Feminine Hygiene Moneysaving Alternatives

carol_a_3

Is there any point in me investing in these reusable pads do you think? I'll be 51 at Christmas, still getting regular periods but hope it won't go on for too many more years. Get through around 8 a day normal "Always" for 5 days, how many reusable ones would you recommend I buy?

coolbreezes

In my opinion dont worry about cost for feminine hygiene its madness. For goodness sake we have enough to deal with without the worry of the costs. Use whatever means is easiest for you and to be honest I would never in this day and age use any product that needed recycling for this particular issue. This is 2005 so do whats easiest for your lifestyle. Woman have enough to deal with without the anxiety of cheap hygiene methods to get us through our cycle which can last for over 40 years. Come on girls saving cash is one thing but sanity and pride is worth so much more. :j Can you honeslty see a man doing this ? I dont think so !!

Gingham_Ribbon

I wondered how long it would take till someone thought it was a problem! Honestly, Coolbreezes, why do you think sanity and pride are compromised by washing sanitary protection?

Disposable towels and tampons have been around for a nanosecond compared to how long women have been having periods. And chosing to take care of the environment is much preferable to dismissing it for 'lifestyle' reasons. This is 2005 after all! We are seeing the effects of our squanderous use of the world's resources all around us!

AussieLass

carol_a wrote:

Is there any point in me investing in these reusable pads do you think? I'll be 51 at Christmas, still getting regular periods but hope it won't go on for too many more years. Get through around 8 a day normal "Always" for 5 days, how many reusable ones would you recommend I buy?

Hi Carol:wave:

I'm 45 and I suppose I am on the last leg of the race too. My mother went through her menopause at 44 and my sisters were earlier so I'm expecting to end soon too. But I bought some washable pads from a shop on Ebay about six months. There was six in the pack. They have wings as well. They are fantastic and I just wish I had been more aware of them a lot earlier. I am a really heavy bleeder so at times I do need to wear tampons as well when I'm out. Just for my peace of mind really. Been there, done that.:o I would start off with 6 if I were you. If laundered properly they last for a few years. HTH

Badgergal

Moneysaving is certainly not the only reason I use them (though it is a fab bonus)! For a start I find they are kinder to my body than disposables with all their nasties in them which often gave me a kind of nappy rash (which wasn't good for my sanity or my pride incidentally!); they are worth it for that alone. Then there is the fact that because of me alone there will be hundreds/thousands less pads going into landfill in my lifetime alone (I've started relatively early in my life!). You just can't put a price on that kind of thing.

Gingham_Ribbon

And they're so soft and pretty! They feel great. And I'm sure I'm getting less cramping somehow. But maybe it's just because I'm more comfortable...

soba

My daughter is nine now, so I guess it won't be too long before she starts her periods. I use the mooncup myself now but I'm not sure it's right for a 'beginner' and was wondering about reusable pads, but I'm a bit concerned about the embarassment factor for her at school. What do you guys think? The last email newsletter I got from mooncup was singing the praises of starting your periods, but in reality I'm not sure it feels like that. It certainly didn't for me.

carol_a I'm getting on just fine with my mooncup, only wish I'd heard about it years ago. Just a matter of suck it and see - if you see what I mean!!! It's a no-risk outlay, if you don't like it send it back and they'll give you a full refund.

Badgergal

Well...I would have run a mile if you showed me a mooncup when I was young - tampons were scary enough!

I think reusable pads could work if she was prepared to try them - spares/used ones could be carried in a discreet makeup-type bag with waterproof lining (H&M do cool ones), in her school bag - absolutely no one would have to know. I used to hide my Bodyform in a makeup bag anyway incase they fell out and embarrassed me, I was so afraid!! I would only do it if she is totally ok with the idea though, as I'm sure you would - I found the whole thing embarrassing enough and obviously wouldn't have wanted anything forced on me

Although, at that age, I was SO loathe to let my mum see my underwear after accidents (used to try and get the stains out secretly, dry them secretly, all sorts) that maybe she won't like giving them to you to wash or letting you see them. My mum was fine about it of course, being a woman herself, but it was just me and my ideas!!

This stuff is all fairly fresh in my mind given I only started mine 9 years ago!

Rebob

soba - you can suggest the reusables for at home and disposables for school. That way she gets to choose. I know that it was hard enough keeping disposables hidden.

Gingham_Ribbon

I think she would be afraid of leaving her bag down, a boy going in it and discovering them. This is embarrassing enough for a girl, but when they're different to everyone else's and possibly used, I think she might not want to take the risk. I'd also suggest washables at home and disposables for school. Although she might be prepared to use washables all the time if she's an exceptionally confident child.