Secret Paddict

My experience using reusable menstrual products (RUMPs). See the menu for more information on what RUMPs are.

[secretpaddict]

Updated pad storage

I recently finished university and moved back home with my parents. I decided I needed a better place to store my pads and cups than a bag. I therefore decided to clean out a drawer that was full of lots of random things and use that for my period storage instead. The pads are arranged by absorbancy and length, with the light pads at the front. The cups and other accessories are to the right of the pads. Almost all of my pads are in this picture, though a few are in my bag where I always store them just in case. They don’t quite fill the whole drawer with my bras taking up the far right end.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - Sept/Oct 2017

I decided to buy myself some period scrundies (a very comfy handmade type of underwear) and used them for the first time this month. I used them as backup to my mooncup. It was great not having to worry about leakage or a pad moving about. They are a moderate absorbancy so I may try using them for a full day towards the end of my next period without a cup. The only downside of them is they are quite snug due to the padding of the absorbent layer and this meant the seams rubbed a bit. If I buy another pair I would probably go a size larger than my normal size.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - August 2017<\b>

I completely forgot I hadn’t gotten round to posting this. Oops.

I used my cups for a lot of the time.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - June/July 2017

After the first day I mainly used my cup. I managed to drop my cup into the toilet for the first time, but I thoroughly cleaned it and it was fine. Part way through I was camping, and I was thankful for my cup. The only problem was that the campsite toilets were compost toilets which made removal and reinsertion slightly awkward. I ended up crouching on the floor for this rather than sitting on the toilet, which made me glad I wasn't very heavy as I didn't want to accidentally spill blood on the floor.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - May 2017

I had some slight cramping at the beginning of my period, but other than that everything was fine.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - March/April 2017

Sorry for the delay in posting this WIWTM. My last period was just before I returned home for the Easter holidays, and my pads weren’t dry before I had to go so I just left them on the airer for the whole time I was away.

I only used a few pads this period because I mostly used my MoonCup and my Lena cup. There was some slight stains on two of my pads, but I’m going to leave them in the sun and hope that helps.

[secretpaddict]

Day 3

Every time I use a cup I become more grateful that I discovered. For example, today I am travelling home for a wedding. This is quite a long journey, almost the whole width of the UK. If I were using pads I would have to make sure I had opportunities to change he them along the journey. However, as I have a cup I can instead just put it in and leave it till this evening. If today had been a heavier day i could have just used my large Lena cup and probably could have gotten away without having to empty it. Using a cup also lets me forget I have my period most of the time. My main reminder is the liners I wear as back up.

When I first got my MoonCup I was very nervous about using it and it took me a while to get into using it properly. There was even a break of about a year where I just stopped trying, but now I’m so glad I didn’t give up completely. They’re so great!

[secretpaddict]

Day 1

My period began this morning. I was going into uni today but I decided I would use pads rather than a cup as I’ve found cups can be bad for cramps in the first few days, and I was in a hurry to leave the house. However after my first two hour lecture I went to change my pad and decided, given my flow was relatively heavy, it would be easier if I tried using a cup. I’ve taken to always carrying my MoonCup in my backpack just in case. I haven’t had to use it before, but I’m glad I had it with me. It made the rest of the day much easier than it would have been with pads. I did have some slight cramping over the next hour, but I took some ibuprofen and it went away.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - February 2017

I really need to get better at putting my washing away sooner. I have a tendancy to leave it on my airer for at least a week after it’s dry. Because of that this WIWTM is a bit late, but I managed to remember eventually. I only used my large Lena cup for a bit because I tried to use it at the beginning of my period when I was heavier, but I had cramps so it didn’t work. I used my small Lena cup for quite a bit after that though. I also used my foxes pad (one of the first I ever bought) for the first time in ages!

February was my two year padiversary and I’m so glad I made the switch!

EDIT: I realised I missed a few pads out of my photo so I’ve added a second photo with them in. The pad on the left has some grey marks on it so I’m going to give it another wash. Hopefully that will sort it.

[secretpaddict]

Day 2

My period started yesterday evening. I was glad it hadn’t started a few days earlier as one of my period tracking apps suggested as I was camping.

It started quite light. I decided to put my large Lena cup in overnight as it’s easier to use a cup overnight, however at about half one I was woken by cramps. I’ve found that using a cup really doesn’t help cramps, so I went and removed my cup and replaced it with a pad instead. My flow was now quite heavy. Eventually I got back to sleep.

I’ve been slightly crampy since I woke up, but it’s gotten better since I took some ibuprofen. I’ve decided not to use a cup again quite yet though.

[the-amp-insider]

[gladragspads]

How to Wash Your Cloth Pads - The Lazy Method :)

[secretpaddict]

My Stash - Dyed Red

Honour Your Flow - Night - 14″

This pad feels huge but is great for overnight.

[secretpaddict]

My Stash - 12 Doctors

Love My Custom Cloth - Light/Moderate - 10″

I have a friend who I inadvertently got into cloth pads because some stuff I liked on Facebook relating to cloth pads popped up on her newsfeed. We know each other through Doctor Who, and she sent me messages of the cool Doctor Who themed pads she’d bought. When I saw there were still some available with this fabric I had to get one!

[secretpaddict]

My Stash - Mermaid

Moon & Stars - Moderate - 9″

It feels so wrong to bleed on her!

[secretpaddict]

My Stash - Broomstick

Pretty Period CSP - Moderate - 10″

I love Harry Potter and had to get this when I saw it. It’s topped with performance pique which is a great fabric. My only problem with this is that with a 3″ gusset it’s a bit wide.

[secretpaddict]

WIWTM - January 2017

The first day of my period I had some painful cramps, but after that it wasn’t too bad. I only used my large Lena cup on day 3. It felt wrong bleeding on the mermaid! (Sorry for the bedding in the edge of the photo.)