You would be hard-pressed to find a woman whose favorite time of the month involves shedding her uterine lining and bleeding from her vagina for several days in a row. Add in frequent trips to the bathroom to deal with the aforementioned blood, occasionally ruined underwear, and cramps galore, and you have the quintessential period. With reusable period pads, at least this time of month does not also break the bank.

Most women today turn to single-use pads and tampons during their period because of the availability and convenience of these products. These items are not cheap, but women buy them out of necessity.

Health Risks of Conventional Pads

Disposable pads and tampons are typically made of a combination of cotton, plastic, and other chemicals to control for odor. One thing these products do not advertise is the health risks they bring to women. The conventionally grown cotton often contains pesticide and herbicide residue used during farming (such as glyphosate). The bleaching process used on the cotton creates toxins called dioxins, which are known for causing reproductive problems in humans. The antibacterial (tricoslan) and anti-odor chemicals used are typically known carcinogens and hormone disruptors. All in all, conventional pads and tampons hold a much greater health risk than you probably know.

Reusable Pad Alternatives

Luckily, alternative period products are rising in popularity. These range from menstrual cups that capture blood in a silicone cup inserted into the vagina, period underwear, and reusable cloth pads. I have been consistently using reusable cloth pads from two brands (Lunapads [now Aisle] and EcoFemme) for over 4 years. Here is my verdict:

THE PROS:

1. Reusable pads save money

A OnePoll survey of 2,000 women found that the average woman spends $13.25 per month on period products (see more info here). While reusable pads have a high upfront cost, the long-term savings are real. If cloth pads last around 5 years on average, that is 60 periods that do not require purchase of disposable pads. Buying a full set of reusable pads to wear for 5 years would cost around $150. If the typical woman has 40 reproductive years, with conventional pads, the cost will come to around $6360 (13.50 dollars per month x 12 months per year x 40 years). The cost of reusable pads will be around $1200 (150 dollars per 5 years / 5 years = $30 per year; 30 dollars per year x 40 years = 1200). That is a savings of $5160 over a woman’s lifetime!

2. Reusable pads are much comfier for all day wear

The soft organic cotton fabric helps avoid rashes and soreness brought on by conventional disposable pads. The comfort difference was immediately noticeable.

3. Less staining and leakage onto underwear

Both brands of reusable pads I use have snaps that go around the underwear to keep the pad in place. This means the pads will never lose stickiness partway through the day. This will significantly reduce accidental underwear stains. I also never find myself having to adjust the location of the pads during the day. The reusable pads beat winged pads across the board in terms of coverage.

4. Reusable pads are environmentally friendly and healthy

The fact that these pads keep one of the most absorbent and sensitive parts of the body from being rubbed with carcinogens is reason enough to make the switch. Not only do reusable pads treat the body right, but they keep plastic pads from landfills, require fewer gallons of water to manufacture, and supporting organic cotton farmers.

5. Buying reusable pads supports ethical businesses

Voting with your dollars is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard. When you support environmentally conscious small businesses typically run by women entrepreneurs, you are ensuring your dollars end up in the hands of those with your best interest, and the best interest of their employees, at heart.

THE CONS:

1. The cleaning process

To clean these period pads for reuse, you must initially soak them in water, which means touching your blood-soaked pad with your hands. After a few months of use, you end up getting very comfortable touching your period blood. The convenience of throwing out the soiled pad when done is replaced by the effort required to clean the pad for reuse.  

2. Reusable pads require a plastic-lined bag to transport home when changing inserts in public

If you plan to venture outside during your period, you will inevitably need to replace your pad in public. Since you do not throw out these reusable cloth pads, you need a way to hygienically carry the soiled pad back home without any mess. While a plastic baggy may be convenient, it is not always the best choice for the environment or your wallet. You can buy special plastic-lined bags to store used pads, but it requires paying for yet another product. Reusable pads do not offer the same convenience as disposable pads, but for many women, the tradeoff is worth it.

4. Reusable pads are bulkier

Reusable pads are thicker than most conventional disposable pads. Some brands involve two parts: a main pad plus an insert that needs to be changed throughout the day with the same frequency as a disposable pad. This double layer offers protection from leakage, but it also causes reusable pads to be a bit bulkier.

To read about more frugal tips, see here for an article about secondhand shopping on Facebook Marketplace!