Paper and Pads

[Telephus44]

I have used reusable pads. They feel a little more bulky than normal. I would continue to use them, except that (TMI alert) I've only had light spotting for the past few years, so I only really need a pantiliner.

I will say though, that my flow has always been pretty light to average. I can see if you had a heavy flow that might be kind of hard to handle.

If my cycle changes again, I would definitely try the Diva Cup or Keeper. I was a dedicated tampon user before I got married/had kids.

[valerian]

Not in this lifetime! I figure I was born in this time and place for a reason...my Mom told me stories from my Great-Grandma's days and they weren't pretty!

[SwirlyThing]

I use reusable menstrual products almost exclusively. I switched, initally, out of necessity rather than frugality. Sometimes disposable pads give me welts that last for weeks. Commercial tampons cause me massive cramping.

So, out of necessity, I tried sewing my own pads from a pattern I found online. I used them one cycle and was totally hooked! WAY more comfortable than disposables... so soft and comfy. I never have leaking issues (which was my fear when I first tried them). They are actually easy to care for, and they do not freak out the men in my house. My teenage daughter now uses them as well.

I saw a study done in Japan recently. It found that 90% of women who tried cloth pads switched to them permanently.

I have also tried the diva cup (and Instead cups when they were available), but have difficulty getting them to seal. When the diva cup does seal, it feels uncomfortable... perhaps it is a sizing issue with me, as I know a lot of women love them.

So now, in addition to cloth pads, I use reusable sea-sponge tampons. They do not give me cramps like disposable tampons. They do not contain chemicals. They are easy to sterilize. They hold more than the largest disposable tampon. On my wickedly heavy days I can wear two at once. You can even have sex with it in. One sponge lasts about 6 months, and as it is a natural product, it is totally biodegradable. I LOVE the sea sponges. I've even heard (no idea if it's true), that Cleopatra used them.

So not only am I saving money, I'm also MUCH more comfortable during my period, and I'm keeping all those disposables out of our landfills. Win-win on all accounts!

[pollypurebred39]

Now that's very interesting. They can even be used for birth control!

Sea Pearls Sea Sponge Tampons [SP429] - $13.00 : Jade and Pearl, Inc, Makers of Sea Pearls Sea Sponge Tampons, Natural Products and Unique Gifts

[craftypam]

the reuseable pads are great. they are a lot less....ick..than i thought they would be. there's a pattern for them at >>> Many Moons pad pattern

the reuseable wipes for the toilet... I didn;t go that far....i dont thinkl...but I made reuseable wipes and a wipe "liquid" for my dd when she was an infant. The ones you buy at the grocery store made her break out terrible, even the ones claiming to be hypoallergenic and for sensitive skin. I used flannel and surged the edges. I mixed up an aloe/lotion mixture i ofund online and used that instead. Her skin was so sensitive. It worked like a charm. ANd they washed up real easy. Never needed to run out and buy any before they ran out either. Her rashing went away completely. I did the same for my next child without ever even trying the disposeable wipes. Never had a problem. That might be no different than what you are talking about, really. Depends on perspective I suppose.

For someone who doesn't sew or have a sewing machine you can cut out with pinking shears and their is no need to finish edges

[FrabjousDay]

A Diva cup is the way to go. Just the thought of using a tampon or pad is completely repulsive to me. I will never go back.