Sainsbury's is selling Period Knickers!

[morrisseysquif]

I'm past that stage of my life but I thought I'd post this for those who haven't.... apologies if this isn't news!

here

Anything that makes reusables more mainstream is great!

I've been using cloth pads for about a year now and wish I had discovered them years ago. So much more comfortable than horrible plastic disposables and obviously no waste. All of mine are from UK makers who use good materials, not Amazon/eBay cheapies.

TMI alert, but I have questions. Does the blood completely wick away, so they always feel dry? Or when you pull them back up after going to the loo, do you have a horrible cold, wet feeling for a bit?

Also, what about clots? They can’t wick away. Do you just scrape those out with some loo roll?

They're not suitable for the 'clotting' days, you'd need a tampon for that.

They don't feel cold and horrible when you pull them up, it's wicked away nicely.

I've been wondering about whether they feel damp as well conifer

Thanks OP, I nearly bought some Modibodies this morning but was a bit at the price, and didn't really feel worth it because I only have a few bleeds a year being perimenopausal.

Viccat can you link?

I’ve used period pants for coming up to 4 years now. Originally I researched because, like pp, I have a dd with SN, who wouldn’t be able manage pads independently. I wanted to make sure that whatever I proposed for her would actually work, so trialled them myself.

I have very heavy periods (overflowing mooncup every hour) with lots of clots. Initially I used thinx (before they were annoyingly woke). They work. I change at lunchtimes (easy for me to do so) or use a reusable pad n the morning and remove at lunchtime if not able to change).

No rinsing, I just put in the washing machine. I think I spent £200ish (inc customs) 4 years ago, and they’re still going strong.

I have also cheeky wipes pants (MUCH cheaper) and they cope well too.

Dd1 uses thinx, no problems and has kept her independent in the bathroom (SN), and dd2 wants to try too (anytime now)

So in other words, they're good if you have light periods but otherwise they're a no-go?

My first few days are full of heavy bleeding and clots so from what people have said, I'd need to use tampons which kind of negates the point of wearing the reusable pants in the first place.

You can use reusable pads instead of reusable pants for heavy days.

@bellinisurge
Great that you make your own, it's something I've looked into a couple of times but always lost confidence as I couldn't find any online instructions. Do you have any recommendations about how to make your own please?

That is vile.

Sitting around in soiled bloody knickers all day.

I don't know how anyone could do that. Sit in a full days worth of menstrual flow or carry them around in a plastic back home if you change.

@Coniferhedge you can get pads made from wicking fabric. Down side is that these aren't usually natural fabrics. Cotton jersey is good

So in other words, they're good if you have light periods but otherwise they're a no-go?

I use them instead of a liner as a backup on my heavy days + a tampon, and alone as it tapers off. They easily replace 5/6 tampons or pads for me each month and I've had no leaks to speak of.

I wear period pants at night and much prefer them to tampons and no risk of toxic shock or whatever it is. I wash them dry in airing cupboard and then fine for next night. Still using tampons in day but and alowly getting used to that. My teen wears them at school really likes them.

Mine have never felt damp. They absorb underneath so the top layer stays dry. You aren't 'sitting in menstrual blood'. It's like a pad that's built into knickers.

I suffer from severely heavy periods and bought the cheaper ones from Amazon that arrived on day 3 of my period. I'm singing their praises, as no no leaks at all. I'm going to buy a couple of more pairs. I hate pads, tampons aren't much better and I've misplaced my moon cup. I'll buy another Mooncup but don't like how they are to insert.

The pants are so comfortable (though quite snug so you don't leak should there be gaping, presumably. Even if they don't do the job on their own on the first day I'd be happy to use as well as, especially through the night.

My 14YO DD has started her period and I am going to get some for her too.

And it's not 'vile'. Menstrual blood is not some toxic and disease-ridden substance. When out and about you put soiled reusable pads or knickers in a wet bag that is sealed and then goes in the wash. It doesn't smell, it isn't leaking blood everywhere

You can use reusable pads instead of reusable pants for heavy days.

The feeling of pads and sitting in that blood make me want to vomit, unfortunately! I have ASD and am very sensitive to certain textures and feelings on my skin.

Guess it's tampons for me as usual!

I'm not really getting how these work. How can they absorb a full days flow without you feeling wet and sticky? What are they made of? Why don't you all just wear tampons- surely that's less messy than having to wash pants?

@daringdoris - to start and keep it cheap at that stage think of three layers: topper, core and backer. Topper can be say an old T-shirt, core can be an old towel and backer can be an old fleece.
I first started by looking at Precious stars on YouTube. A really sensible straight talking young woman.
One of her vlogs talks you through the basics of making. But there is a whole world of designs and ideas (including freebie patterns). "Sewing cloth menstrual pads by Versodile" is just one Facebook group you could try to join.
It's a bit of an internet rabbit hole once you start.
I attach a pic of one I made for my dd.

To me it is disgusting. Not the blood itself but sitting in it all day.

How is it different from "sitting in" knickers with a disposable pad. You change the pad if changing your knickers is too much.
If you don't fancy a pad, a mooncup is an alternative. My dd doesn't fancy that at the mo but it's her choice.

'To me it is disgusting. Not the blood itself but sitting in it all day.' @MyuMe people have said you're not sitting in blood all day though, it's wicked away inside the pad of the pants? Objectively, it's not disgusting at all. Are you judging people who don't find it disgusting?

You really don't feel like you are sitting in bloody knickers at all. I find tampons can leak quite easily and otherwise when they are a bit dry painful to pull out. Nighttime pads are akin to wearing a nappy and always fall out of my knickers.

The brief few days I was wearing the pants I managed to forget I had my period. I haven't tried on my heavy days but as I said before I'll use them as a backup.

you're not sitting in blood all day though, it's wicked away inside the pad of the pants?

It's still there though! Just because you can't feel it, the blood doesn't magically disappear to a different dimension. The fabric is just designed so you can no longer feel it.