was shocked by the massive size of the pads
Selina’s sister, equally puzzled, asked her, “What in the hell am I going to do with this?” That’s when Selina really looked at the size of the pads. It turns out, she had accidentally purchased the pads in a size meant for postpartum recovery. It was kind of the “mattress-sized” protection typically handed out in hospitals after giving birth.
Her sister also reiterated the fact, telling her, “This is what they gave me after I had the twins.” Selina then hilariously demonstrated the scale of the pad, noting that it was literally the length of her own torso.
Sizing is a crucial PSA for former users
Selina admitted that even before her hysterectomy, she wasn’t a frequent pad user. So. she had completely forgotten that feminine products come in a numbered sizing system. While her sister is roughly her size, the sheer surface area of the pads she bought was enough to cover her from front to back and then some.
She also highlighted the size scale printed on the packaging. Her sister actually needed the smallest one, but she bought the largest one instead. Her takeaway was a firm PSA: “Focus on sizing guys. And don’t ask me to buy shit, clearly.”
How to find the right size pads for your needs
If you haven’t been in the feminine hygiene aisle in a while, the current sizing system can look like a complicated math equation. Most major brands have moved to a numbered system (1 through 5) to help users find the right fit based on their flow and underwear size.
Size 1 (Regular), is best for light flow days and small-to-medium underwear sizes. Size 2 (Long/Super) offers more coverage for moderate flow or medium-to-large underwear. For heavy daytime flow or those who need extra security, Size 3 (Extra Long) is your friend.
Then, on the longer side, size 4 (Overnight) features a wider back to prevent leaks while lying down. The last one, size 5 (Extra Heavy Overnight) are the “torso-sized” ones Selina found. They provide maximum coverage and are often used for heavy postpartum bleeding or very heavy overnight protection.
The packaging might look cute, but don’t forget to real the labels
While Selina’s sister might have been “short-changed” on the comfort front, she definitely won’t be dealing with any leaks for the next five days. However, Selina probably ran back to the Dollar Tree to buy the right size.
But if you don’t want to double your Dollar Tree run, check the box thoroughly. The packages always have the sizing chart. They typically cross-reference your flow level with your panty size to ensure you don’t end up wearing a “hospital-grade” pad by mistake.
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