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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why more people don't use cloth sanitary pads?

596 replies

Bex107 · 03/12/2016 10:57

They have changed my life, and I'm so sad I didn't discover them sooner! When my periods came waltzing back just three months after DS arrived I couldn't bear the thought of tampons or plasticky towels, but I couldn't find anyone I knew who'd used cloth. They are bloody (!) wonderful, if you're considering it give them a go - I wish I'd had someone to tell me that!

OP posts:
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PenguinsandPebbles · 04/12/2016 20:55

On the last post about cloth pads someone had linked to second hand ones, this honestly put me off.

Just don't like the idea of them, not sure why I just don't.

However I am slowly getting tempted to try a moon cup

deeedeee · 04/12/2016 20:57

yeah if moon cup's work for you Pebbles then they are pretty life changing! give it a go!

PenguinsandPebbles · 04/12/2016 21:01

I have one in my "saved for later" on amazon have come close a couple of times to ordering - ok you have convinced me I will just take the plunge.

NerrSnerr · 04/12/2016 21:04

That's fair enough deedee. I doubt anyone is perfect on the waste front. In other ways I'm pretty good I buy 90% of clothes, books and toys second hand- my daughter is still only 2 so know I won't get away with that forever, I haven't flown on a plane for years, try and buy local and am very good at reducing, reusing and recycling most things so I feel I am offsetting my sanitary towel waste a little.

gemma19846 · 04/12/2016 21:07

A little leak or a skid mark isnt the same as a pad full of menstrual blood and if my lo has such a bad nappy that it leaked EVERYWHERE i would throw the clothes away!!! They sound rank and in this day and age you really dont need to be washing cloths full of blood out and using them again 😷😷

cheekyfunkymonkey · 04/12/2016 21:07

I did not even know these existed. You have opened my eyes op thank you. I will be ordering as soon as I have saved up Xmas Biscuit

deeedeee · 04/12/2016 21:10

I've used mine for about 12 years and it's great.

make sure you do some research and give it a good try, cause most of the things that put people off at the beginning are common teething troubles that if you read on on other's experiences then you'll soon trouble shoot.

Like personally I found it too uncomfortable to have the little stem and cut mine off, but other people need it keep it on in order to use it for taking the moon cup out . Whereas I remove mine by putting one finger alongside the moon cup to break the vacuum and slightly squishing it into itself. Probably everyone has a slightly different way of using it. I personally can get away with changing and washing it in the morning as I shower, when I get him from work and before bed. I empty it down the loo and rinse it in my own sink each time and give it a wash. And then at the end of my period I give it a hot wash and scrub and pop it in a milton solution for a couple of days. Then pop it in it's wee bag on the shelf. Anyway good luck, be sure to come and ask for support and advice if you need it, there's loads of moon cup fans in AIBU :-)

NoMudNoLotus · 04/12/2016 21:13

OP I agree.

They are so much more comfortable, more absorbent, smell less ( even if changed regularly disposables smell far more ) & cause far less irritation.

They have saved me money too.

Nothing yuk about them at all. They get rinsed out & then put through the washer.

PenguinsandPebbles · 04/12/2016 21:17

This is good information - thank you :)

I'd never heard of them until about a year ago, but I am intregued and if it doesn't work it doesn't work, back to tampons.

Out of interest how long can you keep them in for?

I've just ordered two Grin

NoMudNoLotus · 04/12/2016 21:19

And OP if you have changed just 1 persons opinion of them with this thread & encouraged someone to buy them I think that's great.

I wish I had found them 20 years ago.
Tampons are dreadful things - and not natural in the slightest.

No wonder attitudes to menstruation are still so archaic - you only have to read this thread.

Some of you are so misinformed ... A nappy full of shit is completely different to menstrual blood .

Original poster
Bex107 · 04/12/2016 21:21

It's so nice to see people who never knew they existed who are now thinking about giving them a go - as I've said, I wished I'd had someone to let me know about them sooner! I totally see how the washing/storage could put a lot of people off, and no lie it is somewhat more high-faff than disposables, but for me the payoff in terms of comfort, absorbency, and all the other positives that have been mentioned makes it well worth it!

OP posts:
deeedeee · 04/12/2016 21:24

pebbles, it'll depend on how heavy your periods are, but I think the general advice is 4-8 hours. I've got probably medium ish periods and I empty mine about every eight hours, sometimes more if I find myself in a place that I'm comfortable changing it and think I'll just empty it. I think some people think it's needs emptying too regularly and get stressed about potentially having to do it in public loos (which is actually pretty easy. you just take some water into cubicle and rinse it into the toilet). Other people leave it in too long and then wonder why it's starts to smell! You'll figure it out though.

