Mumsnet Talk

Following on from the informative thread about disposable pads - there was mention of the toxins in disposables contributing to period pain.

One of my DDs, 14, suffers with awful back and tummy pain for a week before her period and for the first few days. She's in tears some days. She has seen our GP,who has prescribed pain killers. They give some relief, but i hate seeing her popping pills for 10 days a month. (She uses those sticky heat pads on her back or tummy when she's at school, and a hot water bottle when she's home as well)

My question is - has anyone had experience of menstrual pains lessening when they gave up disposable pads and began using washable ones?

I'm thinking it might be difficult for her to use re-usable internal protection while at school, such as the sponge, but what do you think?

It would be so worth it if it would help her, but is there much evidence that it would? I can show her this thread

Yes, me. My periods got lighter as well.

I suffered with really horrible cramps periods, starting after my miscarriages. Sounds weird, and tmi, but I would get an agonising cramping feeling in my rectum! When I switched to cloth pads and mooncup, the pain immediately lessened, within a few periods there was also significantly less blood every month and no pain at all.

Mooncup, for sure. My pain is currently too bad to insert a mooncup, but for the two cycles I could it made a difference. Friend uses reusable pads and says the same thing.

Yes. Using a mooncup means less cramp and my period being over faster. My flow feels lighter.

Thank you

It's amazing really. In a good way.

I'm not sure she would cope with a cup right now. Not that i'm 'dissing' anyone's experiences, i'm grateful for all your thoughts. I'm just picturing the average school loos and thinking - hmmm.

She uses tampons and night time always' at the moment. I'm going to have a chat with her about this, and suggest she tries the pads, and see if that is doable. Even if it makes a small difference it's worth it right?

The Dr. cheerfully told her that her periods will probably change after child birth anyway.
She's 14 FGS!

And she might not want children!

<sigh>

I used to suffer terrible thrush that time of the month but since using a mooncup I have not had thrush.

Cramps are far less intense as well.

Yes to lighter flow and pain from me - though I can't say for sure it was definitely the pads, I swapped at the time I got proper treatment for endometriosis.
Worth looking into the possibility of endometriosis, I'm afraid, as excessive pain during the teenage years is one of the early signs.

If she were to swap, she would need a good wetbag that she could keep in her schoolbag. The pads themselves fold in on each other like little envelopes and snap tight so you don't see or smell anything. I was teaching today wearing one.
Sponges I've never tried so can't say.

The only really crucial thing is that she is on board with the change. If she wants to give it a go, shall I send you a couple to try out? I make the things, and mine are quite good (blows own trumpet). You would have to let me know how big she is. It would also have to wait 2 weeks before I could send them as I'm not at home atm.

I know for a young teen this is not always ideal but would going on the pill help? I had amazingly light pain free periods when I went on it aged 18. I don't mean to offend or suggest she is sexually active, thinking purely from a period perspective!

Another alternative is to buy the organic disposable pads. Natracare, and other people do them. If you go on the website there is a list of local suppliers. No time to link at the mo...

I personally find that a mooncup gives me horrendous cramps but everyone's experiences are different. I was put on the pill as a 15 year old to help with heavy bleeding, irregular periods and cramps and it workd wonders.

I was your daughter op- I even started fainting because of it. I tried all sorts- in the end it was the pill that made the most difference.

insist on a blood clotting test for your DD. Nobody deserves to suffer like that month after month. It might well be VWD which is very easily treated but, despite being very common, GPs don't seem to consider....

The mooncup and I didn't agree, I think we were not built for each other. I had really heavy periods and really bad cramping that lasted for days when I was a teenager, it was sorted by my sports team trainer in university in a few words:

"Damn chandras! Just keep moving and stretching your bloody legs, and you will be fine"

She was right, since then a few situps here and there when I was feeling unwell did the trick.

The heavy periods... Lasted for several years more though.

I'm another that has had years of dreadful period pains (and bloodloss), since my periods started. I've fainted with it all before, and I am known for being tough - did broke ankle on cross country and finished the course etc etc.

Eventually I was diagnosed with endometriosis, but not until I'd tried everything - organic disposables, reusables etc. Magnets. Acupuncture. tbh, none of it worked, only the pill / painkillers / tranexamic acid for lessening the blood loss. It might be worth a try though, but alongside her getting the medical attention that she needs.

