Padding the Puss - The Environmentally Friendly Way

I was thinking of something more environmentally friendly and less absorbed (pun) in consumerism.

Does anyone have experience using towels as menstrual pads rather than pads or tampons themselves? Are there things out there that are shaped and sold for this purpose, hand and/or machine washable?

How viable an option is it for you?

 

lots of women use cloth menstrual pads, or reusable cups. I really love my french terry hemp cloth pads. They are thinner, more comfortable, and more absorbent than paper, don't cause me irritation, and the kind I use are breathable too. Paper products are usually bleached with chlorine, which when it reacts with organic matter produces dioxin, the most toxic chemical known to man. This has been linked to endometriosis and other estrogen-associated disorders, as it is an estrogenic toxin. Women who switch to cloth generally notice a decrease in flow amount, and in their pain levels during menstruation.

 

Thank you! Now where would I find something like this? I refuse to shop online so I know this restricts my options. It sounds like something that would sell in one of the smaller stores downtown, not really on a commercial basis to bigger outlets...

 

http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196488

 

I LOVE my divacup! It never leaks. It's reusable. It's easy to clean. I would never use anything else!

 

There are products that are shaped and sold for this purpose, as well as patterns available online if you were interested in making your own.

I own a few cloth pads, but they're pretty expensive for a poor student like me... So for the really heavy days when I'm not leaving the house anyway (bad cramps) or overnight, I use old washcloths (now designated for this purpose). I just fold them into 1/4ths longways, so that they are about the width of a regular pad, and my underwear hold them in place no problem (though I do have to be careful that they don't fall out when I pull down the undies to use the bathroom). The store bought cloth pads have "wings" and a snap, so they don't have this problem.

 

Thanks everyone. And that really helped, Dawnsky. I'll try to keep a look out. I'm not sure if one washcloth would actually keep the flow, and what if it shifts when I sit or stand? As in the cloth shifting in my pants or under a skirt? This sounds a bit comical.

lol I just had an image of myself squatting in a public bathroom with those spaces underneath between yourself and the neighbouring stall... when the pad bellyflops onto the floor, saturated and all. Lovely.

 

the ones I like best I made for myself. But the others I did buy online. And I did buy the fabric online, too... Anywhere that sells good cloth diapers would likely have them, anyone that makes cloth diapers probably makes them, or could make them for you. Really, anyone with a serger or even a zigzag on their sewing machine could make them for you. I've never had issue with leaks, or with the pad falling out except once when I was using two of my thinner ones because my super-dupers were all in the wash. They stay put without snaps, velcro, or adhesive strips. I'd say the only problem would be if you wear loose, baggy underpants. LOL

 

Thanks for the info.

Yes. I wear granny XL underpants. It's for ventilation.

 

It depends on the washcloth -- I've got one that's really only for light days, but the others are fairly thick ones. They often don't shift so much as bunch up. And, being so thick, I wouldn't personally use one of the thicker washcloths with jeans, but then I wouldn't wear jeans on a day when I would need a thicker one (bad cramps)! They probably were fairly expensive for washcloths, but then someone decided that they wanted to decorate their bathroom in some other color or something, hence they were free to me!

Yeah, I definitely use a cloth pad (mine have a snap to keep them attached, preventing any bellyflops!), not anything unsecured, if I'm going out in public!

 

I agree!!! I didn't think I would like it at first, but it is now the greatest thing I ever found.
IT NEVER LEAKS, never. Even on those really heavy days when I used to just stay home in my old jogging pants, it's super comfy can't even feel it. Simple to clean, even in public washrooms.
I may sound like a commercial, but really I'm pissed I was 30 years old before I found this thing. I turned my sister onto it and she is just as in love as I am, and as a bonus since she stopped using store bought brands, she has felt better and had less pms symptoms.

 

I love cloth pads, period! Oops, pardon the pun, but I really do. My son wears cloth diapers on his bottom, so quite a few years ago I made the switch to cloth pads for myself. When that time comes each month, it's on with my special granny panties and cloth pads. The granny panties help hold in the pads better than a skimpy pair of undies do, and the cloth pads are so comfortable and economical.

 

What about that cup thing yall are talking about. I've never seen one of those (I don't think). It woulds like a diaphragm for your period? What happens if you take it out and spill it? That would suck.

 

Ok...

 

http://www.divacup.com/

this will tell you all you need to know. I have never spilled it, but I guess it could happen, I don't think it would be that big of a deal. I like it because it just doesn't leak. You can go anywhere without worrying. I'm sure some people won't like it, but all those I know who have used it love it.

 

Try turning it, I know it sounds funny, turn and click my sis in law calls it. If you turn it slowly after you insert it, it should open up fully. Also trying to insert it too high will cause it to "pinch". I had to trim mine a bit for comfort.