Cloth Pad & Menstrual Cup Discussion Thread

[BellyBelly]

Following on from the new topic here, I just thought I would open a thread for discussion. Of those who already use cloth, let us know what brands you use, which ones you prefer and any advice or tips for those going to cloth.

Those who have questions, feel free to ask away

[Astrid]

I mainly have Obsidian Star pads and a couple of Rainbow Pads liners.

Very happy with the Obsidian pads, have numerous ones (overnight, medium, light, winged and hourglass). The hourglass work very well, I like really like the shape and find I don't miss the wings, initially I had my doubts but have been converted. Love the extra size with overnight pads, very needed at times.

Rainbow pads are fine, would have bought more but could get any at the time when I was buying.

[~kaos~]

When I am menstruating (which hasn't been very often lately thanks to my DH keeping me either pregnant or breastfeeding ) I use a diva cup and some home-made cloth pads.

The diva cup is great and very easy to use. There are so many good things about the diva cup - lasts all day (on an average flow day) easy to use and clean while out and about.

I have made post-partum pads for after the baby is born. I used cloth after last baby and I found them much more comfortable and I bled for less amount of time. Really easy to make, don't need a lot of fabric or skill - I actually used scrap fabric left over from sewing.

Washing cloth pads is super easy when there are nappies that need to be washed to. They certainly don't add to my monthly workload.

Not only in the environment thing a big factor for me choosing to use cloth, but also the money saved is great. It's kinda like buying disposable nappies.... I'm always shocked at how much both disposable pads and nappies cost and how much they drain a families budget (not mine )

[Loqua]

Ah, this is very timely!

I switched to using a Diva cup about a year ago, and I've found it's been fabulous. (The only issue I've had was dropping it into the toilet... but it seems everyone I've spoken to has done that once, and ONLY once! )

Lately I've been contemplating the use of cloth pads/liners, so I'm keen to check out the reviews.

I'm going to buy a menstrual cup but don't know where to buy one. I read a review by a lady who has tried several types and listed different pros and cons for each. She found one called Lunette, and raves about it. Mooncup from the UK was also popular. She didn't much like the Diva Cup and especially didn't like the Keeper, as its latex and also did not like Moon Cup made by the same US company.

Where can you buy menstrual cups anyway? How much do they cost?

[AJP]

you can buy them online! try googling

[BellyBelly]

There is a link to the Mooncups to order here: http://bellybelly.com.au/articles/po...-menstural-cup

You cant get them direct in Australia yet.

Is Mooncup the only one that can be ordered into Australia? Would I have to convert costs to GBP?

[Ami]

I bought a Diva Cup & LOVE it

Shipping was really super fast... though I did wait months for my AF to come back before I could use it! I haven't been able to bring myself to use cloth pads yet, but have found I only really need a liner for the first couple of days while using the Diva, while my flow is heavier.

[NicoleTracy]

I bought a mooncup fairly recently, after many years of cloth pads. They are awesome! Such a logical, environmentally friendly, woman friendly product. It is most unfortunate that they are not available in Australia - you can get them from New Zealand or the UK - I think they are cheaper on the UK website at the moment. Hopefully we'll be permitted to sell them here in the near future!

[FionaJill]

I have a Diva cup & never could get the hang of it, but I only had about 3 cycles before falling Pg. But I found it too long even with the stem snipped right off.

Is mooncup UK the only one available to be ordered into australia other than diva cup? I'd prefer to get mooncup but maybe something else that's more comfortable.

[FionaJill]

get on to the lady who runs the cloth pad shop, She posts on nappycino. She seems to know everything about cups & where to get them.

Little confused about the navigation on finding it on the site. Could you PM me a link?

[Mayaness]

Today, using Mooncup for first time! I had a spotting episode (too pathetic to call a period!) a few months ago and bought it then, wondering if I was going to even need it cos my period has been MIA for nearly 3 years. Anyway, it's dead easy to use, I think I just need to get the hang of placement to minimise leaking (using paper liner, will look up these cloth liners cos the paper ones ar bothering my conscience!).
Anyway, I'm on the bandwagon!

[maz]

oh I dont know if I could use a diva or moon cup...I cant use tampons for the life of me (I cant stand the sensation of them blah) but give me a nioce cloth mama any day Ive been using them since I had Vy and havent looked back. I even took my own mama pads to the hospital with me when I had Mateauz and the midwives loved them. I have a very loving hubby who took them home and washed them for me

Astrid - I have 2 of Obsi's hour glasses..I love them and made a few of my own but shaped more for me and minkee topped...nioce and soft when you need it ... can you please tell me what you think of the rainbow liners as im thinking about getting some liners for when its O'ing time and would love some reccomendations.

ive also ordered a bohmian rainbow pads thats winged...I wasnt very fond of wings but Gigi had one sent to me and ive learnt to fall in love with it. I cant for the life of me remember the name of it.

[Mayaness]

Oooh, Maz, there is NO sensation with the Mooncup! Even going in it just glides - unlike tampons that suck every bit of moisture on the way up, blergh! Even on lighter days, it just glides, using natural lubrication. Once in, can't feel a thing! Fabulous! Got to the end of my period the other week and almost with a twinge of sadness put my cup into its bag until next time.
Oh, and for us sustainable ladies, how great is it to go into a loo that says 'this cubicle does not contain a sanitary bin', when you have your period and think 'I DON'T CARE'???? I know some would deem this weird, but once you remove the modern 'ick' factor from having periods, I'm really enjoying that part of my life

[Kazbah]

Mayaness - where did you get yours from?

And why aren't they allowed (?) to be sold in Oz? V. confused.

I've been using my cloth pads for a couple of cycles now and love them - platinum panties - but they don't work too well with the kayser bamboo undies I'm now wearing So am seriously considering diva/mooncup.

Must say, trying to explain these to my friend was interesting, she is just so "erk" about the whole thing!