Cloth menstrual pads are a reusable alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. While I personally would not use them exclusively for catching menstrual flow – as I prefer my menstrual cup is a much cleaner alternative – I think they are a great supplement for women who use menstrual cups, but want to protect their underwear should any leaks occur.

Although the situations when my menstrual cup leaks are rare, it does sometimes happen, if I don’t insert it properly, so if you want to keep your panties clean you may want to use a cloth pad for added protection on your heavy flow days.

Many women are devoted to using cloth diapers, recycling, and buy organic produce. Yet they still may continue to use disposable menstrual pads. Conventional menstrual pads are made out of wood fiber, which means that trees need to be cut down to make these products. They are then bleached using chlorine bleach, which adds additional chemicals to the environment. Finally, paper pads are thrown away after a single use, contributing to waste problem.

Choosing reusable cloth pads is a sensible environmental choice, and it’s not that hard!

Cloth Menstrual Pads

So, Let’s Talk About Cloth Pads

Cloth pads have the advantage for being environmentally friendly as well as cost-cutting. They may come with or without wings. Generally they are made from layers of absorbent fabrics (such as cotton or hemp) which are worn by a woman while she is menstruating, for post-birth bleeding or any other situation where it is necessary to absorb the flow of blood from the vagina. After use, they are washed, dried and then reused.

Advantages of using Cloth Menstrual Pads

Just like menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads are environmentally friendly and do not contribute to landfill as they are reusable and do not come in or contain plastic packaging.  When cloth menstrual pads wear out (after years of use), those made from natural materials can be composted whereas disposable sanitary napkins made from synthetic materials cannot be recycled or composted.

Fewer chemicals are used in the cloth compared to disposable menstrual products. They create less overall waste compared to disposable menstrual products as they can be made from reused materials, including old pillow cases and towels.  Some cloth pads use hemp as the absorbent core which is more environmentally friendly to grow when compared with cotton or wood pulp. Organic options, such as pads made of organic cotton grown without pesticides and chemicals, are available.

In the long term, it is less expensive to buy and produce cloth menstrual pads compared to disposable menstrual products. They can be made by hand for little or no cost.

While less convenient than disposables, they are still convenient as they can simply be cleaned in the washing machine.

Cloth menstrual pads are less likely to cause rashes, contact dermatitis, as well as helping women afflicted with certain types of vaginitis. Women with sensitive skin and allergies may find cloth pads to be more comfortable against their skin, particularly cloth pads made of undyed organic cotton. They do not use adhesive.

Many women note that they have shorter periods, lighter flow and/or less cramping. Though no studies have, as yet, focused on this phenomenon, anecdotal evidence is widespread. However, this may be an example of the placebo effect or some other form of selection bias.

Cloth menstrual pads reduce the scent of menstrual blood on the cloth pad. As they are more breathable than the average disposable sanitary pads, they carry less odor.

Cloth menstrual pads, like all menstrual pads, remove the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) sometimes associated with tampons.

Disadvantages of Using Cloth Menstrual Pads

Washing reusable pads requires water. The desire to reuse must be balanced against any local need to conserve water. Also, it is important that the water used to clean pads be disposed of appropriately. Even “biodegradable” soaps take a long time to break down.

Cloth menstrual pads are generally more time consuming due to the need to wash, dry, and care for the pads.
Special care may need to be taken if the user has a Candidiasis infection (i.e. yeast infection). Once the infection is treated, the cloth menstrual pads may need to be sanitized in order to prevent reinfection.

Initial cost for reusable menstrual products is typically higher per pad than for disposables, although savings over time make them more economical.

Personally, I prefer silicone period cups. But if you don’t like wearing a cup inside, a cloth pad could be a good alternative. Read more about menstrual cups and other reusable feminine hygiene products on my blog.

If you have never heard about a menstrual cup or a period cup – unfortunately you are not alone. Although there are many reusable menstrual products available on the market today – DivaCup, Mooncup, the Keeper, Lunette, and several other brands – the majority of women still are not even aware that there is an ALTERNATIVE to tampons and sanitary napkins.

I too was in that group, until a couple of years ago, when I learned about menstrual cups. I did not buy one back then (I had other things on my mind – like being pregnant and having a baby), and it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I finally made the switch. I bought a Mooncup UK brand (unfortunately, the manufacturer no longer sells cups to the US due to tradename issues with another period cup manufacturer).

