To be astounded that women use reusable cloth pads when on their period

[jeremytampaxman]

I had no idea that people did this - found out courtesy of a thread on another forum.

Okay, I gather that it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than using tampons or sanitary towels (although surely there is energy involved in washing them)...but using & washing out pieces of rag in 2013? Seriously?!

I know it's an individual's choice, I get that. But AIBU to be just astounded by that choice?

It's weird how menstrual blood is considered 'unclean' whilst semen is regarded as no big deal.

Yabu

I don't use them and think they sound gross tbh but it's none of my business what other people chose to use.

Fwiw the pill I'm on stops my periods altogether which is my preferred solution!

While we're all here: I bought some lovely new Fuzzy Bunz pads recently. They're so unbelievably soft, and the fleece really does feel dry.

The only thing is they slide around a bit. Any suggestions? I'm considering adding my own double sided tape, or velcro.

(I already use a mooncup, these are for those filled-hourly-but-can't-get-to-a-loo days)

I love threads like this

Op expresses surprise at something fairly normal, and asks why people do it.

Several people post comments saying yup I do that for reasons xyz, and I think it's great. Live and let live though, I get it'd not for you.

Op goes

BUT YOU'RE ALL FUCKING WRONG!!!!! Ad infinitum

Makes for a fabulous discussion.

Haven't read the whole thread, but YABU. I used reusable pads for several years whilst working from home, as I became allergic to almost all brands of disposable ST after having DD3!

No more work than washable nappies (which I also used with DD3, for the exact same reason - v. sensitive skin meant she was allergic to the "lotions" in all but the cheapest, brandless nappies which just aren't absorbant to be usable), and no itchy, painful rash to deal with meant it was definitely worth it for me.

Yes no one seems to bat an eyelid at semen going all over the sheets, clothes etc.

Actually can anyone recommend some really good reuseable pads please?

Mine are getting on a bit!

Ooh! I can! these are soo lovely and comfy but they do shift around a bit. The bigger ones seem better.

They're like lovely soft fanny cushions. Make my old Wemoon ones feel like sand paper!

i'm astounded that you are astounded to be honest OP

why is that astounding? it's just another method of dealing with periods.

not everything has to come packaged in oodles of plastic to be used once and shipped off to india to fester for years while children wade through it

Ooh thankyou. They look gorgeous. mine used to be a bit tricky to attach as well, wondering what better methods of attachment there might be out there!

The ones with double poppers tend not to shift about.

I might add a second popper, then. I was thinking about maybe some of that non-scratchy Velcro you get on baby bits. (Not that I've just spent a fortune on these things or anything!)

Thanks Sock!

I think this is a really weird thread.i dont generally care what someone does about their flow.

You should! What if you're missing out? My friend hated me after I mentioned the moon cup after we'd known each other 3 years. All those periods, all that discomfort. Had we just said "Hi I'm UBW and I use a moon cup" from the outset, she'd have been so much more comfortable. But no, women's bodies are "icky" and taboo, and we must be slaves to the disposable sanpro industries.

(Paragraphless rant intended. Slightly tongue in cheek. My friend doesn't really hate me but was genuinely gutted to have missed out for so long)

I use Charlie Banana pads. They are so freaking comfortable and way, way more effective than disposables. I used to use just a moon cup, but as I've got heavier after children, I need some extra protection. They're so amazing, I sometimes don't bother with the Mooncup now.

I can't quite bring myself to dry them on the line though....

I use reusable nappies, they are fab! Got them brand new off ebay for about £2.50 a nappy (it was a bonus that they came in lots of pattens and colours).
Reusable Wipes are awsome too! Would hate to give them up
But my best sanpo is the coil, no periods (before was a mooncup)

Hang on, I've got a coil and a mooncup, and yet I still need pads. I'm feeling shortchanged...

You don't need to use a hot wash for reusable sanpro.
Rinse as thoroughly as possible, Soak in cold water with a level teaspoon of salt then put in with a wash. Thats all I do, generally goes on a 30 degree and comes out fine.
The whole argument against washable sanpro centres around the "yuk" factor, the idea that our natural body functions are grotesque rather than just, you know, things our body does. Hence we get those sodding awful scented pads because we obviously stink for 5 days a month.
I'll tell you one reason that I switched. I read a thread on here about them and a poster mentioned how her cramps had eased up after switching. I had awful cramps, gave them a try and they worked. The first time. I will never go back now, the very small amount of time that I 'shock, horror' touch my own menstrual blood when rinsing the pad out is well worth the money saved, the easier periods I have and the lack of environmental impact my choice has.
YABU to just dismiss it, do some reading up.

I use cloth because shop bought stink, feel plasticky and feel uncomfortable.

OP, you do realise that there are members on both MN and the forum you saw the post on don't you?

Why dont you set up an appreciation club?

Only on mumsnet have I ever even heard of anyone:
a) using a mooncup
b) using disposable sanpro
c) using the term ' sanpro'
d) using the term 'free bleeding' (aka 'can't be arsed to stay hygienic)

I really do lead a sheltered life, is anyone with me on this?

Also to the poster who was trying to make a feminist point about semen not being a big deal - wtf? Who the he'll is happy to go out covered in semen? Do people really just put on semen stained clothes without washing them?

jesus woman it's a bit of blood - I really don't get the hysteria

when your child was born did you wait for them to be sterilized and scrubbed before holding and kissing them - because they had come out of your front bumbum

You wouldnt like my idea of washable period knickers then.