Well, since we can’t get rid of our period, we might as well deal with it in a more pleasant way. There are so many different alternatives to conventional pads and tampons that you’ve probably never heard of! It’s never too late to start something new, though!
Cloth pads
While cloth pads resemble the shape of a conventional pad, they’re completely different. You won’t feel cotton while wearing these bad boys, and they’re super comfortable. It’ll feel like you’re sitting on a cloud all day! Don’t let the fun designs fool you into thinking these are for children, either. You can purchase these lifesavers at GladRags for about $100. Yikes! They’re a bit pricey, but what’s more important to you? Your money or feeling comfortable during your tough periods? The downside to these is that the clean up process is quite messy. After a few hours, you have to change out your cloth pad for a new one. To clean your used pad, you must soak it in soapy water, wring it out, and let it dry. This can be quite a process (especially if you’re at work all day and don’t want to carry around a wet pad). If you can overlook that minor downfall, these will bring you so much joy and comfort.
Pros of using cloth pads:
You’ll feel like you’re sitting on a cloud while wearing these. There are so many cute designs you can choose from. They’re available for girls who wear thongs, too!
Cons of using cloth pads:
If you go too long without cleaning these, the blood will leak through to your pants. They don’t stick to your underwear (so they might slide up and down the panty line). They’re not the cheapest alternative.
Menstrual Cups
Pros of using menstrual cups:
You can use these cups for years (if you take good care of them). They’re super comfortable and easy to insert. They’re pricey (but worth the $34).
Cons of using menstrual cups:
If you wait too long to pour the blood, it will overflow and cause a huge mess. The clean-up process is messy and it’s uncomfortable for some girls to clean these in public. Unless you have your period schedule down to a T, you’ll have a bloody mess on the first day.
Padded Panties
If you’ve had your period for four to five days, you assume that it’s over. However, your period has a way of creeping up on you at the worst times, resulting in stained panties. If you’re super unlucky, they’ll be your favorite ones. Don’t fret, though! You can order padded panties from LunaPads! They’ll cost you anywhere from $29 to $33 (depending on the style you want). You’re able to choose from bikinis, briefs, and thongs. These period panties are so comfortable, you’ll want to wear them even when you don’t have your period. Go ahead, we won’t judge!
Pros to wearing padded panties:
They’re just like underwear! The stains wash off easily. They’re so comfortable that you’ll want to wear them all the time.
Cons to wearing padded panties:
They’re a little bit expensive. Not everyone wants to pay $29 for one pair of panties. You have to soak these in warm water to clean them. This could be a disaster if you’re at work and feel uncomfortable doing this in the bathroom. Plus, you’ll have to carry the wet panties in your purse until you get home. They’re known to have an odor after a few hours.
Sea Sponge Tampons
If you’re hooked on tampons (but hate the feeling of cotton) these are for you. Sea sponge tampons may look a little weird (and you might not want to use them at first) but they’re so comfortable. If you give them a chance, you’ll fall in love and never want to use an ordinary tampon again. You can purchase these from Jade & Pearl and they’ll cost you anywhere from $11 to $27 depending on the size. They’re reusable for three to six months (depending on how well you clean them) and they’re harvested right from the ocean! However, these can be a pain in the butt if you’re at a public bathroom. You have to take them out and rinse them off ever few hours, and bringing one of these out of the stall with you to rinse off will not only be extremely embarrassing but also kind of gross to others.
Pros to sea sponge tampons:
They’re extremely comfortable. You’ll feel little to no discomfort while wearing these. They’re all natural! No harmful chemicals inside of these sea sponges! They’re not super expensive. Most tampons can run anywhere from $5 – $15, whereas you can purchase one of these for $11.
Cons of sea sponge tampons:
If you don’t clean these properly, there’s a strong possibility that they’ll grow mold (both inside of the sponge and out). It’s hard to clean these if you’re in public. A lot of people feel uneasy putting a sea sponge inside of them (can you blame them, though?).
After reading this article, what are you going to choose? Will you stick with the conventional pads and tampons or venture out and try something new? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to share this with your friends and family, too! Featured photo credit: Image Via: pillowpancake.com via pillowpancake.com