NB rectal pain at time of period (javelin arse in MN parlance) = classic endo sign.

No experience of moon cups or anything but lovely lovely tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid were the only things that worked for me until I started taking the pill constantly so I don't have periods at all, which is bliss.

Keep taking her to the doctor, no one should have to suffer such barbarism every month, insist your doctor does something to help her and not dismiss it as ladies troubles and 'she'll grow out of it', it's no use to her now!

You could contact the companies that make the unbleached products and ask for a sample? I'm sure most would be happy to send one to see how she gets on with it.

I use cups and washable pads and my periods are most pain free with the pads, cups make me a little more crampy, but I like the lack of mess and ease.

It is worth considering that unless she has a very heavy flow it is often possible to pop a cup in in the morning and not have to empty it unti bed time so every 12 hours basically, which bypasses the need to change at school.

If you are interested in a cup, I would recomened a Meluna over a Mooncup for a teen, they come in much smaller sizes and you can have a ring for removal which makes it very easy to grip.

My friends daughter had the contraception injection due to same issues, change from tampons to towels then onto washable protection, no difference so gave up.

Your poor dd. my own dd has also very bad back pain, she started she 11 poor pet.

She's now 14 and I know for me the pill helped at 16 but just think she is too young for this yet. Not from sex view but just messing her hormones around but again not sure.

Any doctors out there with advice??

Sponges are easy to use when you are out and about - I just carry a bottle of water and rinse it out over the loo.

With a mooncup depending on her flow she might not have to empty it while she is at school.

And yes, period pains are much less since stopping disposable sanitary wear.

Oh my goodness thank you all so much for all this

Where to start ...

Yes, i was wondering if the GP would suggest the pill for her. I was also wondering if it would mess with her hormones.

Vigilante i see what you mean about the wet bag and will PM you about pads.

Organic disposable pads - fab idea! Again worth a try.

I agree about cups giving cramps sometimes. I've tried mooncups for ttc (i said about this on the other thread ) and i found it pretty easy to get in place and out again, but also found it gave me a dull ache all round my pelvic area.

Interesting about the different types of cup. Interesting too to hear she may not need to go emptying the cup during school. Her flow is similar to mine i think - super plus tampons for the first couple of days, regular tampons after that, with always to catch spills plus at night.

Endometriosis - eeeek Gosh i hope not. I think we'll try some home grown help like the organic pads or washables. Maybe a cup if she fancies trying. After that it's back to the docs.

MUST comment on ''javelin arse''. OMG i used to get this! Every so often a bloody great sharp pain going right up through you. Used to get it once in a blue moon though and i never have had painful or heavy periods.

I want to thank you for your comments about DD not having to listen to the Dr. re: put up and shut up, too. I know this - but when you're involved you can second guess yourself and so it's good to hear it's right to stick to your guns.

I've no experience of using different pads. However, my niece has terrible period pain including fainting and vomiting. She has been back and forwards to doctors and consultants. Nothing was helping and she was having to take painkillers and miss school. Completely unrelated to all of this, she decided to become a vegan and visited a dietitian/nutritionist. (I realise this may sound a bit flakey but honestly it has made such a difference to my niece.) The dietitian/nutritianist recommended some supplements. Since my niece started taking them her periods have been much more manageable.

Has anyone tied Softcups? They are kind of like a moon up, but disposable. I used them when ttc ( worked btw!), but might be more practical than the moon up for a teenager.

I use do have horrendous cramping as a teenager. The GP prescribed painkillers (Ponstan I think) which helped. Lingonberry the pill really sorted things though.

I had period pain for the first time in years for the first 3 months of using a mooncup. I felt like the suction was causing it. Whether it was or not?

OP I had periods like your daughter it was horrible. So painful sometimes Id start shaking, feel really sick, and often thought Id faint (I didnt). Occasionally so bad I couldnt stand.

I grew out of it but it took years. I went on the pill at 13 out of desperation to get them under control. The doctor told me to take the packets continuously so there was no break/bleed inbetween.

i have severe endometriosis and tbh have never noticed any increase in pain or blood loss when i've used disposable pads (have also used washable pads and can heartily recommend, they're just so comfortable)
However, my pain is always worse if i use tampons.

