Any advice for good period products in the UK?

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Novaportia@reddit

Reusable pads are great. I found them a lot comfier. They're also cheaper and better for the environment! People say you should hand-wash them but I just chucked them in my usual cycle in a delicates bag and had no problems.

Have you considered a cup? I loved my cup and would use it on heavier flow days (cup & pad on really heavy days, cup on normal days, and pad on light days). Mixing and matching means you can be comfortable and secure every day.

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snowdrop_angie@reddit (OP)

Thank you!

Are reusable pads those cotton fabric ones? I have tried a cup before but it was so hard to get it to pop open, and fumbling around down there in a public restroom then coming out with bloody fingers is so incredibly awkward... How do you manage that?

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Novaportia@reddit

Yes, and they often have bamboo charcoal which is more absorbent, good for your skin, and better for the environment.

It's a practice thing, and everyone finds their own way of doing it - every woman is different so why would anyone expect the same technique to work for everyone? Also, unless you're having a really heavy day, they hold so much that you can go a lot longer without having to change anyway. On a medium flow day I usually wouldn't need to change at work. When I first started using one I only used it at home and always had a pad on just in case I hadn't done it properly (that only happened a couple of times). Using one on a very light day is harder (less lubrication) so I only wore reusable pads on those days.

People say you should rinse before putting it back in, but if I was in a public bathroom with stalls I would skip that; as long as you're washing it once a day and sterilising it every month (i just put mine in a mug of boiling water) it's okay. If you do end up with 'bloody fingers' just wipe them with toilet roll. No-one is looking at your fingers that closely on the walk between the stall and the sink.

Hope that helps :)

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spankybianky@reddit

I too was getting a bit of chafing, and I switched to period pants. I LOVE the Primark black seamfree ones - they’re a really light mesh. They’re completely smooth under clothes so no VPL, and I like the full brief style. I get super heavy flow at the start so I tend to use them with a menstrual cup until things calm down.

I believe they come in a 2pk - one heavy flow that has the padding all the way up to the waistband, and one medium flow that doesn’t. They cost around £14 for the set of two, I think.

I have around 10 pairs in total (to be honest, I wish I could have just bought more of the heavy flow ones but it’s a 2-pack so not a lot of choice!).

I wash in the machine on 30C with my regular black washing (no pre soaking/rinsing because I’m lazy) in a laundry bag, and then hang to dry. Works for me!

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snowdrop_angie@reddit (OP)

Thank you! What does VPL mean?

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spankybianky@reddit

Visible panty line - I personally prefer clean lines under clothes and it makes me feel uncomfortable knowing that my panties can be seen through my thin work trousers.

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chroniccomplexcase@reddit

I bought reusable pads about a year ago and kicked myself for not doing it sooner. I’ve saved a small fortune (they cost me about £25 to buy on eBay and then nothing since) but they are so comfy to wear I forget I’ve got one on, they absorb so much better than disposable ones and even after wearing a night one at night on my heaviest day, I wake up to no leaks and not feeling wet and nasty. They are super easy to clean (this was what I was worried about the most) I just store them in a laundry bag on their own and then at the end of my period, wash them on a 40°c wash and then let them dry. I can wear them even if I haven’t started my period but think I will do soon, and if I don’t start, it hasn’t wasted a pad or let me feeling uncomfortable like disposable ones did.

I tried lots of disposable things before, various cups and period pants but didn’t get on with them (I will use a cup for swimming but don’t like wearing it all the time, especially at night) and these are hands down the best I’ve found. My only regret is not getting them years ago. I so wish this had been an option when I was at school and have recommended them to my friends who have teen girls as they’re so much easier to manage when you have irregular periods as you can wear one daily if you really want and just wash even if no period.

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snowdrop_angie@reddit (OP)

Thank you! Are reusable pads the cotton fabric ones?

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Miss-Hell@reddit

I had the same issue, switched to a moon cup and it's 100 times more comfortable

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snowdrop_angie@reddit (OP)

Thank you! Can I ask what it's like to use one and what the upkeep is etc?

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leskenobian@reddit

I've been using the Li-lets teens night towels and loving them. They're petite so fit on the gusset better - not sticking to skin at the sides! - but still really absorbent.

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Aurora-love@reddit

I use body form pads, but also period underwear has changed my life! I have also gotten on well with reusable pads but the cleaning process did get a bit fiddly and I’m quite a heavy bleeder. My period pants are from M&S and I just wear them like normal pants and chuck them in the wash, it’s rare I need to change into a second pair during the day! It’s so much more comfortable and honestly I don’t think about it all day

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leskenobian@reddit

I use M&S period pants, they're class!

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flutterby_cupcake_26@reddit

Period pants don’t dry me out either, such a godsend. I need more pairs

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Aurora-love@reddit

Ditto! I’m so prone to irritation down there and I have no problems now. I need to get more cos my M&S ones are a little tight, Tesco have cute ones but they look huge! Do you mind me asking which you use?

