Help! I’m New to Reusable Menstrual Pads!

Howdy y’all. It’s Kay. I’m the maker and brain behind the mysteriously marvelous Moody V. I’ve been using cloth menstrual pads for as long as I’ve been wearing them, which is, holy cannoli, about four years now as of November 2020. “2020” feels like a swear word now, apologies if it brings up dark times. You’re loved and you’re strong!

Let’s talk about reusable Menstrual pads. More specifically, cotton cloth pads. Because that’s what I make! I’ve been a vendor at a good handful of markets so far in my venture as a padmaker. I’ve grown so much as a maker and business owner from them. I’ve learned so much because I’ve met a lot of people and observed how people react to and interact with cloth pads. I fully respect the way people who are unfamiliar with reusable menstrual pads react to them, but if I’m honest, it really makes me giggle sometimes. Y’know, just people’s violent aversion to reusable pads, haha! It’s all good though, don’t worry if that’s you. We’ve all got our own experiences and preferences.

If you’re brand new to the concept and kind of intrigued, I’d suggest reading some reviews, like the ones on Moody V’s Etsy. This can offer some insight into what people love or don’t love about using cloth pads. Another suggestion is to read up on articles like this one, and see what the experts say about the pads they make and use. Hey look at you, you’re doin it!

So let’s start with the basics, right? Reusable menstrualpads are the alternative to disposable pads. They can be used by themselves or as a backup for a tampon or menstrual cup. You can wash them in the washing machine and reuse them for years! I have been using my pads for four years, and they are still going strong. There are several different absorbances available, like liner, regular, heavy, and overnight. You can use your knowledge of your menstrual flow to choose which absorbency will work best for you. For light to medium flows, a regular pad works best. The regular absorbency pads are 100% cotton, which is super absorbency and dries rapidly while you’re wearing it, but does not have any waterproof layer to protect from leaks. The heavy and overnight absorbencies have a layer of polyurethane laminate, a waterproof fabric, for people with heavier periods. You’ll typically use about 3-4 pads a day when your period is on full-blast (ew, I’m so sorry I said that) (also, not sorry).

If you have any more burning questions, check out the FAQ page, or some other blog posts if you wanna! I hope this was helpful!