Tampons make my period pains worse than pads. I can't see there can be much science behind the type of pad making a difference, as they are external, but I have no evidence to offer.

I used to suffer really bad with the pain. Would have to hold on to wall just to walk. Would have days off school because I couldnt move.
No pain killers really touched it until the dr put me on the Pill at 14.
It changed my life and not dreading the "monthly curse"!

I suffered appalling period pains - like 3 hour labour every month with proper contractions, vomiting, running with sweat and once hallucinating with the agony I was enduring. Most of my sisters had the same problem.
I was taken to GP aged 16 with Mum and was told the pill was the only solution and by God he was right!
I can't see how the method of blood collection would make any difference to the internal pain TBH.
I think see GP - my experience was donkeys years ago and I would be surprised if there isn't a medical soloution without the pill nowadays.

Your daughter has my very deepest sympathies & best wishes!

I don't understand the science behind it either rainbow, but so many women are saying it has made a difference that it has swayed me for sure.

I wouldn't have thought of it without reading about it on the other thread. This knowledge should be much more widely known!

I feel so genuinely sorry to hear about all the pain and misery some women are in every month

Thank you all again for all the info. Still reading.

With pads - 5/6 day period, flooding, cramping, horrible back pain going into legs
With mooncup - 3/4 days, no cramps at all, no flooding
I don't know how it works but I was going through a pad every 1-2hrs, now I can leave the cup in 8hrs without needing to change

She may be more open to softcups they have a less hippyish image than moon cups.

It sounds horrible I remember friends having to take time off school every month with their periods, I am the other way once in a blue moon and hardly anything. sorry.

Tampons/pads/mooncup have never changed my heavy bleeds and severe period pains, the only relief I got was from going on the pill which was a great help and since have been off the pill I now use a mix of co-codemol and naproxen which reduces flow and pains.
At high school I hated using pads as you're constantly sat bolt upright at desks and would always get that feeling of release when you stood up and the pooled inside blood made it's way out (sorry if tmi!).
My mum wasn't keen in me starting the pill but it really gave me that week of life back.

Yes, me. I mentioned it on the other thread.

i use washable pads.

When I used tampons, i was really ill. Fever, horrible horrible stomach cramps, diarrhoea. It was dreadful. Pads weren't much better!

I used to have the most godawful period pain. I would be on all fours, rocking backwards and forwards.

Now, when I have one (I have PCOS and they're all over the place) I have barely any pain at all. Mild discomfort, mostly on the first day.

I'll never go back to disposable stuff. (although it'll be a cold day in hell before i subject the old girl to a sink plunger )

My periods seem lighter with washable pads. I only have mild period pain after having children so haven't noticed a difference. Mooncup gives me awful cramps but I think I'm in the minority!

I have severe endometriosis too. Tampons aren't recommended for very heavy bleeding. I have never heard of washable pads making a difference so this is interesting. For me, the pill helped while I was on it, when I came off it tranexemic acid and mefenemic acid helped most of the time (this was before I was diagnosed with endo - I have since had surgery).

I hope you find a good remedy. If this continues, do think about seeing a gynae about endo - GPs are useless at this in my experience. Don't be told that she is too young to have it - I had mine since age 16. It really isn't normal to have this level of pain.

Mooncup and washable pads make no difference to me painwise, no worse no better. The pill didn't help me either.

If you pm me, OP, I can pop a couple of suitable ones in the post when I get home.

Anyone who is suffering badly should get it checked out, I'm afraid - with a gynae who specialises in endometriosis.

I had a lot of success with magnesium supplements which ease muscle spasms, with ibuprofen taken day before period due, every four hours religiously. I'd used to be in such agony with cramps every month doubled up on the bed, but this combination worked for me until pregnancy, which cured me.

Sorry, more pills which isn't what you wanted but worth considering.

If anyone want to try anything else, I get that dull pelvic pain and also an urge to wee with a ridgid cup like a mooncup or a lunette, but meluna make a soft version which doesn't seem to suction on quite so firmly and is far more flexible and I get on really well with that.