Menstrual Cup - a reusable silicone cup

Back then, buying menstrual cups online was your only option.  Today, period cups are available in more and more pharmacies and stores.

All I can say is “Wow!”

What a difference a Period Cup makes!

Buy menstrual cups online.

So, What Exactly is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is form of reusable menstrual protection. It is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluids. Once in place it forms a seal, preventing blood flowing out of the vagina by collecting it in its “cup” shaped reservoir.

Unlike a tampon which absorbs the blood along with the vagina’s natural secretions, a menstrual cup simply holds the fluids until you remove it – so they do not dry out the vagina and do not hold the Toxic Shock Syndrome risk that tampons do.

Most of the period cups, including the Mooncup, are made from medical grade silicone, is latex-free and contains no dyes, toxins or bleaches. It’s also great for women with sensitive skin.

A menstrual cup is a conical shaped cup made of flexible material, such as rubber or medical grade silicone, which is inserted into the vagina to catch menstrual blood. It is worn lower in the vaginal passage than a tampon and with only a little practice is simple to insert and remove.

Although there is a learning curve, it’s not difficult to learn how to use it. If you’re not too squeamish, you’ll find that it’s extremely empowering to take charge of that aspect of your reproductive health.

With many of us becoming aware of the effects of our lifestyles on the environment, lots of women are choosing to use menstrual cups as an alternative to standard sanitary pads and tampons.

One woman uses up to 22 items of sanitary protection every period. Regardless of your flow, you only need one menstrual cup, and it lasts for years and years, making it the most economical sanitary product for menstruation you can buy. A menstrual cup may be worn up to 12 hours without needing to be emptied and after removing and a quick wash with hot soapy water, it is ready for reuse. In between menstrual periods it is recommended that the cup be sterilized in boiling water.

9 Benefits of Using a Menstrual Period Cup

The benefits of using a reusable menstrual cup are enormous, especially for the environment. Here are 9 of them, in no particular order:

1.  Eco-friendly. Just consider this: on average, one woman will use over 11,000 tampons or disposable sanitary pads in their lifetime, which will end up in landfill or in the sea.

2.  Cost-effective: Consider the monthly cost of pads and tampons versus the one-time cost of a menstrual cup.

3.  Easy-to-use and comfortable, needs emptying only 2-4 times a day. Can be used during the night and during sports activities.

4.  Easy-to-clean. The lining of the cup is totally smooth and the tab is flat, so cleaning is extremely easy.

5.  Sanitary. Can be sterilized by placing in boiling water for 2-5 minutes.

6.  Available in different sizes and can be used by all menstruating women, with the exception of  post-natal bleeding due to the risk of inflammation.

7.  Can be used before first sexual intercourse and also with an IUD and contraceptive ring.

8.  Does not dry the vaginal mucus membrane.

9.  Safe. FDA approved. No outbreaks of vaginal candidiasis, cystitis or toxic shock syndrome have been linked to the use of menstrual cups.

buy Mooncup UK

In my humble opinion, menstrual cups is the best thing that ever happened to feminine hygiene products. They are comfortable, clean, easy to use, great for any kind of physical activity such as riding a bike, running, swimming, and snowboarding–you’ll completely forget it’s there.

When you do it for the first time, it may take a couple of attempts to insert the cup and then take it out. It may look like a challenge at first. However, once you try it once or twice, it’s really not much more difficult than inserting or removing a tampon. If you are having any difficulty and just don’t seem to get it right, read manufacturers instructions, or ask more experienced users a question at one of the forums.

Give it a try, and you may never go back to tampons and pads again.

Buy a period cup online.

Menstrual Cup Brand Comparisons

Tampons, like pads, are products used to absorb your menstrual flow. Tampons come in various sizes, which are related to their absorbency ratings and packaging. The outward appearance of a tampon is similar for all brands, but once used some will perform differently to others.

The two main differences are in the way the tampon expands when in use; for example applicator tampons such as Tampax tampons and Natracare tampons will expand lengthways, while OB, Natracare and Lil-lets tampons will expand width-ways. All tampons have a cord for removal and some have an additional outer cover to aid insertion and withdrawal. Some women prefer to use a tampon which is contained within an applicator to further aid insertion.