I'd advise when you first get it practising getting it in and out and wearing it before you get your period, and then the first couple of times you use it when you've got your period, taking it out in the shower so it's stress free until you get the hang of it.

PenguinsandPebbles · 04/12/2016 21:25

Never going to convince me on the disposable pads, but then I don't like disposable pads either Grin each to their own I say, and agree it's good for people to know that there are other options.

thanks for the thread as I've finally taken the mooncup plunge Smile

pklme · 04/12/2016 21:26

Keep what in, pebbles? Moon cup? You only need one, keep it in until you have an opportunity to empty it, stick it back in. I scrub it at the end of my cycle with nailbrush and soap.

The pads, again, keep until it feels uncomfortable and you want to change it.

Only regret I have was I chose to give my cup a boil wash, and let it boil dry. Confused waiting for a new one to arrive now.

deeedeee · 04/12/2016 21:27

yeah well done Bex.

the washing though, it's only more of a faff until it's your routine though eh? It's just something different to become a habit. everything's a faff until it's normal eh? and really how long does it take? 20 mins per period? ( 10 mins to rinse, 10 mins to put to dry?)

ruralmum78 · 04/12/2016 21:28

I agree OP. I love cloth pads. They are so comfy and are more absorbent then even the huge night time disposable ones for me . i have very heavy periods but feel far more secure in cloth pads. Anecdotally women seem to get less period pain and pmt when they use cloth pads. This has certainly been the case for me and many other women I know. Washing them is so easy too.

PenguinsandPebbles · 04/12/2016 21:29

Thank you deeedee if this can be the last time I use horrible tampons then I will be a very happy lady! I'm so sick of the bloody things

I vary so greatly, but 4 hours is very manageable. I've ordered two as did wonder what you did if out and about! The smelling part is rather off putting but I'm sure that is lack of changing like you say rather than anything else.

Thank you for the information it's gratefully recieved!

Footinmouthasusual · 04/12/2016 21:30

God what a faff and moon cup was gross.

Tampax all the way for me but each to own.

DarthVaderIsMyRealDaddy · 04/12/2016 21:33

BloopBleep- if it's not too personal- as I am suffering with flooding every month, no matter what- towels tampons, half a roll of cling film and a sponge, - can I ask if you have a solution that works for you? It's not so bad if I'm at home, but going to work is awkward, and I can't tell you how awful it is staying at somebody else's house! If you have a secret- please share it!!! Thankyou!

deeedeee · 04/12/2016 21:39

Darth, have you tried a moon cup? they hold more blood than pads or tampons and many find that they help with heavy periods x Maybe a moon cup with a reusable pad?

minifingerz · 04/12/2016 21:44

"Why do people find it difficult to understand that different people have different preferences to what they put in their own knickers?"

Probably for the same reason I find it difficult to understand why some people think Donald Trump is a great guy, or that Rustlers microwave burgers make a lovely meal.

Some things just baffle me.

Inadither · 04/12/2016 21:49

I started off with cloth pads after using cloth nappies and it feels like giving your foof a little hug. They're cosy. I had some cheeky mama but found they were too hot in summer so my faves are now the cotton ' imsie vimse' pads. I've found they make no difference to my flow but others have reported less pain and less bleeding. TBH I prefer my menstrual cup and use that most of the time......now THAT has been liberating and life changing for me. To be able to go to the beach and wear it for the entire day without having to empty it or find find somewhere to dispose of things. I have a lunette cup. Not too firm and very reliable for me. Love it!

pklme · 04/12/2016 21:50

Darth, depends on your work bathroom as well. If you have cubicles with a sink, that's brilliant. If not, you can wipe cup with tissue and reinsert. A cup and a long towel either a maxi night time pad (bulky but long) or a long washable pad work best for me. Have you talked to GP? I take tranexamic acid which has been a god send but it only works when you remember to take it.

Yoarchie · 04/12/2016 21:51

Sorry if this has been asked/answered but I don't understand what a liner is. Do you just get a fabric sanitary towel that you popper round your knickers or are you supposed to put another liner thing inside it? I am quite interested as disposables make me itch.

Anatidae · 04/12/2016 21:55

Woooah there. Rinsing your moon cup in the cubical sink? In the sink?? Where the next person might fill the sink with water to wash their face? Or hands?

That is not ok! Menstrual blood does not belong in a sink. It's a potential disease vector ffs.