Cloth Pads For Period - And Beyond

As more and more options for feminine hygiene products flood the market, it can be tricky to sort through the hype and decide what's best for you. When it comes to finding the perfect coverage for your menstrual cycle, cloth menstrual pads(also called cloth sanitary pads or Mama cloth) might just be the answer.

Think that cloth pads are only useful for your period? Think again! The truth is that cloth pads are an excellent choice for coverage during your menstrual cycle, but also have a variety of uses for different individuals. Let's dive into all the reasons why you might want to incorporate cloth pads into your routine. You'll find cloth menstrual pads can make for a more pleasant, more environmentally-friendly, and safer period — and beyond.

Why Cloth Pads are Perfect Coverage For Your Menstrual Cycle

From concerns about the infection to issues with odor to reduced cramping, here are all the reasons cloth pads can make all the difference for your menstrual cycle:

1. Reduce Worry About Infection

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening bacterial infection that's associated with tampon use. Those who suffer from TSS will experience a high fever, vomiting, and severe illness associated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. By switching your super-absorbent tampons out for cloth menstrual pads, you can significantly decrease your chances of coming down with this dangerous infection.

In addition to rare cases of TSS, many women who use disposable products experience painful discharge and infections like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. In many cases, this can be aggravated and caused by the cocktail of chemicals used in traditional pads:

Avoid the risk of infection and irritation by switching to cloth menstrual pads. Remember — unbleached, undyed, and organic cotton cloth pads are best.

2. Increases Comfort

Well-made cloth menstrual pads like our LUCKYPADS are created using the finest quality organic cotton. This soft and absorbent material creates a comfortable experience for those on their periods. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to customize cloth menstrual pads to your body's specific needs by choosing Day Pads, Day Pads Plus, Night Pads, Night Pads Plus, or Waterproof liners. These options ensure that you're never getting more or less coverage than you need at any time, so you can stay comfortable for longer.

3. Eliminates Odors

If you've ever used disposable pads, then you know that there's a chance for odor. Though you might have thought that the odor is caused by your blood, that's simply not true. The smell is caused by the chemicals in the pad interacting with your menstrual blood. And it's never a good idea to purchase scented disposables because the added chemical fragrances can cause some serious irritation. The solution? Use reusable organic cotton pads like LUCKYPADS to avoid artificial fragrances, chemicals, and bad odors.

4. Decreases Cramps

Many people who make the switch to cloth menstrual pads report a significant reduction in painful period cramps. Why would this be? Unfortunately, disposable pads and tampons are made with plastics, chemicals, and materials like rayon. The combination of all these synthetic materials can block airflow and absorb normal moisture from your vagina. For many women, this contributes to serious pain and cramping during their period. By switching to natural, chemical-free fibers, you can decrease cramping and create a healthier environment for your vagina.

5. Easy for Newbies to Use(Best Pads for Teens)

Cloth menstrual pads are an excellent option for those experiencing their first few menstrual cycles, especially if you're looking to make a good environmental choice. Options like menstrual cups are environmentally sound, sure, but inserting a menstrual cup is a bit daunting for newbies. The same goes for tampons, which can be difficult to insert. By starting with cloth menstrual pads, you'll avoid the pitfalls of some of the other products on the market — and get started on a great habit for life.

6. Better for the Environment (and Your Wallet!)

During your lifetime, you'll probably use around 16,800 disposable pads and tampons. This dizzying number of disposable products, unfortunately, has massive environmental consequences. Plastic tampon applicators contribute to plastics in the ocean, disposable pads and tampons clog up landfills, and some disposables contain toxins called dioxins which are harmful to the planet.

And it's not just the environmental costs that you have to consider. Disposable tampons and pads cost women an average of $1,800 over the course of a lifetime — which racks in a whopping $5.9 billion for the disposable feminine hygiene product industry. Though cloth menstrual pads may present a slightly increased up-front cost, they more than pay for themselves in the long run.

Cloth Pads Aren't Just for Menstruation

Though it's clear that cloth pads can be incredibly convenient during the menstrual cycle, however, their use extends far beyond their periods:

1. Handle Discharge With Cloth Panty Liner

When most people think of the word "discharge," they think of infections like vaginosis. However, women experience healthy, normal discharge at different points throughout a month's cycle. This is because the cervix creates different types of mucus at different points during the month.

For example, during the point in a cycle when a woman is ovulating, she might have a sticky, clear, egg-white consistency discharge that's perfectly healthy. Though it's normal, it's still a great idea to have a reusable cloth panty liner during those times in the month when you experience increased cervical discharge.

2. Postpartum Care With Cloth Pads(Best Postpartum Pads)

After a woman gives birth — whether vaginally or through a cesarean section — a period of heavy bleeding follows. Known as lochia, this heavy bleeding consists of remnants of the uterine tissue that sustained the baby throughout the pregnancy and is a natural part of postpartum healing. Doctors recommend that women who are healing after childbirth avoid tampons and stick with pads instead. By using natural, chemical-free products like reusable organic cotton cloth pads during this time, you can increase postpartum comfort and keep your body on the right track towards healing.

3. Backup With Cloth Pads

Not sure when your period is coming? You're not alone. Many women have unpredictable cycles and tend to have some anxiety about breakthrough bleeding when they least expect it. Forget running to the store for disposables at the last minute — having a stash of cloth pads on hand can alleviate a lot of your anxiety about having an uncertain period.

4. Great for Minor Incontinence(Best Bladder Leak Pads)

It's estimated that approximately one quarter to one third of women in the United States have some degree of urinary incontinence. In simplest terms, this means that urine might leak without your control — especially when sneezing or laughing. It's more common after pregnancy and childbirth and can be a source of irritation and embarrassment. Using cloth pads is a gentle way to protect yourself from unintentional leaks that may crop up at different times in your life. Cloth Pads are kinds of reusable and washable incontinence pads

LUCKYPADS Cloth Pads: A Solution for Menstruation and Beyond

Made with care from undyed, unbleached, Certified Organic cotton, LUCKYPADS cloth pads are an incredible solution for a variety of situations. Whether you're looking for a solution for painful and irritated periods, seeking to pamper yourself with postpartum care, or simply trying to reduce your environmental impact, LUCKYPADS can help. Want to learn more? See our FAQ for even more information.