The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton. Organic cotton tampons are made from only 100% cotton. Tampons are sold individually wrapped to keep them clean, and because the vagina is not a sterile body-cavity, and for the vast majority of women contains “good bacteria”, there is no need for any menstrual device to be sterilized.

If you are currently using tampons, consider switching to reusable menstrual cups. A menstrual cup offers superior protection, is safe, and ecologically friendly.  Most popular brands include Divacup, Mooncup, the Keeper and Lunette.

Tampon applicators may be made of plastic or cardboard, and are similar in design to a syringe. The applicator consists of two tubes an ‘outer’ and ‘inner’. The ‘outer’ tube has a smooth surface to aid insertion and sometimes comes with a rounded end that is petalled.

The tampon itself sits inside the ‘outer’ tube, near the open end. The ‘inner’ tube is encased inside the ‘outer’ tube and held in place by a locking mechanism. The ‘outer’ tube is inserted into the vagina, then the ‘inner’ tube is pushed into the outer tube (typically using a finger) pushing the tampon through and into the vagina.

Digital or non-applicator tampons are tampons sold without applicators; these are simply unwrapped and pushed into the vagina with the fingers.

Tampon Absorbency

2 water drop marks mean that the absorbency is between 6 and 9 grams.Tampons are available in several different absorbency ratings, which are consistent across manufacturers in the U.S.:

Junior absorbency: 6 grams and under
Regular absorbency: 6 to 9 grams
Super absorbency: 9 to 12 grams
Super Plus absorbency 12 to 15 grams
Super Plus Extra absorbency 15 – 18 grams
In the UK absorbencies range as follows:

Lite (light flow) 6g and under
regular (light to medium flow) 6-9g
Super (medium to heavy flow) 9-12g
Super plus (heavy flow) 12-15g
Super plus extra (very heavy flow) 15-18g

Brands

Some common tampon brands include:

Kotex
O.B.
Playtex
Tampax
Seventh Generation Inc.
Natracare

In rare cases, using a tampon may lead to toxic shock syndrome, a serious and potentially lethal condition. Be sure to read instructions how to insert a tampon.

Also, read about menstrual cups – eco-friendly tampon alternative, as well as instructions how to insert a menstrual cup.

Most women use some type of feminine hygiene product to absorb or catch their menstrual flow. There are a number of different methods available, both disposable and reusable, including sanitary napkins, tampons, silicone menstrual cups, padettes, and other.

Disposable feminine hygiene products

Disposable sanitary napkins (sanitary towels) or pads — They are probably the most commonly known and used. Somewhat rectangular pieces of material are worn in the underwear to absorb menstrual flow, often with “wings,” pieces that fold around the panties, and/or an adhesive backing to hold the pad in place. Disposable pads may contain wood pulp or gel products, usually with a plastic lining and bleached. Older styles of sanitary napkins were held in place by a belt-like apparatus, instead of adhesive or wings.

Divacups - Reusable Menstrual Product

Padettes – Disposable wads of treated rayon/cotton blend fleece that are placed within the inner labia to absorb menstrual flow.

Disposable menstrual cups — A firm, flexible cup-shaped device worn inside the vagina to catch menstrual flow. Disposable cups are made of soft plastic.

Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products

Reusable cloth pads are made of cotton (often organic), terrycloth, or flannel, and may be sewn by hand (from material or reused old clothes and towels) or storebought.

Menstrual cups — A firm, flexible bell-shaped device worn inside the vagina to catch menstrual flow. Reusable versions include rubber or silicone cups.

Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads — healthy alternatives to disposable menstrual pads, both for you and for the environment.

Cloth Menstrual Pads

Padded panties — Reusable cloth (usually cotton) underwear with extra absorbent layers sewn in to absorb flow.

Blanket, towel — (also known as a draw sheet) — large reusable piece of cloth, most often used at night, placed between legs to absorb menstrual flow.

In addition to products to contain the menstrual flow, pharmaceutical companies likewise provide products — commonly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — to relieve menstrual cramps. Some herbs, such as dong quai, raspberry leaf and crampbark, are also claimed to relieve menstrual pain; however there is no documented scientific evidence to prove this.

Divacups, the Keeper, Mooncup are all great reusable menstrual cup brands!

