Talk to me about reusable sanitary towels

[HolidaysQueen]

I use washable nappies with DS, and I really don't have an issue with bodily fluids. So I've started to think about using reusable sanitary protection rather than disposable, as there doesn't really seem a good reason to stick with disposable if the absorbency and comfort is similar with reusable.

Any suggestions for which to go for? How would i go about washing them (high temp or is a 40C okay)?

Anyone tried them and hated them?

Oh my god.. I just googled mooncups.

the top is really wide! How do you get that in?!

I bought a Mooncup last month after years of havering over them. After an initial few leaks, I found the right place to place it although I did back it up with a towel at first.

The top folds in half for insertion but it's no worse than the female condom was for women old enough to remember that . The extraction method is similar too .

DSMary - you fold it. Once it's in, it pops open.

We got shown femidons at sex education at school did people seriously use them?? We always thought they were a bit of a joke!

I've tried pads, Mooncup, and even sponges, and I wouldn't go back to disposable stuff now. I soak my pads in a bit of salty water in an old nappy bucket (kids are out of nappies now) but when they were in nappies I washed the lot together. To stop pads staining you should change regularly and rinse before storing them, or soak in cold salty water. The Imse Vimse ones at first you think are a silly colour being off-white, but it does mean you can bleach out any stains

Mooncup is really easy to use, takes a bit of getting used to at first but it's way smaller than a diaphragm so if you've used that you'll find a Mooncup easy.

Sponges like the Jam Sponge are a bit like using a non-applicator tampon, not sure I'd use them away from home as you have to rinse and re-insert so does require a sink, but they come in packs of 2 with little storage bags so you can put the used one in a bag and put in a fresh one, then rinse out when you get the chance. Probably easier for teens to get used to than the menstrual cups as they are more squishy!

CherryChoc - I tried the femidon. It was like making love in a rubbish sack . Plus it was more expensive than regular condoms.

at 'jam sponge'

i will never look at a piece of cake the same way ever again

am just ordering a mooncup though, strangely excited

I know this thread is old but considering them as don't get on well with mooncup

Am going to be very descriptive now as I want good advice (I have a wonky or described something like that by GP bit up towards my cervix, which after using tampons i would agree with!) the mooncup often leaked and am post vaginal childbirth so not thinking this will be better!

I wanted washable sanitary towels and would like to avoid anything plasticy as I thought it would be very 'sweaty and uncomfortable' wanting with wings defo pref long and a good absorbancy as can be quite heavy for a few days.

Any thoughts from anyone who has tried a few types?
Thanks
Anne

Earth girls has a good online selection and explaination of what is best for different types of women. If you dont want plasticky pads then avoid PUL backed ones.

Sorry earth wise girls!

www.earthwisegirls.co.uk

Angelpadz are comfy and come in a range of absorbancies

I'd recommend www.honouryourflow.co.uk/ in the bamboo fleece, they do black ones too, so you wouldn't know if they were a bit stained. They have loads of shapes - one I bought on sale is like a bike seat - bit massive but comfy and it doesn't leak!

I use csp every month, I look forward to my next flow more than I ever have.

Csp have no smell which you ger from disposables, I have found a wonderful brand called Dinky Dots Bots and wee notions. I find minky top amazingly aoft a beautiful cushion for my lady area and when I have a heavy flow a bamboo core is capabke of handaling that. One I have worn one I clip it ahut and store in a hidden box I have just with cold salty water I change daily, I have enough pads to last me a whole cycle and then I bung them in the wash at 60c with some vanish oxy. I acrry round a double wet bag which I store my clean and dirty pads. I am 24 a mum of 2 and honestly I have less problems now I have switched. No smell, no thrush, even my periods are lighter due to no chemicals in my own csp (cloth sanitary pads)

Love my washable pads and now use them all the time. I usually just rinse if at home and chuck mine in the washing machine as there's always washing going on soon. If I'm out I'll put them in a washbag til I get home then rinse them. They are really comfortable and if you get the bamboo ones they absorb really well and don't smell at all. earthconscious.co.uk/

I made my own from face flannels. I found a pattern online and ran up a few on my sewing machine.

I use them on v light days. They are way more comfortable than disposables.

The ones I got twizzle round on the gusset of my pants?! How do you get them to stay in place?!

I did use a Mooncup but found it leaked so changed to a Sckoon cup and am getting on really well with it.

You couldn't get me to go back to tannins ever now.

Mine have never twisted. At night they move about a little but they don't twist - I would never go back either! Wish I'd known about alternatives a long time ago. At least my two girls will :)

I have used washable sanitary pads called 'wemoon pads' I think they're made in Australia? Anyway, they're soft flannel and have poppers to attach together under your gusset. They are ok but they are quite warm and I found it a bit sweaty. I adore my mooncup and have used it for twenty years. Just really hate tampons and would be gutted if I had to go back to them for some reason. After childbirth I plan to use the we moon pads and then back to mooncup. 100% recommend.