Not for everyone but I think some of us just have more sensitive vaginas than others

My sixteen year old twin dds both had awful cramps etc. one worse than the other, they both state that there have been significant improvements and have both reported a lighter flow, using washable towels. Neither have tried cups (eughhhh, apparently!) or the linen tampons yet. They both love their towels though.

Hopefully this is less of a taboo amongst young girls than it was when I was your DDs age. I used to be the same but no heatpads, used to go through double protection every hour, and walk around doubled over from the age of 12 to 16 when I went on the pill. It was so humiliating as well as getting in the way of life. For that reason if the other suggestions don't work I would seriously consider letting her go on the pill. I know its not ideal.

Thank you for starting this thread - I also read the one about disposable sanitary products and was struck that my monthly bout of diarrhoea may not be the period itself but tampons. I am going to order a moon cup and hope I don't need it for a long while as TTC!

I used to get terrible pains and incredibly bad PMT. I started taking magnesium tablets and they were so good that I would have 'surprise' periods - i.e. it would start and I had no indicators beforehand. I've never bothered to keep track of when I'm due.

Really made a lot of difference to me. I'm the sort affected terribly by hormonal imbalances. I used the one a day tablets. Not expensive ones either, the Tesco 3 for 2 ones which cost about £2.50 each.

Oh and tampons always gave me a killer pain which made me walk funny. It's well known they can cause toxic shock syndrome and lower back/abdominal pain. Get her off them immediately.

And one more thing, when I went on the pill I bled every single day. If she can put up with that then sure she should give it a try, but it pissed me off personally.

Thank you for the continuing posts.

The supplement idea is appealing. It's pills but not in the same way as painkiller pills, so better.

DD has just finished her period this cycle, all disposables. I'll report back here on how she gets on with her new sanitary gear. She's pretty open to anything which might help with the pain.

DD an i are so grateful for this. MN at it's best

I used to get bad pains the mooncup stopped them.

But I notice ou don't think she would get on with a mooncup ( I have 2 girls who use the soft version of a mooncup made by meluna one still at school with no probs - just FYI)

Anyways I used to have dreadful problems with thrush and cystitis bloody constantly I have not had it since I stopped using disposable tampons or pads so its always going to be a combo of mooncup and washable s for me now.

See! There's another thing! Cystitis! That's my bug bear. (not thrush, thank goodness. I thank my luck start for that) but i never connected it to using disposable tampons. Such sympathy with cystitis and thrush sufferers.

So the washables/organics could help with that too? This is a revelation to me

(have PM'd you vigilante)

Wow, I never knew the type of protection used could actually have an effect on pain. That seems weird to me - not disagreeing, I just can't get my head round the idea IYSWIM.

I've been considering trying washables.

start? stars.

Are the washable lads very expensive?
I have had 30 years of hellish periods, only helped by going in the pill age 18.
Sadly I am now considered a stroke risk (hemi plegic migraines) and so had to come off the pill.
Have tried...painkillers both OTC and prescription. Depo injection (put on 2 stne and bec,ad sociopathic!) cerazette (nothing changed) mirena coil (5 months of continuous spotting/bleeding)..nothing has helped.
I get a week of black-brown sludge (sorry this is really tmi) and then 2 really heavy days...clots, flooding the works.
Then 3-4 days of normal bleeding.
30 fucking years.
I get horrific headaches, nausea, and dreadful pain. And I had 2 dc with no pain relief but my periods can have me almost crying in pain

Argh!
Washable pads!

I think it would be wise to consider the cause behind the pain. I have endometriosis and had all the symptoms you mentioned in your daughter. I was not diagnosed til I was 24 and in hindsight, it was so obvious that my periods were not like my friends but I guess you don't always talk in such detail at that age. I say this because the pill can be quite beneficial in managing endometriosis so would be worth considering but it is a bugger to get many GPs to take you seriously and refer you for a formal opinion.

I just wonder why I suffered for so long. And then the first I found out about it was when I was rushed into hospital for an emergency laparotomy! .

I had terrible period pains. I only really realised how much they used to affect me once I got pregnant and they stopped. Now I have the Mirena coil and no periods for three years.

