It’s that time again, and lacking any thinky thoughts or filking inspirations, I’m using this post to ask you1 about what you use for your period, whether traditional disposable products, something you made yourself, or purchased reusable products, or…?
Specifically, because I had a massage tonight2, have any of you used a menstrual sponge? With my prolapse issues, neither cups nor tampons are an option for me, but it’d be nice to have something for the rare occasion like tonight, when going pad-free would make life easier.
Also, I’m on the hunt for both a wet bag and a “moon pot”3; consider this an invitation either for recommendations to your favorite makers, or self-serving spam if you think you make/sell Just The Thing I’m looking for. Bonus for being moon or menses themed, or otherwise exceptionally cool, neat, weird, or pretty.
‘Til next month!
- The set of “you”, my readership, who menstruate, now or when not pregnant or lactating, which is not the same set of “you”, my readership, who are women, which is not the same set of “you”, the totality of my readership. Just to be… clear? ↩
- Yes, you can get a massage while menstruating; you always have the option to keep your underwear — or anything else that would make you feel comfortable — on, or wear an internal menstrual device. And if everything else fails and you bleed on the sheets? I promise, it’s not the end of the world. Massage therapists can get oil out of sheets — we can get menstrual fluid out, too. ↩
- Lidded pot for soaking cloth pads in after use, before washing. ↩
Arwyn
In my bathroom hangs a plaque with a picture of a yin yang and the word BALANCE. I can never get it to hang straight. This probably says something deep and meaningful about my life.
I made the decision a couple of years ago that I didn’t want to use anything disposable anymore, partly due to environmental concerns and partly due to my skin reacting badly to the gel used in pads these days. My first try was the Diva Cup; it just didn’t work well for me. I loved the idea of it, but even after several months and looking up different folds online, I could never get it in very comfortably. I still have it to use if I want to go swimming during my period (not often since I seldom go swimming).
So, my next idea was reusable cloth pads. I did some research online and looked at the different pad options, as well as learning about what they were made from, etc. I came up with a winner at http://www.newmoonpads.com …they are very soft and thin, available in different sizes and I love all the different prints they have. Washing them is quite easy; I just soak them and wring them out after use and then I prefer to let them dry instead of putting them in a pad pot. I just throw them in with a load of laundry next time we’re doing laundry and they come out great. Staining is minimal (and because of the patterns, they don’t show anyway). I wish I had known about reusable cloth pads 26 years ago when I started my period.
I like this one:
http://www.goddesspads.com/sasopot1.html
and these
patrypantspads.com
http://www.magickcauldron.com/main/cauldrons.html
The last one is adorable!
Great question! I use the Diva Cup and absolutely love it and recommend it to all of my friends. I have a few converts amongst my ranks and most of them love it, too. Unfortunately you can’t use a Diva Cup, but could you use sea sponges, or is that too much like a tampon and cup as well? I know that the most well-known brand of cloth pads are Luna Pads. They are pricey, though. I may try out Goddesspads. I need something for back-up of the Diva (although mine has never leaked) and for light days.
I liked sponges a lot. I got them from an art-supply store, “natural sea sponges”. they worked great and I felt pretty much nothing.
Planet Wise sells excellent wet bags. absolutely leakproof and odor-proof. (how do I know? I put a wet diaper in one and shoved it into my diaper bag and promptly forgot about it FOR A WEEK. ‘cuz that’s how I roll. I had no idea it was even there.) they come in small, medium, large and huge, and they have very nifty prints.
I have PCOS, so my period is occasional at best.
Years ago, I bought a “Keeper” – though the silicone of the Diva Cup is rather tempting. I guess if I have another child, carry to term, and determine that I need a bigger size post-birth, that’s what I’ll get.
I also bought a stack of Luna Pads way back when – and if my period was more consistent, I’d be buying up other brands now. There are so many wonderful WAHM made types out there, with so many options…
whee!
well, i started menstruating late-ish, on my 14th birthday, and i used disposable stuff (pads and then tampons) until i was about 18. i think it was the summer after my freshman year in college that i started using a latex keeper, and a few years later i replaced it with a silicone divacup–it seemed easier to sterilize. both have paid for themselves, compared to the price of disposables, and i’ve never had much trouble using them. occasionally, if i need a little backup, i’ll just wear two pairs of underpants.
as we discussed recently on the twitterz, this has sometimes left me feeling like a rather bad hostess when a visitor happens to be in need of a menstrual product of some kind–they can’t exactly borrow mine. right now i have a very old box of evil tampax hidden somewhere, and a box of “natural” disposable pads just in case. i have never used cloth pads–i am not the most fastidious when it comes to cleaning up after myself, and i like the convenience of the cup (esp. for swimming, which i do a lot of in the summer). but if a need arises, i can see myself adding them to the mix. i like the idea of making them myself.