Read more about menstrual cup products on my blog.

So, you have never heard of menstrual cups or just don’t like them, and you want to use tampons, but you are not sure how to go about it.

Well, first of all, tampons – unlike menstrual cups or period cups, are disposable products used to absorb your menstrual flow. They are made of soft cotton pressed together to form a bell-like shape, so that they can be inserted into the opening of the vagina. A tampon absorbs menstrual flow, or blood, before it has a chance to leave the body. Tampons come in various sizes and absorbencies and can be purchased at most supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores.

If you are currently using tampons, consider switching to reusable menstrual cups.

A menstrual cup offers superior protection, is safe, and ecologically friendly. Most popular brands include Divacup, Mooncup, the Keeper and Lunette.

Follow these simple steps to easily insert a tampon.

How to insert a tampon

Inserting a tampon may seem awkward and uncomfortable especially for girls and women who try to use it for the first time. You may a little feel nervous about inserting a tampon for the first time. If you are learning on your own, follow these instructions to have a positive experience:

1. Select and purchase the correct type type of tampon. Tampons fall in two main categories: by type of applicator and absorbency. Initially you may want to start with the applicator variety, as it is easier to use. Tampons also come in different absorbency levels and you should buy tampons that are appropriate to your menstrual flow: light, average or heavy. Use the super tampons only when your flow is at its heaviest, and purchase a variety pack until you find what works for you.
2. Wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after insertion.
3. Prepare the tampon by removing it from the wrapper. Depending on the type you purchased you may have to extend the applicator for use (follow the instructions on the box).
4. Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Some women prefer to place one leg on the toilet seat or tub, while others prefer to squat down.
5. Hold the tampon with your fingers in the middle of the applicator and the tampon string pointing away from your body. Position the tampon at the entrance to your vagina. You may have to pull back the folds of the labia.
6. Gently slide the applicator a few inches into the vagina (tampon side in), following the angle of your body, until your fingers meet your vagina, and the outer tube is completely inside you.
7. Be sure to relax! The more you relax, the easier the insertion will be. When you are nervous, your muscles tense up, making insertion more difficult. Try different positions until you find one that is easy and comfortable.
8. Push the inner part of the applicator tube into the outer end while holding the outer end still. This pushes the tampon inside your vagina. Be sure that you push it all the way until the applicator stops. If the tampon feels uncomfortable, you may not have inserted it all the way into your vagina and you will need to remove it and try again with a new tampon.
9. Slide the applicator out, while making sure the string is hanging outside the vagina. The string will be used to remove the tampon.
10. Wrap the applicator in toilet paper and throw it in a garbage can. Do not flush it down the toilet!
11. Tampons can be disposed of by throwing them in the garbage or flushing down the toilet. However, flushing Tampax Pearl tampons is not recommended for septic systems.

There you have it! Remember the more you do it, the easier and faster it becomes.

Tips For Using Tampons

• You shouldn’t be able to feel the tampon inside your body. If you can, you may not have inserted it far enough. Remove it and try again with a new tampon. Try inserting the applicator a little further into the vagina before pushing the inner tube of the applicator into the outer tube.
• You may not be successful on the first few tries. Relax and use a new tampon to try again.
• Use a small amount of petroleum jelly if the tampon does not go in easily.
• Tampon packages have directions inside. Read all of the warnings and advice that are located on the tampon instruction sheet.
• Change your tampon every 4-8 hours, or more often, to avoid leakage.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Important Warning about Toxic Shock Syndrome and Tampons

Leaving a tampon for more than six hours is not healthy. It can cause a toxic syndrome. Sanitary towels should also be changed regular according to circumstance.

Learn about Toxic Shock Syndrome on the insert that comes with tampons to reduce your risk for contracting this disease.

If you experience the following symptoms while wearing a tampon, remove the tampon, and contact your health care provider immediately! These symptoms may seem similar to the flu. If they occur while you are menstruating and wearing a tampon, they may signal TSS. Otherwise, it might mean that you have another infection. It is recommended that you see your health care provider regardless. Symptoms of TSS include:

• Sudden high fever
• A sunburn-like rash
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
• Vomiting

Also, read about the menstrual cup, an eco-friendly tampon alternative, as well as instructions how to insert a menstrual cup.