I can remember in my early twenties three or four really embarrassing and excruciating incidents where the pain got so bad that I had to curl up at work under a desk or on a toilet floor. I don't know why I didn't pursue it more, I guess I just wished it would go away. I was freelance too so it was often with people I didn't know that well.

Anyway I just wanted to say that you should try all avenues to give your daughter the chance to have a more normal school life. How terrible for her - I really feel for her. Explaining why you are not 100% to a vaguely understanding boss (or managing your work accordingly) is one thing, but having to attend classes and concentrate is another. The pill or other hormonal treatments may well be worth it I think at this crucial time for her. Don't let a GP fob you off with improvements over time, what about NOW when she is setting her path for life?

anyway I really wish her well, and I really hope school toilets are nicer nowadays! best of luck

Badvoc
Do you have endometriosis?

OP - I use a mooncup but I don't think it made a difference to the pain (another endo sufferer also PCOS) the only thing that has really helped is the pill. I had painful periods from the outset and used to get sent home from school, painkillers didn't really do the trick.

One thing, if you are going to use painkillers like Ibuprofen, Ponstan, Naproxen etc often they are most effective if you start taking them before your period starts e.g. the day before as they damp down the build up of prostaglandins before they reach the high levels that cause greatest pain.

As to expense these are the ones I tend to mostly use

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_185_195&products_id=1490

As you can see they are £4 each.

These are the ones that I had suggested for teens or cup users or shorter lady's

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_184_130&products_id=1259

They are £5 each but some designs are cheaper.

These are also good for teens as they arnt bulky or long are soft as well a very soft thing and are double poppered so feel more secure they are also £3.75 each

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_185_54&products_id=40

Try and remember that these are intended to last donkeys years ( tech term that [ grin] they say 5 year each pad but I know people who have had the same pads for 20+ years with decent laundry care ( basicly that means not grabbing them from the clean laundry pile and using them to wipe down the kitchen side or as makeshift oven gloves and not letting the dog chew them)

Mooncups go from about £11 anywhere up to £40 depending on brand incidentally I personally prefer meluna and they are one of the most affordable ones and come in funky colours and glitter if you want like this

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=58_209&products_id=1236

They last eons I've had one for 6 years no probs am hoping seen as its made of the same stuff that my boobs are made from and obviously there inside me as well and have been going strong for 15 years now that the mooncup should have as many years left in it. As long as you keep it nice and clean when not in use.

Purely from a cost perspective it makes sense I have no idea how much a box of tampons/ towels/ liners are these days but I'm guessing one reusable pad will have not cost you any more than you would spend each month on throwaways. You don't have to switch over to reusables all in one hit , and you don't have to use the cup with the pads they are fine independently so you could pick up one a month or 2 a month to build up your stash, you can even make them yourself if you have a sewing machine and fabric. You can buy kits to make them like this

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_241

But you don't need a kit any old fabric will do and all the sites listed here

luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page&id=8

Tell you how as will you tube, on you tube you will also find loads and loads of uploads from teenagers and younger adults apsolutly raving about reusable pads just search reusable pads.

One of the best things about them is they do not smell at all, I hate the manky smell disposables have its horrid but seriously you get no smell at all from reusables.

They are easy to care for hardly increase your laundry and don't need soaking as long as you rinse in cold water.

And they are comfy against you

I might try a mooncup. It's never occurred to me to change what I use. Last time I bought a double size pack of Always it cost the equivalent of £4. In the UK it'd be about £2.60.

Time for a change, but I have no idea which size to get...

I had the same problem - turned out to be a combo of shitty hormones and a retroverted uterus. Mooncup was awesome for me, but the pill kept me sane though my teens. B17 supplement was also good

Thank you, will look I to it.
I don't have endo...at least I have never had a laparoscopy to rule it out, but have had many many ultrasound scans over the years which have all been normal.
Also had an endometrial biopsy sat year which was normal.
I have a tilted uterus, apparently.
My gp also told me at 17 that it would get better after I had a baby well, I am 41 this year and its no bloody better!....

Many many stories of women going though such pain

I know it's a cliche but how the hell can it be that the human race are going into space - when at the same time something so basic as managing half the population's agony once a month hasn't been addressed properly? (or poverty, or war - but anyway ...)

