Ever recall the first time that we have our menses? The first product that our own mothers passed to us is “Disposable Pads” from brands like Kotex and Whisper. While in fact, most of our mothers started off with ‘Reusable Feminine Cloths” for their monthly cycle.
Why then the shift away from these reusable cloths? This is due to the fact that women are ‘reeducated' that menstruation is our own ‘dirty secrets'. We should never ever have any leaks as others will know and it is unsightly etc. It may seems that disposable pads is leak-proof and we can change less frequently, but is this a pro or con?
BUT wait! Have you ever wonder what chemicals are there in the disposable pads? What makes the pads super duper absorbent? Has anyone of us done any research on this? Or has the convenience of the disposable pads masks the problems that they cause?
Pause and think about it. Though using reusable feminine/menstrual pads requires a change of our mindset, lifestyle and some getting use to, the benefits are abundant as can be seen from the list below.
Benefits of Reusable Cloth Feminine/Menstrual Pads:
- Very Much Cheaper in the long-run
- Environmentally friendly
- No harsh chemicals used
- Reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome
- More comfortable, reduce allergies and thrush
- More frequent change of pads
- Cute Colours & Prints
The investment of reusable feminine/menstrual pads might seem to be costly at first.
However, consider this: An average woman menstruate for a period of 35 years. You will use at least 12 maxi pads during each cycle and this works out to be about 144 used disposable sanitary pads a year. Thus, you will buy about at least 7 to 8 packets of 20 pieces of disposable pads each year. Each pack costs about $5 minimum and some are more expensive. In a year, you would have spent $40 on disposable pads. And this is JUST for maxi pads. What about panty liners etc? Some even uses tampons which are more expensive.
On the other hand, if you use reusable feminine/menstrual pads, it is a one time cost. On average, these pads will last about 3 years (depending on frequency of usage and care).
Thus, over time, you will definitely save $ if you switch to reusable pads.
Environmentally Friendly
Stop the increasing number of waste that goes into the landfill by switching to reusable feminine/menstrual pads. Worse still, the waste might be sent to the incinerator.
Imagine the disposable pads with whole load of chemicals in them and when these are burnt, where are the chemicals being released to? Moreover, when reusable pads are used, less resources are being used and you are definitely helping the environment and making the world a better place for our descendents.
No Harsh ChemicalsThese reusable pads are non-toxic while disposables and tampons are usually made of chemicals which might cause harm to your body such as cancer, headaches or even Toxic Shock Syndrome.
According to the Village Voice, in 1992, a Congressional subcommittee had come across an exchange of memos between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists. These memos reported the discovery of trace levels of dioxins-carcinogenic compounds which are created through the chlorine bleaching of wood pulp as well as the manufacture of rayon. Rayon is generally used in tampons and wood pulp in pads for absorbency.
Thus, have you ever wonder why is the disposable pad able to last for 3 to 4 hours without leaks? Why is it super absorbent? The answer is the harsh chemicals in these pads. Usage of these pads for at 60 days annually at close contact to your most intimate part, you do not know what you are in for. Moreover, some of us use panty liners daily which might cause more problems than helping us in our hygiene needs.
Reduce the risk of Toxic Shock SyndromeToxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare but it can be a fatal disease. In the 1970s and 1980s, more than 50 women had died and more than 1000 people suffered during an outbreak of TSS in US. Then, TSS was caused by synthetic fibers like the viscous rayon, which is still being used today. These fibers amplified the toxins of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Even though the risk of TSS can be lowered by using 100% cotton, most of the cotton crop in the United States is drenched in pesticides and not to mention genetically engineered.
And in 2001, a 13-year-old British girl died of tampon-related TSS after using tampons for the very first time throughout her period. It is also more common in younger people whose immune system is less mature.
More comfortable, reduce allergies and thrushReusable pads are also softer on your skin and they allow natural airflow and this can help prevent thrush, vaginal rashes and related problems. Despite their ‘white' appearance, disposable pads are actually not sterile. In fact, the synthetics and plastics in the disposable pads create a humid microclimate in this warm, damp area, in which germs and fungal infections such as thrush can easily breed.
Usually, when women develop problems such as thrush, vaginitis or soreness, doctors and health specialists advise them to wear cotton underwear. But, without thinking, you often continue to use your usual brand of feminine hygiene product or panty liner made from synthetic and plastic ingredients.
Many women suffering from skin allergies, irritation, soreness and itching, find their symptoms are worse during their period because of the synthetic nature of their choice of feminine hygiene product.
More frequent change of padsEver use a disposable sanitary pad for more than 3 to 4 hours? I am sure many of us will answer with a big YES! Perhaps this is due to our heavy workload or the effectiveness of the super absorbent chemicals in the pads. But ask yourself this – should we actually use the disposable pads for that long a time without changing into a new one?
Reusable pads allow us to feel the wetness of our monthly cycle and change the pads and therefore better hygiene. Thus, this will allow us to do so.
Cute Colours and Prints Disposables are a dead boring whitish colour. Why not brighten up your menstruation cycle with coloured reusable feminine/menstrual pads instead?