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Acceptable-Egg-6605@reddit

Period pants changed my life and I’m still mad we didn’t have them when I was in school 😂

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Aurora-love@reddit

Honestly they seem such a simple concept now why didn’t they exist sooner

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TheGeordieGal@reddit

Period knickers are amazing! I rarely use anything else now. They’re so much more comfortable and if you get the right ones, no worries about leaks. When I run and exercise especially it’s like I’m just wearing my normal knickers and don’t worry even slightly about things moving or whatever. I wish they’d existed when I was younger.

Modibodi do some good night ones which go really high at the front which are excellent for really heavy days and I have a bunch of M&S ones too. You have to be careful with some though as (trying to think how to phrase this carefully haha) they don’t go high at the front so you can leak out that way.

If I do wear pads then I’ve switched to bodyform ones. I used to always use Always but I found they were irritating me and bodyform ones seem slimmer too.

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bunnymama7@reddit

I have some kind of allergy to Always pads. Bodyform are fine!

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Anxious-Commercial10@reddit

It depends on whether you're talking Regency, Edwardian, Georgian. An antique shop is a great place to start.

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bloomelena@reddit

M&S period pants, specifically the boy shorts.

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Substantial_Drag_559@reddit

Always has always (haha) made me feel painful down there. After years of home researching i have found it is the perfume (freshness/odour eliminator) that they use. I switched to bodyform and have never looked back. Have since found out from friends that they also had the same experience.

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Substantial_Drag_559@reddit

I also use luna period pants and they are life changing in terms or leakage prevention

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zombiezmaj@reddit

I've noticed that with Always products recently they also seem to have more of a perfume kind of smell which is weird... haven't made the change yet though as I forget until the next month and then I'm nervous to try others so will be interesting to see the other products recommended

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Significant_Goal_614@reddit

I love Natracare, I order them online from Dolphin Fitness as it's much cheaper. Their 'normal wrapped' pantyliners are pretty thick and good for lighter periods. They are organic cotton with cellulose fibres so they do decompose. I also love the Flo brand as the pads are extremely soft. Always pads are full of chemicals and terrible for the environment, including their packaging. There's a lot of greenwashing in menstrual care and if it's possible for you to avoid mainstream brands (like bodyform, kotex) I would advise it. If you have a health food shop near you, you should be able to get decent period products there, maybe even reusable pads.

Not sure where you live in the UK but in NI all libraries have free period products of the Hey Girls brand, they are organic cotton pads and the tampons use cardboard applicators, all in card boxes. In Scotland free period products should be easily accessible too. I can actually get the Hey Girls free period products in my local health food/refill store too. If you download the Pickup My Period app you'll be able to see where you can get free items - you can take as much as you need and just stock a couple of cycles' worth at home.

In terms of period pants, I tried a few different brands and loads of them eventually leaked or felt stiff after being washed or were too bulky. I have endometriosis and the ModiBodi and Wuka ones dug in SO hard it was painful and just flared my endo pain. I tried the Pantys brand and they are amazing - feel light, gorgeous prints/colours and the seams are comfortable and don't dig in. However, they are very expensive.

I bought reusable pads from Etsy and regretted it as when they arrived the seller had used cotton fabric with a metallic finish for the top layer of the pads (I kid you not) and I just thought that was really weird? I have used them a couple of times but they are too thick and too short in length to be practical so I only wear them at home. So if you buy reusable ones, get the ones that use bamboo fleece or organic cotton as the topper, which are very long and not too thick.

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Significant_Goal_614@reddit

Grace & Green is also a lovely brand.

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Sensitive-Donkey-205@reddit

I use a mixture but reusables for all but my heaviest days. My faves are from Comfy Monthlies on Etsy. I just rinse them out and then double wash them in the machine. The first I do on their own at 60 (like prewashing cloth nappies) and then the second in a standard load of washing probably at 40.

They all say don't wash above 40 but in my experience you have to to get them properly clean.

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Significant_Goal_614@reddit

I add BioD laundry bleach powder to the detergent drawer or the drum and do an extra rinse at the end and I find that gets them really clean at 40 with the very occasional 60 degree wash.

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DarkDragoness_89@reddit

I highly recommend lidls incontinence pads, I know there not meant for periods but hey period pads arnt tested with blood either so 🤷‍♀️, they have way better absorption, than regular pads and are fragrance free and if you can get the nightime ones there extra long.

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Significant_Goal_614@reddit

it's also possible to pick up free period products once a month from Lidl through their app!

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LauraBroon@reddit

Flohere we flo are great, and often on offer in Superdrug

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Significant_Goal_614@reddit

I love these ones so much it's like wearing a cloud

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saphronyellow@reddit

I use period pants wuka and modi bodi mostly. Obsessed! Comfortable, no leaks, don' move around and just feel really secure. Need to be rinsed with cold water after use until all blood is gone and then squeezed out, then I wash them all together once my period is over. Downside is the up front cost - not cheap took me a while to build a collection that lasts me my whole cycle.

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citygourmande@reddit

Another vote for wuka and Modibodi.

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Dread_and_butter@reddit

I never rinse mine after wearing, I put them all in the washing machine for a short wash followed by a long wash - exact same routine as the cloth nappies my kids have been wearing for the last 4 years (across 2 kids). I’ve never had any issues and it’s less hassle than individually rinsing them.