Thank you again for sharing and for those giving lots of such useful info.

My DD is very much on board with disposable pads. She looked a bit about cups (this was before i read about glittery ones being available, that might sway her)(no, really! lol)

She asked about sponges - understand about the rinsing out between uses, popping it back in, but how do you clean them properly at the end of the period? Can you hot wash them?

To sum up a little on the cup front, many of you are recommending 'meluna' cups it seems, for their softness.

Honestly, please look into Von Willebrands Disease:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Willebrand_disease

It's the most common coagulation disorder and responsible for lots of cases of heavy period bleeding (? the majority). You can diagnose it with a blood test and and easily cure it with a NASAL spray!!!!! Please don't let your daughter suffer. GP's notoriously underdiagnose VWD. I am not a doctor but have close relatives who are...

Honestly, please look into Von Willebrands Disease:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Willebrand_disease

It's the most common coagulation disorder and responsible for lots of cases of heavy period bleeding (? the majority). You can diagnose it with a blood test and and easily cure it with a NASAL spray!!!!! Please don't let your daughter suffer. GP's notoriously underdiagnose VWD. I am not a doctor but have close relatives who are...

One reason it gets missed is that GP's refer to a gynaecologist when it is a bleeding specialist who can diagnose. Gynaecologists spend a lot of time looking for gynaecological causes understandably, and don't seem to look at clotting disorders.

I had horrible period pains, and all symptoms associated with them - vomiting, diarrhea, fainting. And the pill did help.

But it also killed my sex drive for five years.

Badvoc
Have a look at the "Bleeding Symptoms" here
www.endometriosis-uk.org/information/symptoms.html

it sounds like what you are describing. As far as I know endo doesn't show up on an ultrasound. Your biopsy could be normal because endo is when the endometrial tissue spreads to other places rather than being abnormal.

I had horrendous periods in my teens, I went on the pill and never looked back.
It's definitely something worth looking at.

OP, your daughter's symptoms sound like endometriosis. I would like to share some info with you & other Mnetters about this condition.
It is graded in stages, 1 being minimal & 4 is severe. The grading is of the physical disease & it's location, it's not related to level of pain. Therefore, someone with Stage 1 can experience worse pain than someone with Stage 4. Likewise, it's possible to have the condition & not suffer pain.
Whilst many here have been very lucky that taking the pill helped with period pain, for me it did not. The pill did nothing. Also, my specialist told me it was likely I had been born with this condition.
If a woman has endo, her daughter is 6 times more likely to also have the condition.

Unfortunately, getting a diagnosis for endometriosis can be a long battle. I had doctors tell me that getting pregnant / giving birth would "cure" my pain, that period pain is normal, etc etc. All things that to me indicated the doctors (yes, I visited many!) either didn't understand the disease or didn't believe me. They also did not take the time to ask me about my symptoms.
Endometriosis is quite common and can affect fertility, it is not "cured" by pregnancy or childbirth. Telling a patient that pregnancy is a cure is insensitive as they may not want children or may have trouble conceiving. A friend of mine endured 7 painful years of trying to conceive all the while suffering terrible period pain & having to take time off work every month.
Period pain can (not always) become worse over the years.
I know you and your daughter are not ready for this, but endo can also cause pain during or after sex which obviously impacts on relationships.

OP, I do urge you strongly to explore this avenue & seek a doctor who will listen. On average, it takes a woman 7.5yrs to obtain a diagnosis.
Ironically, I found the women doctors I saw to be the least sympathetic & the most insensitive. I finally found a good specialist & he spent about 1hr with me asking me everything about my medical history & concluded there was a strong chance I have endo (now confirmed).
As others have mentioned, endo can only be confirmed with a laproscopy.
I didn't know that the "javelin arse" I suffered from (sometimes during bowel movements & sex) was a symptom of endo. And thanks to the MNetters who mentioned that on here, I realise now I'm not alone.

More info can be found here www.endometriosis-uk.org/index.html

badvoc the location & size of endo I have would not be picked up with an ultrasound, I would encourage you to get a proper diagnosis. You should not have to put up with your symptoms.

OP, if you have any questions, you are welcome to PM me.

