To wonder if there are any good sanitary product alternatives to tampons and mooncup?

[JessicaRebeccaRabbit]

For over 20 years I have only really used tampons and mooncups, but following the births of my kids, I now have a bladder prolapse and find them really uncomfortable. So I have been trying out towels, but they all seem so 'processed' plastic and nasty. I would just love a nice comfy towel, almost considering using maternity pads as at least they are quite plain and Hopefully someone has found the holy grail of sanitary pads! Thanks.

You can buy reusable cloth sanitary pads.

If you're not adverse to washing them, I am loving cloth pads (even though I mostly use my cups). I find soft cloth pads, especially those topped with organic bamboo velour, very comfortable, non-smelly and easy to wash.

Also, of course, there are a lot more options out there than just the mooncup. Many more sizes and softnesses... Maybe you need a slightly shorter cup that is softer?

What about a sponge? I know someone who uses a Jam Sponge and raves about it. Softer and comfier than mooncups or tarpons.

Alternatively, cloth sanitary pads are awesome and so soft and lovely. Weenotions and Made By Amber are my favourites. A wool backed one is the most breatheable.

Are you attached to the idea of still having periods after 20 years? If not, Mirena is the way to go. I don't ever ever ever want a period again

(not sure if Mirena is suitable for someone with a prolapse, however)

Natracare

I use the jam sponge too. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer.

Washables for me too. I use Imse Vimse and wouldn't go back to disposables.

Earthwise Girls sell a huge selection of reusable pads along with jam sponges.

Oh thank you! Will have a look into those. Hmm, had a mirena coil once and had horrible cramping and skin on it so not an option. Roll on menopause haha!

A completely useless comment here, but the use of the word 'jam' here makes me boak.

My favorites are Lady Days Cloth Pads. I think the owner (who makes them herself) stocks her small online store every weekend or so.

Also an online place called femininewear has a lot of options. I'm sure you'll find something to suit your needs!

Twiglet, it's not nice is it! They also come under the name Moon Sponge which I wish I'd gone for (it's more naice)

JessicaRebeccaRabbit My sister in law is having the exact same issue and I suffer from heavy periods myself. She has pelvic floor issues and often has to use both tampons and sanitary towels during periods. My niece has just started her period and is struggling to cope with 'the change of life' so I bought her pants called DiaryDolls that I had read about from an article about Endometriosis. My niece absolutely loves them as she doesn't leak at all any more and no more embarrassments in school! My sister in law has started using them too and they've really helped with pelvic floor and made periods a lot easier. You could try them, they might provide an extra layer of support instead of having to use uncomfortable sanitary pads!

Thank you all very much. Will have a look on all those sites...definitely prefer moon sponge to the alternative ;)

At the risk of sounding stupid I want to ask how you wash these things?

Is a moon sponge (agree - jam sponge sounds grim) fully inserted like a tampon? So then you have to remove and wash?

And reusable pads... Do you just hand wash away all the blood? Then put through the machine?

I can't get my head around the idea of putting a used pad in my machine or in the sink. What do you do in public if you need to change?

So many questions there. I've never understood moon cups either!

I use a mooncup and reusable cloth pads, I just give the pads a good rinse out in the sink and then in the machine in a washing bag. I find the mooncup and cloth pads so much more comfortable than disposable stuff.

Hi LittleMiss.

My periods are pretty straight forward, not extremely heavy nor very light. I rarely have to change my cup in a public bathroom since they can be worn safely for up to 12 hours. And if the cup's capacity is good enough, it's easy to wear it that long and only rinse it in the morning and at night.

Cloth pads, I rinse them under running water in the sink. It's really not gross. I think we're all used to this idea that it's gross and stinky but since switching to cloth, I've come to realize it doesn't smell at all and it's just like... well blood on your clothing. As I said, I just rinse it under water and squeeze until the water runs clear and then drop it in a bucket with cold water with a teeny bit of vanish in it. At that point, they're really pretty much clean. I just put them in the laundry with the next load. The bucket with water (doesn't need to be a lot), I change daily. It's really doable for the duration of a period. I'm just glad I haven't bought any disposable menstrual product in years doing this.

I'm pregnant right now and have already bought some postpartum cloth pads. I'm honestly looking forward to using the really soft cloth pads instead of the disposable ones.

Oh yeah, regarding changing clot in a public bathroom: very easy. You just bring a clean one with you. You change like you normally would a disposable (added benefit: no noise crinkly packaging!), you fold it up, snap it closed and put it in your small wet bag (small bag lined with waterproof lining) to be rinsed when you're back home.

Also, I realize everyone is different but I have never leaked through a good quality cloth pad. The places I mentioned above sell my favourite ones.

My friend was an escort and apparently all the girls used the sponges as it enabled them to still work on their period. I have since used them on her recommendation. They are fantastic. I would say they are semi disposable, as you cant use the same one for ages. Just rinse in the sink and squeeze out when its full.
I tried the sex thing too, and it worked. Absolutely no sign of period, and was comfortable.

Another jam sponge user here.

I recently started using cloth pads and am completely converted. I've got Cheeky Mama pads which are fairly new from the Cheeky Wipes people.

Much more comfortable than disposables. Because they're not sweaty, they don't get an odour.

Still adjusting to a mooncup, I had a 3rd degree tear, and my pelvic floor is struggling to hold it securely.

Yes to rinse in the sink when full, re-insert slightly damp.
You can use them during sex but I would be cautious on heavy days due to squeezing action, it is a sponge after all.

I started off with a sponge before progressing to a moon cup, they're good.