Why cloth sanitary pads are awesome!

When my business partner first suggested to me that she thought it’d be a great idea to start making cloth sanitary pads (in addition to our Cushie Tushies modern cloth nappy range), I have to admit I thought she had lost her mind!

This may be a little TMI, but here goes anyway. For 20 years I have suffered from extremely heavy, frequeng and long periods with the most jaw-droppingly painful cramps. Pain equivalent to pre-labour (not lying – I’ve had three kids so I can talk)!

So the thought of dealing with cloth pads on top of all this every 3-4 weeks just sounded like WAY too much hard work. I already use cloth nappies, so ‘I’m doing my bit for the environment’ was another initial cop-out thought.

But I trust her instincts so MamaMinx was born, and when our first shipment of these little beauties arrived I thought I probably should try them out myself. Given I was about to start selling them, I thought I really ought to be able to talk from personal experience.

Cue total amazement!

Turns out, bamboo velour is sooooo nice against one’s skin and is absorbent enough even for my overnight needs. Because we use a black bamboo there is no ‘ick’ factor or stains to deal with, plus the design of the pads makes it very easy to fold the used ones up, snap them in place and store them in a wetbag until wash day, without touching anything messy!

When I’m out and about, I take a small wallet-size wetbag in my handbag and have found dealing with my cloth pads has been a simple matter. Not to mention the joy of no longer having to lift the lid on the disposable sanitary pad bins in public toilets and gasping for air from the stench within….!!!

But, my biggest WOW factor for these pads is that I no longer experience the gut-wrenchingly painful period cramps! This was an instant reaction I experienced upon switching to cloth pads and totally caught me by surprise. This fact alone will see me NEVER return to using disposable hygiene products.

To make sure I wasn’t dreaming, I did a bit of research to see if others have experienced the same reaction.

Turns out, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did a study in 1996 that linked dioxin exposure with increased risks for endometriosis. Dioxin is found in all chlorine-bleached sanitary products (dioxin is a by-product of the bleaching process) and is highly carcinogenic to humans.

On a more basic level, using tampons (bleached or not), physically blocks the downward menstrual flow. The menstrual fluids then pool at the cervix or flow back into it, causing inflammation, bacterial growth and cramping.

Disposable pads and tampons are also a common source of vaginal itching and yeast infections (eczema and thrush). Plastic is used in feminine hygiene products, as a layer on the bottom of menstrual pads as well as in the form of a “mesh” on the top layer. These synthetic materials actually lock in moisture, causing the skin to sweat and leading to vaginal itching and irritation, as well as promoting yeast infection.

So now that I know these things, I’m even more pleased with myself for giving cloth a go!