If your dd does decide to try the meluna cup with glitter tell her the glitter is encased in the silicone so lasts forever as long as the mooncup does, it has several options for the base ( the bit that helps her remove it) the. Est one for newbies inho is the ring or ball.

And the soft/klassik/sport at the end of each colour refers to the firmness of the cup not the shade of the colour.

If her pains are starting before her period comes, I fail to see how there can be any link between that and her choice of sanitary wear. Anything going on about toxins is highly suspect pseudo science i.m.h.o.
I am past periods now (just) but I remember having a bad time with them at a similar age and rather than painkillers, my GP put me on a very light version of a hormone which would suppress ovulation - that seemed to do the trick although I didn't stay on it forever. From memory it was called Aprinox.
I always used disposable pads and could never get on with tampons. I was also put off tampons by an episode of Casualty where a policewoman collapsed with toxic shock syndrome....

Thanks for this thread I never thought of washable pads. Both dds 14 & 10 suffer terribly with period cramps. I've been lying awake since 3am crying because dd has to deal with periods at such a young age.

WRT thrush, pretty much every month I would get thrush following/during my period. Ever since using washables, I don't get this issue.

It also helps with pain too. I use disposables v occasionally, and always feel uncomfortable in them. With washables, it is just like wearing knickers, as mine are made of cotton.

I have thrush ATM!!

I think I need to look into this...

I have been thinking about using re usable pads - those who use them sorry for the stupid question but do they wash ok? I would hate to use something covered in stains

Ok, can't afford the amount of pads I need...liners, heavy flow, nighttime etc so have gone for a pack of liners and a mooncup!
Has cost me £20 so in 3 months should have paid for itself?
Thanks for all the info.

Has anyone made their own? just had a quick look at the sites selling them and they don't look that hard to make but what would you use as the inner absorbent core?

I made my own; I just used an old thin towel for the inner layer and a shower curtain for the waterproof layer, old tshirt or pyjamas for the top layer and something slightly stiffer for the bottom and wings like denim.

You really don't need any special equipment or materials, at a push a folded up flannel will do the trick-any improvements you can make are all a bonus.

I used this pattern, although it say's it's just a panty liner you can make it longer and thicker to suit your needs, it works really well if you aren't much of a sewer and haven't got an overlocker.

There are loads of other patterns out there; I quite fancy the circular ones, as it's less obvious what they are if someone sees them hanging on the line.

As long as they are either rinsed well or soaked in COLD water they will not stain at all.

badvoc if you get on with the liners ( I'm guessing you went with the Eco something or other ones that are a 3 pack for about £8. ( I also chose those first) then have a look at making your own or if you don't want to do that but do want/ need more then buying one or two when ever you have a few quid spare can be a good way of building up a collection.

Yes that's the pack I have gone for.
Am assuming laundry instructions come with them?
I may buy some night time ones after pay day....I do tend to leak sadly

Yes but off the top of my head its just normal wash at 40 and can be tumble dried.

Things to remember those pads are designed so the blue side goes against your body and the patten side against your knickers and all pads need to be washed before you first use them just the same as knickers are supposed to be.

Forgot to add with the night time ones you may not actually need them I only use them because I do not use the moon cup at night don't really know why I just don't, so if you intend on using the mooncup at night as well as day time you may very well be ok with a regular pad for night time.

Good ones for budget considerations are the ones made by minki

http://luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_185_54&products_id=40

Unless your super tall then you will need the slightly longer ones called super minki in this list

http://luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=4

Or the ones made by angel padz I linked to before but here they are again

http://luxurymoon.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_185_196&products_id=1035

These are much cheaper than the night time pads but are more than suitable if you either have slightly lighter days/nights or co use with mooncup the angel pads feel more substantial are a bit longer and wider hence why they are £1.25 ish more expensive than the minki brand ones but both are perfectly adequate

The minki pads all have a substantial visible PUL backing that some people rather like and unless you wear 1970's thin nylon knickers they won't slide around but will if you do ( if you do wear those knickers then stop there just nasty and you will have a plague of thrush infesting your chuff)

I'm actually sat here with one of each pad trying to explain them both to you I look weird

With the angel padz you can choose either PUL or fleece backing I personally prefer fleece but both backing do the job.