I used tampons up until early last year when I found out about cloth pads and I’ve only used those once since. I got sea sponge tampons to use on days when I didn’t want to use pads and they would have worked great if I had a lighter period, rinsing them out every hour on heavy days just didn’t appeal to me. I got a Diva Cup a couple of months ago and now I alternate between the pads and that, which is working out great and actually makes me look forward to my period.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntFlosPads
When she was going by the name Holistically Heather I used to talk to her in chat a bit, nice lady. She has reusable pads with inserts and also makes wet bags.
For me, I use tampons if I have to go out or get out of bed on my heavy day(s)… otherwise, I limit my range of field and stay on a bed pad to avoid staining the sheets. I have severe cramping issues which tampons only make worse, and I just can’t bring myself to wear pads – it feels too much like wearing a diaper and I’m too aware of it to ever really be comfortable.
Hope that helps!
So I used to use disposable tampons and pads, and then someone pointed me towards Party in my Pants. I currently adore them, and consider them one of the best things EVER. My period starts off all kinds of heavy, and these do not leak. At all. And god knows my body tries.
As for washing, I do what they recommend – fold them up, then throw them in with the next load of laundry. They dry out ’cause the backing is breathable (yet waterproof). Staining hasn’t been an issue, either. I am so many kinds of happy with them I cannot even tell you.
I tried the divacup but it was so uncomfortable to use that I’m pretty sure my vagina and uterus collaborated to get me pregnant simply so I’d never be able to use it again (you know, because I’d be a different size). I use disposable pads, although I’ve considered cloth pads.
Cloth pads: better for the environment, better for my skin, never scented ever, have sticky so they (usually) stay on my underpants.
Disposable pads: thin and absorbant, don’t create laundry.
As I shout to everyone (and regaled blog readers with descriptions of), I now use a Lunette cup. Best thing ever – for me, for whom it is comfortable.
I’ve never used a sponge, although I did read a bit about them years ago. My understanding is it’s perfectly safe to use a clean sea sponge? Would be interested to hear how you go, if you give it a shot.
I am keen to try cloth pads if I have another baby, for the postpartum stuff. So much nicer than disposables.
Ive only been menstruating, post partum for about 6 cycles and the last three I have been using a lunette cup. Before I had a baby I tried the diva but it just didn’t work for me, before that it was always disposable pads at night & tampons during the day. I was researching cloth nappies when I had an epiphany and though ’surely those chemicals an environmental problems come with pads and tampons too’ and that’s when I went reuseable. I’ve always prefered big fluffy bamboo pads. So comfy but I’ve never liked pads and could always smell by blood so got the lunette and it fits!!! I also have a bit of a prolapse and my pelvic floor isn’t too strong so I was worried, but no need to be.
I have noticed that my bleeding is a lot lighter when using cloth or a cup and the pain is less.
I’ve never had a very heavy period so I empty out the cup in the shower in the morning, clean it and reuse and at night empty it into the toilet, clean and reuse. Then when my cycle has ended I boil it and reboil at the begining of my bleed. For the cloth pads I rinse under cold water until the water goes clear and then put in an ice cream container with cold water. We rinse our sons cloth nappies in a cold cycle and then wash them, so I throw my pads in with the 2nd wash of the nappies.
Sorry for the long response. It’s just that I love cloth and cups etc, I can’t believe no-one talks about this stuff in real life.
I used a keeper cup thingy for a while, because I thought they were reusable but finally read the package and determined whatever brand I was buying was not, indeed, reusable. I hence lazily went back to tampons due to myriad partners’ (of both genders) squeamishness, which I’m fairly determined to reconsider, since it is my body and all.
Most recently (until I got pregnant) I was using a DivaCup. Before that, cloth pads, which I’m looking forward to using again (doused with essential oils and aloe and frozen) when the baby comes. Woo!
okay, i admit it, i’m mostly loving my moon cup, but it’s giving me overnight issues, and that makes me frowny. i also use cloth pads, and I <3 them, though i'm still struggling with my wash routine.
i've read good things about the sponge, but i've never tried it. Please do update the rest of us should you do so!
Slee: I’ve ordered sponges (and a wet/dry bag from Planet Wise!) so I’ll get a chance to try them next cycle. I’m not planning on using them as my main product, though, more as backup for when I’d like to go padless. But I’ll tell y’all how it goes!
For what it’s worth, here’s my cloth pad wash routine: soak (immediately or whenever I get home) for an hour or two or until whenever someone needs the sink; squeeze out and set aside; wash with a regular clothes load (warm wash, cold rinse). Works excellently.
I’m finding that the Diva Cup isn’t working for me because of mild prolapse as well. I’m also finding that the size 2 for women who had had babies is shockingly big. Are other menstrual cups smaller? Is is worthwhile to try the size 1 even though I’ve had two babies?
I’m really interested in learning more about the sponges. I’m discovering (since cycles are just returning) that my flow is so light and I use very few tampons even and would like to find an internal product that isn’t bulky like the cup or throw-away like tampons. So are you ready to give us more of a review of the sponge?
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