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MsLuciferM@reddit

Superdrug Luna organic pads are comfortable and Sainsbury’s nighttime pads are good. I always go for unscented pads and organic pads are reliably unscented.

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Semele5183@reddit

I also prefer Bodyform as they’re less plasticky. I’ve started getting a postal subscription to TOTM pads and liners though which are all natural materials and biodegradable- highly recommend them!

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Hyperion2023@reddit

Another vote for TOTM, I was able to convince work to supply their products in the loos, definite win

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bumpsky04@reddit

I started having issues with always as well so swapped to bodyform which are better. Bought some washable cotton and bamboo ones to try from Amazon but the month I bought them I got pregnant so haven't had chance to actually test them yet

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MomentoVivere88@reddit

I use regular winged Bodyform pads. Find them softer and more comfy. No leaks and thin to wear. Had a range of sizes available with pr without wings. Savers I find always sell these things cheaper than other shops.like Boots, Superdrugs and supermarkets.

I found Always after a while also irritated my bits and felt too plasticky.

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crankgirl@reddit

I use the wingless long ones and the extra long winged nigh time ones. They work great for me. No sickly smell like Always.

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ambrelux@reddit

Savers is the best!

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SparkleWitch525@reddit

Another vote for bodyform.

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Sea-Television2470@reddit

Since I started using the reusable washable pads I've found I don't get spots on the crease between my thigh and vulva around my period, periods don't last as long (which is weird) and I get less cramps. They all wash on a quick 30.

Wish I'd made the switch sooner tbh.

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No-Pop7312@reddit

I found that after giving Always seemed to irritate, so I changed to bodyform and much prefer them.

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Bobcat-Narwhal-837@reddit

I use reusable ones.

Bit weird but cheaper and so much better than a flaming furnace itchy bitch vag when I have an allergic reaction to whatever chemicals they've put on them. That and a unicorn cup, bit weird too, but I have a very heavy flow and it's so much less fuss. Although it definitely pays to have a spare at all times, my vag has gobbed one down a public toilet before.

I am sorry local plumbing, I was not fishing around after it. Thank you for not flooding.

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FantasticWeasel@reddit

Superdrug own brand are more comfortable for disposable ones. Don't know what is going on with always, had to stop using them for the same reason recently after years of them being the old reliable choice.

Washable pads and period pants are also great although I tend to use them at home and not when I'm out all day.

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lozface86@reddit

Brands that I find good and don't make me irritated are &Sisters by Mooncup, TOTM (both organic cotton) and Flo (bamboo pads). &Sisters and Flo you can get from Boots, whereas TOTM you can get from Tesco.

I find Always, Bodyform and own brands too uncomfortable and irritating.

Period pants are also good too. I got my first pair a few months ago and they are comfortable, reliable and easy to clean. Just rinse after use and then put them in the washing machine to go through a normal cycle.

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Hatstand82@reddit

Marks and Spencer do period underwear that I’ve heard are good. Personally, I take advantage of the free family planning program in my area (I’m not too far out of London) - I’ve been on the contraceptive pill and now have an implant, so I don’t have periods (unless I change my mind and decide to try for kids). If you’re eligible, it’s free. When I had bleeding due to fibroids, I used the 80p pads from Aldi and they were fine.

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JanisIansChestHair@reddit

Bodyform V Sensitive, Flo Bamboo, lil-lets soft pads.

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Existing-Tax7068@reddit

I bought modibodi pants for my afab child. They were really struggling with pads, leading to extra laundry for me. As an added bonus, I use the water I soak them in to fertilise my garden!

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ambrelux@reddit

I like TOTM and Flo. But have also started using cups which have been amazing

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Ataralas@reddit

If you’re open to reusables I recommend the following brands of pants: Modibodi - quite expensive but really good quality Wuka - mid level cost good quality Cheeky - lower cost but still good quality

I also have used cheeky pads and they are good too. My absolute fav brand of pads stopped making them but they were so good and my first reusable products.

I’ve got my 2 closest friends into using reusables too, they both use Cheeky and Wuka.

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Ladyshambles@reddit

I used cheeky wipes and body form period pants. Just wear like normal pants. On heavier days I'll change when I get home but haven't had any leaks. I'm on the pill though so my periods aren't mental.

I store them in a wet bag for a few days until I've got a few of them then wash with flannels and small towels, cleaning cloths etc. I usually do a long wash on a low temperature with extra rinse to get the blood out and make sure it doesn't stain and then follow with a hot wash. Don't use fabric conditioner. I use an ecover laundry bleach though.

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SorryContribution681@reddit

M&S period pants!

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JellyfishAway3787@reddit

I got some period knickers from M&S and I love them. Even when I was pregnant I would wear them, just because they were so comfortable. Plenty of stretch so accommodates period bloat easily.

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toonlass91@reddit

I use a split between tampons and pads depending on flow and what I’m doing that day. Always use pads overnight though. I used to use always but have found them becoming really uncomfortable so for the last few years I’ve used bodyform. So much more comfortable and never had any issues

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