I would try the mooncup for a couple of periods before you buy any more as you may find that you can get on just with that and a basic liner in which case if you like the Eco femme ones then 2 more packs so you have 9 pads in total and you will be fine, loads of people use the moon cup with no leaks at all and no problems so don't bother with liners when I first used it I didnt use anything other than the mooncup but for some reason since my youngest was born I've had minor leak issues so do combine both

also a polite way of saying I piss myself regulary and its much less embarrassing whilst wearing a liner

The regular minki pads also cope well with the sneeze effect.

If those liners work for you you will have about 10 years + San pro for £36 that's a huge saving.

I have a huge stash but then I have to use a pad of some description every day but if you don't then you don't need a huge collection the liners dry quickly so you don't need loads to use whilst in wash/dryer/ line 9really is enough if also using a moon cup.

Bollocks forgot to check the box to make the links work,I'm a tit.

5dcsinneedofacleaner Mine haven't stained (using them about 2rs now). Mine are homemade, using cotton outer & towelling inner. I am just in the process of buying materials to make & to make liners too.

Thanks sock.
I might make my own at some point if I feel brave enough

I was wondering about staining too, but then remembered something:

I have an old white towel that i spread out and lay on at night on my heaviest days in case i leak (i leak allot: i sleep heavily, and once asleep i move onto my tummy with one knee drawn right up very high at the side. Not condusive to keeping blood on a pad ).

I regularly get a fair amount of blood on this towel, and once i really soaked it (early MC )

Anyway, i don't soak or rinse the towel pre' wash, i just fling it in the machine on it's own when i get up (or later) if i've bled on it, sometimes on a cool wash, and it's perhaps slightly grey/white, but certainly not stained. So this bodes well for washable pads.

I was sad to read Porvoos experience - "I found the women doctors I saw to be the least sympathetic & the most insensitive." but somehow i'm not surprised either. Thank you for all the info though.

I want to thank you all again for continuing to add to the info here on this thread. So interesting and encouraging actually. I am interested in reading updates on how posters get on with their new pads and/or cups after reading this thread. I will update on DD.

Some of my cotton tops have very slight stains, nothing really very noticable though. My favourite towels are Wee Notions minky topped ones they are super soft and comfy and don't stain ever, they wash really well.

Running anything stained under a hot tap works really well, then bung it in the normal wash - don't use boiling water or it sets the stain. Ds has massive nose bleeds and so sheets are often covered in blood.

No experience of reusable stuff, sorry.

But I have painful periods- though I find either co-codamol or Naproxen (feminax ultra) sorts it out.

However, not your dd shouldn't take anything potentially addicctive for 10 days!

Maybe the pill would be a better option. Or the implant stops periods completely in a significant number of people, but is not without side effects.

I have tried;
Mini pill- worked well for me til I was considered a stroke risk so can't have it any more.
Depo injection - awful. Put on 2 stone and dreadful mood swings.
Noriday pill - made me feel really ill.
Cerazette - lots of bleeding, not good.
Mirena coil - spotting for 5 months. Pain.
So, dh is having the snip.

She has pain pre period which won't be helped by natural care pads OR made better by using them.
That's so horrible at her age, I second and 3rd the natural supplements, also back in the day, I had ponstan forte from the Drs which was a help.

OP, I felt I had to warn you what you & your daughter may face if you push for the GP to investigate cause of her pain. If I knew now what I did when I was younger, I would have pushed harder for a referral to a gynae & I may have gone to a male GP instead. I often wondered if the reason why the female Drs I saw were so dismissive & basically accused me of whinging was because they had non-painful periods & couldn't imagine anyone experiencing anything different.
This line of thought started when a friend of mine came off the pill after being on it since 16 & experienced painful periods for the first time. She complained to me about the pain & said when she was on the pill, she thought anyone complaining about period pain was just a drama queen! My friend did't know what I went through every month as I never complained to anyone.

Regardless of what anyone says, if the pain your DD is experiencing is interfering with her lifestyle, it is unacceptable to just put up with it.
As others have said, back & tummy pain a week before her period are symptoms of endo & it seems unlikely to be caused by disposable pads or tampons.
If you do find anything that helps with the pain, please update us.