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

Plus, some of them are really cute!

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.

Shop for Menstrual Cups - Eco-Friendly Reusable Silicone Cups

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

Tampons — Disposable cylinders made of soft cotton or rayon blends pressed together to form a cylinder-like shape, usually bleached, that are 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 all different sizes and absorbency and can be purchased at most convenience stores or supermarkets.

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 store-bought.

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

Sea sponges — Natural sponges, worn internally like a tampon to absorb menstrual flow.

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.

Buy a period cup online HERE.

Shop for Menstrual Cups - Eco-Friendly Reusable Silicone Cups